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Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI: Blood Vitals Glucose Monitor Official Launch – Track Your Health with Confidence

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Managing blood sugar levels is more critical today than ever before. Whether you’re living with diabetes, prediabetes, or simply want to maintain a healthier lifestyle, tracking your glucose levels regularly is essential for making informed decisions. That’s why we’re proud to introduce the Blood Vitals Glucose Monitor — an innovative, user-friendly device designed to give you accurate, real-time insights into your body’s blood sugar status. Click Here to Visit Official Website

    Official Launch Announcement

    We are excited to announce the official launch of the Blood Vitals Glucose Monitor — now available to the public for the first time!

    After months of research, development, and rigorous testing, we are bringing this cutting-edge glucose monitoring system to market to help individuals and families take charge of their health like never before.

    The Blood Vitals Glucose Monitor is now officially available for purchase through our authorized platforms and partner stores. This launch marks a significant milestone in accessible, affordable, and reliable health tech for glucose tracking.

    What Is the Blood Vitals Glucose Monitor?

    The Blood Vitals Glucose Monitor is a compact, digital glucose monitoring system designed for individuals who want a fast, easy, and reliable way to measure their blood sugar levels. Built with cutting-edge biosensor technology and a modern design, this monitor is ideal for both at-home users and healthcare professionals.

    It provides accurate readings in seconds, stores your glucose history, and integrates seamlessly with modern health apps for a complete overview of your metabolic health.

    Key Features of Blood Vitals Glucose Monitor

    Let’s take a closer look at what makes this device stand out:

    1. Advanced Sensor Technology

    The monitor uses next-generation biosensors that detect glucose levels with high precision. The sensors are designed for minimal discomfort and maximum accuracy.

    2. Fast and Accurate Readings

    Get your results in as little as 5 seconds. The Blood Vitals Glucose Monitor ensures that every test is quick, convenient, and delivers highly accurate results.

    3. Compact and Portable

    Slim, lightweight, and travel-friendly, this monitor fits easily into a pocket or bag. Ideal for people with busy lifestyles who need to check their blood sugar on the go.

    4. No Coding Required

    Unlike older models, the Blood Vitals system doesn’t require manual coding. Just insert a strip, and it’s ready to go — eliminating the risk of incorrect calibration.

    5. Large, Easy-to-Read Display

    The digital screen features bold numbers and backlighting, making it easy to read your results in any lighting condition.

    6. Memory Storage

    The monitor can store up to 500 test results, allowing users to track and compare their readings over time without needing to write anything down.

    7. Smart App Integration

    Sync your device with the Blood Vitals App to view trends, set reminders, and share your data with your doctor or caregiver.

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    Why Monitoring Blood Sugar Is Important

    Blood sugar monitoring is a critical tool for anyone looking to manage their health. Here’s why:

    • Early Detection: Monitoring allows you to detect sudden spikes or drops in glucose, which can be dangerous if left unaddressed.
    • Treatment Adjustment: Helps your doctor evaluate whether your medication or dietary plans are working effectively.
    • Lifestyle Awareness: Encourages better eating, exercise, and sleep patterns by showing real-time feedback on how your body reacts.
    • Long-Term Health: Proper glucose control reduces the risk of complications like heart disease, nerve damage, kidney issues, and vision problems.

    Who Should Use the Blood Vitals Glucose Monitor?

    This product is ideal for:

    • People with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes
    • Those with prediabetes
    • Individuals following a low-carb, ketogenic, or fasting lifestyle
    • Health-conscious individuals who want better metabolic awareness
    • Caregivers and healthcare providers managing others’ glucose levels

    How to Use the Blood Vitals Glucose Monitor

    Using the device is simple and intuitive. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

    1. Insert a Test Strip: Use only Blood Vitals-approved strips for accuracy.
    2. Apply Blood Sample: A small finger-prick sample is sufficient.
    3. Get Results in Seconds: Wait approximately 5 seconds for your reading.
    4. Log Automatically: Your results are stored in the device and can sync with the app.
    5. Review Trends: Check your app dashboard to analyze patterns, averages, and fluctuations over days, weeks, or months.

    Benefits of Using Blood Vitals

    Here’s what makes this monitor a reliable choice:

    Feature Benefit
    One-Touch Operation Makes testing simple and efficient
    Painless Sampling Uses ultra-thin lancets for minimal discomfort
    Cloud Backup Never lose your data – even if you switch phones
    Multi-User Support Ideal for families or caregivers
    Reminders & Alerts Stay consistent with routine checks

    Blood Vitals App: Smarter Health Management

    The Blood Vitals Monitor pairs seamlessly with its companion mobile app, available for both iOS and Android. The app includes:

    • Daily, weekly, and monthly trend charts
    • Custom alerts for high or low glucose
    • Integration with Apple Health and Google Fit
    • Data sharing options for doctors, dieticians, and family

    Whether you’re tracking before/after meals, managing fasting periods, or keeping an eye on your glucose throughout the day, the app turns raw data into actionable insights.

    Why Choose Blood Vitals Over Others?

    • FDA-Registered Components: Built with medically compliant technology.
    • Trusted Accuracy: Lab-tested and field validated.
    • Affordable Test Strips: Cost-effective compared to other premium brands.
    • Responsive Support: Backed by a knowledgeable customer service team.

    Unlike older glucose monitors that are bulky, slow, or hard to use, the Blood Vitals Glucose Monitor is engineered for modern users who demand speed, precision, and ease-of-use — without compromising health insights.

    Final Thoughts

    The launch of the Blood Vitals Glucose Monitor marks a new era in health monitoring. Officially released and now available for purchase, this state-of-the-art device is designed to empower people to take control of their health in the most efficient and intelligent way possible.

    Stay in control. Stay informed. Choose Blood Vitals Glucose Monitor — because your health deserves precision.

    Contact Information:

    For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
    Jemes
    Marketing Team
    Blood Vitals Glucose Monitor
    Email: contact@bloodvitals.com
    Phone: 1-800-123-4552
    Website: https://get-bloodvitals.com/

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government launches “Good Food Cycle” to transform Britain’s food system 

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Government launches “Good Food Cycle” to transform Britain’s food system 

    New “Good Food Cycle” framework serves up healthier eating, stronger food security and greener supply chains  

    Getty images

    The government has served up its new “Good Food Cycle” today (15 July) – a recipe aimed at driving a generational change in the nation’s relationship with food.   

    The Good Food Cycle identifies ten priority outcomes needed to build a thriving food sector while tackling challenges from rising obesity rates to climate change impacts on production, representing a pivotal milestone in the government’s work to develop a comprehensive food strategy      

    Key outcomes to create a good food cycle include:   

    • An improved food environment that supports healthier and more environmentally sustainable food sales    

    • Access for all to safe, affordable, healthy, convenient and appealing food options     

    • Conditions for the food sector to thrive and grow sustainably, including investment in innovation and productivity, and fairer more transparent supply chains     

    This fresh approach sets out the government’s vision for a modern food system, that sits at the heart of the government’s Plan for Change, tackling multiple critical challenges at once and helping to put more money back in people’s pockets.   

    Building stronger, more resilient food supply chains protects Britain from potential disruptions and strengthens our national security. Making sure everyone can afford healthy food drives our health mission by helping people stay well and reducing pressure on the NHS. We’re also working to give children the nutritious start they need to thrive at school and beyond to give every child the best possible start in life, whatever their background.  

    Minister for Food Security Daniel Zeichner, said:    

    Food security is national security – we need a resilient food system that can weather any storm while ensuring families across the country can access affordable, healthy food.   

    The Good Food Cycle represents a major milestone. We are actively defining the outcomes we want from our food system to deliver a whole system change that will help the amazing businesses that feed our nation to grow and thrive, which means more jobs and stronger local economies, while making it easier for families to eat and feel better.   

    This isn’t just about what’s on our plates today, it’s about building a stronger food system for generations to come, supporting economic growth, health and opportunity as part of our Plan for Change. 

    The ten outcomes have been informed by expert advice from departments across government, the Food Strategy Advisory Board, workshops with interested charities and businesses, as well as members of the public from a Citizen Advisory Council to ensure everyone stands to benefit from a nutritious, sustainable and resilient food system, as part of the Plan for Change.    

    The Good Food Cycle builds on recent government measures to curb diet-related health problems. Fresh partnerships with big food companies will see them share data on healthy food sales, creating more transparency and a level playing field across the industry.   

    With two-thirds of adults in England currently overweight or living with obesity and costing the NHS over £11.4 billion annually, the new approach will help make sure healthier choices don’t get squeezed off supermarket shelves by less nutritious options.   

    Minister for Health Ashley Dalton, said:  

    We want to make sure all families have the option of healthy, high-quality food – not least because it helps tackle the epidemic of obesity, which costs our NHS over £11 billion a year.  

    The Good Food Cycle will be good for the health of our communities and help us curb the rising tide of cost and demand on the NHS.  

    This builds on measures in our new 10 Year Health Plan to make the healthy choice the easy choice, including launching a world-first partnership with food manufacturers and retailers.

    Evidence shows that children living in poverty are far less likely to have enough nutritious food to eat, with almost 1 in 5 living in food insecurity, affecting their health and attainment at school. The Good Food Cycle will improve access to healthy, affordable food for families and give them the skills and support to cook and eat healthily.  

    This is a key part of the Government’s wider action to tackle child poverty and support families with the cost of essential goods. It builds on the expansion of Free School Meals to an additional 500,000 children and the rollout of free breakfast clubs for primary school pupils and will form part of the Government’s Child Poverty Strategy published in the Autumn.  

    Minister for Employment, Alison McGovern, who sits on the Ministerial Food Strategy Group and the Child Poverty Taskforce, said:   

    It’s unacceptable that children in Britain are growing up without access to healthy and affordable food – holding back their learning and development.  

    Along with making over half a million more children eligible for free school meals and rolling out breakfast clubs to all primary schools, the Good Food Cycle will ensure the next generation are well fed and ready to reach their full potential.  

    This framework marks an important step in our mission to tackle child poverty, to support families and give all children the very best start in life.  

    Food Security Minister Daniel Zeichner announced the strategy at Darley Street Market in Bradford as part of their 2025 City of Culture celebrations.    

    Cities like Bradford are already pioneering the kind of community-focused food initiatives that the Good Food Cycle strategy aims to scale up nationwide.    

    Bradford’s plans include ensuring primary school pupils get hands-on experience with growing, cooking and eating fresh food – directly supporting the strategy’s goal of giving children the best start in life through better nutrition and food education. The city is also backing venues where citizens of all ages can cook and eat together, creating the kind of inclusive food spaces that help build stronger communities while celebrating local food culture.   

    Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for Healthy People and Places, said:     

    We’re delighted to welcome Minister Zeichner to our new Darley Street Market today to launch the Good Food Cycle.   

    Having a clear direction on food policy is vital if we are to tackle some of the key issues that affect communities in our district, such as food poverty and obesity while also supporting our food producers and protecting our environment.  This is why we worked closely with the district’s Sustainable Food Partnership to launch our own food strategy last year which sets out our plans to support residents with healthy and sustainable food, and to reduce health inequalities.  

    It is really fitting to launch this important national framework here in Bradford. Our district has a proud food culture and history which we want to build on. Backing our local producers so they can provide quality, nutritious food to local people is a key part of part of our ambition and why we have invested in this new market.  

    Additional quotes   

    Dan Bates, Executive Director of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, said:  

    At Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, we’re proud to celebrate our district’s rich cultural identity through its diverse culinary traditions. Whether it’s family recipes passed down through generations, a commemorative biscuit tin containing heritage stories, or even a curry festival; these all offer a unique lens into Bradford’s history, creativity and community spirit. We’re delighted that Bradford has been chosen to launch the [Good Food Cycle] at the new Darley Street Market, full of independent local traders to help showcase the city’s dynamic contemporary culture to the world.  

    Professor Susan Jebb, Chair of the Food Standards Agency, said:  

    We welcome the ambitions set out in the Good Food Cycle today and support the outcomes it describes.  

    We continue to work closely with other departments in the delivery of the strategy, playing our part to make it easier for consumers to access food that is healthier and more sustainable. 

    Sarah Bradbury, CEO at IGD, said:   

    As co-secretariat of the FSAB, we partnered with the Defra team earlier this year to host multi-stakeholder workshops, engaging over 150 organisations across the agri-food supply chain. Their insights have directly shaped the Good Food Cycle’s ambition to build a food system that works for everyone. A powerful example of what can be achieved through collaboration.

