NewzIntel.com

Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Ministers of State Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel and Shri George Kurian Confer “Prani Mitra” and “Jeev Daya” Awards for Animal Welfare and Protection

    Source: Government of India

    Union Ministers of State Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel and Shri George Kurian Confer “Prani Mitra” and “Jeev Daya” Awards for Animal Welfare and Protection

    Four Key Handbooks for Strengthening Animal Welfare Laws and Policies Released

    Livestock Census to Play Key Role in Shaping Animal Welfare Policy in India:  Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel

    Posted On: 27 FEB 2025 8:37PM by PIB Delhi

    The “Prani Mitra and Jeev Daya Award Ceremony” was organised by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), a statutory body of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on 27th February 2025. AWBI has been established under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960 to ensure that animals are not subjected to unnecessary pain or suffering. The event was graced by Union Ministers of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel and Shri George Kurian. Ms. Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary, Animal Husbandry Department (AHD), Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Animal Husbandry Commissioner and Chairman, AWBI along with senior officials of the ministry and representatives from state governments were also present on the occasion.

     

     

    The event marked the release of four important books for effective implementation of rules and guidelines for animal welfare in India. These books will serve as vital tools for veterinarians, policymakers and field officials, to help ensure timely and effective responses for animal welfare. These include Handbook for Veterinary Officers on Animal Welfare Laws; Law Enforcement Handbook on Animal Welfare Laws; Animal Law Handbook for Urban Local Bodies and Revised Animal Birth Control (ABC) module for Street Dogs Population management, rabies eradication and reducing man-dog conflict.

    In his address, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, elucidated the vision of Vasudev Kutumbakam (the whole world is a family) and stated that the rich Indian cultural heritage teaches us to nurture and revere  animals and other elements of nature. Prof. Baghel said that the ongoing livestock census will not only help in effective policy formation but also be instrumental in proper fund allocation for animal welfare in the country. He emphasized upon the need for parents to counsel and sensitize their children towards animals in order to build a compassionate society. Prof. Baghel also remembered Smt. Rukmini Devi Arunadale, on this occasion for her tireless advocacy for animal welfare that led to the enactment of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

     

    Shri George Kurian, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in his address said that India has a rich cultural and spiritual heritage that has always revered animals. He congratulated animal lovers who are tirelessly working for animal welfare and spreading the message of kindness and compassion towards animals in the society.

    Ms. Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary, Animal Husbandry Department (AHD) emphasized upon  the role of various stakeholders i.e. State Governments and Local Bodies that have a major role to play in raising awareness about animal welfare. She stated that much more needs to be done at policy level to sensitize and reduce animal cruelty.  She said that “One Health” has become even more important post the Covid 19 pandemic wherein zoonotic diseases need to pre-emptively be controlled. While highlighting about the positive impact of A-Help (Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production), she said that health of livestock including their nutritional safety needs urgent attention at all levels. Ms. Upadhyaya also emphasized upon the need to frame rules that ease travel for animals in the country. Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Animal Husbandry Commissioner and Chairman, AWBI while deliberating upon the functioning and activities of the Board, highlighted that the Covid 19 pandemic can be traced to animal origins and hence there is a need to invest more in animal health. Chairman, AWBI stated that the issue of stray animals need to be addressed and as a society our focus should be on human animal coexistence.

     

    This year’s “Prani Mitra Awards” were conferred to the following individuals / organizations under five categories:

     

    1. Advocacy – Individual to Shri Akhil Jain, Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
    2. Innovative Idea – Individual to Shri Ramesh Bhai Veljibhai Ruparelia, Gondal, Gujarat.
    3. Life Time Animal Service – Individual to Shri Harnarayan Soni, Osiyan, Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
    4. Animal Welfare Organisation (AWO) to Sri Sri 1008 Sriram Ratandasji Vaishanav Go Sewa Samiti, Karahdham, Morena, Madhya Pradesh.
    5. Corporate / PSUs / Government bodies / Cooperatives to Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust, Jamnagar, Gujarat

     

    In addition, the “Jeev Daya Award” of AWBI was conferred to the following individuals / organizations under three categories:

     

    1. Individual:  Ms. Nisha Subramanian Kunju, Mumbai, Maharashtra
    2. Animal Welfare Organization:  Bhagwan Mahavir Pashu Raksha Kendra, Kutch, Gujarat
    3. Schools/ Institutions/ Teachers/ Children (below the age of 18 years): Master Chaitanya M Saxena, Jaipur, Rajasthan and Master Aadi Shah, Mumbai, Maharashtra.

     

    About “Prani Mitra  and Jeev Daya Awards”

     

    The “Prani Mitra Award” was introduced in 1966 for the Individuals for their outstanding and remarkable contribution in the field of Animal Welfare and Protection, which has now further been extended to the organizations. In addition, the AWBI has instituted the “Jeev Daya Award” in 2001 to recognize and appreciate the services rendered by animal lovers. Since 1966, 54 persons have been conferred with the Prani Mitra Award for their meritorious and outstanding services for the cause of protection of animals and promotion of Animal Welfare in general. Also, the Board had conferred Jeev Daya Award to 12 Individuals / Organizations since 2001.

    ****

    Aditi Agrawal

    (Release ID: 2106757) Visitor Counter : 62

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: A high-level European Union delegation, led by Ms Ekaterina Zaharieva, currently on India visit, today called on Union Minister for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh and discussed primarily the StartUp and innovation collaborations

    Source: Government of India

    A high-level European Union delegation, led by Ms Ekaterina Zaharieva, currently on India visit, today called on Union Minister for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh and discussed primarily the StartUp and innovation collaborations

    The meeting between Ekaterina, who is the European Union Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation and the Indian Minister marks a significant milestone in India-EU cooperation in the field of science and technology

    Recalls the long-standing and growing cooperation between India and the European Union (EU) in the field of science and technology

    “Prime Minister Narendra Modi Instrumental in Making India a hub of hub of cutting-edge research, fostering innovation, and driving transformative initiatives across various scientific domains” says Dr. Singh

    Highlights AI, Quantum Mission, healthcare, Ocean Polar along with other areas with potential of India -EU collaboration

    Posted On: 27 FEB 2025 8:27PM by PIB Delhi

    A high-level European Union delegation, led by Ms Ekaterina Zaharieva, currently on India visit, today called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh and discussed primarily the StartUp and innovation collaborations.

    The meeting between Ekaterina, who is the European Union Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation and the Indian Minister marks a significant milestone in India-EU cooperation in the field of science and technology.

    The Science and Technology Minister emphasized the longstanding partnership between India and the European Union, which dates back to the signing of the India-EU Science and Technology Agreement in 2001, renewed in 2015 and 2020, and set to be renewed once again for the period 2025-2030.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his visionary leadership and unwavering support, which has played a pivotal role in India’s remarkable leap in science and technology. He noted that PM Modi has been instrumental in steering the country towards becoming a hub of cutting-edge research, fostering innovation, and driving transformative initiatives across various scientific domains.

    During the discussions, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted several key areas where India and the EU can collaborate further to drive innovation and sustainable development.

    These areas include:

    Water Resource Management

    Clean Energy & Smart Grids

    Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data & Robotics

    Healthcare (including Vaccine Development and Pandemic Preparedness)

    Climate Change & Polar Research

    The Minister stressed that collaboration in these areas would harness the strengths of both India and Europe, with an emphasis on increasing synergy and sharing knowledge and resources.

    Dr. Singh underscored India’s commitment to advancing joint research initiatives with the EU, particularly during the period from 2020 to 2024. He referred to ongoing projects such as:

    Department of Science and Technology (DST): Projects on Water, Energy, AI, Data, and Robotics

    Department of Biotechnology (DBT): Collaborative work on Water Resources and Vaccine Development

    Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES): Joint research on Climate Change and Polar Research

    The Minister emphasized India’s substantial contribution to these projects, amounting to €20.92 million. He also named several noteworthy achievements and projects, including:

    Geospatial Mapping of Point/Non-Point Pollution Sources (SPRING)

    PAVITRA GANGA: Demonstration of novel wastewater treatment technologies at Kanpur and Barapullah, New Delhi

    ENDFLU: Development of an improved influenza vaccine (Myn002) for better protection against drifted influenza strains

    BRIC-THSTI: Development of domestic influenza vaccine testing capacity through the ENDFLU and INCENTIVE projects

    PRESCRIP-TEC: HPV awareness and screening initiatives

    RUTI®: Phase 1 trials of Anti-TB vaccine

    The Minister of Earth Sciences, Dr. Singh, further emphasized the importance of international collaboration in addressing oceanic and climatic challenges. Key areas of research include:Ocean warming, deoxygenation, and acidification;Polar climate studies;Ocean forecasting.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh stressed the need for global cooperation to address these threats and ensure the health of the planet’s ecosystems.

    Looking ahead, Dr. Singh outlined several promising areas for future India-EU collaboration:

    Quantum Research: India’s emerging Quantum R&D capabilities combined with the EU’s advanced quantum hardware can lead to breakthroughs in secure communication and computing.

    Bioeconomy: India’s first-of-its-kind Bioeconomy (BioE3) policy, along with the EU’s expertise, can foster growth in the sector.

    Green Hydrogen: India’s scaling renewable hydrogen projects, paired with the EU’s leadership in electrolysis technology, can drive transformational change in energy.

    Battery Technology & Blue Economy: Exploring innovations in energy storage and sustainable use of ocean resources.

    High-Performance Computing: Enhancing computational capabilities for scientific and industrial applications.

    Dr. Singh also highlighted India’s commitment to tackling climate change through clean energy collaboration, particularly in offshore wind and solar projects. This, he said, would help meet the ambitious climate targets set by both India and the EU.

    The S&T Minister pointed out that India’s National AI Mission, backed by substantial funding, will be a key area for collaboration between India and the EU. He emphasized the potential for both regions to lead in AI safety and security, ensuring the development of AI in a sustainable, equitable, and inclusive manner.

    In the health sector, Dr. Singh identified several key areas where India and the EU can collaborate:Infectious and Non-Infectious Diseases; Novel Therapeutics, Biologicals, and Early Diagnostics; Drug Repurposing; AI in Healthcare Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR); One Health Approach.

    He stressed that the partnership between India and Europe could extend to these critical health challenges, which have global implications.

    From the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Mr. Marc Lemaître, Director-General; Ms. Nienke Buisman, Head of Unit, Innovation, Prosperity, and International Cooperation; and from the Cabinet of the Commissioner, Ms. Sophie Alexandrova, Deputy Head of Cabinet, along with Mr. Ivan Dimov, Member of Cabinet; Mr. Pierrick Fillon-Ashida, First Counsellor & Head of the Research & Innovation Section; Dr. Vivek Dham, Policy Officer, Research & Innovation Section, EU Delegation to India, were part of the delegation.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh concluded the discussions by reiterating India’s deep commitment to strengthening its partnership with the European Union in science and technology. He expressed confidence that the shared vision for collaboration in key sectors will create a pathway to solving global challenges and advancing mutual interests.

    ********

    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2106749) Visitor Counter : 41

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PM chairs a High-Level Meeting to review Ayush sector

    Source: Government of India (2)

    PM chairs a High-Level Meeting to review Ayush sector

    PM undertakes comprehensive review of the Ayush sector and emphasizes the need for strategic interventions to harness its full potential

    PM discusses increasing acceptance of Ayush worldwide and its potential to drive sustainable development

    PM reiterates government’s commitment to strengthen the Ayush sector through policy support, research, and innovation

    PM emphasises the need to promote holistic and integrated health and standard protocols on Yoga, Naturopathy and Pharmacy Sector

    Posted On: 27 FEB 2025 8:14PM by PIB Delhi

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg to review the Ayush sector, underscoring its vital role in holistic wellbeing and healthcare, preserving traditional knowledge, and contributing to the nation’s wellness ecosystem.

    Since the creation of the Ministry of Ayush in 2014, Prime Minister has envisioned a clear roadmap for its growth, recognizing its vast potential. In a comprehensive review of the sector’s progress, the Prime Minister emphasized the need for strategic interventions to harness its full potential. The review focused on streamlining initiatives, optimizing resources, and charting a visionary path to elevate Ayush’s global presence.

    During the review, the Prime Minister emphasized the sector’s significant contributions, including its role in promoting preventive healthcare, boosting rural economies through medicinal plant cultivation, and enhancing India’s global standing as a leader in traditional medicine. He highlighted the sector’s resilience and growth, noting its increasing acceptance worldwide and its potential to drive sustainable development and employment generation.

    Prime Minister reiterated that the government is committed to strengthening the Ayush sector through policy support, research, and innovation. He also emphasised the need to promote holistic and integrated health and standard protocols on Yoga, Naturopathy and Pharmacy Sector.

    Prime Minister emphasized that transparency must remain the bedrock of all operations within the Government across sectors. He directed all stakeholders to uphold the highest standards of integrity, ensuring that their work is guided solely by the rule of law and for the public good.

    The Ayush sector has rapidly evolved into a driving force in India’s healthcare landscape, achieving significant milestones in education, research, public health, international collaboration, trade, digitalization, and global expansion. Through the efforts of the government, the sector has witnessed several key achievements, about which the Prime Minister was briefed during the meeting.

    • Ayush sector demonstrated exponential economic growth, with the manufacturing market size surging from USD 2.85 billion in 2014 to USD 23 billion in 2023.

    •India has established itself as a global leader in evidence-based traditional medicine, with the Ayush Research Portal now hosting over 43,000 studies. 

    • Research publications in the last 10 years exceed the publications of the previous 60 years.

    • Ayush Visa to further boost medical tourism, attracting international patients seeking holistic healthcare solutions.

    • The Ayush sector has witnessed significant breakthroughs through collaborations with premier institutions at national and international levels.

    • The strengthening of infrastructure and a renewed focus on the integration of artificial intelligence under Ayush Grid.

    • Digital technologies to be leveraged for promotion of Yoga.

    • iGot platform to host more holistic Y-Break Yoga like content

    • Establishing the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat is a landmark achievement, reinforcing India’s leadership in traditional medicine. 

    • Inclusion of traditional medicine in the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11.

    • National Ayush Mission has been pivotal in expanding the sector’s infrastructure and accessibility.

    •  More than 24.52 Cr people participated in 2024, International Day of Yoga (IDY) which has now become a global phenomenon.

    • 10th Year of International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025 to be a significant milestone with more participation of people across the globe.

    The meeting was attended by Union Health Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Minister of State (IC), Ministry of Ayush and Minister of State, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Principal Secretary to PM Dr. P. K. Mishra, Principal Secretary-2 to PM Shri Shaktikanta Das, Advisor to PM Shri Amit Khare and senior officials.