    Andrew Opie, Director of Food & Sustainability at the BRC, said:  

    Retailers welcome the ambition and direction of the framework. They know customers want more British food, sustainably produced and with clear healthy choices; something we believe this approach can help to deliver. 

    Kate Nicholls, Chair of UKHospitality, said:   

    Hospitality is a central cog in our food system – serving Britain with great food and drink 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The food supply chain shares the Government’s ambitions to create a healthier, more sustainable food system, and it’s critical the Government works with businesses to do that in a pragmatic and achievable way.    

    Diverse and vibrant food cultures are part of what makes our communities thrive, and we look forward to working with the Government to develop a food strategy that recognises hospitality’s vital importance to the food system, economy and society.

    Dalton Philips, CEO of Greencore plc, said:    

    The Good Food Cycle is a bold and timely step toward a healthier, fairer and more sustainable food system. It sets the right direction for industry, government and communities to work together to drive lasting change.   

    Tim J Smith CBE, Chairman of Cranswick, said:     

    As we mark the launch of the Good Food Cycle today and as a member of the Food Strategy Advisory Board I would like to commend the government for its progress on establishing a set of priorities which we can all get behind. This matters for everyone. Wherever we live, whoever we are, we’re all connected to the food system. Food matters. The pace at which this work has developed has been remarkable as has the very unusual cross-government working needed to get us to this point: where our food system is closer to being healthier, more sustainable and affordable and where that system is fair for all.  

    Balwinder Dhoot, Director of Sustainability and Growth, The Food and Drink Federation (FDF), said:   

    From the everyday staples found in kitchen cupboards, fridges and freezers, like oats, yoghurts, tins of beans and frozen vegetables, to ready meals, confectionary and new healthier snacks, UK food and drink manufacturers help the nation have a balanced and varied diet, amid busy lifestyles.   

    We welcome this strategy’s holistic view that considers all of the factors affecting our sector – from creating the right conditions to drive investment in new healthier products, through to removing barriers to trade and ensuring we have the skilled workers we need. We’re pleased to see government acknowledge the importance of our industry to achieving a resilient, sustainable and healthy food system for the UK and look forward to working together to develop this ambitious Food Strategy.

    Citizens Advisory Council: 

    Anna Taylor, Executive Director, The Food Foundation, said:   

    The Food Strategy is an opportunity to reset the rules governing the food system so we start winning the fight against diet related disease and unlock progress  in delivering our nature and climate targets. The wellbeing of citizens must be at the heart of these changes, with food businesses now being encouraged to sell and promote healthier options. This should also be a signal to investors that British food companies making nutritious foods hold the keys to future growth and productivity.  Most importantly it holds the promise of getting our children back on track for long, healthy and fruitful lives.  

    Sue Pritchard, Chief Executive, Food, Farming and Countryside Commission, said:     

    What’s exciting about this approach is that citizens don’t want to see a strategy gathering dust on a shelf. They are really interested in how it will be delivered – and the difference it will make to their everyday lives. They want to see healthy food, sustainably produced, easily available to everyone everywhere. Citizens tend to cut to the chase. They’re interested in what works, and where it is working already, around the UK and elsewhere in the world. They want to make sure that government focuses on making a real difference – for health, for nature, for climate and for a fairer food system for everyone.

    Citizens Advisory Council members:  

    “I think it’s very important to get out and speak to people from different corners of the UK and from all different social aspects and social standings, to understand what the real problems are at the ground level.” – Kevin Robson, Tyne & Wear  

    “I’d love it if we end up in a place where providing healthy, good food for your family becomes a little less confusing. At the moment, I think lots of citizens do find it confusing. It shouldn’t be a struggle to provide healthy food for a family.” – David Njoku, Berkshire  

    “I think what I’m really looking for is change. Defra have been really vocal that they want to hear us and they want to centre citizen voices as a key part of their strategy.” – Emmanuela Kumi, London

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Electric Car Grant launched

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Written statement to Parliament

    Electric Car Grant launched

    Car manufacturers can apply for vehicle eligibility for the grant from 16 July 2025.

    The government is making it easier and cheaper to own an electric vehicle. Today (15 July 2025), the government has launched an Electric Car Grant to support the transition to zero emission vehicles and incentivise sustainable automotive manufacturing. This intervention gives clarity about the government’s commitment to the zero emission vehicle transition, at a time of unprecedented uncertainty for the automotive sector.

    £650 million of grant funding will be available to purchase new zero emission cars priced at or under £37,000. Grants of £1,500 or £3,750 will make these cars more affordable and enable even more people to access the savings associated with driving electric. The grant will help unlock potential further savings of up to £1,500 a year in running costs for drivers, it will back UK and other manufacturers, with eligibility dependent on the highest manufacturing sustainability standards, driving growth in our automotive and charging sectors.

    Grants are available from tomorrow (16 July 2025), subject to confirmation of vehicle eligibility by the Department for Transport. A list of eligible vehicles will be updated on the department website as vehicles are approved. The scheme has funding available until financial year 2028 to 2029. The closure date will remain under review and the scheme will be subject to amendment or early closure, with no notice, should funds become exhausted.

    The Electric Car Grant has 2 bands. £3,750 for the most sustainably produced cars and £1,500 for cars that meet some environmental criteria. This is in recognition of the need to address embedded carbon emissions across a vehicle’s lifetime, as well as tailpipe emissions. Vehicles that do not meet minimum sustainability standards will not be eligible for a grant.

    The minimum environmental criterion is for manufacturers to hold a verified science based target. Science based targets are commitments corporate entities make to reduce their environmental impact, in line with the UK’s international climate commitments, which are verified by the independent Science Based Targets Initiative. The amount of grant available per vehicle will depend on the level of emissions associated with production of the vehicle. Emissions from vehicle production are assessed against the carbon intensity of the electricity grid in the country where vehicle assembly and battery production are located.

    The government has also announced a wider package of measures to support the continued deployment of charging infrastructure. These include £25 million of funding to deliver cross-pavement charging channels, £30 million grant funding to install chargepoints at depots for vans, coaches and HGVs, supporting the transition of the road freight and coach sectors, £8 million of funding to install chargers at NHS sites and changes to allow EV hubs to be signed from major roads. All of these measures will support the more than £6 billion of private funding already in the pipeline to further boost the UK’s chargepoint roll-out by 2030.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Invitation to join the Cancer Advisory and Patient Strategy Group09 July 2025 Are you a cancer patient, survivor, or carer with lived experience of cancer services in Jersey? Would you like to help shape the future of cancer care on the island? We are inviting expressions of interest… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    09 July 2025

    Are you a cancer patient, survivor, or carer with lived experience of cancer services in Jersey? Would you like to help shape the future of cancer care on the island? 

    We are inviting expressions of interest from individuals who wish to join the new Cancer Advisory and Patient Strategy, CAPS, Group, a formal patient advisory sub-committee that will play a vital role in guiding the continued implementation of Jersey’s Cancer Strategy, Together. 

    Who can apply? 

    We welcome applications from: 

    • People currently living with cancer 
    • Cancer survivors 
    • Family members or carers of those affected by cancer.

    We are especially keen to ensure representation from all different backgrounds.

    About the CAPS Group: 

    The CAPS Group will consist of 11 members, the majority of whom will have lived experience. Members will work collaboratively with Health and Care Jersey, Macmillan Cancer Support Jersey, and Jersey Hospice Care to co-produce improvements in cancer services, from early diagnosis to palliative care. 

    What to expect: 

    • A meaningful opportunity to influence cancer care policy and service design 
    • Quarterly meetings (starting in September 2025) 
    • Support with accessibility, transport, and digital access 
    • A safe, inclusive, and respectful environment.

    How to apply: 

    To express your interest, please email e.gomesdossantos@health.gov.je​ or call Gemma Gouveia/Kerry Smith on 442661, deadline: 31st July 2025.

    We are also working with Macmillan Jersey and Jersey Hospice Care to share this invitation through their networks. If you know someone who might be interested, please help us spread the word. 

    Your voice matters. Help us build a cancer care system that truly reflects the needs and experiences of our community.​

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Island pupils find their sporting stride thanks to the PEACH Games 15 July 2025 Island pupils find their sporting stride thanks to the PEACH Games

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    The West Wight Sports Centre played host to the Island’s fifth annual PEACH Games on Friday 3 July. The event saw 320 primary school children and 80 sports leaders from secondary schools across the Island, take part.

    The games, organised by the Isle of Wight Public Health team in collaboration with the School Games Organisers, marks the continued success for the Partnership for Education, Attainment and Children’s Health (PEACH) programme.

    Pupils participated in a variety of activities and rotated through team-based and individual games to experience the benefits of sport. Each helps to improve personal skills, cardiovascular fitness as well as coordination and balance.

    Alongside the sporting activities, pupils learned about physical activity options, and first aid while boosting confidence and self-esteem, all within the athlete’s village. The Island Games is an international programme held every two years for Island teams across the world. The flags designed by the schools will be taken to Orkney with the Island Games athletes.

    Simon Bryant, Director of Public health for the Island commented ‘The PEACH Games are important to promote physical activity, positive wellbeing and healthy competition. This supports young people to lead healthy lives with plenty of exercise and a good, balanced diet.

    Chairman of the Isle of Wight Council, Councillor Ian Dore said ‘‘The Games are really important as they build team spirit among the children, who spent the whole day cheering on their friends. There was so much positivity, inspiration and collaborative working, all pushing each other to cross the line. There’s nothing better than young people getting out and being fit and healthy, and the great weather on the day only amplified that.’’

    The feedback received from participating schools has been positive. The secondary school sports leaders worked tirelessly to ensure the event ran smoothly and provided inspiration and leadership to the primary aged participants.

    The PEACH programme supports schools in improving the health and wellbeing of their pupils, staff and families. It is an award-based framework offered to schools, focussing on the four health domains of Physical Activity, Healthy Eating, PSHE and Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health

    As well as the annual PEACH Games event the Schools Games Organisers make a big impact in schools, offering a series of inclusive festivals designed to get children moving, regardless of ability or experience. These events are delivered as part of the key tasks of the School Games Vision and Mission. The School Games Organisers make a positive and meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people through sport and physical activity. This is achieved by putting physical activity and school sport at the heart of schools.

    Over the academic year, children and young people have taken part in nine PEACH events, trying their hand at everything from rugby and gymnastics to basketball and hockey.

    The programme aims to support year 3 and 4 pupils who are less engaged in physical activity, year 5 and 6 pupils who may require support in transition from primary to secondary school and years 9-13 students to provide leadership opportunities for secondary school sport leaders.

    A heartfelt thank you goes out to the local organisations who helped make the PEACH Games extra special:

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Senegal joins growing list of countries that have eliminated trachoma

    Source: APO – Report:

    .

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Senegal as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. Senegal becomes the ninth country in WHO’s African Region to have achieved this feat.

    “I commend Senegal for freeing its population from this disease”, said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This milestone is yet another sign of the remarkable progress being made against neglected tropical diseases globally, and offers hope to other countries still working to eliminate trachoma.”

    Trachoma has been known in Senegal since the early 1900s and was confirmed as a major cause of blindness through surveys in the 1980s and 1990s. Senegal joined the WHO Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma in 1998, conducted its first national survey in 2000, and completed full disease mapping by 2017 with support from the Global Trachoma Mapping Project and Tropical Data. Trachoma control was consistently integrated into national eye health programmed, first under the National Program for Blindness Prevention (PNLC) and later through the National Program for the Promotion of Eye Health (PNPSO) – maintaining its commitment to trachoma elimination.

    “Today we celebrate our victory against trachoma, 21 years after the one against dracunculiasis” said Dr Ibrahima Sy, Senegal’s Minister of Health and Social Action. “This new milestone reminds us that our overarching goal remains a Senegal free from neglected tropical diseases. We are fully committed to this, and we are making good progress, notably against human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) and onchocerciasis”.

    Senegal implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy to eliminate trachoma with the support of partners, reaching 2.8 million people who needed them across 24 districts. These activities included provision of surgery to treat the late blinding stage of the disease, conducting antibiotic mass drug administration of azithromycin donated by Pfizer through the International Trachoma Initiative, carrying out public awareness campaigns to promote facial cleanliness, and improvement in access to water supply and sanitation.

    Trachoma is the second neglected tropical disease to be eliminated in Senegal. In 2004, the country was certified free of dracunculiasis (Guinea-worm disease) transmission. Globally, Senegal joins 24 other countries that have been validated by WHO for having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. These are Benin, Burundi, Cambodia, China, Gambia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Ghana, India, Iraq, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Togo, Vanuatu and Viet Nam. These countries are part of a wider of group of 57 countries that have eliminated one or more neglected tropical diseases.

    WHO is supporting Senegal’s health authorities to closely monitor communities in which trachoma was previously endemic to ensure there is no resurgence of the disease.

    “Trachoma has cast a shadow over communities in Senegal for more than a century. This long-awaited validation is not only a milestone for public health but a powerful tribute to the tireless dedication of frontline health workers, communities, government leaders, and partners who never gave up,” said Dr Jean-Marie Vianny Yameogo, WHO Representative in Senegal. “Today, we close a chapter that began over a hundred years ago, united with pride, gratitude and resolve. WHO remains committed to supporting Senegal as the country continues to lead in sustaining this hard-earned achievement.”

    Disease prevalence

    Trachoma remains a public health problem in 32 countries, with an estimated 103 million people living in areas requiring interventions against the disease. Trachoma is found mainly in the poorest and most rural areas of Africa, Central and South America, Asia, the Western Pacific and the Middle East. WHO’s African Region is disproportionately affected by trachoma, with 93 million people living in at-risk areas in April 2024, representing 90% of the global trachoma burden.

    Significant progress has been made in the fight against trachoma over the past few years and the number of people requiring antibiotic treatment for trachoma in the African Region fell by 96 million from 189 million in 2014 to 93 million as of April 2024, representing a 51% reduction.

    There are currently 20 countries (Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe) in WHO’s African Region that are known to require intervention for trachoma elimination. A further 3 countries in the Region (Botswana, Guinea-Bissau and Namibia) claim to have achieved the prevalence targets for elimination.

    – on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: UK air quality is improving but pollution targets are still being breached – new study

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By James Weber, Lecturer in Atmospheric Radiation, Composition and Climate, University of Reading

    Tony Skerl/Shutterstock

    An estimated 4.2 million deaths can be attributed to poor air quality each year. Poor air quality is the largest fixable environmental public health risk in the world.

    Our new study presents analysis of the UK-wide trends for three major pollutants – nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃) and tiny particulate matter known as PM₂.₅ – between 2015 and 2024 to calculate how often air quality targets were breached.

    Both nitrogen dioxide and PM₂.₅ showed robust decreases over the period 2015-2024, declining on average by 35% and 30% respectively. In 2015-2016, the average Defra monitoring site exceeded the nitrogen dioxide target on 136 days per year. By 2023-2024, this had dropped to 40 days per year.

    For PM₂.₅, the number of days the average Defra site breached the target went from 40 to 22 days per year. While this is an improvement, the World Health Organization advises that these targets should not be breached on more than four days per year.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    To examine the sources of pollution, we studied how pollutants were influenced by factors including time of day, day of week, wind direction and origin, location of monitoring station and even interactions between pollutant. Nitrogen dioxide concentrations are highest at monitoring sites located next to busy urban roads, lower at urban background sites (which are located at sites further from traffic such as parks) and much lower in rural sites.

    Profiles over 24-hour periods show strong nitrogen dioxide peaks coinciding with the morning and evening rush hours and clear decreases at weekends. This all points to local traffic emissions being the major source. While PM₂.₅ is also higher in urban than rural locations, it exhibits more muted rush hour peaks and is more consistent between the week and weekend, suggesting traffic plays a smaller role.

    We explored how wind direction and origin influenced nitrogen dioxide and PM₂.₅ by running a weather forecast model backwards for three UK locations: Reading, Sheffield and Glasgow. While nitrogen dioxide showed only a weak correlation with wind origin, PM₂.₅ was much more dependent.

    For example, the probability of PM₂.₅ breaching air quality targets on a given day exceeded 15% only when the air had come from continental Europe and, for Sheffield and Glasgow, passed over much of the UK too.

    NO₂ and PM₂.₅ pollution reduced over the last decade but remains too high while O₃ pollution has worsened.
    James Weber, CC BY

    While nitrogen dioxide and PM₂.₅ showed clear improvements, ozone exhibited a less positive picture. Ozone increased in 115 of the 121 sites considered, growing by 17% on average. A similar trend was observed across much of northern Europe. The average number of days ozone exceeded the World Health Organization target doubled from seven to 14 per year.

    This may seem modest at present, but several factors are conspiring to drive ozone higher. In much of the UK, the relatively high levels of nitrogen dioxide effectively suppress ozone: as a result, ozone is higher in rural rather than urban areas and, as nitrogen dioxide decreases, ozone will increase further.

    Unless, that is, we also target nitrogen dioxide’s partner in crime, volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are critical to the production of ozone and are emitted from human sources such as traffic and industry, plus certain types of vegetation like oak trees. While emissions of nitrogen dioxide fell by 20% between 2015-2024, human-driven VOC emissions declined by only 1%.

    Ozone also increases in periods of hot weather due to elevated VOC emissions from vegetation and greater mixing of air from higher up in the atmosphere into the layer closest to the surface. Incidents of hot weather are only going to become more frequent in the UK, making it even more critical to crack down on human-driven VOC emissions to limit ozone pollution.

    Up in the air

    In the UK, considerable efforts have been made to improve air quality. Its importance has been enshrined in law for nearly 70 years. An extensive network of air quality monitoring sites is maintained by the UK government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) plus devolved and local authorities.

    Local authorities are required to monitor air quality and develop air quality management areas in places where targets are unlikely to be met. Clean air or low emission zones have been introduced as a result.

    However, air quality policy must be designed to reflect the complex nature of each pollutants’ drivers. Nitrogen dioxide is dominated by local sources, PM₂.₅ by transport from further afield and ozone by a combination of both.

    An air quality monitoring station.
    Chemival/Shutterstock

    Local and national policies that cut traffic emissions by incentivising the replacement of older cars with newer, cleaner vehicles, retrofitting buses and restricting entry of the most polluting vehicles into towns and cities will probably reduce nitrogen dioxide further.

    But, if nitrogen dioxide decreases are not accompanied by reductions to VOC emissions, locally and internationally, ozone will continue to rise, especially with more frequent hot weather.

    By contrast, most PM₂.₅ comes from sources further afield, including industry and agriculture from other parts of the UK and beyond, so reductions hinge on stronger national and global policies that target emissions at source rather than just local efforts.

    Air pollution doesn’t respect borders and while the technologies to facilitate continued improvements exist, they must be deployed in joined-up, international efforts.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    James Weber 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. UK air quality is improving but pollution targets are still being breached – new study – https://theconversation.com/uk-air-quality-is-improving-but-pollution-targets-are-still-being-breached-new-study-260961

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: UK air quality is improving but pollution targets are still being breached – new study

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By James Weber, Lecturer in Atmospheric Radiation, Composition and Climate, University of Reading

    Tony Skerl/Shutterstock

    An estimated 4.2 million deaths can be attributed to poor air quality each year. Poor air quality is the largest fixable environmental public health risk in the world.

    Our new study presents analysis of the UK-wide trends for three major pollutants – nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃) and tiny particulate matter known as PM₂.₅ – between 2015 and 2024 to calculate how often air quality targets were breached.

    Both nitrogen dioxide and PM₂.₅ showed robust decreases over the period 2015-2024, declining on average by 35% and 30% respectively. In 2015-2016, the average Defra monitoring site exceeded the nitrogen dioxide target on 136 days per year. By 2023-2024, this had dropped to 40 days per year.

    For PM₂.₅, the number of days the average Defra site breached the target went from 40 to 22 days per year. While this is an improvement, the World Health Organization advises that these targets should not be breached on more than four days per year.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    To examine the sources of pollution, we studied how pollutants were influenced by factors including time of day, day of week, wind direction and origin, location of monitoring station and even interactions between pollutant. Nitrogen dioxide concentrations are highest at monitoring sites located next to busy urban roads, lower at urban background sites (which are located at sites further from traffic such as parks) and much lower in rural sites.

    Profiles over 24-hour periods show strong nitrogen dioxide peaks coinciding with the morning and evening rush hours and clear decreases at weekends. This all points to local traffic emissions being the major source. While PM₂.₅ is also higher in urban than rural locations, it exhibits more muted rush hour peaks and is more consistent between the week and weekend, suggesting traffic plays a smaller role.

    We explored how wind direction and origin influenced nitrogen dioxide and PM₂.₅ by running a weather forecast model backwards for three UK locations: Reading, Sheffield and Glasgow. While nitrogen dioxide showed only a weak correlation with wind origin, PM₂.₅ was much more dependent.

    For example, the probability of PM₂.₅ breaching air quality targets on a given day exceeded 15% only when the air had come from continental Europe and, for Sheffield and Glasgow, passed over much of the UK too.

    NO₂ and PM₂.₅ pollution reduced over the last decade but remains too high while O₃ pollution has worsened.
    James Weber, CC BY

    While nitrogen dioxide and PM₂.₅ showed clear improvements, ozone exhibited a less positive picture. Ozone increased in 115 of the 121 sites considered, growing by 17% on average. A similar trend was observed across much of northern Europe. The average number of days ozone exceeded the World Health Organization target doubled from seven to 14 per year.

    This may seem modest at present, but several factors are conspiring to drive ozone higher. In much of the UK, the relatively high levels of nitrogen dioxide effectively suppress ozone: as a result, ozone is higher in rural rather than urban areas and, as nitrogen dioxide decreases, ozone will increase further.

    Unless, that is, we also target nitrogen dioxide’s partner in crime, volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are critical to the production of ozone and are emitted from human sources such as traffic and industry, plus certain types of vegetation like oak trees. While emissions of nitrogen dioxide fell by 20% between 2015-2024, human-driven VOC emissions declined by only 1%.

    Ozone also increases in periods of hot weather due to elevated VOC emissions from vegetation and greater mixing of air from higher up in the atmosphere into the layer closest to the surface. Incidents of hot weather are only going to become more frequent in the UK, making it even more critical to crack down on human-driven VOC emissions to limit ozone pollution.

    Up in the air

    In the UK, considerable efforts have been made to improve air quality. Its importance has been enshrined in law for nearly 70 years. An extensive network of air quality monitoring sites is maintained by the UK government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) plus devolved and local authorities.

    Local authorities are required to monitor air quality and develop air quality management areas in places where targets are unlikely to be met. Clean air or low emission zones have been introduced as a result.

    However, air quality policy must be designed to reflect the complex nature of each pollutants’ drivers. Nitrogen dioxide is dominated by local sources, PM₂.₅ by transport from further afield and ozone by a combination of both.

    An air quality monitoring station.
    Chemival/Shutterstock

    Local and national policies that cut traffic emissions by incentivising the replacement of older cars with newer, cleaner vehicles, retrofitting buses and restricting entry of the most polluting vehicles into towns and cities will probably reduce nitrogen dioxide further.

    But, if nitrogen dioxide decreases are not accompanied by reductions to VOC emissions, locally and internationally, ozone will continue to rise, especially with more frequent hot weather.

    By contrast, most PM₂.₅ comes from sources further afield, including industry and agriculture from other parts of the UK and beyond, so reductions hinge on stronger national and global policies that target emissions at source rather than just local efforts.

    Air pollution doesn’t respect borders and while the technologies to facilitate continued improvements exist, they must be deployed in joined-up, international efforts.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    James Weber 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. UK air quality is improving but pollution targets are still being breached – new study – https://theconversation.com/uk-air-quality-is-improving-but-pollution-targets-are-still-being-breached-new-study-260961

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Ethiopia moves toward smarter health and nutrition supply chain management

    Source: APO


    .

    A national dissemination workshop held on May 27, 2025, in Addis Ababa brought together government officials, health experts, and development partners to review the findings of a comprehensive assessment of Ethiopia’s electronic Logistics Management Information System (eLMIS), known as Dagu. The system is designed to enhance visibility and improve efficiency throughout the country’s health supply chain.

    Opening the event, the World Health Organization (WHO) Ethiopia Dr Patrick Okumu Abok,  Team Lead, Health Emergencies Programme, commended the collaborative efforts that led to the successful completion of the nationwide assessment, which covered 251 public health facilities. The study evaluated the functionality, maturity, utilization, and impact of the Dagu system on health and nutrition commodity availability, inventory management, and decision-making processes.

    The event and the nationwide assessment were funded by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), reaffirming the EU’s longstanding commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s health system strengthening and digital transformation.

     “This event marks a significant milestone in our collective effort to build a more resilient, data-driven supply chain for Ethiopia,” said Dr Patrick. “Dagu is helping health facilities deliver essential medicines, nutrition commodities and health supplies more reliably—and the data proves it.”