     

    ***

    MJPS/ST

    (Release ID: 2106735) Visitor Counter : 67

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PM to participate in Jahan-e-Khusrau 2025 on 28th February in New Delhi

    Source: Government of India

    PM to participate in Jahan-e-Khusrau 2025 on 28th February in New Delhi

    The grand Sufi music festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year

    Festival is bringing together artists from across the world to celebrate the legacy of Amir Khusrau

    Posted On: 27 FEB 2025 6:30PM by PIB Delhi

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will participate in the grand Sufi music festival, Jahan-e-Khusrau 2025, on 28th February, at around 7:30 PM, at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi.

    Prime Minister has been a strong proponent of promoting the diverse art and culture of the country. In line with this, he will participate in Jahan-e-Khusrau which is an international Festival dedicated to Sufi music, poetry, and dance. It is bringing together artists from across the world to celebrate the legacy of Amir Khusrau. Organized by the Rumi Foundation, the Festival, started by renowned filmmaker and artist Muzaffar Ali in 2001, will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year and will be held from 28th February to 2nd March.

    During the Festival, Prime Minister will also visit the TEH Bazaar (TEH- The Exploration of the Handmade) that will feature One District-One Product crafts and other various exquisite artefacts from across the country, short films on handicrafts and handlooms, among others.

     

    ***

    MJPS/SR

    (Release ID: 2106691) Visitor Counter : 75

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New 4D Brain Map reveals potential early warning signs of multiple sclerosis

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 2

    News Release
    Thursday, February 27, 2025

    NIH study reveals key players underlying disease onset and repair.
    Using an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS), researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have created a four-dimensional brain map that reveals how lesions similar to those seen in human MS form. These findings, published in Science, provide a window into the early disease state and could help identify potential targets for MS treatments and brain tissue repair.
    The researchers, led by postdoctoral fellow Jing-Ping Lin, Ph.D., and senior investigator Daniel S. Reich, M.D., Ph.D., both at NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), combined repeated MRI imaging with brain-tissue analysis, including gene expression, to track the onset and development of MS-like lesions. They uncovered a new MRI signature that can help detect brain regions at risk for damage weeks before any visible lesions occur. They also identified “microenvironments” within affected brain tissue based on observed patterns of neural function, inflammation, immune and support cell responses, gene expression, and levels of damage and repair.
    “Identifying the early events that occur after inflammation and teasing apart which are reparative versus which are damaging, can potentially help us identify MS disease activity sooner and develop treatments to slow or stop its progression,” said Dr. Reich.   
    MS is caused by the body’s immune system attacking the protective covering of nerve fibers, called myelin. This leads to inflammation, loss of myelin, and formation of “lesions” or “plaques” within the brain tissue. Most of what is known about MS progression has come from analysis of postmortem human brain tissue, usually obtained decades after the initial onset of disease. This means missing early changes that occurred prior to the onset of symptoms.
    To mimic the conditions of the human brain, the researchers opted not to use a mouse model for MS, instead advancing a model that uses the marmoset, a nonhuman primate. Compared to mouse brains, marmoset and human brains have a higher ratio of white matter (the “wires” of the brain) to gray matter (neuronal cell bodies). The marmoset model creates multiple lesions that closely resemble those seen in human MS and that can be tracked in real time using MRI imaging. Because these lesions can be induced experimentally, the model offers a look at the earliest stages of inflammation and immune responses that lead to MS-like demyelination.
    One key player identified was a specific type of astrocyte, one of the support cell types in the brain, that turns on a gene called SERPINE1 or plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI1). They found SERPINE1-expressing astrocytes in vulnerable brain borders before visible damage occurs, clustering near blood vessels and the fluid-filled ventricles of the brain and signaling future areas of lesion development. These astrocytes also appeared to influence the behavior of other cells near the lesion area, including the ability of immune cells to enter the brain and contribute to inflammation, as well as the precursor cells involved in myelin repair.
    Given that SERPINE1-expressing astrocytes accumulated at the edges of growing lesions, where damage happens but healing also begins, their potential dual role in coordinating signals that could lead to either tissue repair or further damage was an unexpected wrinkle that will require further study. It’s possible that the earliest responses could be a part of a protective mechanism that becomes overwhelmed as the injury progresses. It’s also possible that the same mechanism could itself become disease-causing.    
    “If one imagines a fort under siege, initially the walls might hold off the attack,” said Dr. Reich. “But if those walls are breached, all the defenses inside can be turned against the fort itself.”
    These findings may also have implications for brain injuries beyond what is seen in MS. While there are different types of focal brain injuries, including traumatic brain injury, stroke, inflammation, and infection, there is a finite number of ways the tissue can react to injury. In fact, many of the reactions seen here to inflammation, stress, and tissue damage are likely to be common across injury types, and the brain map created in this study can act as a resource to allow comparisons to be made in a more human-like context.
    The scientific teams are building a new model of a different autoimmune condition affecting brain borders. They are also looking to expand their data set to include aged animals, which could help improve our understanding of progressive MS, a disease state with a significant and unmet therapeutic need.
    This study was supported in part by the Intramural Research Program at the NIH with additional support from the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Medical Research Foundation and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
    About the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS): NINDS is the nation’s leading funder of research on the brain and nervous system. The mission of NINDS is to seek fundamental knowledge about the brain and nervous system and to use that knowledge to reduce the burden of neurological disease.
    About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.
    NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health®

    Article
    Lin J-P et al. 4D marmoset brain map reveals MRI and molecular signatures for onset of multiple sclerosis-like lesions. Science. February 28, 2025. DOI: 10.1126/science.adp6325

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 8 Lakh Devotees Benefit with Ayush at the Maha Kumbh

    Source: Government of India (2)

    8 Lakh Devotees Benefit with Ayush at the Maha Kumbh

    Wellness on the Go: Ayush Mobile Units, OPDs, and Yoga Sessions Keep Maha Kumbh Pilgrims Healthy

    Posted On: 27 FEB 2025 5:53PM by PIB Delhi

    Ensuring the health and safety of millions of devotees, the Ministry of Ayush has extended comprehensive healthcare services to over eight lakh pilgrims, making their sacred journey safer and healthier during the Maha Kumbh Mela.

    From setting up 20 Ayush OPDs to deploying mobile health units, over 90 doctors and 150 healthcare workers have been working tirelessly to provide continuous medical care throughout the grand spiritual event. These dedicated efforts ensured that devotees, kalpvasis, and saints could participate in the holy festivities without health concerns, particularly during the sacred Mahashivratri bath.

    Dr. Akhilesh Kumar Singh, Nodal Officer for Ayush at the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh, informed that the Ministry has successfully catered to the healthcare needs of over eight lakh devotees, reflecting the growing trust in traditional Indian medicine. Devotees also benefited from therapeutic yoga sessions conducted by the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), promoting physical and mental well-being.

    To ensure seamless healthcare access, three Ayush Convention Halls were setup in Sector-2, Sector-21, and Sector 24, where daily yoga and wellness sessions educated pilgrims on preventive healthcare, disease management, and holistic living. Special attention was also given to the revered sadhus and saints, with dedicated health screenings in prominent Akharas such as Juna, Anand, Niranjani, and Vaishnav Akharas.

    In addition, mobile Ayush health units distributed medicines throughout the Mela area, while various teams operated from canopies at various Ayush facilities, providing essential health check-ups to kalpvasis.

    To further safeguard devotees from common ailments, the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) launched a special initiative, distributing 10,000 Ayush Raksha kits packed with essential Ayurvedic medicines and wellness products. This initiative was complemented by a week-long health camp, benefiting 15,000 pilgrims, reinforcing the Ministry’s commitment to preventive and holistic healthcare.

    Adding a green touch to the event, the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) distributed over 25,000 medicinal plants—including Tulsi, Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Neem, Amla, and Curry Leaf—to devotees, promoting natural healing and reinforcing the importance of medicinal plants in daily life.

    The Maha Kumbh Mela is not just about spiritual awakening; it’s also about ensuring the well-being of millions who undertake this sacred journey. The Ministry of Ayush remained committed to its efforts in integrating traditional healthcare into this grand event, making holistic wellness an integral part of the spiritual experience.

     

    ****

    MV/AKS

    (Release ID: 2106676) Visitor Counter : 76

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – EU action and leadership on global health in view of the US withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) – P-000773/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-000773/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Stine Bosse (Renew), Vlad Vasile-Voiculescu (Renew), Catarina Martins (The Left), Sirpa Pietikäinen (PPE), Lena Schilling (Verts/ALE), Lucia Yar (Renew), Karin Karlsbro (Renew), Emma Wiesner (Renew), Abir Al-Sahlani (Renew), Romana Jerković (S&D), Tilly Metz (Verts/ALE), Maria Walsh (PPE), Olivier Chastel (Renew), Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus (S&D), Christine Singer (Renew), Barry Andrews (Renew), Sebastian Everding (The Left), Vicent Marzà Ibáñez (Verts/ALE), Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová (Renew), Sophie Wilmès (Renew), Kim Van Sparrentak (Verts/ALE), Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle (Renew), Benoit Cassart (Renew), Elisabeth Grossmann (S&D), Elena Kountoura (The Left), Rasmus Nordqvist (Verts/ALE), Villy Søvndal (Verts/ALE), Marit Maij (S&D), Charles Goerens (Renew), Marc Angel (S&D), Anna-Maja Henriksson (Renew), Isabella Lövin (Verts/ALE), Alice Kuhnke (Verts/ALE), Pär Holmgren (Verts/ALE)

    The United States’ impending withdrawal from the WHO, its reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy and the abandonment of the pandemic prevention treaty present an urgent challenge both to Europe and the entire world at a time when global collaboration on anti-microbial resistance (AMR), HIV, and the promotion of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) is as important as ever.

    • 1.Given Europe’s role as one of the principal WHO donors, what concrete steps will the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy take to both step up EU action on global health financing and mitigate the likely harm to health in Europe and globally resulting from these decisions, and how will Europe seek to fill the global financing gap in the fight against HIV and in promoting SRHR?
    • 2.Given the failure to agree on binding measures on AMR at the UN level, what specific actions will the Commission and the European External Action Service now take to bolster international efforts to combat AMR?
    • 3.Will the Commission address AMR in the upcoming strategy for a Preparedness Union? If so, how will it complement ongoing initiatives such as the Health and Digital Executive Agency’s drug subscription pilot and the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority’s plans to explore pull incentives?

    Supporter[1]

    Submitted: 19.2.2025

    • [1] This question is supported by a Member other than the authors: Marie Toussaint (Verts/ALE)

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Adequate diagnostics and data collection on Lyme disease – E-000702/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000702/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Lynn Boylan (The Left), Kathleen Funchion (The Left)

    In its response to written question E-001998/2024[1], the Commission notes that the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control collects surveillance data from Member States on neuroborreliosis, and that EU funds have been allocated to Member States to carry out surveillance for ticks responsible for Lyme borreliosis.

    However, there are different types of diagnostic test available and approaches to testing may differ among Member States.

    In light of this:

    • 1.What concrete measures does the Commission propose to support Member States in achieving accurate diagnostics on Lyme disease?
    • 2.How will the Commission ensure that the reporting data it receives from Member States provide an accurate count of the number of cases of Lyme disease?

    Submitted: 14.2.2025

    • [1] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-10-2024-001998_EN.html.
    Last updated: 27 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: February 27th, 2025 N.M. Delegation Demands HHS Secretary Kennedy Take Immediate Action to Contain Measles Outbreak

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
    Delegation Letter Comes Amid Measles Outbreak in New Mexico and Texas;
    Measles is One of the Most Highly Infectious Diseases and Can Lead to Serious Complications Like Pneumonia, Blindness, Brain Swelling, and Death
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) wrote to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. demanding immediate action to contain the recent outbreak of measles in New Mexico. Measles, once declared eliminated in the U.S. over two decades ago, has sickened nine individuals in Lea Country.
    “Given the Department of Health and Human Services’ important responsibility to stop the spread of infectious diseases, we request that you utilize HHS’ authorities for testing and monitoring and vaccine education and promotion, as well as rehire critical federal employees, to stop the spread of this dangerous infection,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter to Secretary Kennedy.
    The lawmakers urged Secretary Kennedy to maintain regular reporting on measles cases, “States report confirmed measles cases to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System. Previously, measles tracking on the CDC website was consistently updated weekly. These updates are critical for public health officials to effectively track the rapid spread of this life-threatening disease. We urge you to maintain posting updated measles tracking data weekly.”
    Following the firing of federal public health officials, the lawmakers demanded the reinstatement of these officials to contain the outbreak, “Just last Friday, two dozen employees at the CDC charged with training public health laboratory staffers and supporting outbreak response efforts were fired. These firings will worsen outbreaks and ultimately threaten the health of all Americans in the face of the next public health emergency. We urgently request that you reinstate the fired federal health workers to help stop the spread of measles and other infectious diseases.”
    Additionally, to prevent future outbreaks, the lawmakers pressed Secretary Kennedy to support life-saving measles vaccines, “Given that most of the infected individuals are unvaccinated, more must be done to increase vaccination rates against measles. Vaccination rates can and should be increased and therefore we request that HHS launch a national campaign to improve measles vaccination rates to prevent future outbreaks.”
    The text of the letter is here and below:
    Dear Secretary Kennedy,
    We are concerned about the recent outbreak of measles in New Mexico. As of Wednesday, there are nine people with confirmed cases of measles in isolation in Lea County, New Mexico. This news comes as the nearby counties of Gaines, Terry, Lubbock, and Yoakum in Texas have recently reported 90 cases with 16 people hospitalized. Given the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) important responsibility to stop the spread of infectious diseases, we request that you utilize HHS’ authorities for testing and monitoring and vaccine education and promotion, as well as rehire critical federal employees, to stop the spread of this dangerous infection.
    Measles is one of the most highly infectious diseases because the virus can survive in the air for up to 2 hours. Ninety percent of people who are susceptible will become infected if exposed. While many recover, some experience serious complications like pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling, and death.
    Preventing and mitigating outbreaks is only possible through effective disease tracking and communication, an adequate workforce, and vaccination. States report confirmed measles cases to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System. Previously, measles tracking on the CDC website was consistently updated weekly. These updates are critical for public health officials to effectively track the rapid spread of this life-threatening disease. We urge you to maintain posting updated measles tracking data weekly.
    The public health workforce protects community health by tracking disease and communicating with the public about health threats. But on January 29, 2025, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that there are still health care workforce shortages that inhibit the U.S.’s ability to protect and improve the health of American communities. Despite these health care workforce shortages, federal employees have been fired from the CDC, National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Indian Health Service (IHS). Just last Friday, two dozen employees at the CDC charged with training public health laboratory staffers and supporting outbreak response efforts were fired. These firings will worsen outbreaks and ultimately threaten the health of all Americans in the face of the next public health emergency. We urgently request that you reinstate the fired federal health workers to help stop the spread of measles and other infectious diseases.
    Finally, the most effective way to protect people from contracting measles is to increase vaccination rates as quickly as possible. The measles vaccine, which also inoculates against mumps and rubella, has been in use for about 60 years and has consistently been found to be safe and effective. We urge you to keep your commitment to maintain the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for vaccination. The ACIP is critical for ensuring safe and effective vaccination practices among American adults and children. The resources provided by the ACIP not only help health care providers make vaccination recommendations to their patients but also empower everyday Americans to make informed decisions about their health. Given that most of the infected individuals are unvaccinated, more must be done to increase vaccination rates against measles. Vaccination rates can and should be increased and therefore we request that HHS launch a national campaign to improve measles vaccination rates to prevent future outbreaks.
    In closing, your action is urgently needed to stop the spread of measles in New Mexico and across America. In order to mitigate the further spread of this life-threatening disease, we urge you to utilize HHS’ authorities and proven outbreak mitigation strategies. Specifically, we are asking that you maintain weekly disease tracking data updates, rehire federal health workers, launch a vaccination promotion campaign against measles and other life-threatening infectious diseases, and trust the recommendations of public health experts, physicians, and scientists.
    Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren, Blumenthal, Duckworth Ramp Up Investigation Into MOHELA’s Predatory Website Terms of Use

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    February 27, 2025

    Lawmakers hit loan servicer for efforts to infringe on borrowers’ legal rights 

    With Education Department’s future uncertain, MOHELA’s behavior raises concerns about ability to keep student loan servicers in check

    “MOHELA has imposed an exploitative set of Terms upon all borrowers that set up an account on its website…(Y)our response indicates a worrying disregard for borrowers’ rights.” 