    According to the assessment findings, 63.7% of health facilities currently operate functional Dagu systems. These facilities demonstrated improved pharmaceutical availability—with an average availability rate of 88.3% for tracer medicines—highlighting Dagu’s positive contribution to medicine access across the health system.

    Despite the progress, the assessment also highlighted several challenges, including infrastructure limitations, intermittent internet access, limited management engagement, and human resource constraints, particularly in areas such as training and staff retention. The study identified that facilities with trained pharmacy heads and reliable internet access were significantly more likely to operate functional Dagu systems.

    The Ministry of Health emphasised the government’s continued commitment to scaling up digital health innovations, such as Dagu, to achieve better health outcomes.

     “This assessment reinforces what we’ve known—Dagu has the potential to transform our supply chain. But it also reminds us that sustainability requires more than just systems; it requires leadership, accountability, and integration,” said Teshome Deres, senior advisor for the state minister of the Ministry of Health. “We are committed to working with our partners to ensure Dagu reaches its full potential across all health programs.”

    The workshop emphasized the importance of transforming these insights into action. Recommendations put forth include:

    • Strengthening infrastructure and digital connectivity at health facilities
    • Institutionalizing routine performance monitoring
    • Enhancing interoperability with other national health systems like DHIS2 and ERP
    • Introducing legal frameworks to support mandatory system use
    • Expanding Dagu’s coverage to all health programs, including those currently underrepresented such as EPI and nutrition

    The event was supported in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Service (EPSS), and the Dagu Task Force, with the support from Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), ECHO, Results for Development (R4D), and WHO.

    With a strong political commitment and coordinated implementation, Ethiopia’s journey toward a more efficient and equitable health supply chain continues—powered by innovation, data, and partnerships.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Ethiopia.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEWS RELEASE: STATE RELEASES FORECAST FOR JOBS AND INDUSTRIES THROUGH 2032

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    NEWS RELEASE: STATE RELEASES FORECAST FOR JOBS AND INDUSTRIES THROUGH 2032

    Posted on Jul 14, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

     

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.

    GOVERNOR

    KE KIAʻĀINA

     

    DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

    KA ʻOIHANA PONO LIMAHANA

    JADE T. BUTAY

    DIRECTOR

    KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

    STATE RELEASES FORECAST FOR JOBS AND INDUSTRIES THROUGH 2032

    Hawai‘i Projects 41,000 New Jobs by 2032, Led by Health Care and Food Services

     

    News Release 2025-07

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    July 14, 2025

     

    HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ Research and Statistics Office has released its latest statewide employment projections for industries and occupations. The projections are based on 2022 employment data and forecast trends through 2032. Statewide projections are published in even-numbered years, while county-specific projections are issued in odd-numbered years.

    Key Highlights:

    Hawai‘i’s total employment is projected to grow by 6.1% over the next decade, increasing from 671,010 jobs in 2022 to 712,200 by 2032 — an addition of 41,190 jobs. Each year, the state is expected to see approximately 83,050 job openings. These openings will primarily result from workers changing jobs (55%) and exiting the labor force (40%), while just 5% will stem from actual job growth. This breakdown highlights the importance of workforce replacement and job mobility in the state’s labor market.

    Top Growing Industries:

    • Health care and social assistance is forecast to be the fastest-growing and largest contributor to job creation, accounting for nearly one-quarter of all new positions.
    • The sector is projected to grow by 12.7%, with particularly strong demand in social assistance services.
    • The food services and drinking places industry will follow closely, with an 11.9% growth rate, driven by Hawai‘i’s strong hospitality sector.
    • The accommodation industry is also forecast to increase by 10.2%, while creating 3,750 positions.
    • The self-employed sector, bolstered by the post-pandemic gig economy, is expected to reach 58,150 workers by 2032.

     

    In contrast, government and retail trade employment are projected to decline, influenced by federal policies and continuing shift toward e-commerce.

    The projections are a valuable tool for:

    • Students and jobseekers exploring career options
    • Education and training providers developing programs
    • Job placement specialists and career counselors guiding individuals toward employment
    • Program managers and policymakers shaping workforce strategies
    • Employers planning for growth or relocation

    Key highlights, comprehensive data tables and other Labor Market Information (LMI) tools — such as Best Job Opportunities to 2032 — can be accessed on the Employment Projections page of the Hawai‘i Workforce Infonet (HIWI): www.hiwi.org.

    Detailed narrative reports will be available by the end of July.

    This effort is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, through the Workforce and Labor Market Information Grants to States (WIGS) program, with a total award of $321,585 for Program Year 2024.

    # # #

    Equal Opportunity Employer/Program
    Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
    TDD/TTY Dial 711 then ask for 808-586-8842

    View DLIR news releases:

    http://labor.hawaii.gov/blog/category/news/

    Media Contact:

    Chavonnie Ramos

    Public Information Officer, State of Hawai‘i

    Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

    Phone: 808-586-9720

    Email: [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: European Emergency Medicine Society (EUSEM)

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Mission

    The European Society for Emergency Medicine (EUSEM INPO) is a non-profit scientific organisation whose vision is to ensure every patient recieves the best Emergency Care in Europe. Beginning as a society of individuals in 1994 from a multidisciplinary group of experts in emergency medicine, EUSEM membership has grown to include 38 European national societies as well as individual members. We represent over  40 000 Health Care Professionals working in the field of Emergency Medicine in Europe.

    EUSEM’s mission is to advance the science, practice, and education of emergency medicine through high-quality, accessible, and evidence-based training.

    EUSEM is committed to strengthening the global emergency care workforce, especially in low-resource and disaster-prone settings, by fostering professional excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ethical humanitarian action.

    DRR activities

    The European Emergency Medicine Society actively engages in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) through education, training, and community capacity building. Key activities include:

    • Emergency preparedness training for healthcare professionals, first responders, and community leaders in disaster-prone regions.
    • Development and dissemination of evidence-based protocols aligned with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
    • Community-based risk assessments and contingency planning, especially in underserved and high-risk areas.
    • Awareness campaigns, drills, and simulations to strengthen early warning systems and rapid response capacity.
    • Integration of DRR principles into all academic programs, ensuring a multidisciplinary and resilience-focused approach.
    • Active participation in global DRR platforms, such as the UNDRR Stakeholder Mechanism and the NGO Major Group, contributing to international dialogue and policy development.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Clusters of Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales cases in Princess Margaret Hospital

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

    ​The spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) made the following announcement today (July 15):

    Five male patients (aged 65 to 90) of a medicine and geriatrics ward in PMH have been confirmed as carriers of Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae upon testing since July 7. All patients are being treated in isolation. One of the patients has symptoms of infections and in critical condition due to his underlying disease. Two of the other four asymptomatic patients are in stable condition, while the remaining two are in serious condition.

    The hospital will continue the contact tracing investigation of close contacts of the patients in accordance with the prevailing guidelines. A series of enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted:
     

    1. thorough cleaning and disinfection of the ward concerned;
    2. enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures; and
    3. application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients.

    The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the patients. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FACT CHECK: ICE Provides Multiple Meals Per Day to Criminal Illegal Aliens Held at Detention Facilities

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FACT CHECK: ICE Provides Multiple Meals Per Day to Criminal Illegal Aliens Held at Detention Facilities

    lass=”text-align-center”>All detainees receive breakfast, lunch, and dinner in accordance with recommended nutrition guidelines
    WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is setting the record straight on NBC’s false claims that illegal aliens who are held at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities are receiving inadequate amounts of food

     
    “Any claim that there is a lack of food or subprime conditions at ICE detention centers are categorically false

    All detainees are provided with proper meals, medical treatment and have opportunities to communicate with their family members and lawyers,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin

     “Meals are certified by dieticians

    Ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of individuals in our custody is a top priority at ICE

    Why does the media continue to push the lies of criminal illegal aliens in detention and villainize ICE law enforcement?”

    CLAIM: Detainees say meals are now half the size they were last year, and they don’t receive dinner until midnight

     
    FALSE: Allegations that there are chronic food shortages are unequivocally false

    Each ICE facility’s Food Service Operations Director conducts a review of food portions, and detainees are being fed the portions as prescribed by the nutritionist, based on a daily 2400 to 2600 caloric intake

    CLAIM: A health department report from Tacoma, Washington responded to 57 cases of suspected foodborne illness and determined the illness came from reheated collard greens

     
    FALSE: While the Health Department was notified, the on-site medical team concluded that there was no evidence linking the illness to a specific food item, as claimed by the detainees

    CLAIM: In Winn Correctional Center in Louisiana, a Russian immigrant said he has lost weight due to small portions since being detained

    False: The facility has no food complaints from any Russian detainees

     The Detention Standard Compliance Officer has not observed any food issues or complaints while conducting site visits

     
    CLAIM: A detainee says there is too little food at El Paso Service Processing Center

    False: The dietician-approved meal plan from the El Paso Service Processing Center was recently reviewed and indicates the total caloric intake for ICE detainees at the facility is 3,436 per day—which exceeds the average daily recommended minimums

     
    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FACT CHECK: ICE Provides Multiple Meals Per Day to Criminal Illegal Aliens Held at Detention Facilities

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FACT CHECK: ICE Provides Multiple Meals Per Day to Criminal Illegal Aliens Held at Detention Facilities

    lass=”text-align-center”>All detainees receive breakfast, lunch, and dinner in accordance with recommended nutrition guidelines
    WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is setting the record straight on NBC’s false claims that illegal aliens who are held at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities are receiving inadequate amounts of food

     
    “Any claim that there is a lack of food or subprime conditions at ICE detention centers are categorically false

    All detainees are provided with proper meals, medical treatment and have opportunities to communicate with their family members and lawyers,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin

     “Meals are certified by dieticians

    Ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of individuals in our custody is a top priority at ICE

    Why does the media continue to push the lies of criminal illegal aliens in detention and villainize ICE law enforcement?”

    CLAIM: Detainees say meals are now half the size they were last year, and they don’t receive dinner until midnight

     
    FALSE: Allegations that there are chronic food shortages are unequivocally false

    Each ICE facility’s Food Service Operations Director conducts a review of food portions, and detainees are being fed the portions as prescribed by the nutritionist, based on a daily 2400 to 2600 caloric intake

    CLAIM: A health department report from Tacoma, Washington responded to 57 cases of suspected foodborne illness and determined the illness came from reheated collard greens

     
    FALSE: While the Health Department was notified, the on-site medical team concluded that there was no evidence linking the illness to a specific food item, as claimed by the detainees

    CLAIM: In Winn Correctional Center in Louisiana, a Russian immigrant said he has lost weight due to small portions since being detained

    False: The facility has no food complaints from any Russian detainees

     The Detention Standard Compliance Officer has not observed any food issues or complaints while conducting site visits

     
    CLAIM: A detainee says there is too little food at El Paso Service Processing Center

    False: The dietician-approved meal plan from the El Paso Service Processing Center was recently reviewed and indicates the total caloric intake for ICE detainees at the facility is 3,436 per day—which exceeds the average daily recommended minimums

     
    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Adult Mental Health drop-in event15 July 2025 The Mental Health Team is calling on Islanders who have used their services to share their views to help develop the service going forwards. They are developing a new five-year strategy for mental… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    15 July 2025

    The Mental Health Team is calling on Islanders who have used their services to share their views to help develop the service going forwards. 

    They are developing a new five-year strategy for mental health services, and it is important that the voice of people who use the services help shape this. 

    A drop-in event will be held between 10am and 2pm on Saturday 19 July at The Diner on New St James Place. 

    Andy Weir, the Director of Mental Health, the Mental Health Team and people with Lived Experience will host the session, which will ask service users and their loved ones: 

    1. What has helped you in your mental health recovery? 
    2. What would you like to see change in mental health services? 
    3. What does good mental health support look like to you? 
    4. What should we prioritise in the next five years? 

    As part of the session an artist will draw pictures based on what people say. Those who attend will also be given the opportunity to draw or write their thoughts as part of the process and snacks will be provided.

    Feedback from the session will be used to form the new Mental Health Strategy which is due to be published in 2026.​

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 15 July 2025 Turkmenistan strengthens its influenza vaccination programme

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Building pandemic response capacities through seasonal vaccination 

    Strong national influenza vaccination programmes are the foundation for the vaccination component of the pandemic response. With support from the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework’s Partnership Contribution (PC), Turkmenistan is enhancing its national seasonal influenza vaccination programme and through this, is strengthening its preparedness for future pandemics. This collaboration is part of a broader effort to build resilient health systems capable of responding to influenza epidemics and pandemics. 

    Over the past eight years, the Ministry of Health has expanded access to influenza vaccines for WHO-recommended priority groups, including health workers, older adults, people with chronic conditions, and pregnant women. The annual influenza vaccination programme not only protects vulnerable populations but also serves as a foundation for pandemic response.

    Reviewing the influenza vaccination programme  

    In May 2025, Turkmenistan became the first country in the WHO European Region to use the Facilitated Assessment of Influenza Vaccination Programme Review (FAIR) tool. During the review and an interactive workshop, WHO technical experts collaborated with the Ministry of Health to evaluate best practices and identify priority actions to strengthen the national vaccination programme. 

    Using the FAIR tool, WHO experts conducted informational interviews with national stakeholders responsible for policy development, evidence generation, cold chain and supply management, risk communication, community engagement, integrated service delivery, and data management. In addition, WHO experts and national counterparts visited Turkmenistan’s main vaccine storage facilities and a local polyclinic administering influenza vaccines.

    From assessment to action 

    During the workshop, WHO experts presented FAIR findings and facilitated group discussions with national focal points. Together, they developed a list of priority actions, including:

    • Developing a national seasonal influenza vaccination policy aligned with WHO guidance 
    • Reviewing and updating coverage data 
    • Conducting studies to assess the impact of influenza vaccination

    The workshop also emphasized the role of seasonal influenza vaccination as a platform for broader pandemic preparedness. In this context, WHO and national focal points conducted a simulation exercise focused on planning and deploying pandemic vaccines, drawing on lessons from the COVID-19 response. Participants from emergency vaccination, logistics, regulatory affairs, and communications identified areas for improvement in the national deployment and vaccination plan (NDVP). 

    Commitment to resilience 

    Turkmenistan is committed to advancing its national influenza preparedness and strengthening its health system’s resilience. By addressing both seasonal and pandemic influenza, the country is taking important steps to protect its population and enhance its capacity to respond to emergencies.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 15 July 2025 News release Senegal joins growing list of countries that have eliminated trachoma

    Source: World Health Organisation

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Senegal as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. Senegal becomes the ninth country in WHO’s African Region to have achieved this feat.

    “I commend Senegal for freeing its population from this disease”, said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This milestone is yet another sign of the remarkable progress being made against neglected tropical diseases globally, and offers hope to other countries still working to eliminate trachoma.”

    Trachoma has been known in Senegal since the early 1900s and was confirmed as a major cause of blindness through surveys in the 1980s and 1990s. Senegal joined the WHO Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma in 1998, conducted its first national survey in 2000, and completed full disease mapping by 2017 with support from the Global Trachoma Mapping Project and Tropical Data. Trachoma control was consistently integrated into national eye health programmed, first under the National Program for Blindness Prevention (PNLC) and later through the National Program for the Promotion of Eye Health (PNPSO) – maintaining its commitment to trachoma elimination.

    “Today we celebrate our victory against trachoma, 21 years after the one against dracunculiasis” said Dr Ibrahima Sy, Senegal’s Minister of Health and Social Action. “This new milestone reminds us that our overarching goal remains a Senegal free from neglected tropical diseases. We are fully committed to this, and we are making good progress, notably against human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) and onchocerciasis”.

    Senegal implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy to eliminate trachoma with the support of partners, reaching 2.8 million people who needed them across 24 districts. These activities included provision of surgery to treat the late blinding stage of the disease, conducting antibiotic mass drug administration of azithromycin donated by Pfizer through the International Trachoma Initiative, carrying out public awareness campaigns to promote facial cleanliness, and improvement in access to water supply and sanitation.

    Trachoma is the second neglected tropical disease to be eliminated in Senegal. In 2004, the country was certified free of dracunculiasis (Guinea-worm disease) transmission. Globally, Senegal joins 24 other countries that have been validated by WHO for having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. These are Benin, Burundi, Cambodia, China, Gambia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Ghana, India, Iraq, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Togo, Vanuatu and Viet Nam. These countries are part of a wider of group of 57 countries that have eliminated one or more neglected tropical diseases.

    WHO is supporting Senegal’s health authorities to closely monitor communities in which trachoma was previously endemic to ensure there is no resurgence of the disease.

    “Trachoma has cast a shadow over communities in Senegal for more than a century. This long-awaited validation is not only a milestone for public health but a powerful tribute to the tireless dedication of frontline health workers, communities, government leaders, and partners who never gave up,” said Dr Jean-Marie Vianny Yameogo, WHO Representative in Senegal. “Today, we close a chapter that began over a hundred years ago, united with pride, gratitude and resolve. WHO remains committed to supporting Senegal as the country continues to lead in sustaining this hard-earned achievement.”

    Disease prevalence

    Trachoma remains a public health problem in 32 countries, with an estimated 103 million people living in areas requiring interventions against the disease. Trachoma is found mainly in the poorest and most rural areas of Africa, Central and South America, Asia, the Western Pacific and the Middle East. WHO’s African Region is disproportionately affected by trachoma, with 93 million people living in at-risk areas in April 2024, representing 90% of the global trachoma burden.

    Significant progress has been made in the fight against trachoma over the past few years and the number of people requiring antibiotic treatment for trachoma in the African Region fell by 96 million from 189 million in 2014 to 93 million as of April 2024, representing a 51% reduction.

    There are currently 20 countries (Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe) in WHO’s African Region that are known to require intervention for trachoma elimination. A further 3 countries in the Region (Botswana, Guinea-Bissau and Namibia) claim to have achieved the prevalence targets for elimination.
     

    Editor’s note

    Trachoma is a neglected tropical disease. It is caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, which spreads from person to person through contaminated surfaces , fomites and flies that have come into contact with discharge from the eyes or nose of an infected person.

    Environmental risk factors for trachoma transmission include poor hygiene, overcrowded households, and inadequate access to water and sanitation.

    To eliminate trachoma as a public health problem, WHO recommends the SAFE strategy: a comprehensive approach to reduce transmission of the causative organism, clear existing infections and deal with their effects. The SAFE strategy consists of surgery to treat the blinding complication (trachomatous trichiasis); antibiotics to clear the infection, particularly mass drug administration of the antibiotic azithromycin (which has been donated by the manufacturer, Pfizer, to elimination programmes through the International Trachoma Initiative); facial cleanliness; and environmental improvement, particularly improving access to water and sanitation.

    The road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030 targets the prevention, control, elimination and eradication of 20 diseases and disease groups by 2030. Progress against trachoma and other neglected tropical diseases alleviates the human and economic burden that they impose on the world’s most disadvantaged communities.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 15 July 2025 Departmental update New digital tool to support self-monitoring of blood pressure in pregnancy

    Source: World Health Organisation

    A new digital adaptation kit for self-monitoring blood pressure during pregnancy was released today by WHO and the United Nations’ Special Programme in Human Reproduction (HRP) to enable countries to better help pregnant women manage hypertensive disorders. These disorders, if not properly treated, can lead to serious health consequences for women and their babies. The release of the kit has been timed to coincide with Self-Care Month, which runs from 24 June to 24 July.

    Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy such as pre-eclampsia account for an estimated 16% of all maternal deaths worldwide. Potential complications include eclampsia, stroke, kidney failure, and placental abruption, as well as preterm birth and even stillbirth. Prevention, early detection and timely treatment of hypertensive disorders are key to improving the immediate and long-term health of mothers and their babies.

    Self-monitoring blood pressure is an important self-care option to help those affected reduce risks. It can be done at home – either to complement the antenatal care being received via a health facility or in instances where travel is not feasible, alongside community-based care.

    How the Digital adaptation kit works

    Written WHO guidance on self-monitoring of blood pressure during pregnancy already exists in the WHO Guideline for self-care interventions for health and well-being, and the Digital adaptation kit translates that guidance into a digital format that can then be used within the health sector. The kit is the first for self-care during pregnancy.

    I am delighted to announce the release of this digital adaptation kit, the first in a person-centred self-care series.

    Pascale Allotey / Director of HRP and SRHR at WHO

    The kit provides a common language and understanding of the health information content and standards required to enable self-monitoring of blood pressure, alongside the necessary digital information to develop personal health tracking systems that enable any needed follow-up care.

    “I am delighted to announce the release of this digital adaptation kit, the first in a person-centred self-care series,” said Pascale Allotey, Director of HRP and the Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research (SRHR) at WHO.

    “The kit will help Ministries of Health adopt the WHO recommendation on self-monitoring of blood pressure during pregnancy, and in turn help more women stay healthy through the antenatal period and beyond, while promoting the quality assurance of emerging digital tools”.

    The kit sits alongside the health and care worker-facing Digital adaptation kit for antenatal care.

    Self-care and digital transformation of health systems

    WHO defines self-care as the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health and to cope with illness with or without the support of a health or care worker. WHO recommends evidence-based self-care interventions for all to advance autonomy, health and well-being. Digital health platforms and tools can facilitate access to self-care interventions and support informed decision-making by individuals and health systems.

    This digital adaptation kit is the first in a series that aims at giving people wider access to self-care interventions through digital systems, in line with WHO SMART (Standards-based, Machine-readable, Adaptive, Requirements-based, and Testable) Guidelines. Digital adaptation kits translate WHO guidance into an accessible digital format to assist countries integrate evidence-based clinical recommendations into health systems helping them, and in turn, individuals, benefit from evidence-based clinical and data practices.

    Funding for the kit was received from the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, The Gates Foundation and HRP.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic University’s breakthrough projects received grant support from the Russian Science Foundation

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The Russian Science Foundation has summed up the results of three competitions for 2025, including one for the extension of ongoing projects.

    Following the results of the Russian Science Foundation’s competition for grant support for fundamental and exploratory scientific research in 2025–2028, 211 projects were supported. They are being carried out by research groups led by young candidates and doctors of science under the age of 35. Including three developments of the Polytechnic University, support was provided.

    According to the results of the examination, the following Polytechnic projects will receive from 3 to 6 million rubles annually:

    “Synaptic dysfunction in hippocampal neurons in Alzheimer’s disease and methods of their correction: the influence of the endoplasmic reticulum structure and ryanodine receptors” under the supervision of Ekaterina Pchitskaya, Institute of Coronary Heart Diseases and Bone Health; “Molecular mechanisms of the influence of recombinant interferon-lambda on the course and outcome of secondary bacterial pneumonia developing against the background of influenza infection” under the supervision of Alexey Lozhkov, Institute of Coronary Heart Diseases and Bone Health; “Modeling and optimization of thermochemical technology for hydrogen production based on the sulfur-iodine cycle” under the supervision of Ekaterina Sokolova, Institute of Economics.

    Following the results of the RSF competition for conducting initiative fundamental and exploratory scientific research by young scientists and candidates of science under the age of 33 in 2025–2027, 327 projects were supported. Including five SPbPU projects:

    “Innovative Alkaline Electrolytes Based on Nanofluids for Highly Efficient Hydrogen Production by Water Electrolysis”, Supervised by Sadeghi Khashayar, Institute of Economics; “Development of a Lingvodidactic Model of Sustainable Learning Using Artificial Intelligence”, Supervised by Ekaterina Shostak, Institute of Economics; “Development of Scientific and Technological Foundations for the Formation of Biomedical Materials with a Given Gradient of Properties by Selective Laser Melting for Personalized Implantology”, Supervised by Igor Polozov, Institute of Mathematics and Electronics; “Development of a System for Predicting the Failure of the Strength of Load-Bearing Metal Structures at Sub-zero Temperatures Using Digital Twin Technology”, Supervised by Ivan Vasiliev, Institute of Mathematics and Electronics; “Multimode Fiber Bragg Gratings with Optimal Spectral Response”, Supervised by Alexander Markvart, Institute of Economics and Electronics.

    The grant amount will be up to 1.5 million rubles annually.

    Based on the results of the competition for the extension of the deadlines for projects implemented under the supervision of young scientists in 2025–2027, the SPbPU project “Study of the antiviral activity of small interfering RNAs against rotavirus infection when administered orally in complexes with hybrid microcarriers” was supported, led by Alexandra Brodskaya, IBSiB.

    The annual grant amount will be from 3 to 6 million rubles.

    “I congratulate our young scientists who generate ideas and demonstrate scientific achievements. Eight applications is a good result, higher than last year. To make it even better, we will set more global tasks. We, for our part, intend to help this within the framework of the Grant Readings seminar series,” said Yuri Fomin, Vice-Rector for Research at SPbPU.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Director’s public health report draws parallels with Leicester’s past

    Source: City of Leicester

    LEICESTER’S public health journey since the Victorian era is captured in a powerful new report by the city’s director of public health.