    Text of Letter (PDF) | MOHELA Response to November 2024 Letter (PDF)

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) wrote to the student loan servicer Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA) with continued concerns over its website’s Terms of Use (TOU), which appear to be written with the intent to relieve MOHELA of liability for severe misconduct and may infringe upon student loan borrowers’ legal rights.  

    MOHELA has repeatedly shirked its basic responsibilities as a federal student loan servicer and has been repeatedly penalized by ED for doing so. In November 2024, the Senators wrote to MOHELA to raise their initial concerns about the company’s tactics. The loan servicer’s response evaded questions, failed to provide a reasonable justification for the predatory provisions in its TOU, and made multiple false assertions. 

     In its response, MOHELA: 

    • Falsely claimed its TOU are in line with industry standards, even though MOHELA appears to have written its TOU to absolve it of much more severe wrongdoing compared to other major federal loan servicers’ TOU;
    • Provided unconvincing explanations for its TOU provisions disclaiming any responsibility that its website contain “accurate or reliable” information and disclaiming any responsibility for correcting any “defects” on the website; and
    • Failed to justify exploitative TOU sections that appear to undermine borrowers’ rights to hold MOHELA accountable for financial harms, including by limiting its liability to $100 “for all claims arising” from use of its website and making borrowers’ “sole (legal) remedy” for dissatisfaction with MOHELA’s website to stop using the website.  

    “MOHELA’s explanations fail to provide persuasive justifications for these provisions…(and the t)erms are clearly written and designed to absolve MOHELA of wide swaths of damages even in the cases of significant wrongdoing,” wrote the senators. 

    MOHELA’s terms may also violate federal consumer protection law. The Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA) prohibits abusive contracts, including those that take “unreasonable advantage” of “unequal bargaining power.” That could apply to MOHELA’s TOU, since borrowers assigned to MOHELA have no choice but to sign the TOU and cannot choose a different loan servicer. MOHELA did not address the senators’ concerns in this area. 

    The lawmakers urged the loan servicer to remove all predatory provisions from its TOU and asked MOHELA to provide clarity on its decision to impose it on borrowers by March 13, 2025.   

    Senator Warren has led the fight to reform our higher education system, cancel student loan debt, and hold student loan servicers accountable:

    • In February 2025, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Andy Kim (D-N.J.) released responses to Committee questions for the record from Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, in which McMahon states that she “wholeheartedly” agrees with Trump’s plans to abolish the Department of Education.
    • In February 2025, during the Senate’s consideration of the Republican budget resolution, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) proposed an amendment to protect higher education funding in Massachusetts.   
    • In February 2025, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), led 32 Democratic senators in writing to President Donald Trump, demanding that he reject Congressional Republicans’ legislative plans to increase the cost of living, including education costs, for Americans after pledging to lower costs on “Day One” of his presidency.
    • In February 2025, in advance of her confirmation hearing, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Andy Kim (D-N.J.), sent Linda McMahon, Secretary-Designate for the U.S. Department of Education, a 12-page letter with 65 questions on her policy views. 
    • In February 2025, following Elon Musk and DOGE forcing their way into the Department of Education, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Minority Leader Schumer (D-N.Y.) led a coalition of Democrats in demanding the Department of Education launch an investigation into Musk and DOGE’s access to federal student loan data. 
    • In January 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren sent Elon Musk, Chair of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a letter detailing over 30 proposals that would cut at least $2 trillion of wasteful government spending over the next decade, including through saving on education programs. 
    • In December 2024, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) revealed the alarming findings of a Senate investigation into millions of consumer credit reporting errors that occurred during the transfer of student loan accounts from Nelnet to MOHELA in 2023. The senators urged the CFPB and ED to investigate these errors and use their supervisory and enforcement authority to hold the appropriate parties accountable.
    • In December 2024, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (D-PA) led 24 lawmakers in sending a bicameral letter to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra and Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, revealing the results of their investigation into Navient regarding its cancellation process for the predatory, for-profit student loans in its portfolio and urging the agencies to hold the student loan servicer accountable for any violations of federal law. 
    • In November 2024, Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) sent a letter blasting MOHELA for abusing borrowers with potentially illegal, exploitative terms of use.
    • In October 2024, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) sent a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Education (ED) commending the agencies on their progress in helping borrowers who are struggling financially to discharge their student loans in bankruptcy and asking them to continue expanding awareness of the Biden-Harris administration’s new policy.
    • In October 2024, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) celebrated new federal student debt relief, bringing the total number of Americans who have had their debt canceled under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program during the Biden-Harris Administration to a historic 1 million people and counting.
    • In September 2024, Senators Warren (D-Mass.) and Merkley (D-Ore.) released a new report examining the impact of the Biden-Harris administration’s new Higher Education Act rule, finding that low- and middle-income borrowers, seniors, women, and Black borrowers will receive enormous benefits from the new rule.
    • In August 2024, Senator Warren joined Senators Jeff Merkley, Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) to launch an investigation into the reported mishandling of student loan transfers by MOHELA, Nelnet and credit reporting agencies.
    • In August 2024, Senator Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.) led over 30 lawmakers in a letter urging student loan servicer Navient to reform its flawed process to cancel the private student loans of borrowers who attended fraudulent, for-profit colleges.
    • In July 2024, Senators Warren, Ron Wyden, Chris Van Hollen, and Bernie Sanders, sent a letter to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, cautioning the Department of Education on Federal Student Aid’s transition to the Unified Servicing and Data Solution system.
    • In July 2024, Senators Warren, Schumer, and Sanders released a joint statement on the American Federation of Teachers’ lawsuit against MOHELA for allegedly overcharging and misleading student loan borrowers.
    • In May 2024, Senators Warren and King led their colleagues in a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, urging them to provide guidance and communication to borrowers as the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program transfers from MOHELA to the Department of Education. 
    • In May 2024, Senator Warren led a growing coalition of senators in urging the Department of Education to hold student loan servicer MOHELA accountable for its failures.
    • In May 2024, Senator Warren and 24 members of the U.S. Senate sent a letter to Senator Tammy Baldwin, Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, and Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, encouraging them to provide $2.7 billion in funding to the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) in fiscal year (FY) 2025.
    • In May 2024, Senators Warren, Carper, Kaine, and Representative Don Davis (D-N.C.) called on the Department of Defense (DoD) to release data on the Postsecondary Education Complaint System (PECS), a centralized database to track complaints against schools who participate in the Tuition Assistance (TA) and My Career Advancement Account Scholarship (MyCAA) program.
    • In April 2024, Senator Warren led eight of her colleagues in sending a letter to David L. Yowan, President and Chief Executive Officer of student loan servicer Navient, urging the servicer to cancel decades-old private student loans pushed onto borrowers attending fraudulent, for-profit colleges.
    • In April 2024, Senators Warren, Blumenthal, Markey, and Van Hollen released a new report: Servicing Scandals: Student Loan Servicers’ Failures During Return to Repayment, which reveals a decades-long pattern of student loan servicer incompetence and misconduct that has affected millions of borrowers nationwide.
    • In April 2024, Senator Elizabeth Warren led a hearing on student loan servicer Higher Education Loan Authority of the State of Missouri (MOHELA) and its failures during borrowers’ return to repayment, including MOHELA’s mismanagement of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. 
    • In March 2024, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, along with U.S. Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), and John Larson (D-Conn.), led their colleagues in calling on the Social Security Administration (SSA), the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury), and the U.S. Department of Education to end the practice of offsetting Social Security benefits to pay off defaulted student loans. 
    • In February 2024, Senator Warren, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) released a statement calling for an investigation into student loan mismanagement by MOHELA.
    • In January 2024, Senators Warren, Schumer, Sanders, Senator Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), along with Representative Ayanna Pressley, Assistant Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), Representative Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.), and Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), led their colleagues in calling on the Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to host a fourth session of the student debt negotiated rulemaking to consider relief for borrowers experiencing financial hardship.
    • In December 2023, U.S. Senators Warren, Richard Blumenthal, Ed Markey,, and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) sent follow-up letters to student loan servicers – MOHELA, EdFinancial, Nelnet, and Maximus – raising concerns about borrowers’ problems with return to repayment, requesting information about the borrower experience, and pushing back on the servicers’ claim that budget shortfalls limit their ability provide quality customer service to millions of borrowers.
    • In December 2023, Senators Warren, Schumer, Sanders, Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), and Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) sent a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, urging him to leverage his existing and full authority under the Higher Education Act to provide expanded student debt relief to working and middle-class borrowers.
    • In August 2023, Senator Warren, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senators Alex Padilla and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and U.S. Representatives Ilhan Omar, Jim Clyburn, and Frederica Wilson led 79 other lawmakers in a letter to President Joe Biden, urging him to swiftly deliver on his promise to deliver student debt cancellation to working and middle class families by early 2024.
    • In October 2022, Senator Warren and Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) visited communities across Massachusetts to celebrate the Biden administration’s student debt cancellation plan and help residents sign up for student loan relief. 
    • In March 2022, Senator Warren, along with Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Senator Brown and Representatives Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Mark Takano (D-Calif.), urged Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to swiftly discharge the loans of borrowers defrauded by predatory for-profit colleges and universities, including those operated by Corinthian College. 
    • In January 2022, Senator Warren, along with Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Representatives Jayapal, Pressley, Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), and Katie Porter (D-Calif.) led more than 80 colleagues in a bicameral letter to the Department of Education calling for it to release the memo outlining the Biden administration’s legal authority to cancel federal student loan debt and immediately cancel up to $50,000 of debt for Federal student loan borrowers.
    • In April 2021, Senators Warren and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) led a group of colleagues in a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona urging the Department of Education to take swift action to automatically remove all federally-held student loan borrowers from default.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shaheen Leads Colleagues in Calling on Secretary Kennedy to Undo Drastic Cuts to Critical Health Care Assistance Program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
    **The Navigator program has helped support historic health care enrollment in recent years**
    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) today led a group of their Senate colleagues in a letter calling on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., to reverse drastic funding cuts to the Affordable Care Act Navigator program, which helps Americans access quality, affordable health insurance coverage, including for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. The nearly 90 percent funding cut threatens to leave millions of Americans without critical assistance to access the insurance they need and would lead to a reduction in health care enrollment.  
    The Senators wrote, in part: “Since its inception, Navigators have become a critical resource for individuals and families, especially those living in rural and underserved areas, by helping them purchase health coverage that meets their needs.” 
    They continued: “In 2017 and 2018, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) slashed funding for the Navigator program by 84 percent. […] Unsurprisingly, ACA enrollment shrank by more than 2.5 million over the course of the Trump administration. Once Navigator funding was restored in 2021, enrollment rose and reached historic levels for the 2025 plan year.” 
    The lawmakers concluded: “We strongly urge the administration to reconsider this harmful decision and restore full funding to the Navigator program. Cutting these vital resources will only create more barriers for individuals and families seeking coverage, ultimately increasing the number of uninsured Americans.” 
    Read the full text of the letter here. 
    Co-signers of Shaheen’s letter include U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM). 
    Shaheen champions efforts in Congress to make health care more affordable and accessible for Granite Staters and all Americans. Shaheen’s first bill introduction this Congress was her landmark Health Care Affordability Act—bicameral legislation with U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and U.S. Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (D-IL) to permanently extend enhanced premium tax credits for Marketplace coverage that have lowered health care costs for millions of Americans.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: DR Congo: WHO tracks deadly mysterious illness

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI

    Health

    Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) are carrying out further investigations to determine the cause of another cluster of illness and deaths in Équateur province, UN officials reported on Thursday.

    In recent months, disease surveillance has identified increases in cases and fatalities on three occasions across different areas of the country, which triggered follow-up investigations to confirm the cause and provide needed support, WHO said in a statement.

    Symptoms include fever, headache, chills, sweating, stiff neck, muscle aches, multiple joint pain and body aches, a runny or bleeding from the nose, cough, vomiting and diarrhoea.

    DRC currently faces multiple challenges, with a conflict raging in the east, as Congolese armed forces face off against the Rwanda-backed M23 – with the fighting involving multiple other armed groups.

    Illness and death

    A series of outbreaks and fatalities have been occurring in Équateur province since the beginning of 2025, the UN health agency said.

    The most recent cluster occurred in the Basankusu health zone, where last week 141 additional people fell ill, with no deaths reported so far. Some 158 cases and 58 deaths were reported in the same zone earlier in February.

    In January, Bolamba health zone reported 12 cases including eight deaths.

    Major challenges

    The remoteness of affected areas limits access to healthcare, including testing and treatment, WHO said.

    Basankusu and Bolomba are around 180 kilometres apart and more than 300 kilometres from the provincial capital Mbandaka. The two localities are reachable by road or via the Congo River.

    However, poor road and communication links are major challenges, said the UN healthy agency, which continues to support local authorities in reinforcing investigation and response measures, with more than 80 community health workers trained to detect and report cases and deaths.   

    Further efforts are needed to reinforce testing, early case detection and reporting, said WHO, which remains on the ground supporting health workers, collaborating closely with health authorities at all levels.

    Increased surveillance

    The UN health agency has delivered emergency medical supplies, including testing kits, and developed detailed protocols to enhance disease investigation.

    Increased disease surveillance has identified in total of 1,096 sick people and 60 deaths in Basankusu and Bolomba fitting a broad case definition of the mysterious illness.

    In response to the latest cluster, a national rapid response team from Kinshasa and Équateur, including WHO health emergency experts, was deployed to Basankusu and Bolomba to investigate the situation.

    The experts are stepping up disease surveillance, conducting interviews with community members to understand the background and providing treatment for diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever and meningitis, WHO reported.