    In his annual report for 2024-2025, Rob Howard looks back at the challenges of the last 12 months within the context of the city’s past, from deadly outbreaks of smallpox in the 19th century to the slum clearance programme of the 20th century and the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.

    Using records from the city council’s archives, he highlights how issues faced by the public health pioneers of the past – such as vaccine resistance, housing quality, fuel poverty and inequality – remain challenges today.

    “The past holds vital clues to the present,” said Mr Howard.

    “By drawing lessons from history, we can see that effective public health depends not just on medical advances, but on earning the trust of the people we serve.

    “Resistance to the smallpox vaccination in the 1850s, for example, echoes the public debates of today – but thanks to good communication and an approach that’s culturally sensitive, we are now getting our message across, encouraging the take-up of vaccines and helping to reduce the spread of infectious disease.”

    Other key themes in the report include the ongoing impact of poverty and poor housing on health outcomes, and the resurgence of diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) and measles.

    A significant measles outbreak in 2024 and the highest TB notification rate in England highlight Leicester’s persistent public health challenges.

    “Over the past year, Leicester’s health landscape has been shaped by a combination of enduring inequalities, a resurgence of infectious diseases and the continuing impacts of deprivation,” said Mr Howard.

    “Life expectancy remains below the national average, with residents living more years in ill health – particularly in the most deprived communities.

    “Fuel poverty continues to affect a large proportion of households, contributing to poor physical and mental health outcomes.

    “But despite these pressures, the city has demonstrated the strength of community-led responses – from mobile vaccination campaigns to energy advice outreach – and continues to invest in tackling health disparities through targeted, culturally sensitive public health strategies.”

    As well as looking to the past, the 40-page report also looks ahead, with a vision for public health in Leicester that blends evidence, compassion and collaboration. Those reading the report to its conclusion will find a twist in the final chapter, providing – perhaps – a hint of the future ahead.

    The History, Present and Future of Public Health in Leicester City is now available to download.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hospital Road land grant approved

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Government announced today that the Chief Executive-in-Council approved granting a piece of government land together with the existing historical buildings at No. 4 Hospital Road to the GX Foundation for office use by private treaty at a nominal premium of $1,000.

    The site has an area of about 1,046.8 sq m. Constructed in 1921, the existing buildings, with Grade 2 historic building status, include mainly a five-storey main building and a single-storey annex building.

    The GX Foundation is an international humanitarian assistance organisation in Hong Kong, which aims to provide international medical and public health humanitarian assistance to Belt & Road countries. It also actively promotes international exchanges and co-operation, and provides internship opportunities for young people in humanitarian work.

    The Government remarked that the land grant will help the foundation meet its operational needs and demand for further expansion.

    It added that the land grant will not give rise to greater development intensity.

    Apart from internal fitting-out and repair of the existing buildings and structures, no other works will be carried out by the foundation. Furthermore, the foundation is required to submit a conservation management plan to the Antiquities & Monuments Office for approval before commencing any works in the existing historical buildings.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: New foot-and-mouth disease detected in the Free State

    Source: Government of South Africa

    The Department of Agriculture has confirmed a new outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) on a commercial farm in Moqhaka Local Municipality, within the Kroonstad State Veterinary in Free State.

    The outbreak was identified following epidemiological investigations and confirmed positive laboratory results.

    The department said the affected property was placed under quarantine on 8 July 2025, and immediate control measures were implemented, including surveillance and vaccination of livestock.

    “Trace-back activities are ongoing to determine the source of the infection, while farms in the surrounding 10km radius are undergoing surveillance to determine the possible extent of the spread,” the department said in a statement on Monday.

    Over 250 FMD cases reported in five provinces

    As of July 2025, South Africa has recorded a total of 270 FMD outbreaks across five provinces. Of these, 249 outbreaks remain unresolved, while 21 have been declared resolved.

    “KwaZulu-Natal has been the most affected province, with 191 reported outbreaks, of which 172 remain active and 19 have been resolved. Since May 2025, Gauteng has reported 32 outbreaks, North West has four open outbreaks, while Mpumalanga has reported three outbreaks,” the department said.

    The Eastern Cape has recorded 40 outbreaks, with 38 still open and two resolved. No new cases have been reported in Eastern Cape since September 2024.

    Correction on KZN Disease Management Area notice 

    Meanwhile, the department has issued a correction in a Government Gazette notice (Gazette Notice 6396 of 4 July 2025), which repeal the previous notice (Gazette Notice 5997 of 17 March 2025). 

    The department acknowledged that certain areas that still fall under the Disease Management Area (DMA) designation in KwaZulu-Natal were mistakenly omitted.

    “We sincerely apologise for any confusion caused and request all stakeholders to take note of the following areas that are declared to be part of the KwaZulu-Natal DMA,” the department said.

    The municipalities confirmed to remain within the DMA include the entire Big Five Hlabisa; Mtubatuba; Nongoma; Ulundi; Umhlabuyalingana; Jozini; Pongola; Abaqulusi; Umfolozi; uMhlathuze; Mthonjaneni; Nqutu; Nkandla; uMlalazi; and Mandeni.

    Other areas include the portion of the Emadlangeni Local Municipality, south of R34 from R33; Newcastle Local Municipality, south of R34 up to and east of N11; Dannhauser Local Municipality east of N11 and north of R68; Endumeni Local Municipality, north of R68 and east of R33; Msinga Local Municipality, east of R33; UMvoti Local Municipality, east of the R33 up to R74 and north of R74; Maphumulo Local Municipality, north-east of the R74; Ndwedwe Local Municipality, east of the R74; as well as portion of the KwaDukuza Local Municipality, north-east of R74 up to the N2 and west to the N2 up to Mandeni Local Municipality. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UTIs cost NHS hospitals over £600m last year

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    UTIs cost NHS hospitals over £600m last year

    New data from UKHSA reveals that treating urinary tract infections (UTIs) cost NHS hospitals in England an estimated £604 million in 2023 to 2024.

    New data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has revealed that treating urinary tract infections (UTIs) cost NHS hospitals in England an estimated £604 million in 2023-24.

    UTIs occur when bacteria enter the urinary system including the urethra, bladder or kidneys. Most lower urinary tract infections (those in the urethra or bladder) cause mild discomfort and go away on their own, or may require a short course of antibiotics, but for some can progress to more serious infections, including upper urinary tract infections affecting the kidneys, leading to bloodstream infections and sepsis.

    Analysing data from the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) database using the records of patients with a UTI-related primary diagnosis for the 2023 to 2024 financial year in England, there were nearly 200,000 UTI-related patients. This includes infections acquired in both community and hospital settings. Those admissions resulted in 1.2 million bed days, averaging 6 bed days per infection.

    However, one-third of UTI patients were in hospital for less than a day, indicating that other treatment pathways could be considered for these patients.

    The findings reflect the well-documented burden of UTIs on older people and women. 52.7% of admissions were patients aged over 70 and 61.8% were female. While females were nearly 5 times more likely to require hospital treatment for a UTI in people under 50 years old (24.7% female compared to 5.3% male), this levelled out in age groups over 50 (37.1% female compared to 32.9% male). This highlights the need for men over 50 to also pay early attention to urinary symptoms and seek treatment that may prevent hospitalisation.

    Hospitalisations for UTIs were at their lowest in 2020 to 2021 – possibly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, admissions have increased, climbing by 9% in 2023 to 2024 compared to the previous year.  

    The data highlights the clear need to reduce UTIs acquired in the community to help reduce hospitalisations. People can reduce their risk of catching a UTI in the first place by:

    • drinking enough fluids regularly, especially in hot weather – more trips to the toilet may be needed, but that shouldn’t stop you drinking
    • avoiding holding pee – go to the toilet as soon as possible when you need to
    • washing, or shower daily where possible especially if you suffer from incontinence* keep the genital area clean and dry, and check and change leakage of urine pads often
    • wiping from front to back after using the toilet to prevent bacteria from spreading
    • washing genitals before and after sex
    • talking to your healthcare professional if you have frequent UTIs, as they may be able to suggest treatments that could help

    Detecting and treating a UTI early is also important. Some of the early symptoms of UTI include:

    • needing to pee more frequently or urgently than usual
    • passing lots of urine at night
    • pain or a burning sensation when peeing
    • having cloudy-looking urine
    • new pain in the lower tummy
    • severe kidney pain or pain in the lower back
    • blood in the pee
    • for some people it can include changes in behaviour, such as acting agitated or confused

    UKHSA also recently published updated diagnostic flowcharts to help healthcare professionals manage symptoms and infections.

    Dr Colin Brown, Deputy Director at UKHSA responsible for antibiotic resistance, said:

    Urinary Tract Infections are a major cause of hospitalisations in this country, but many could be prevented.

    We know that the most serious consequences that come from UTIs are more common in people over the age of 50 so we are reminding this group in particular to be aware of the ways they can help reduce their risk of getting poorly. Drinking enough fluids is so important, as well as avoiding holding onto pee. If you have frequent UTIs, talk to your healthcare provider about treatments that may help prevent further infections. If you have a UTI and your symptoms get worse, please call your GP or 111, or go to your nearest A&E to seek assistance as UTIs can develop into more serious, life-threatening infections.

    Preventing UTIs is also important in our fight against antibiotic resistance as they are often treated with antibiotics, which drives resistance in bacteria. Reducing the number of UTI infections means bacteria has less chance to develop this resistance, helping to keep antibiotics working for longer.

    Dr Joanna Harris RGN PhD, Head of Infection Prevention and Control at UKHSA, said:

    UTIs are a significant cause of avoidable harm, particularly among older adults and those with long-term conditions, and can lead to serious complications, including sepsis and death. It’s really important that nurses, midwives and social care workers, have the knowledge and tools to reduce the risk of UTIs occurring. When a UTI is suspected, their promotion of early and accurate diagnosis can enable timely and appropriate treatment, helping to limit the impact of the infection.

    Professor Matt Inada-Kim, National Clinical Director for Infections Management and Antimicrobial Resistance at NHS England, said:

    Urinary tract infections are an increasingly common reason for becoming ill at home and in hospitals. They are more serious in older patients and, in particular, those with catheters, but they can occur at any age and are not often related to poor hygiene.

    Antimicrobial resistance continues to grow and it is vital that we do everything we can to manage urinary infections through prevention, education and providing easy access to healthcare – including diagnostic tests and appropriate treatment.

    UTIs are typically caused by bacteria, most commonly Escherichia coli (E. coli), and often require antibiotics to treat the infection. As UTIs are so common, there are concerns that the volume of antibiotics prescribed is contributing to the growing risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This is because every antibiotic taken makes the development of resistance more likely. More targeted prescribing of antimicrobials for UTIs is essential as part of the National Action Plan for AMR 2024-2029. However, preventing infections where possible would also decrease antibiotic prescribing and the selective pressure that antibiotics have on bacteria, helping reduce antibiotic resistance.

    Patient and campaigner, Caroline Sampson, explains how a chronic UTI has impacted her life:

    For 9 years, I have had a chronic UTI. No form of antibiotics has successfully treated it. It has derailed by life in every possible way. The daily symptoms are debilitating and painful. Trying to accomplish the smallest task takes a huge amount of effort. The impact on my mental health has been enormous and I live with daily anxiety that the infection could develop into Urosepsis. The threat of antibiotic-resistant infections to us all cannot be underestimated.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: 7th edition of Strengthening Families Conference (SFC) champions women’s empowerment and child protection across Sierra Leone

    Source: APO – Report:

    The 7th edition of the Strengthening Families Conference (SFC) (https://StrengthenFamily.org/) 2025 unfolded in Freetown as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and collaborators joined government leaders, faith communities, and civil society to champion women’s empowerment and child protection across Sierra Leone. The two-day conference officially opened on Thursday, June 26 at the Bintumani International Conference Centre under the theme ‘Building Stronger Communities through Women Empowerment and Child Protection’.

    Delivering the keynote address on the first day, Her Excellency the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Madam Fatima Maada Bio, stated that the conference presented a unique platform to drive lasting change and consequently challenged stakeholders to turn dialogue into action. “Let me use this as a call to us all to not let this be just a conference. Let us use this platform to design policies that will make women change-makers in our society,” she urged.

    She emphasized that promoting women’s empowerment should not be reduced to tokenism, as genuinely empowering women has tangible and far-reaching effects. “Women are agents of transformation. They build up the families, and our families are what build up our society,” the First Lady added.

    Representing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Isaac K. Morrison, General Authority Seventy and Second Counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency, echoed this conviction, highlighting the role of women in the home and across various facets of society. “Women create harmonious and resilient communities. We need more women of virtue, purity, and empowerment, and this begins with the family,” he said.

    Other dignitaries reinforced the shared mission. Archbishop Edward Tamba Charles, President of the Inter-Religious Council, described empowerment as a spiritual responsibility, and consequently, must be spearheaded by religious institutions. “Religious institutions must champion gender equality and child welfare,” he noted.

    Traditional leader Sheku Amadu Tejan Fasuluku-Sonsiama III similarly said, “It is in our homes, towns, and villages that true transformation must begin. When women are given a seat at the table, nations prosper.”

    Goodwill messages came from Ambassador Bob Sheriff of Liberia and Amir Musa Mewa of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, in a show of regional solidarity. The first day also featured an exhibition showcasing solutions in family welfare, women’s advancement, and child protection, along with a panel discussion led by Madam Isatu Jabbie Kabbah and Aminata Turay exploring policy and grassroots strategies.

    Child protection at the heart of resilient communities

    The second day of the conference turned the spotlight to child protection as the cornerstone of strong families.

    Delivering the keynote, Elder Alfred Kyungu, President of the Africa West Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, underscored the benefits of dedicated care for the young. “Children are shaped by their experiences; hence, families must create a conducive environment that contributes not just to their physical well-being but to their emotional and spiritual health,” he added. He further stressed the power of love over fear in raising children.

    Sheik Ibrahim Barrie, a respected religious and political leader, reiterated the role of women’s empowerment in Islamic teachings. “Empowering women is not just a moral obligation; it is a necessity for the progress of our communities,” he noted. Young gender activist Grace Ada Brown moved the audience with her personal testimony, adding that the strength of a nation depends on the strength of families. “When families are strong, communities thrive,” she said.

    Speakers such as Tonya Waite of Protect Child Health Coalition–USA, Jennifer Hogge Ellsworth of Engage Now Africa, and Sharon and Greg Slater of Family Watch International offered practical strategies for safeguarding children’s well-being. Panelists Daniel F. H. Kettor, Blessing Kutubu, and Christiana Ogbemoye Oliko shared insights on regional collaboration and community-based support systems. “Protecting children starts with building trust between families and the institutions designed to help them,” Mr. Kettor said.

    Safe house for gender-based violence victims

    In a landmark announcement, Elder Kyungu, revealed plans to build a 54-bed safe house in partnership with the office of the First Lady. “This facility will not only provide shelter but also counseling sessions to help survivors regain their footing in society.” The closing ceremony concluded with awards recognizing the First Lady’s leadership, including honors from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Social Welfare Department, and the Government of Liberia.

    ICU renovation and donation underscore commitment to health

    Ahead of the conference, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints commissioned a comprehensive renovation of the Intensive Care Units at Connaught Hospital, the nation’s main healthcare facility. Elder Isaac Morrison described the project as faith in action. “This project represents our deep commitment to alleviating burdens and bringing hope to communities around the world.”

    Acting Minister of Health, Professor Dr. Charles Senessie, highlighted the alignment between this initiative and national goals. “The collaboration between the Church and the government is vital for improving health outcomes in Sierra Leone,” he noted.

    Hospital leaders called the upgrades for changing life. “This is not just an upgrade; it is a lifeline,” Dr. Ibrahim Kapuwa, Hospital Care Manager said. The donation included ICU beds, defibrillators, vital sign monitors, and other critical equipment, reinforcing the message that healthy families are the foundation of strong nations. As the 7th Strengthening Families Conference concluded, one message resonated clearly: Empowering women, protecting children, and investing in health are inseparable pillars of a thriving, resilient Sierra Leone.

    Outlook and future conference

    The conference is scheduled to next go to Monrovia, Liberia in June, 2026. All stakeholders are looking forward to Liberia hosting a successful event.

    – on behalf of Strengthening Families Conference (SFC).

    Additional Link: https://apo-opa.co/44RCsUA

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI China: Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome luncheon for Haitian Foreign Minister Jean-Baptiste

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome luncheon for Haitian Foreign Minister Jean-Baptiste

    • Date：2025-07-09
    • Data Source：Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs

    July 9, 2025  

    No. 234  

    Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung hosted a luncheon on July 7 for a delegation from the Republic of Haiti led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste and his wife. Minister Lin welcomed the delegation on behalf of the Taiwan government and expressed his anticipation that, based on the deep friendship between the two nations, bilateral exchanges and cooperation would continue to expand.

     

    Minister Lin noted that Taiwan and Haiti had maintained diplomatic relations for 69 years and that the two sides had enjoyed fruitful collaboration in a wide range of areas, including food security, medical care, public health, and education. He added that such cooperation had benefited the people of Haiti and earned considerable recognition from the international community. 

     

    Furthermore, Minister Lin thanked the Haitian government for voicing support for Taiwan on the international stage, such as at the World Health Assembly and the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. He said that the people and government of Taiwan deeply appreciated Haiti’s long-term and staunch backing of Taiwan’s participation in international organizations.

     

    In his remarks, Minister Jean-Baptiste thanked Minister Lin for his warm hospitality. He also took the opportunity to express, on behalf of the people and government of Haiti, gratitude to all sectors of Taiwan for providing humanitarian and food assistance over the years and participating in projects that benefited women, children, and other disadvantaged groups in Haiti. Minister Jean-Baptiste said that he looked forward to gaining a better understanding of Taiwan’s political, economic, and social development during his visit so as to further deepen the close collaborative relations between the two countries.

     

    Minister Lin, Minister Jean-Baptiste, and the other guests at the luncheon exchanged views on Haiti’s current political and social situation, as well as bilateral cooperation. Minister Lin expressed Taiwan’s willingness to continue to work with the Haitian government to help Haiti restore social stability, advance economic prosperity, and bolster national development. (E)

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 15 July 2025 Joint News Release Global childhood vaccination coverage holds steady, yet over 14 million infants remain unvaccinated – WHO, UNICEF

    Source: World Health Organisation

    In 2024, 89% of infants globally – about 115 million – received at least one dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP)-containing vaccine, and 85% – roughly 109 million – completed all three doses, according to new national immunization coverage data released today by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.

    Compared to 2023, around 171 000 more children received at least one vaccine, and one million more completed the full three-dose DTP series. While the gains are modest, they signal continued progress by countries working to protect children, even amid growing challenges.

    Still, nearly 20 million infants missed at least one dose of DTP-containing vaccine last year, including 14.3 million “zero-dose” children who never received a single dose of any vaccine. That’s 4 million more than the 2024 target needed to stay on track with Immunization Agenda 2030 goals, and 1.4 million more than in 2019, the baseline year for measuring progress.

    “Vaccines save lives, allowing individuals, families, communities, economies and nations to flourish,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “It’s encouraging to see a continued increase in the number of children being vaccinated, although we still have a lot of work to do. Drastic cuts in aid, coupled with misinformation about the safety of vaccines, threaten to unwind decades of progress. WHO remains committed to working with our partners to support countries to develop local solutions and increase domestic investment to reach all children with the lifesaving power of vaccines.”

    Children often remain un- or under-vaccinated due to a combination of factors, such as limited access to immunization services, disrupted supply, conflict and instability, or misinformation about vaccines.

    Access to vaccines remains deeply unequal

    Data from 195 countries show that 131 countries have consistently reached at least 90% of children with the first dose of DTP vaccine since 2019, but there has been no significant movement in expanding this group. Among the countries that reached less than 90% in 2019, only 17 managed to increase their coverage rates in the past five years. Meanwhile, in 47 countries, progress is stalling or worsening. This includes 22 countries that achieved and surpassed the 90% target in 2019 but have since declined.

    The data shows conflict and humanitarian crises can quickly erode vaccination progress. A quarter of the world’s infants live in just 26 countries affected by fragility, conflict, or humanitarian crises, yet they make up half of all unvaccinated children globally. Concerningly, in half of these countries the number of unvaccinated children has expanded rapidly from 3.6 million in 2019 to 5.4 million in 2024, underscoring the need for humanitarian responses to include immunization.

    Immunization coverage in the 57 low-income countries supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance have improved in the past year, reducing the number of un- and under-vaccinated children by roughly 650 000. At the same time, signs of slippage are emerging in upper-middle- and high-income countries that have previously maintained at least 90% coverage. Even small declines in immunization coverage can dramatically raise the risk of disease outbreaks and place additional strain on already overstretched health systems.

    “The good news is that we have managed to reach more children with life-saving vaccines. But millions of children remain without protection against preventable diseases, and that should worry us all,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “We must act now with determination to overcome barriers like shrinking health budgets, fragile health systems along with misinformation and access constraints because of conflicts. No child should die from a disease we know how to prevent.”

    Broadening protection against vaccine-preventable diseases

    Despite these challenges, countries – especially those supported by Gavi – continue to introduce and scale up vaccines, including against human papillomavirus (HPV), meningitis, pneumococcal disease, polio, and rotavirus.

    For example, large national scale-ups of the HPV vaccine and revitalization efforts in countries that have previously introduced the vaccine, have boosted global coverage by 4% in the past year. In 2024, 31% of eligible adolescent girls globally received at least 1 dose of the HPV vaccine – most doses were administered in countries using a single-dose schedule. While far from the 90% coverage target by 2030, it represents a substantial increase from the 17% coverage in 2019.

    “In 2024, lower-income countries protected more children than ever before, with coverage rates increasing across all Gavi-supported vaccines,” said Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. “Yet population growth, fragility and conflict present major hurdles to achieving equity, leaving the most vulnerable children and communities at risk. Continued commitment from governments and partners will be critical to saving lives and protecting the world from infectious disease threats.”

    Coverage against measles also improved, with 84% of children receiving the first dose and 76% receiving the second dose, which shows slight increase from the previous year. An estimated 2 million more children were reached in 2024, but the overall coverage rate is far below the 95% needed in every community to prevent outbreaks.

    This results in more than 30 million children remaining under-protected against measles, leading to more large or disruptive outbreaks. In 2024, the number of countries experiencing large or disruptive measles outbreaks rose sharply to 60, nearly doubling from 33 in 2022.

    The promise of protecting every child is at risk

    Although the community demand for childhood vaccination remains high and protection against more diseases is expanding, the latest estimates highlight a concerning trajectory. National and global funding shortfalls, growing instability worldwide, and rising vaccine misinformation threaten to further stall or even reverse progress which would risk increases in severe disease and deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases.

    WHO and UNICEF call on governments and relevant partners to:

    • close the funding gap for Gavi’s next strategic cycle (2026–2030) to protect millions of children in lower-income countries and global health security;
    • strengthen immunization in conflict and fragile settings to reach more zero-dose children and prevent deadly disease outbreaks;
    • prioritize local-led strategies and domestic investment, embedding immunization firmly within primary health care systems to close equity gaps;
    • counter misinformation and further increase vaccine uptake through evidence-based approaches; and
    • invest in stronger data and disease surveillance systems to guide high-impact immunization programmes.
       

    Notes to editors 

    WHO and UNICEF are working with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and other partners to deliver the global Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030), a strategy for all countries and relevant global partners to achieve set goals on preventing diseases through immunization and delivering vaccines to everyone, everywhere, at every age.

    About the data 

    Based on country-reported data, the WHO and UNICEF estimates of national immunization coverage (WUENIC) provide the world’s largest and most comprehensive dataset on immunization trends for vaccinations against 14 diseases given through regular health systems – normally at clinics, community centres, outreach services, or health worker visits. For 2024, data were provided from 189 countries. 

    About WHO 

    Dedicated to the health and well-being of all people and guided by science, the World Health Organization leads and champions global efforts to give everyone, everywhere, an equal chance at a safe and healthy life. We are the UN agency for health. We connect nations, partners and people on the front lines in 150+ locations – leading the world’s response to health emergencies, preventing disease, addressing the root causes of health issues and expanding access to medicines and health care. Our mission is to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. www.who.int

    About UNICEF

    UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children, works to protect the rights of every child, everywhere, especially the most disadvantaged children and in the toughest places to reach. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive, and fulfil their potential.