    Ongoing testing

    Initial laboratory analysis has produced negative results for Ebola virus disease and Marburg virus disease.

    Around half of the samples tested positive for malaria, which is common in the region, WHO said.

    Further tests are to be carried out for meningitis. Food, water and environmental samples will also be analysed for any possible contamination.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Recruiting Starts for Province’s First Internal Travel Nurse Program

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Registered nurses can now apply to participate in the province’s first internal travel nurse program.

    The pilot program will create a Nova Scotia Health travel nurse team to be deployed to emergency departments.

    “We committed to establishing an internal travel nurse team so we can limit the hiring of nurses from external companies,” said Premier Tim Houston. “This program is the first of its kind in the Maritimes and is intended to help retain and provide a different opportunity to those already working in our system and bring those currently working for external travel nurse agencies into our public healthcare system.”

    The new program will hire 20 to 30 full-time registered nurses and offer internal and external candidates an opportunity to grow their skills and experience, travel and work in different areas.

    Expected to launch by the end of March, it is a joint effort of the Province, Nova Scotia Health and the Nova Scotia Council of Nursing Unions.

    Quotes:

    “We’re very excited to be accepting applications for this pilot program. This is the result of a tremendous amount of work in close partnership with the council of unions, which will ultimately provide safer, more timely access to care for Nova Scotians and help Nova Scotia Health continue to attract and keep registered nurses.”
    — Annette Elliott Rose, Chief Nurse Executive and Vice-President, Clinical Performance and Professional Practice, Nova Scotia Health

    “Since before the pandemic, nurses’ unions have been calling on the Province to reduce its reliance on agency nurses. This announcement is a step in the right direction, one that provides structure, support and stability for those interested in working in this area of nursing and for Nova Scotians who require care.”
    — Janet Hazelton, Chair, Nova Scotia Council of Nursing Unions, and President, Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union

    Quick Facts:

    • Nova Scotia Health and the council of nursing unions will share details soon about information sessions for interested candidates
    • nurses on the team will have $6 per hour, or 15 per cent – whichever amount is higher – added to their registered nurse base hourly rate for all shifts worked as a travel nurse
    • internal candidates will continue to accrue pension and seniority and maintain their benefits with Nova Scotia Health
    • the Province announced changes to limit hiring of external travel nurses in December 2023

    Additional Resources:

    Provincial internal travel nurse program job posting: https://jobs.nshealth.ca/nsha/job/All-Locations-Internal-Travel-Nurse-Emergency-Department-NS/589878117/

    News release – New Approach to Hiring Travel Nurses: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2023/12/04/new-approach-hiring-travel-nurses

    Action for Health, the Province’s strategic plan to improve healthcare: https://actionforhealth.novascotia.ca/

    Other than cropping, Province of Nova Scotia photos are not to be altered in any way.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Relief from ‘Suicide Disease’ Through Cutting-Edge Procedure at UConn Health

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    For years, Dominic Frasca Jr. of Manchester lived with the debilitating pain of trigeminal neuralgia, a rare neurological condition often referred to as the “suicide disease” due to its severity. Trigeminal neuralgia causes excruciating facial pain triggered by even the lightest touch, making everyday activities unbearable often described as an electric shock, stabbing, or burning feeling.

    For Frasca, the condition began after he suffered a mini-stroke, and despite undergoing multiple treatments, the pain inevitably returned.

    Initially, Frasca underwent a microvascular decompression (MVD) under the care of Dr. Ketan Bulsara, chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at UConn Health’s Brain and Spine Institute. The procedure aimed to reposition or remove blood vessels compressing the trigeminal nerve. Even though his pain was atypical facial pain, he had immediate relief following the procedure.  Unfortunately, his pain syndrome returned months after complete alleviation.  He then received treatment from Radiation Oncologist Dr. Emily Anstadt Lutz in collaboration with Dr. Bulsara and Dr. Wolansky for the radiosurgical planning and underwent stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), a highly precise form of radiation therapy that uses multiple, focused beams of radiation to damage the nerve root and disrupt pain signals. This time too, his pain syndrome resolved, only to return months later.

    Faced with another painful recurrence, Frasca was referred by Bulsara to Dr. Christopher Conner, a neurosurgeon at UConn Health’s Brain and Spine Institute. Dr. Conner is the only surgeon in Connecticut performing an innovative procedure involving a facial nerve stimulator, a groundbreaking alternative for patients who either do not qualify for traditional treatments like microvascular decompression and radiosurgery or have exhausted all other treatment options.

    Before committing to the permanent implant, Frasca underwent a temporary trial procedure in August to determine its effectiveness. The results were encouraging, and on October 7, he became the first patient in Connecticut to receive the permanent stimulator medical device by Abbott.

    Abbott’s stimulator, which functions similarly to a pacemaker, sends electrical signals to the trigeminal nerve to modulate pain. Unlike traditional treatments that may wear off over time, this device provides continuous relief by preventing the nerve from misfiring pain signals to the brain. Frasca describes the difference as night and day, noting that while he still experiences mild pressure sensations, the unbearable stabbing pain is gone.

    “I can finally live my life again without that constant, excruciating pain,” Frasca shared. only side effect I’ve noticed is slight blurriness in my left eye, but my eye doctor is adjusting my prescription to compensate,” Frasca shared. “Otherwise, I feel like a new person.”

    Throughout his journey, Frasca has placed immense trust in his medical team, including Drs. Bulsara, Lutz, and Conner. He recalls how Dr. Bulsara went above and beyond, even driving an hour on his day off just to check on him before discharge.

    “I sent a letter to the CEO of UConn Health to tell them what an amazing team they have here,” Frasca said. “Dr. Conner is brilliant, energetic, and has truly changed my life.”

    The advanced nerve stimulator provides ongoing pain relief, with settings that can be adjusted remotely to optimize comfort. Frasca now has control over his condition, allowing him to reduce reliance on pain medications that previously came with significant side effects.

    Looking ahead, Frasca is optimistic. He hopes that his experience will encourage more patients to explore this innovative treatment and inspire further advancements in the field. While trigeminal neuralgia remains a complex and unpredictable condition, his prognosis is promising. Thanks to the cutting-edge care at UConn Health that offers comprehensive innovative care for facial pain syndrome, he has regained his quality of life, proving that even in the face of relentless pain, hope and healing are possible.

    The Brain and Spine Institute provides world-class care in a premier academic medical center for patients suffering from disorders of the brain and spine. By providing individualized care to our patients through our unique multidisciplinary approach, we optimize patient outcomes and continue to shape the future treatment of brain and spine disorders.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PREPARED REMARKS: Sanders Opening Statement in Hearing to Advance Chavez-DeRemer Nomination

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
    WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), today delivered an opening statement at the committee’s second hearing to consider the advancement of Lori Chavez-DeRemer to serve as Secretary of Labor. 
    We are in an unusual and dangerous moment in American history. 
    We have a situation where, today, we have more income and wealth inequality then we have ever had in the history of this country. Three people on top have more wealth the bottom half of American society and the gap between rich and poor is growing wider. 
    We have a situation where people all over this country understand that joining a trade union is a way to get better wages and working conditions. Millions of workers all over this country say, “I want to join a union.” And yet we have large corporations acting illegally to deny workers the right to join unions, which is why one of my major priorities and the priority of many members on this side of the aisle is to pass the PRO Act. 
    Today, tens of millions of American workers are earning starvation wages. $12, $13 an hour. Nobody in any part of this country can survive on $12, $13 dollars an hour. And yet the minimum wage – the federal minimum wage of $7.25 – has not been raised in a very, very long time. 
    So what we need is a Secretary of Labor who is going to stand up and say we are going to take on powerful special interests. We are going to stand with the working class of this country. 
    Unfortunately, Mr. Chairman, Ms. Lori Chavez-DeRemer is not that person. 
    And the most important point of this hearing is: Today, we are not voting on who the next Secretary of Labor is. The next Secretary of Labor, the next Secretary of Education, the next Secretary of Housing, the next Secretary of the Treasury is Elon Musk. Let us understand that reality and not play along with this charade. 
    Does anyone here really think that any Secretary of Labor, any Secretary of Education, is going to make decisions by himself or herself? 
    Just yesterday, the president held a meeting with his cabinet. And who was the star of the meeting? Was it the Secretary of the Defense? Was it Secretary of State? 
    No, it was an unelected official who happens to be the wealthiest person on Earth. It was Elon Musk. 
    And at that meeting, President Trump asked his cabinet, “is anybody unhappy with Elon? Well, if you are, we’ll throw them out of here.”
    In other words, if any cabinet official has courage to stand up to Mr. Musk and disobey his edicts, they are gone. So, Mr. Chairman, my request to you is a simple one. Let’s be honest. The American people understand it, and it’s time that we understood it as well.
    If you want to discuss policies in the Department of Labor, let’s bring in the real secretary. Mr. Chairman, I respectfully request that this committee bring Elon Musk before this committee so that we can really hear what’s going on with the government. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Kajeet Partners with Cisco to deliver Healthcare 5G Managed Service

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MCLEAN, Va., Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kajeet®, a leader in IoT and private wireless connectivity solutions, today announced its selection as a Cisco Select Partner, joining forces to deliver a high-performance Private 5G Managed Service with Cisco’s Private 5G management platform to efficiently manage the private 5G network and Kajeet’s neutral host networks designed to solve in-building connectivity challenges for hospitals and healthcare systems. As a Select Partner in Cisco’s channel ecosystem, Kajeet is recognized for its specialized expertise in deploying secure, scalable, and intelligent networking solutions. The collaboration will be highlighted March 3-6 at HIMSS25 in Las Vegas, where Kajeet and Cisco will demonstrate hospital campus use cases and present Kajeet’s Healthcare oriented 5G solutions.

    Addressing the Biggest Connectivity Gaps in Healthcare

    Hospital CIOs face ongoing challenges with inconsistent cellular coverage, network security, and seamless access to critical applications. Traditional Wi-Fi and public cellular networks often fail to provide reliable, hospital-wide connectivity for medical staff, IoT devices, and guest access. The Kajeet Healthcare 5G solution offered with Cisco’s Private 5G solution for management of private networks bridges these gaps with:

    • Seamless, Always-On Connectivity: Secure private 5G delivers hospital-wide coverage, eliminating dead zones and ensuring clinicians, patients, and guests stay connected, by a combination of Cisco Private 5G management platform efficiently managing the hospital private network alongside Kajeet’s neutral host network solution efficiently managing the external hospital Private 5G connectivity.
    • Security & Compliance at the Core: Built-in HIPAA, SOC, and HITRUST compliance in Kajeet’s Sentinel platform for real-time policy enforcement paired with Cisco’s secure Private 5G for private network management.
    • Real-Time Data & Network Intelligence: Dynamic traffic prioritization ensures that EMR systems, telemedicine, and medical IoT devices receive uninterrupted bandwidth.
    • Carrier-Agnostic Flexibility: Unlike traditional telco-driven solutions, this private 5G network allows hospitals to control their connectivity and integrate with multiple carriers for failover support via Kajeet’s Sentinel platform and neutral host network solution.

    “Kajeet’s partnership with Cisco marks a significant step forward in bringing secure, hospital-wide private 5G to the healthcare industry,” said Ben Weintraub, CEO of Kajeet. “This isn’t just about connectivity—it’s about ensuring that doctors have instant access to records, patients experience uninterrupted care, and hospital IT leaders gain full control over their networks.”

    Live Demos at HIMSS25: Healthcare 5G in Action

    Cisco and Kajeet will demonstrate Healthcare 5G solution various use cases live at Cisco Booth #1227 at The Venetian during HIMSS25, highlighting how hospitals can eliminate coverage gaps, strengthen network security, and enhance the patient experience. The demo will highlight:

    • Seamless clinician access to EMR systems, medical imaging, and telehealth applications utilizing Kajeet’s Sentinel platform and neutral host network solution.
    • Secure, priority-based network traffic for medical IoT devices in both an internal private network utilizing Cisco Private 5G, as well as external networks utilizing Kajeet’s IoT and private wireless connectivity solutions.
    • Automated security and compliance enforcement via Kajeet Sentinel platform.

    “Cisco and Kajeet are leveraging our combined strengths to bring consistent, high-performing mobile connectivity and private network management capabilities to the healthcare market,” said Masum Mir, SVP and General Manager, Provider Mobility, Cisco. “Our Cisco Mobility Services Platform enables a wide range of enterprise use cases including Private 5G, and together with Kajeet, we can deliver secure and more reliable mobile connectivity, improved experiences, and ultimately provide a better patient outcomes for healthcare providers.”

    To see a live demonstration at HIMSS, stop by the Cisco-Kajeet booth to speak with Cisco representatives and Kajeet healthcare leaders or book an appointment here- Cisco-and-Kajeet-at-HIMSS25

    Kajeet Connected Health Portfolio

    Healthcare 5G is one of several solutions under the Kajeet Connected Health umbrella, which also includes:

    Telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM): Secure, high-speed connectivity for virtual care and at-home patient monitoring.

    Life Sciences and Clinical Trials: Reliable private networks for real-time data collection and research collaboration.

    About Kajeet

    Kajeet is a leading provider of private wireless solutions, offering secure, flexible, and fully managed private 5G networks for hospitals, schools, municipalities, and enterprises. The company’s carrier-agnostic approach, advanced Sentinel® platform, and expert deployment teams help organizations deploy reliable connectivity solutions tailored to their needs. To learn more, visit www.kajeet.com.

    For media and analyst inquiries, please contact:

    Linda Jennings, Director of Corporate Communications, Kajeet

    ljennings@kajeet.com

    248-521-3606

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Minneapolis Non-Profit Executive and Business Consultant Plead Guilty in $6 Million Fraud Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis non-profit executive and business consultant pleaded guilty to leading a scheme to defraud a number of federal, state, local, private programs and other sources of funding, resulting in a loss of over $6 million, and also to illegally possessing a firearm after a felony, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.

    According to court documents, from 2020 until 2024, Tezzaree El-Amin Champion, 28, engaged in a fraud scheme through two Minneapolis-based entities he founded and controlled:  a marketing company he owned, Futuristic Management LLC, and a non-profit organization he led, Encouraging Leaders.  

    Encouraging Leaders, under Champion’s direction, submitted at least 42 grant and public-contract applications with related follow-up correspondence containing material false misrepresentations, in order to obtain funding.  Fraudulent applications were submitted to the U.S Department of Justice, Hennepin County, the City of Minneapolis, the Center for Disease Control Foundation, the Minnesota Department of Education, the Minnesota Department of Human Services, the Minnesota State Arts Board, the Otto Bremer Trust, the Greater Twin Cities United Way, and others. False statements included false rosters of Encouraging Leaders’ board of directions; false assertions that Encouraging Leaders had been independently audited; false claims that certain local governments, companies, and community organizations had agreed to partner with Encouraging Leaders; requests for payment based on overstated hours of work; and false claims that Encouraging Leaders administered events that either never occurred or were organized by others. Champion misused significant portions of the funds that Encouraging Leaders received in response to the applications, for example by transferring funds to himself and using organizational funds for personal matters. Based on the fraudulent applications, Encouraging Leaders sought more than $3.8 million in funding through 42 grants, was awarded 27 grants for more than $2.7 million in funding. Encouraging Leaders actually received approximately $1.5 million in funding as part of the scheme.

    Through Futuristic Management, Champion recruited and assisted clients in submitting fraudulent applications to Hennepin County’s Small Business Relief grant program as well as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection and Economic Injury Disaster Loan programs. The applications dramatically overstated applicant incomes and expenses, and were supported by fake tax records and fake lease documents that Champion obtained.  Champion also submitted nine fraudulent applications on his own behalf.  Simultaneously, Champion defrauded Hennepin County, for whom his company was serving as a business advisor under the County’s Elevate Business program. As part of the program, Champion agreed to provide free marketing services to local small businesses. But rather than provide free services, Champion billed and received payments from the County for services for which he had already been paid by his clients. Many of these clients were the same businesses and individuals Champion had assisted with false PPP, EIDL, and SBR applications.  Champion also used his company to fraudulently obtain loans marketed by PayPal Business Loan and issued by WebBank.  In the PayPal applications, Champion overstated his company’s gross sales and attached fake Wells Fargo bank statements inflating his bank balances and deposits.  In total, the part of the scheme relating to Futuristic Management resulted in a loss of more than $2.1 million.

    During the investigation of Champion’s offenses, law enforcement searched Champion’s home.  Officers found Futuristic Management financial records, a safe containing $127,000 in U.S. currency, and a Ruger LCR .357 revolver with Champion’s DNA on it.  Due to a 2018 conviction in Hennepin County for second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, Champion is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

    Champion pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court yesterday before Judge Katherine M. Menendez to one count of wire fraud, one count of money laundering, and one count of illegally possessing a firearm as a felon.  Champion agreed to pay restitution of at least $3,479,575 to the victims of his offenses. Earlier this month, Champion’s co-defendant Marcus A. Hamilton pleaded guilty to participating in the Futuristic Management part of the scheme. Sentencing hearings for both defendants will be scheduled at a later date.

    This case is the result of an investigation conducted by IRS-Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the Minneapolis Police Department’s Special Crimes Investigations Division.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew D. Forbes and Joseph H. Thompson are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Community Health Care Solutions, LLC and the Estate of Yolanda Burnom Agree to Pay $4.6 Million in Medicaid Fraud Lawsuit

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Shreveport counseling service, Community Health Care Solutions, LLC (“Community Health”) and the estate of its deceased owner/operator, Yolanda Burnom, have agreed to pay $4,600,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by submitting claims to Medicaid for reimbursement for services that were not rendered.   

    Through the investigation by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, law enforcement agents determined that Community Health, through Burnom’s operations, created a scheme to defraud the Medicaid program by offering financial incentives to Medicaid recipients to share their patient information. Burnom and her employees would use that patient information to bill Medicaid for crisis intervention services that did not occur.  Instead, counselors working for Community Health were instructed to create generic notes that could be cut and pasted onto patient files, in order to bill for crisis intervention, which carried the maximum reimbursement.  In many instances, the counselors never met the patients or provided any services at all.

    A federal grand jury returned an indictment on September 28, 2022, charging Burnom with one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, six counts of healthcare fraud, and two counts of wire fraud. Four months later, Burnom passed away unexpectedly, and civil litigation was the only remaining avenue for the United States to recover its money. 

    “This type of fraud will not be tolerated, and we will continue to work with our federal and state partners to root out corruption and recover money for the taxpayers,” said Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. “Providers who take advantage of the Medicaid program deprive other citizens of needed medical services.”

    “The Medicaid program depends on the honesty and integrity of providers, particularly when they submit claims for essential behavioral health services,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “This settlement underscores HHS-OIG’s commitment to working with our federal and state partners to safeguard taxpayer-funded benefit programs and investigate health care fraud.”

    Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill stated, “People who commit Medicaid fraud will be caught, prosecuted, and demanded to pay restitution. We will continue to combat abuse of the system and bring justice for the hard working taxpayers of Louisiana. Great job by my office and all of our federal partners.”

    This settlement was the result of a coordinated effort by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana, HHS-OIG, and Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Theriot handled the civil litigation, along with HHS-OIG Special Agent Steven Cooper. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Reeg handled the criminal investigation.

    The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Can making the NHS cleaner slow the spread of disease?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jonathan R. Goodman, Research Associate, Public Health, University of Cambridge

    Several weeks ago, I visited a local NHS urgent care centre with my toddler on what might be called a semi-annual pilgrimage related to having a child in nursery. Owing to what is now a typical three- or four-hour wait, during which he made a recovery, I had the time to notice the hospital’s waiting room cleaning practices. They amounted to someone pushing a mop around the floor and in the process moving, rather than removing, various fluids and items that had probably amassed over the preceding several hours.

    About 36 hours later, our toddler woke up with a stomach bug. The cleaning practices I saw – coupled with my inability to keep him from touching a lot of surfaces in the hospital, including the floor – suggested to me that this was not a coincidence.

    Individual behaviour and practices play a role in the spread of disease. And many times it is our collective actions that lead to contagion, even if our goal is to prevent it.

    Given the NHS has recently recorded its highest ever rate of norovirus cases – with the bug making up more than one in 100 hospitalisations in the country – we are due for a rethink about how we understand the social elements of illness.

    As a social scientist working in public health, I’ve learned that diseases conform to our behaviour, which can keep us one step ahead – or leave us one behind.

    How we develop policy around contagion is one example. Recently, NHS England published new national standards of cleanliness for NHS Trusts – the most recent update since 2021. These standards define cleanliness, what materials should be used and the frequencies necessary for adequate cleaning.

    The guidelines are, unsurprisingly, very boring, but what stands out to me is the emphasis on which spaces and surfaces are the most likely to be contaminated, rather than taking a contextual approach to the relationship between people, germs and spaces.

    The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), by contrast, uses a more complex function. Risk is evaluated by combining the probability of contamination of an item or surface, the vulnerability of patients and the potential for exposure within the space.

    A waiting room where people have been vomiting, for example, would be taken more seriously as a risky area using these guidelines than the brute force approach taken by the NHS.

    Another important element of risk, though one not evaluated explicitly in any policy guideline, is how germs evolve in response to our efforts against them.

    Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, for example, are typically treated by antibiotics, though the rise of the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) subtype has complicated patient care around the world.

    More recently, bacteria called carbapenemase-producing enterobacterales (CPEs) have started spreading in hospitals, and are both highly contagious and difficult to treat.

    Both MRSA and CPEs are, however, direct results of our efforts to combat bacteria: our use of antibiotics selects, evolutionarily speaking, for resistance to our treatments.

    Imperial College London’s Fleming Initiative, named after the discoverer of the first antibiotic, penicillin, is an international effort that aims to stymie the spread of these germs, but they nonetheless present a real and serious risk to patients everywhere.

    Clostridioides difficile, a bacterium linked with painful stomach bugs, has also shown increasing resistance to antibiotics, particularly strains found in hospitals. What’s worse, evidence from 2023 suggests C difficile may even be resistant to bleach, which is typically successful at killing almost all germs and was found, in the past, to work against this bacterium, too.

    Everyone plays a role

    Blunt policies specifying cleaning schedules without reference to context are unlikely to be effective in a world of fast-evolving germs. What’s needed, instead, is a population-level understanding about how everyone plays a role in contagion and in its containment. We’re part of a broader ecosystem that bacteria and viruses live within, and which evolve to thrive when we become complacent in our behaviour.

    The CDC’s guidelines embrace context, but the work doesn’t stop with hospital cleaning staff – who in the UK, by the way, earn an average of £21,000 a year for the critical work they do. Anyone who works in or visits a healthcare space has a responsibility to those nearby, whether that involves maintaining distance between people or shielding others from their own illness.

    We can’t expect stretched systems and overworked employees to prevent the spread of germs. And the UK’s massive norovirus outbreak is a symptom itself of how bad we are at preventing viral contagion.

    Yet people – including patients and their carers like me – can do a lot more than just idly watch dirty mops float by in waiting areas. We can educate ourselves about current risks, avoid where possible spaces with a high risk of contamination, and stay home to prevent infecting others, for example in the workplace.

    Social approaches should be built into any framework that aims to combat disease. Knowledge, unlike antibiotics and bleach, is free – and the spread of information about how to help prevent contagion can only be good for healthcare systems and society more broadly.

    Jonathan R. Goodman does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Can making the NHS cleaner slow the spread of disease? – https://theconversation.com/can-making-the-nhs-cleaner-slow-the-spread-of-disease-249647

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: As seasoned doctors exit the field, SimCare AI raises $2M to scale clinical training with AI patients

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Chicago, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Healthcare desperately needs more clinicians, but can’t scale up fast enough. Traditional medical training demands thousands of hours of supervised, hands-on practice and struggles to prepare today’s workforce for modern challenges – especially the management of chronic diseases. Today, SimCare AI announces $2 million in seed funding to rethink clinical training from first principles: using AI patients to bypass regulatory constraints and certify clinical skills with far fewer patient interactions.

    The funding round was led by Y Combinator and Drive Capital, with participation from Harper Court Ventures Fund, Singularity Capital, Triple S Ventures, Goodwater Capital, Asymmetry Ventures, Sand Hill North, and Transpose Platform. 

    SimCare AI founders Vrishank Saini and Tigran Bdoyan.

    The story began with a problem: when founder Vrishank Saini failed a critical clinical communications exam and couldn’t afford the $9,000 tutor fee, he got together with Tigran Bdoyan and built an AI solution instead. The tool worked so well it attracted 2,500 users and reached $5,000 in monthly recurring revenue within three weeks. After an initial rejection from Y Combinator’s S24 batch, Saini and his co-founder Bdoyan dropped out of college with no funding, moved to San Francisco, and – when told they couldn’t reapply to the same batch – created new email accounts and applied again. Y Combinator caught them but, impressed by their determination, gave them $500,000 to build SimCare AI.

    “We took a risk to prove our point,” said Vrishank Saini, CEO and Co-founder of SimCare AI. “By using AI patients, we’ve set a clinical benchmark for how training should be measured – efficient, reliable, and cost-effective. Current training methods excel at teaching acute conditions but fall short with chronic diseases that develop over months and years. A medication change today might not show its impact for months, and missed interventions might not reveal their consequences for years. SimCare AI’s simulations compress these timelines dramatically, allowing clinicians to witness disease progression patterns that would traditionally take years to experience.”

    Vrishank Saini, CEO and Co-founder of SimCare AI.

    The SimCare AI platform can be customized for different specialties and use cases, from residency programs preparing trainees for complex patient scenarios to social work programs practicing family interventions. Telehealth companies, for example, screen job applicants by testing their skills with SimCare AI patients, enabling faster and more cost-effective hiring. The platform also supports their onboarding, training, upskilling, and remediation without the prolonged timelines and high expenses of traditional training. For healthcare organizations, being able to benchmark and predict performance of their workforce will offer employers an advantage. Currently, SimCare AI has already closed 30 pilots with institutions including the University of Pennsylvania.

    The innovation comes at a crucial moment. As seasoned physicians leave the profession while less experienced clinicians backfill positions, the clinical experience gap is widening. Traditional training methods – role-playing, in-person evaluations, and one-on-one interviews – cost institutions hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in faculty time and administrative overhead, while still failing to provide comprehensive exposure to complex patient cases.

    Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Psychiatry, University of North Carolina Douglas A. Drossman MD, President at DrossmanCare commented: “I have been extremely impressed with our collaboration with SimCare AI. At DrossmanCare, in partnership with the Rome Foundation, we develop educational programs designed to enhance healthcare providers’ communication skills with patients. SimCare AI has seamlessly integrated our vast library of publications and videos on communication into an innovative program that allows providers to engage in advanced, simulated patient interviews with a virtual avatar. This approach enables providers to gain valuable insights into complex psychosocial issues through the use of sophisticated interview techniques. Additionally, the program provides real-time feedback, allowing providers to continuously refine their skills. I’ve never encountered a company with such a refined ability to replicate the nuances of a clinical encounter, offering a truly remarkable training experience.”

    SimCare AI’s technology offers a radical solution: proving clinical competency with just 20 patient encounters instead of 200. The system’s sophisticated AI maps decision trees for each patient interaction, creating dynamic, realistic conversations that align with accreditation standards. This precision helps institutions track, assess, and verify student competencies according to regulatory requirements – allowing students and professionals to practice and be evaluated anytime, anywhere. This standardized approach not only reduces faculty burden and costs but accelerates the pace at which new clinicians can enter the workforce. 

    Molly Bonakdarpour, Partner at Drive Capital, commented: “SimCare AI is addressing a clear need in healthcare training. In just four months, they’ve demonstrated strong early impact, delivering measurable ROI for customers. We’re impressed with their vision and execution and look forward to supporting their continued growth in AI-driven healthcare solutions.”

    The platform’s impact extends across the healthcare education landscape. While medical schools use SimCare AI to teach patient interactions and clinical reasoning, therapy programs employ it for counseling practice, and telehealth companies leverage it for hiring and upskilling. SimCare AI’s precision helps institutions track, assess, and verify student competencies according to regulatory requirements – a crucial feature for medical schools, nursing programs, and continuing medical education.

    Vrishank Saini added: “Looking ahead, SimCare AI plans to integrate more detailed clinical data – from transcripts to diagnostic workups – into its evaluation system. The company’s goal is to standardize clinical training and evaluation across healthcare, enabling competency to be measured quickly and reliably. For risk-bearing organizations, this provides a clear, consistent method to train clinicians in the specific skills that drive quality metrics.”

    Ends

    Media images can be found here. 

    About SimCare AI
    SimCare AI (YC S24) creates simulated conversations with AI patients to scale healthcare training. Healthcare organizations use our clinical simulations for more efficient recruitment, reduced training time and costs, and enhanced patient outcomes. Governments are pushing to expand the healthcare workforce by increasing training output; however, it is illegal to train without direct clinical supervision, limiting scale in training. These restrictions don’t apply to AI patients, providing a scalable solution that helps organizations train more people, meet accreditation standards, and grow faster. For more information please visit: http://simcare.ai/ 

    About Drive Capital 
    Drive Capital is a venture capital firm in Columbus that invests in world-class founders building the next generation of market-defining companies.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to UKHSA warning of potential second norovirus wave

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Scientists comment on the potential of a second norovirus wave. 

    Professor Arlene Wellman MBE, Group Chief Nurse for St George’s, Epsom and St Helier, said:

    “Once norovirus enters a hospital, it can rip through our wards like wildfire, making patients even sicker. We are doing everything we can to limit the spread, but you can help us.