    For more information about UNICEF and its work, please visit: www.unicef.org
    Follow UNICEF on X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 15 July 2025 Joint News Release Global childhood vaccination coverage holds steady, yet over 14 million infants remain unvaccinated – WHO, UNICEF

    Source: World Health Organisation

    In 2024, 89% of infants globally – about 115 million – received at least one dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP)-containing vaccine, and 85% – roughly 109 million – completed all three doses, according to new national immunization coverage data released today by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.

    Compared to 2023, around 171 000 more children received at least one vaccine, and one million more completed the full three-dose DTP series. While the gains are modest, they signal continued progress by countries working to protect children, even amid growing challenges.

    Still, nearly 20 million infants missed at least one dose of DTP-containing vaccine last year, including 14.3 million “zero-dose” children who never received a single dose of any vaccine. That’s 4 million more than the 2024 target needed to stay on track with Immunization Agenda 2030 goals, and 1.4 million more than in 2019, the baseline year for measuring progress.

    “Vaccines save lives, allowing individuals, families, communities, economies and nations to flourish,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “It’s encouraging to see a continued increase in the number of children being vaccinated, although we still have a lot of work to do. Drastic cuts in aid, coupled with misinformation about the safety of vaccines, threaten to unwind decades of progress. WHO remains committed to working with our partners to support countries to develop local solutions and increase domestic investment to reach all children with the lifesaving power of vaccines.”

    Children often remain un- or under-vaccinated due to a combination of factors, such as limited access to immunization services, disrupted supply, conflict and instability, or misinformation about vaccines.

    Access to vaccines remains deeply unequal

    Data from 195 countries show that 131 countries have consistently reached at least 90% of children with the first dose of DTP vaccine since 2019, but there has been no significant movement in expanding this group. Among the countries that reached less than 90% in 2019, only 17 managed to increase their coverage rates in the past five years. Meanwhile, in 47 countries, progress is stalling or worsening. This includes 22 countries that achieved and surpassed the 90% target in 2019 but have since declined.

    The data shows conflict and humanitarian crises can quickly erode vaccination progress. A quarter of the world’s infants live in just 26 countries affected by fragility, conflict, or humanitarian crises, yet they make up half of all unvaccinated children globally. Concerningly, in half of these countries the number of unvaccinated children has expanded rapidly from 3.6 million in 2019 to 5.4 million in 2024, underscoring the need for humanitarian responses to include immunization.

    Immunization coverage in the 57 low-income countries supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance have improved in the past year, reducing the number of un- and under-vaccinated children by roughly 650 000. At the same time, signs of slippage are emerging in upper-middle- and high-income countries that have previously maintained at least 90% coverage. Even small declines in immunization coverage can dramatically raise the risk of disease outbreaks and place additional strain on already overstretched health systems.

    “The good news is that we have managed to reach more children with life-saving vaccines. But millions of children remain without protection against preventable diseases, and that should worry us all,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “We must act now with determination to overcome barriers like shrinking health budgets, fragile health systems along with misinformation and access constraints because of conflicts. No child should die from a disease we know how to prevent.”

    Broadening protection against vaccine-preventable diseases

    Despite these challenges, countries – especially those supported by Gavi – continue to introduce and scale up vaccines, including against human papillomavirus (HPV), meningitis, pneumococcal disease, polio, and rotavirus.

    For example, large national scale-ups of the HPV vaccine and revitalization efforts in countries that have previously introduced the vaccine, have boosted global coverage by 4% in the past year. In 2024, 31% of eligible adolescent girls globally received at least 1 dose of the HPV vaccine – most doses were administered in countries using a single-dose schedule. While far from the 90% coverage target by 2030, it represents a substantial increase from the 17% coverage in 2019.

    “In 2024, lower-income countries protected more children than ever before, with coverage rates increasing across all Gavi-supported vaccines,” said Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. “Yet population growth, fragility and conflict present major hurdles to achieving equity, leaving the most vulnerable children and communities at risk. Continued commitment from governments and partners will be critical to saving lives and protecting the world from infectious disease threats.”

    Coverage against measles also improved, with 84% of children receiving the first dose and 76% receiving the second dose, which shows slight increase from the previous year. An estimated 2 million more children were reached in 2024, but the overall coverage rate is far below the 95% needed in every community to prevent outbreaks.

    This results in more than 30 million children remaining under-protected against measles, leading to more large or disruptive outbreaks. In 2024, the number of countries experiencing large or disruptive measles outbreaks rose sharply to 60, nearly doubling from 33 in 2022.

    The promise of protecting every child is at risk

    Although the community demand for childhood vaccination remains high and protection against more diseases is expanding, the latest estimates highlight a concerning trajectory. National and global funding shortfalls, growing instability worldwide, and rising vaccine misinformation threaten to further stall or even reverse progress which would risk increases in severe disease and deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases.

    WHO and UNICEF call on governments and relevant partners to:

    • close the funding gap for Gavi’s next strategic cycle (2026–2030) to protect millions of children in lower-income countries and global health security;
    • strengthen immunization in conflict and fragile settings to reach more zero-dose children and prevent deadly disease outbreaks;
    • prioritize local-led strategies and domestic investment, embedding immunization firmly within primary health care systems to close equity gaps;
    • counter misinformation and further increase vaccine uptake through evidence-based approaches; and
    • invest in stronger data and disease surveillance systems to guide high-impact immunization programmes.
       

    Notes to editors 

    WHO and UNICEF are working with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and other partners to deliver the global Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030), a strategy for all countries and relevant global partners to achieve set goals on preventing diseases through immunization and delivering vaccines to everyone, everywhere, at every age.

    About the data 

    Based on country-reported data, the WHO and UNICEF estimates of national immunization coverage (WUENIC) provide the world’s largest and most comprehensive dataset on immunization trends for vaccinations against 14 diseases given through regular health systems – normally at clinics, community centres, outreach services, or health worker visits. For 2024, data were provided from 189 countries. 

    About WHO 

    Dedicated to the health and well-being of all people and guided by science, the World Health Organization leads and champions global efforts to give everyone, everywhere, an equal chance at a safe and healthy life. We are the UN agency for health. We connect nations, partners and people on the front lines in 150+ locations – leading the world’s response to health emergencies, preventing disease, addressing the root causes of health issues and expanding access to medicines and health care. Our mission is to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. www.who.int

    About UNICEF

    UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children, works to protect the rights of every child, everywhere, especially the most disadvantaged children and in the toughest places to reach. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive, and fulfil their potential.

    For more information about UNICEF and its work, please visit: www.unicef.org
    Follow UNICEF on X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Natural England promotes outdoor healthcare in Sussex

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Natural England promotes outdoor healthcare in Sussex

    Novel partnership takes treatment into green spaces, with a level 3 qualification available

    Healthcare professionals from across Sussex are being trained to make more use of outdoor settings in treating those with poor mental health.

    Less than half the population say they’ve been to the countryside or a local park recently[i].

    But the NHS is turning to places like that to help with certain treatments.  

    Natural England is funding courses aimed at nurses, therapists and other healthcare professionals from across Sussex to make more use of outdoor settings in treating those with poor mental health.

    The training builds on evidence being outside can help lead to lower blood pressure and a reduced risk of heart attacks and strokes[ii].

    Course-goers learn a variety of skills, from being able to adapt treatments to new surroundings to using their experience and training from many years inside, outside. 

    By the end of the sessions, which are spread over 5 months, those attending should have the confidence and competence to work with groups in a range of outdoor settings. 

    The course, which carries a formal training accreditation, is suited to professionals who support children, young people and adults, including, from psychiatrists and psychologists to social and youth workers, therapists and those working in family support.

    Healthcare staff have reported feeling more relaxed when outside, when not necessarily working, as well as refreshed and re-energised. It’s hoped these benefits can transfer themselves to the care they give patients.  

    The training is delivered by Circle of Life Rediscovery, a community interest company based in Laughton, near Lewes.

    Through the workshops, the partnership between Natural England and CLR is already highlighting the need to use green spaces where we live and work to improve health and wellbeing.   

    Sarah Davies, Natural England’s principal adviser for partnerships in Sussex and Kent, said:

    “The importance of open spaces cannot be underestimated. Nature can relax us, educate us, and help reduce anxiety and depression.

    “We know there are countless benefits to connecting with nature – it makes us feel better, physically and mentally.”

    Some 36 NHS staff in Sussex have done the course since 2023. It offers an ITC level 3 qualification, providing students with the necessary skills to work with individuals and groups of all ages.

    The 2024 cohort of 16 health service staff recently met at Laughton Greenwood to share personal experiences of what they learned in the sessions. The group also heard from professionals with long experience in using nature to aide healthcare.

    A senior nurse from Sussex who took part in the training said:

    “My experience doing this course has really transformed my thinking regarding nature-based practice. I have managed to apply parts of what I learnt within my work environment and have full backing from colleagues regarding trying to utilise what I learnt.

    “I never realised the true impact outdoors can have on an individual and team level and hope to see it being prescribed in the future as a treatment for certain health problems.”

    The course, which carries a formal training accreditation, is suited to professionals who support children, young people and adults.

    Marina Robb, director and founder of Circle of Life Rediscovery, said:

    “To be able to sustainably bring the benefits of nature-based practice into the NHS and provide access to nature for physical and mental health, training NHS staff is a sensible way forward for teams and their service-users.”

    This year’s sessions are underway, with bookings open for the 2026 courses, taking place at Laughton from late June: https://circleofliferediscovery.com/certificate-in-nature-based-practice/.

    This nature-based training for NHS staff coincides with a wide-ranging survey into how exposure to natural spaces positively affects people’s health, behaviour and attitude to the environment over an extended period of time.    

    The three-year study will involve a sample of approximately 18,000 adults across the country, in a partnership between Natural England, the University of Exeter and the Natural Environment Research Council, and developed by organisations from a range of sectors.

    [i] The People and Nature Survey for England 2024: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/the-people-and-nature-surveys-for-england-adults-data-y5q3-october-2024-december-2024

    [ii] Blog by Dr Sue Williams, Natural Resources Wales: Mending minds – the benefits of a ‘dose of nature’ for mental health

    Contact us:

    Journalists only 0800 141 2743 or communications_se@environment-agency.gov.uk.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Strategy launched to support autistic and ADHD people.

    Source: City of York

    Titled “A City That Works for All”, the five-year plan sets out a vision for a more inclusive, supportive, and understanding York.

    This all-age strategy, developed through extensive co-production with neurodivergent residents, families, and local organisations, outlines three key pillars:

    • Changing Society for Inclusion – Tackling stigma and improving public understanding of neurodiversity
    • Making Diagnosis and Assessment Work – Reducing waiting times and improving access to timely, effective assessments
    • Improving Support in Every Setting – Ensuring services in education, employment, housing, and healthcare meet the needs of neurodivergent people

    The strategy recognises that barriers in society are often at the root of exclusion and poorer outcomes for autistic people and those with ADHD, and these must be tackled alongside the need to improve health and care services.

    It draws on findings from York’s 2025 Health Needs Assessment, which revealed significant gaps in diagnosis, long waiting lists, and high rates of co-occurring mental health conditions.

    Councillor Lucy Steels-Walshaw, Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care, said:

    It’s absolutely vital that services meet everyone’s needs, including the approximately 1 in 7 neurodiverse people living in our city. Consultation on this strategy will ask all organisations, service providers and residents to support us in creating a city in which all neurodiverse people thrive and play an active part. Small changes can often make big differences”.

    Michael Ash-McMahon, NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) Interim Place Director for York, said:

    The draft strategy is a welcome step towards creating a City that celebrates neurodiversity and reaffirms the NHS shared commitment to improving diagnosis and tackling long waiting lists for assessment. The ICB and City of York Council are eager to hear what people think of the strategy to ensure the voice of our population is heard and fully understood, before a final version is published later in the year.”

    Ayesha, who is a neurodivergent student mentor living in York, and is a proud member of York’s thriving LGBTQIA+ community. Ayesha is neurodivergent and is encouraging other people to have their say:

    This strategy is important to me because I get to see the Council in action, working to make this city more accessible for the neurodivergent community, which is a vital step closer to a more fair and equitable society.”

    The draft strategy is now open for public consultation with feedback invited from residents, professionals, and community groups. The final version will be published in Autumn 2025.

    You can have your say in various ways:

    • In person: At the Gateway Centre in Acomb on Tuesday 15 July 11-1pm and Monday 21 July 5-7pm
    • Join the online session on Thursday 31 July 1-2pm
    • Complete an online survey
    • Complete a paper survey: Available from Customer Services at West Offices

    For more information and to view the draft strategy, visit the City of York Council website.

    City of York Council is also inviting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families in York to have their