    “Hand sanitisers such as alcohol gel do not kill the bug – the simple act of good hand washing with soap and water can make all the difference between our beds being used to care for patients, or lying empty at a time when every bed is precious.”

    https://ukhsa-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/ukhsa-warns-of-potential-second-norovirus-wave

    Declared interests

    No reply to our request for DOIs was received.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man jailed for fatal stabbing in Walthamstow

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A man has been jailed for life following his conviction for the murder of teenager Kacem Mokrane in east London.

    Christopher Wilson, 23 (24.07.01) of Templar Drive, SE28 was sentenced on Thursday, 27 February. He will serve a minimum of 16 years.

    Wilson was found guilty on 12 December 2024 following a retrial at the Old Bailey.

    Kacem’s family said: “There are no words to express the unimaginable grief that we have suffered. The manner in which Kacem was murdered, has had a life changing impact on our family.

    “We will never share another meal with Kacem or watch him achieve his dreams. His caring and funny personality will only be a painful memory to us all.

    “As a family we have discussed the topic of ‘forgiveness’. We consider that the actions of Christopher Wilson, his lack of remorse and the cowardice he has shown by denying his guilt do not deserve our forgiveness. The family do not feel that there should be any alternative to Christopher Wilson’s punishment other than a lengthy custodial sentence. He is a dangerous individual and should be taken off the streets for as long as is legally possible.

    “We will be eternally grateful for the persistence and commitment of the police and legal team. In seeking justice for the murder of Kacem they have demonstrated extreme professionalism, compassion and often great patience towards our family.”

    Kacem, who was 18 years old, was killed on 16 November 2017 as part of an ongoing feud between two rival east London gangs.

    Wilson is the fifth person to be convicted of Kacem’s murder, with four others convicted in June 2023.

    On the night of the murder, police were called at around 23:15hrs to Mount Pleasant Road in Walthamstow to reports of an altercation and a group of males armed with weapons including knives, machetes and swords. Kacem was ambushed by the group, who stabbed him at least twice, before fleeing from the scene.

    Kacem was taken to Royal London Hospital where he received emergency surgery. Sadly, following complications, he died in hospital on 20 November 2017.

    A post-mortem examination gave cause of death as multi-organ failure caused by hypovolemic shock and complications arising from a stab wound to the abdomen.

    Detective Inspector Ben Dalloway, from the Specialist Crime Command, said: “Kacem’s family have waited seven-and-a-half years for this moment. They have had to relive the events of that day but today we have witnessed the jailing of a fifth person in connection with the murder.

    “This was a complex investigation involving a number of crimes that were linked.

    “Wilson’s conviction and sentencing should act as stark reminder to anyone who is involved in this level of violence that we will continue to search for you in order that you can be put before the courts.”

    + In June 2023, Hamza Ul-Haq, Luca Griffiths, Abdirisak Ali, and Kamil Kazmierski were all jailed for Kacem’s murder.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump administration sets out to create an America its people have never experienced − one without a meaningful government

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Sidney Shapiro, Professor of Law, Wake Forest University

    A worker removes letters from the U.S. Agency for International Development building. Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

    The U.S. government is attempting to dismantle itself.

    President Donald Trump has directed the executive branch to “significantly reduce the size of government.” That includes deep cuts in federal funding of scientific and medical research and freezing federal grants and loans for businesses. He has ordered the reversal or removal of regulations on medical insurance companies and other businesses and sought to fire thousands of federal employees. Those are just a few of dozens of executive orders that seek to deconstruct the government.

    More than 70 lawsuits have challenged those orders as illegal or unconstitutional. In the meantime, the resulting chaos is preventing the government from carrying out its everyday functions.

    The administration accidentally fired civil servants who were responsible for safeguarding the country’s nuclear weapons, preventing a bird flu epidemic and overseeing the nation’s electricity supply. A Veterans Administration official told NBC, “It’s leading to paralysis, and nothing is getting done.” A spokesperson at a nationwide program that provides meals to seniors, Meals on Wheels, which the government helps fund, said, “The uncertainty right now is creating chaos for local Meals on Wheels providers not knowing whether they should be serving meals today.”

    Our recent book, “How Government Built America,” shows why the administration’s aim to eliminate government could result in an America that the country’s people have never experienced – one in which free-market economic forces operate without any accountability to the public.

    Federal dollars built the federal interstate highway system and maintain it.
    Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

    A combination of regulation and freedom

    The U.S. economy began in the Colonial era as a mix of government regulation and market forces, and it has remained so ever since. History shows that without government regulation, markets left to their own devices have made the country poorer, killed and injured thousands, increased economic inequality, and left millions of Americans mired in desperate poverty, among other economic and social ills.

    For example, approximately 23,000 people died from workplace injuries in 1913. In 2023, that figure was just 5,283, largely because the Occupational Safety and Health Administration began regulating workplace safety in 1971. Similarly, the rate of deaths in vehicle crashes per mile driven has decreased 93% since 1923, which can be mainly attributed to the ways government has made vehicles and highways safer.

    Government funding and regulation have yielded countless economic benefits for the public, including the launch of many efforts later capitalized on by the private sector. Government funding delivered a COVID-19 vaccine in record time, many of the technologies – GPS, touchscreens and the internet – that are key to the functioning of the cellphone in your pocket, and the highway system that enables travel throughout the country.

    Government management of the economy has prevented economic downturns and enabled quicker recoveries when they have occurred. Government regulations keep private businesses from engaging in reckless economic behavior that harms everyone, as happened in 2008 when loopholes in rules and enforcement allowed the banking industry to invest billions of dollars in worthless securities. The government then spent trillions to prevent major banks from collapsing and to stimulate the nation’s economic recovery.

    More recently, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government spent $3.1 trillion to keep the economy healthy.

    Food and water are safe because the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency act to protect people from becoming ill.

    Because of government oversight, Americans can safely take the medications physicians prescribe to make them better. They can safely put money in checking and savings accounts knowing that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the National Credit Union Administration reduce the likelihood of the bank or credit union failing – and ensure they don’t lose everything if trouble arises.

    The Federal Trade Commission works to ensure the advertising Americans see is not deceptive, and the Securities and Exchange Commission makes sure that the companies people invest in are not making false claims about their financial prospects.

    Americans know that their children can get a free public education and student loans for college or trade schools to advance themselves economically. And government has helped millions of Americans pay for housing, food, medical care and the other necessities of life even if they work full-time or cannot because of age, illness or disability.

    A person gets drinking water from a tap in Jackson, Miss.
    AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis

    Not a perfect record

    Admittedly, there is wasteful spending – as much as $150 billion a year in erroneous payments. That is a lot of money, but it’s a tiny sliver – just 2.2% – of the $6.75 trillion the federal government spent in the 2024 fiscal year. And government has not always been a positive force in society, either.

    As we describe in our book, for a very long time the federal government aided and abetted slavery and then racial segregation. It also codified the treatment of women as second-class citizens, and discriminated against members of the LGBTQ community.

    Yet government has addressed these failings as Americans’ understanding of equality has evolved. Over the past century, rights for women, racial and ethnic minority groups and people with a range of sexualities and gender identities have been recognized in constitutional amendments, federal laws, state laws and Supreme Court decisions.

    As our book shows, the responses haven’t always been immediate, but the president and Congress have addressed policy mistakes and incompetent administration by making appropriate adjustments to the mix of government and free markets, sometimes at the behest of court cases and more often through congressional action.

    Until now, however, it has never been government policy to shut down government wholesale by defunding agencies such as the U.S. Agency for International Development or threatening to do so with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Department of Education.

    Many Trump voters cited economic factors as motivating their support. And our book documents how policies supported by both political parties – particularly globalization, which led to the flood of manufacturing jobs that went overseas – contributed to the economic struggles with which many Americans are burdened.

    But based on the history of how government built America, we believe the most effective way to improve the economic prospects of those and other Americans is not to eliminate portions of the government entirely. Rather, it’s to adopt government programs that create economic opportunity in deindustrialized areas of the country.

    These problems – economic inequality and loss of opportunity – were caused by the free market’s response to the lack of government action, or insufficient or misdirected action. The market cannot be expected to fix what it has created. And markets don’t answer to the American people. Government does, and it can take action.

    Sidney Shapiro is affiliated with the Center for Progressive Reform.

    Joseph P. Tomain does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Trump administration sets out to create an America its people have never experienced − one without a meaningful government – https://theconversation.com/trump-administration-sets-out-to-create-an-america-its-people-have-never-experienced-one-without-a-meaningful-government-250727

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council health initiative helping disadvantaged communities shortlisted for national award

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    A city council public health project aimed at reaching people who face difficulties accessing healthcare has been shortlisted for a national award.

    ‘Community First: A Vaccine Success Story from the Potteries’ has been shortlisted in the ‘Community Involvement’ category at this year’s Local Government Chronicle (LGC) Awards.

    It comes after the initiative not only helped to tackle the immediate issue of Stoke-on-Trent’s first measles outbreak in years in July 2023 – but also formed part of the city council’s wider goal of reducing health inequalities and engaging communities.   

    The vaccine success story focused on reaching disadvantaged communities, including refugees, asylum seekers, women in domestic abuse shelters, and people facing homelessness.

    To make vaccines more accessible, the project set up 13 pop up clinics in diverse locations such as Family Hubs, libraries and shelters to help remove practical barriers and make it more convenient for people to get vaccinated.

    Working closely with the NHS Targeted Vaccination Team and locally trusted organisations, the programme provided culturally sensitive support and information to local communities.

    Trusted community champions from local groups helped answer questions, share accurate information and challenge myths surrounding vaccines.

    Stephen Gunther, Director of Public Health at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “It is amazing to be shortlisted for an LGC Award and it reflects the fantastic work that is being done to help address vaccine hesitancy and low uptake in the city. By partnering with trusted organisations, we were able to reach underserved communities and provide clear, relevant information.

    “This approach not only helped the immediate outbreak, but also forms part of our long-term goal of reducing health inequality and engaging with local communities.

    “By focusing attention on groups that can be hard to reach and embracing diversity and community collaboration, this project has created a sustainable model for future health interventions. I would like to congratulate everybody involved with this project for all their dedication and fantastic work.”

    Matthew Missen, Consultant Public Health at NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board, said: “Strong working relationships and partnership-working between the NHS, local authorities, third sector organisations and community groups has been key to the success of the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Vaccination Programme.

    “By working together, we have benefitted from shared intelligence, expertise, resources and relationships with communities, vital to better engaging people more at risk from vaccine preventable diseases. We share the joint aim of making vaccinations accessible to everyone living in our local area.”

    The initiative helped to boost vaccine uptake by 3.1 per cent – after vaccine uptake for both MMR doses in those aged five rose from 83.4 per cent to 86.5 per cent.

    The city council plans to expand this successful approach by including other vaccines like HPV and shingles in similar programmes.

    Plans also include running workshops to help communities better understand the NHS vaccination schedule and strengthen ties with trusted community organisations to tackle broader health challenges.

    Councillor Lynn Watkins, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “It is pleasing to see how involving community can lead to better health outcomes in Stoke-on-Trent and I want to congratulate and thank everybody involved for all their hard work.

    “Making vaccines easier to access and improving uptake is a challenge, but this project has shown it is possible through increasing accessibility and sharing accurate information. The Community First project will form the blueprint for future vaccination programmes.

    “Well done to everyone involved on this national recognition and wish you the best of luck at the awards later this year.”

    The winners of the LGC Awards will be announced at a ceremony at Grosvenor House, London, on Wednesday 11 June 2025.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Academic Council of the Polytechnic University: results of the winter session and implementation of the NCMU program

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    On February 26, the Polytechnic University held a meeting of the Academic Council, where they honored polytechnicians who have achieved high results in various fields, discussed the results of the winter session, tasks for the spring semester, and the implementation of the NCMU program.

    First of all, the rector of SPbPU Andrey Rudskoy introduced the vice-rector for university security Alexander Airapetyan. Then the award ceremony began.

    The official part began with the honoring of the holders of the title “Honorary Worker of SPbPU”. This is a doctor of physical and mathematical sciences, professor of the Department of Physics Vadim Ivanov and candidate of technical sciences, associate professor of the Higher School of Mechanical Engineering, chairman of the Trade Union of Employees Valentin Kobchikov.

    SPbPU Distinction Badge “For Merit” The award was given to member of the Public Chamber of St. Petersburg, advisor to the president of PJSC Rostelecom, and 1978 graduate of the mechanical engineering faculty, Alexey Sergeev.

    Candidate of Economic Sciences diplomas were awarded to the Vice President, Director of the North-West macro-regional branch of PJSC Rostelecom Alexander Loginov (scientific supervisor – Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor Vladimir Glukhov) and Acting Vice-Rector for Promising Projects Maria Vrublevskaya (scientific supervisor – Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor Olga Kalinina).

    Certificates of conferring the academic title of associate professor were received by Denis Akhmetov, Anton Barabanov, Evgeny Borisov, Victoria Vilken, Irina Karpovich, Vladimir Kochemirovsky, Irina Russkova. The certificate was also presented to the Deputy Director of the Humanitarian Institute, associate professor of the Higher School of Linguistics and Pedagogy Tatyana Nam, along with a letter of gratitude from the Governor of St. Petersburg Alexander Beglov for initiative and active civic position, significant contribution to the development of volunteer activities.

    Certificates of professional and public accreditation of educational programs were received by the Director of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade Vladimir Shchepinin (23 programs), the Director of the Civil Engineering Institute Marina Petrochenko (13 programs) and the Director of the Institute of Computer Science and Cybersecurity Dmitry Zegzhda (one program).

    Advisor to the rector’s office Vitaly Drobchik, head of the department for interaction with the media Evgeny Pleshachkov, as well as specialists of the Public Relations Department Vera Fatova, Ulyana Durova and Alina Melnikova were awarded with gratitude for holding the All-Russian student Olympiad “I am a professional”.

    The leadership of the Federal Security Service Directorate for Perm Krai expressed gratitude for modern forensic scientific developments and fruitful cooperation in joint work to prevent crimes against the security of the Russian Federation to the Director of the Higher School of Jurisprudence and Forensic Science Dmitry Mokhorov and Senior Lecturer Pavel Menshikov.

    A letter of gratitude from the educational foundation “Talent and Success” for fruitful cooperation, professionalism and high quality of organization of educational events – participants of the programs of the educational center “Sirius” was presented to the senior lecturer of the Higher School of Media Communications and Public Relations Evgeniya Tuchkevich.

    Cups and certificates for 2nd place in the absolute team championship of St. Petersburg student competitions in 2024, as well as for 1st place in the team championship were awarded to the director of the Institute of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism Valery Sushchenko, the director of the sports club “Black Bears – Polytech” Anastasia Akatova and the leading specialist of the club Daria Khadjaridi.

    Senior Lecturer of the Department of Physical Training and Sports received cups and medals for 2nd overall team place at the All-Russian student orienteering competitions Tatyana Bevza, as well as students Ulyana Bryuchko (PhysMech) and Mikhail Belyakov (IFKST).

    For first place in the billiard competition “POOL-8” of the Spartakiad “Health – 2025” among teachers and employees of St. Petersburg universities, awards were given to the Director of the Higher School of Jurisprudence and Forensic Science Dmitry Mokhorov and the Head of the News Portal Department Evgeny Gusev.

    The winners of the 20th All-Russian conference-competition for students and postgraduates “Current Issues of Subsoil Use” were students of the Higher School of Industrial Management of IPMEiT Anastasia Malashchitskaya and Daria Moiseenko, a student of the Civil Engineering Institute Olga Loginova (scientific supervisor – PhD, Associate Professor Vitaly Kudinov), as well as a postgraduate student of the Higher School of Engineering and Economics of PMEiT Olga Bichevaya (scientific supervisor – Svetlana Gutman).

    The first issue on the agenda was summing up the results of the winter session of the 2024-2025 academic year: almost 70% of full-time students successfully passed the exams, which indicates a high level of preparation and a responsible approach to study.

    More than 7,500 students will receive scholarships based on the results of the midterm assessment, which is an important incentive for further improvement and striving for academic achievements. Such positive dynamics emphasize the effectiveness of the educational process and compliance with high standards of educational quality, – said Lyudmila Vladimirovna.

    She presented the positive experience of implementing the pilot program to support talented students “Leaders of Polytechnic”, launched at IMMiT: 94% of students in this program passed the session with “excellent” and “good” grades.

    The program has proven its effectiveness, helping participants to reveal their abilities and achieve outstanding results, and the results serve as a vivid example of how investments in talented youth bring results, contributing not only to the personal growth of students, but also to strengthening the university’s reputation as a center of attraction for gifted and promising specialists. Such high academic performance of the program participants emphasizes the importance of personalized work with each student, taking into account their individual characteristics and needs, – noted Lyudmila Pankova.

    One of the issues was the discussion of the plan for the transition to a new system for assessing learning outcomes based on individual achievements. The individual achievement system (IAS) being developed is a fundamentally new approach to assessing current monitoring of academic performance and midterm assessment. IAS will allow taking into account individual student achievements, including those outside the educational program, thereby increasing their motivation and ensuring an objective assessment of knowledge. For teachers, this is a tool for reducing routine workload, thanks to the automation of assessment processes, accounting, and recording of current control points.

    Vice-Rector for Digital Transformation of SPbPU, Head of the Advanced Engineering School of SPbPU “Digital Engineering” (AES), World-class scientific center of SPbPU “Advanced digital technologies” (NCMU) Alexey Borovkov presented the key results of the implementation of the NCMU program for 2024-2024 and spoke about the scientific and technological groundwork of the strategy and program for the university’s development until 2030 and 2036.

    Alexey Borovkov emphasized that the indicator of extra-budgetary financing of the world-class Scientific Center of SPbPU “Advanced Digital Technologies” is 101.7%, which is three times more than the average indicator for all scientific centers of medicine in Russia.

    Speaking about significant world-class research carried out by the SPbPU NCMU “Advanced Digital Technologies”, Aleksey Ivanovich highlighted the creation of a large-scale scientific and technological reserve in the field of technology for the development and application of digital twins of products, machines, and structuresDigital platform for the development and application of digital twins CML-Bench®. Compared to traditional approaches, the development of products and goods based on digital twin technology reduces time, financial and other resource costs by ten times or more.

    In conclusion, the speaker highlighted the important role of the SPbPU NCMU “Advanced Digital Technologies” in the SPbPU Technological Development Ecosystem, which ensures a balance of activities of different structures and the synergy of the best scientific technological and educational practices to achieve technological leadership, sovereignty and national security of Russia.

    The scientific and technological groundwork formed by the SPbPU NCMU on the CML-Bench® digital platform is the basis for the implementation of six national projects of technological leadership, enshrined in the development strategy of the Polytechnic University until 2030. For example, the promising direction of unmanned aircraft systems directly relies on the groundwork of the SPbPU NCMU “Advanced Digital Technologies” for several projects and developments at once. At the moment, we are actively working on creating a design environment and digital certification of unmanned aircraft systems, – shared Alexey Borovkov.

    In addition, at the meeting, members of the Academic Council voted to award the academic title of associate professor to Polytechnic employees: Maxim Izmailov (IPMET), Vasily Krundyshev (IKNK), Natalia Solodilova (IMMiT), Oleg Shagniev and Ilya Keresten (PISH CI Higher School of Advanced Digital Technologies).

    Academic Secretary Dmitry Karpov presented the work plan of the University Academic Council for the 2nd semester of the 2024-2025 academic year and reported on monitoring the implementation of the Academic Council’s decisions.

    The meeting concluded with a consideration of current issues.

    Photo archive

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Unique Tree Enriches UConn’s Landscape

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Down a slight hill towards the West entrance of the W.B. Young Building sits a unique tree. Recently planted and already blending into the landscape, many UConn students, faculty, and staff probably walk right by without registering the young tree.

    But rooted in this addition to UConn’s nationally accredited arboretum is a “forever friendship” between two emeriti faculty members, their families, and the University that served as the backdrop for much of their lives.

    Sidney and Florence, Rudy and Joy

    If you are at all familiar with the fields of horticulture or landscape architecture, the names Sidney Waxman and Rudy Favretti are well known to you. Both men are considered to be pioneers in their respective fields, and both called the University of Connecticut home for their professional pursuits.

    Sidney Waxman, standing among his unique dwarf conifer cultivars. (UConn Photo)

    They were also great friends since their graduate school days at Cornell University, where they graduated in the mid 1950s.

    Sidney Waxman, born in Providence, Rhode Island in 1923, is best known for creating nearly 40 new types of dwarf conifers and trees, including the one outside the Young Building.

    “This tree is a symbol of the strong friendship between Sidney, his wife Florence, Rudy, and myself,” says Joy P. Favretti, Rudy Favretti’s widow. “We had known each other at Cornell. Later when we had all gotten married and moved to Connecticut, we would watch each other’s children when they were small, and they played together here in Storrs. Rudy and Sidney appreciated each other’s work. It really was a forever friendship in so many ways.”

    Waxman founded UConn’s experimental plant nursery, where he focused much of his research on developing new and interesting plants from witches’ brooms. These are abnormalities in a tree or woody plant where a cluster of shoots develop at a single point. Sometimes caused by fungus or other pathogens, the resulting deformities can look like a witch’s broom or a bird’s nest.

    Waxman and his wife Florence often joined forces to collect samples as they traveled around Eastern Connecticut and the New England region.

    “Florence was great at spotting the witches’ brooms,” says Joy Favretti. “Sid would hike into the woods and shoot them down with his rifle. Eventually he had to use other methods and have a crew climb up and cut them down.”

    Many of Waxman’s specimens can be viewed as part of a special collection within UConn’s campus-wide arboretum.

    A New Branch in UConn’s Family Tree

    To say that the young tree developed by Waxman that sits outside the Young Building is special may be an understatement.

    “Sid’s plants are harder and harder to find commercially, so preserving this specimen where the public can enjoy it is really special,” says Sean Vasington, University landscape architect and director of site planning with University Planning, Design & Construction.

    In fact, this tree may be one of the last that Waxman ever created.

    “Rudy’s Joy” may be a one-of-a-kind specimen development by Waxman. (Jason Sheldon/UConn Photo)

    After Waxman’s death in 2005, his son Paul brought the one-of-a-kind specimen to the Favrettis, in accordance with his father’s wishes.

    “When Paul brought the tree, it was very meaningful,” says Joy Favretti. “He told us that it originated from a witches’ broom Rudy had identified.”

    With a nod to the Favrettis’ 60-plus-year romance and based on his admiration for Rudy’s immense contributions to landscape design, Waxman had named the cultivar “Rudy’s Joy.”

    Beyond its sentimental story, there’s a lot that makes the little tree special from a horticultural perspective too.

    The witches’ broom discovered on a Norway Maple was grafted onto a Sugar Maple, New England’s native maple. The tree is well known for its fall colors and sweet syrup. Mark Brand, the chair of UConn’s arboretum and professor of horticulture and plant breeding, is confident the tree won’t reproduce since it doesn’t seem to produce flowers or fruit.

    “Sydney was smart,” says Joy Favretti. “He recognized there was a need for lower growing foundation plants, as many of the new homes being built at the time were only one story or a story and a half. The Connecticut nursery industry and many others were pleased to make them available in their nurseries.”

    While there are still lots of questions surrounding what “Rudy’s Joy” will become, it is likely to be very tall, about 50 feet, and round.

    Part of this uncertainty was by design. Waxman often incorporated fungus strains into his new species, which can cause unique forms to develop. For instance, “Rudy’s Joy” has unique branching and is of an unusual shape.

    “Its globose form and single stem should be very distinctive as the tree matures, especially during the fall when its foliage will turn bright yellow,” says Vasington.

    “It’s going to be notable and highly unusual, that is one thing we know for sure,” says Greg Anderson, professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology, member of the UConn Arboretum, and friend of the Favrettis.

    For the Love of the Landscape

    Along with reflecting the genius of Waxman’s experiments, as it grows, “Rudy’s Joy” will be a tangible monument to the contributions Rudy Favretti made to UConn, the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR), and the field of landscape architecture around the globe.

    Rudy Favretti ’54 (CAHNR) professor emeritus of landscape architecture speaks at an event to celebrate the Great Lawn, held at the Wilbur Cross North Reading Room on Sept. 26, 2012. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

    Born in 1932 in Mystic, Connecticut to Italian immigrant parents, Favretti’s UConn career began as an undergrad who, in 1955, was hired as an Extension garden specialist. He would later become a professor of landscape architecture and develop UConn’s program, which was nationally accredited with his participation, guidance, and support, nearly 10 years after his departure from UConn.

    “Rudy Favretti’s contributions within our field are renowned and immeasurable, but he is also a big part of UConn’s history and that of the College,” says Vasington.

    While he was a devoted resident of Mansfield, his legacy goes far beyond UConn’s main campus and the surrounding area.

    In 1989, Favretti retired from teaching to build a private design firm with a specialty in preservation.

    Favretti’s influence can also be seen at some of the most important historic gardens in American culture. Nicknamed the “Dean of historic restoration,” Favretti served as the consulting landscape architect for the Garden Club of Virginia for 20 years, from 1978 to 1998. In this role, he conceived of and oversaw the installation of preservation and restoration projects at Monticello, Mount Vernon, and Montpelier, some of Colonial America’s most important landmarks.

    His contribution has had such an impact on the field of landscape architecture that he was inducted as a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects in 1992, and his collected works are stored in the Smithsonian Institute’s Archives of American Gardens Collections and in UConn’s Dodd Center for Special Collections and Archives.

    During his “retirement,” Favretti found time to serve as head of the Mansfield Planning & Zoning Committee and published books for the Mansfield Historical Society dealing with the history of each of the original town school districts.

    “Rudy’s love of learning and sharing that love with others never stopped,” says Anderson.

    UConn Homecoming             

    In the months leading up to Favretti’s passing, the arboretum committee and the University had hoped to record and honor his contribution to UConn. Unfortunately, a scheduled interview that would have allowed Favretti to speak personally about his beloved university and field of landscape architecture wouldn’t come to pass.

    But his friends, colleagues, and wife Joy kept thinking of a way to honor these “forever friends.”

    In the summer of 2023, Joy offered to donate “Rudy’s Joy” to UConn as a memorial and to have it moved to an appropriate spot on campus for planting. So, in November 2023 the special tree was moved by one of Rudy’s former students from its overcrowded place in the Favretti garden to a welcoming spot where it can grow and develop on UConn’s Storrs campus. Here, the tree looks across to the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, where both Waxman and Favretti devoted so much of their energy and intellect.

    “Here, in this spot, it is a fitting memorial to our forever friendship,” says Joy Favretti.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Navy Chaplain Strengthens Warfighter Resiliency at NMRTC Rota

    Source: United States Navy (Medical)

    ROTA, Spain – As the military faces increasing operational demands, ensuring warfighter resiliency is paramount. Navy chaplains play a vital role in enhancing force readiness providing spiritual, moral, and personal support to service members and their families.

    At Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Rota, Chaplain Lt. Cmdr. Brady Rentz, better known as “Chaps,” is strengthening the commands resiliency efforts ensuring Sailors are prepared to meet mission requirements across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

    “Serving in the Navy allows me to serve the warfighters of our nation,” said Rentz. “I am able to dedicate my pastoral skills and abilities to those that are called to do some of our nation’s most difficult work.”

    Chaplains serve as force multipliers, helping military personnel navigate high-stress environments, operational deployments, and the mental demands of servicer. They provide confidential counseling, ethical advisement, and crisis intervention, and help ensure service members remain mentally, emotionally, and spiritually ready for any contingency. At overseas military hospitals, Navy chaplains work closely with medical staff to provide holistic care to all patients and staff.

    Since arriving in the fall of 2024, Rentz has spearheaded several resiliency-building efforts to include a monthly newsletter, “Warfighter Equipped.” In the newsletter Rentz, shares leadership highlights, mental toughness strategies, and highlights Sailors who exemplify resilience and high-performance standards. Additionally, as a key member of the commands Expanded Operational Stress Control team — a Culture of Excellence initiative – Rentz applies evidence-based practices to build resiliency through peer support, self-care, and connectedness.

    “Each day, I have the ability to meet people where they are,” says Rentz. “I can be present and serve each individual’s spiritual needs and follow up helping them navigate a particular season in their life.”

    “Regaining a chaplain billet is a game changer for our warfighters,” said commanding officer, Capt. William Scouten. “Spiritual resilience is a key component to operational success, and Chaps is dedicated to our Sailors and Marines, providing them the support they need to stay in the fight.”
    NMRTC Rota will further soon expand its spiritual support team with the arrival of Religious Program Specialist Third Class Eduardo Aldana, further strengthening the commands ability to prepare Sailors and civilians for increased demands.

    As the Navy continues to navigate complex, global missions, chaplains will play an increasingly vital role in supporting warfighters, building leaders, and strengthening the force. Rentz work at NMRTC Rota serves as a model for how spiritual resilience directly enhances combat readiness and mission effectiveness.

    Reflecting on his past experience, Rentz recalled one of his proudest moments while deployed aboard USS Arlington (LPD 24) where he supported Sailors and Marines in an expeditionary environment.

    “Seeing God work in their lives—offering protection, comfort, and strength in difficult times—was inspiring,” said Rentz. “In most challenging environments, I’ve witnessed how faith and resilience empower warfighters to push forward and accomplish the mission.”

    Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Rota’s strategic location in the Iberian Peninsula makes it a critical asset in supporting global medical missions throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, ensuring readiness and expertise for any contingency.

    Navy Medicine – represented by more than 44,000 highly-trained military and civilian health care professionals – provides enduring expeditionary medical support to the warfighter on, below, and above the sea, and ashore.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Healthier Hearts and Brighter Smiles at Naval Hospital Bremerton

    Source: United States Navy (Medical)

    It was a heartfelt occasion worth smiling about.

    Naval Hospital Bremerton recognized February as American Heart Month and National Children’s Dental Health Month by combining the two into one educational event, February 13, 2025.

    What do these two awareness campaigns have in common?

    “We engaged with the children in participating in activities designed to teach them how to brush and floss their teeth and how to identify foods, which are not only good for their teeth, but for their heart as well,” said Patricia Skinner, Health Promotion and Wellness coordinator.

    American Dental Association studies show poor oral health increases the number of bacteria in your mouth. Along with tooth decay, bacteria can spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body. If the bacteria reach someone’s heart, the risk becomes higher of suffering from such debilitating illnesses as endocarditis, atherosclerosis, and stroke.

    Skinner said that connecting dental health and heart health education in youth, “can be challenging when we don’t have enough resources to make an impact.”

    According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Oral Health, more than half of children 6 to 8 years old have had at least one cavity. If untreated, tooth decay can cause cavities, toothache, gum disease, and tooth loss.

    “We want to help them discover how beautiful their smiles are when their teeth are healthy,” said Skinner.

    The good news is that cavities and associated health problems are preventable. Here are suggestions from the CDC to support oral health:
    Practice good oral hygiene:
    • Brush twice daily with a soft bristle toothbrush and toothpaste with fluoride.
    • Floss daily.
    • Replace toothbrush every three months
    Regular dental visits:
    • Pregnancy increases the chances of gum disease and cavities. Visit the dentist before the baby’s arrival.
    • Children should visit a dentist by their first birthday.
    • All family members should discuss with their dentist how frequently they must schedule their dental checks.
    • Ask the dentist about water fluoride where you live, dental sealants, and mouthwashes.
    • Avoid negative or scary comments about dental visits. Help children develop a pleasant attitude toward dental care.
    Eat healthily:
    • Maintain a balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruits, proteins, and grains.
    • Avoid sticky and hard foods that can harm teeth.
    • Limit sugar intake.

    By promoting good oral and heart health habits, NHB is helping young beneficiaries grow up to live healthier lives, one smile – and healthy heart – at a time.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Brutalism – the architectural style that dared to summon a new world from the ashes of World War II

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Michael Allen, Visiting Assistant Professor of History, West Virginia University

    Boston City Hall, which was completed in 1968, is considered a classic example of Brutalist architecture. Yunghi Kim/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

    Some viewers of “The Brutalist” are probably getting their first taste of Brutalism, the architectural style that gives the film its name.

    The film, which has been nominated for 10 Academy Awards, centers on the efforts of fictional protagonist László Tóth to realize a mammoth, bunkerlike, concrete structure that will house a community center in Pennsylvania.

    A survivor of the Holocaust, Tóth insists on the building’s overwhelming scale, starkly unadorned concrete surfaces and labyrinthine interior in order to create an architectural version of the designer’s own shattered, traumatized inner world. The near-maniacal drive to finish the work becomes an intensely personal project of overcoming his trauma.

    Yet “The Brutalist” doesn’t relay much about Brutalist architecture beyond its reflexive relationship to Tóth. Drawings and photographs of real-life Brutalist buildings appear in several scenes as glimpses into Tóth’s originality and style. But the structures come across as the progeny of one architect’s ego, while the philosophy behind Brutalism remains unexplained.

    The actual story of Brutalism is so much more.

    What you see is what you get

    In my research, I’ve explored how architecture can embody values such as the common good and the human struggle for well-being. Specifically, my work explores how architecture after World War II presented a vision of a new world, one that could overcome decades of violence, exploitation and oppression.

    Brutalism, which flourished from the 1950s until around 1980, is one style that has taught me a lot.

    Brutalist buildings emphasize form using assemblies of monumental geometric shapes. While some critics find Brutalism’s heavy look and utilitarian use of materials like concrete, brick and glass harsh – even ugly – there is a beautiful intent behind them.

    Historian and critic Reyner Banham articulated Brutalism’s core ideas in a 1955 review of Peter and Alison Smith’s Hunstanton School, which was completed in 1954 in Norfolk, United Kingdom.

    Banham latched onto the French term “beton brut” – “bare concrete” – to christen the emergent style. The architects at the forefront of what Banham termed “New Brutalism” were actually thwarting the overly theorized, self-referential modernism of the times. Their buildings, he explained, exhibited three simple traits: an easily visible interior plan, direct expression of structure, and building materials that were valued for their own traits.

    In “The Brutalist,” Tóth’s insistence on plain concrete, as well as Cararra marble for the community center’s altar, captures the core of the philosophy. The materials used for Brutalist structures are not chosen as mere cladding, but as components that are essential to the building’s design. Their presence is an endorsement of their utility and beauty.

    Some Brutalist buildings, such as the Hunstanton School, are made of brick instead of concrete. Others use stone. The goal is honest expression, not in-your-face experimentation.

    Monuments to the masses

    Beyond the devotion to the materials, plan and form of buildings, Brutalism often signified a devotion to social change.

    Brutalism sought to upend preexisting social hierarchies and divisions. Its staggering forms made monuments out of ordinary places frequented by ordinary people: homes, schools, libraries.

    In the U.S., public colleges and universities erected Brutalist structures to celebrate the expansion of higher education to the masses, thanks to the GI Bill. In a project led by Walter Netsch, the University of Illinois-Chicago wove together its buildings with concrete walkways leading to a central, outdoor amphitheater. Harry Weese’s Forest Park Community College in St. Louis consisted of long, monumental brick blocks that made the junior college appear as a temple.

    Chicago-born architect Walter Netsch made an outdoor amphitheater the beating heart of the University of Illinois-Chicago’s campus.
    ArchEyes

    Well-known, if not always well-loved, public buildings such as Boston City Hall, which was built in 1968, expressed faith in modern democracy, giving the majestic government buildings of the past a new look to signify a modern egalitarianism.

    Other projects emphasized the triumphs of the Civil Rights Movement. The Neigh Dormitory at Mary Holmes College in West Point, Mississippi, was completed in 1970 by the firm of Black architect J. Max Bond Jr. Architectural historian Brian Goldstein described it as “modernism as liberation.”

    Despite Brutalism’s social optimism, it is not without detractors. In 2014, Northwestern University demolished Bertrand Goldberg’s Prentice Women’s Hospital in Chicago despite pleas from preservationists. According to the university, the concrete construction made the building impossible to adapt for new laboratory space.

    In Goshen, New York, county officials long viewed Paul Rudolph’s Orange County Government Center as an ugly and unpleasant seat of government, and almost succeeded in having it demolished. The building has since been remodeled to cloak the Brutalist design.

    New buildings for a new world

    In the U.K., cities faced damages from Nazi bombing during World War II as well as long-deferred upgrades to public housing. Brutalism was a key part of postwar housing recovery and expansion efforts.

    Perhaps the most iconic Brutalist structure in the U.K. is Erno Goldfinger’s 31-story Trellick Tower, a frequent setting for film and music videos.

    That same year, Alison and Peter Smithson unveiled their massive apartment complex, Robin Hood Gardens, in London. With its hulking concrete forms and “streets in the sky” – wide, outdoor decks on each story that were meant to mimic street life and facilitate contact with neighbors – the project demonstrated that working-class people could not only have modern apartments, but also live in new ways. London’s massive, middle-class Barbican Estate, completed in 1982, created a small city within the city, replete with plazas, a waterway and iconic concrete and brick buildings.

    London’s Robin Hood Gardens was famously built with ‘streets in the sky.’
    Matthew Lloyd/PA Images via Getty Images

    Other European Brutalist works directly confront the horrors of World War II.

    The Swiss-French architect and artist known as Le Corbusier built the Convent at Sainte Marie de La Tourette in France in the 1950s with concrete shapes resembling cannons and machine-gun barrels in its walls.

    In Paris, Georges-Henri Pingusson’s Memorial to the Martyrs of Deportation, built in 1962, commemorates the lives of 200,000 victims of the Holocaust through an assemblage of stark, monolithic concrete forms.

    While the Soviet Union’s 1950s and 1960s prefabricated concrete panel housing estates built under Premier Nikita Khruschev embody the Brutalist devotion to cost efficiency and social problem-solving, projects in the former Yugoslavia show how Brutalism could symbolize the rebirth of a people. Housing projects and commercial blocks in New Belgrade forged a new architecture for a new nation – and, in a sense, a new nationality.

    And on the site of the Jasenovac concentration camp in Croatia, run by a Nazi puppet regime, architect Bogdan Bogdanović crafted perhaps the most optimistic acknowledgment of the will to overcome the 20th century’s darkest hours.

    Where slave labor once made bricks, and thousands lost their lives, the designer crafted a massive concrete monument, completed in 1969. The stark form suggests a flower emerging from tortured soil but set upon thriving anyway.

    To me, monuments like Bogdanović’s show how Brutalism is the perfect style to convey the earnest hope that a new world is possible.

    Bogdan Bogdanović’s memorial honors the people killed at the Jasenovac concentration camp in Croatia.
    Stringer/AFP via Getty Images

    Michael Allen is an Advisor to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

    – ref. Brutalism – the architectural style that dared to summon a new world from the ashes of World War II – https://theconversation.com/brutalism-the-architectural-style-that-dared-to-summon-a-new-world-from-the-ashes-of-world-war-ii-248957

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: More Americans of all political stripes support government benefits for low-income people − and Black Lives Matter could be a big reason why

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Karyn Vilbig, PhD Student in Sociology, New York University

    A protester leads a Black Lives Matter rally in San Francisco on June 3, 2020. Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

    For all the apparent division over Black Lives Matter, the movement may have had a widespread and positive impact on Americans’ support for policies that help the poor.

    Since the Black Lives Matter movement launched in 2013, several studies using a range of datasets have all found that Americans’ views of Black people have become significantly more positive. As a sociologist who researches the safety net, I wondered how this might translate to support for policies that support low-income Americans.

    That’s because perceptions of Black people have long been one of the best predictors of whether someone favors government aid for low-income people.

    If this has held true, more positive views of Black Americans should translate into more support for social welfare programs. Indeed, since 2012, the share of Americans who support higher spending on these programs has grown by 12%.

    It still wasn’t clear, though, whether that boost in support was due to some other factor – say, the dramatic economic fallout associated with the COVID-19 pandemic or the success of the government stimulus programs that followed – as opposed to shifts in racial attitudes.

    So I decided to explore the extent to which these changes in attitudes about government benefits can be attributed to recent shifts in racial attitudes. I found that nearly all of the increase in support for these safety net programs since 2012 can be explained by changes related to Americans’ racial attitudes.

    Who receives these benefits?

    When Americans think about welfare beneficiaries, they usually picture Black people.

    It’s true that Black Americans are overrepresented among those who receive government assistance. For example, Black people make up just 14% of the U.S. population but 30% of those enrolled in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

    That being said, the majority of recipients of government aid are white.

    For decades, however, TV shows, movies and the news media have portrayed Black people as impoverished recipients of government benefits. This has caused many Americans to incorrectly presume that these programs support mostly Black people.

    Because so many Americans have traditionally held negative views toward Black people, the mental association between Black people and poverty has undermined support for government programs – and has perhaps even prevented the United States from developing the kind of robust social safety net that is found in many other affluent countries.

    The ‘welfare queen’ myth advanced by President Ronald Reagan has been hard to dislodge in the American imagination.

    Feelings toward Black people have shifted

    Since 2012, however, Americans’ racial attitudes have dramatically changed.

    In 2012, for example, 49% of Americans responding to the General Social Survey, a long-standing national survey that measures societal change, said Black-white differences in income, housing and jobs were due to a lack of willpower on the part of Black people. By 2022, the most recent year available, this number had fallen to 29%.

    There’s been a debate about the exact cause of these dramatic changes. But many researchers credit the Black Lives Matter movement.

    Black Lives Matter began in 2013 in response to the acquittal of the man who murdered Trayvon Martin, an unarmed Black teenager. It gained further momentum in 2014 with the police killings of Michael Brown and Eric Garner. In 2020, following the police murder of George Floyd, it became the largest movement in U.S. history by number of protesters.

    Past research has linked specific waves of Black Lives Matter protests to increased attention on racial inequality and decreases in racial prejudice.

    Breaking down the data

    Meanwhile, support for government benefits for low-income people has also grown in recent years.

    To figure out whether increased support for Black people was tied into more support for government aid for the poor, I analyzed two national datasets by running a type of statistical analysis called “decomposition.”

    A decomposition analysis takes the difference between two groups and breaks it into different parts to explain what’s behind that difference. For example, decomposition analysis has been used to explain the pay gap between men and women. These analyses often find that part of the gender pay gap can be explained by differences in the average number of hours men and women work and by differences in the payoff to a college degree experienced by men and women, among other things. Instead of comparing men and women, I compare Americans in 2012 versus Americans in 2020.

    In my analysis, I found that improved attitudes toward Black people between 2012 and 2020, more than any other measure, explained increased support for welfare programs during that same period.

    A second factor also helps to explain the increased support for the safety net: Americans are exhibiting greater alignment between their racial and social policy attitudes.

    In the past, many Americans expressed support for racial equality in principle but opposed the policies that might actually achieve it. I found something new. In 2020, most Americans didn’t just say that they want racial equality in the abstract. They also expressed support for the programs they believed will bring it about.

    Supporters of the Civil Rights Movement demonstrate against racial segregation outside a Woolworth’s store in New York City in 1960.
    Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

    GOP voters have changed, too

    These progressive attitude shifts can even be found among Republican – albeit to a lesser extent. Republican politicians once appealed to voters by disparaging welfare recipients and Black people. In light of these attitude shifts, that approach no longer appears to be a recipe for political success in America.

    Instead, Republicans have made opposition to immigration central to their campaigns. Immigration is an issue where Republicans perform well with voters, and this strategy has paid off at the voting booth.

    But governing requires attention to more than just the issues that poll well.

    Particularly when it comes to decisions about the safety net, Republicans find themselves in an awkward position. As recent budget debates in the House have made clear, the goal of dramatically cutting government spending conflicts with promises to protect the social programs Republican voters increasingly support.

    The safety net may very well become a major liability for the Republican Party. To the extent that the GOP continues to back spending cuts for programs that help millions of low-income people, it will be out of step with many of its voters. But if it follows the lead of right-wing parties in Europe and supports the safety net, it will be at odds with many of its donors.

    Karyn Vilbig received funding for this work from the American Sociological Association’s Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant (ASA DDRIG).

    – ref. More Americans of all political stripes support government benefits for low-income people − and Black Lives Matter could be a big reason why – https://theconversation.com/more-americans-of-all-political-stripes-support-government-benefits-for-low-income-people-and-black-lives-matter-could-be-a-big-reason-why-247764

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –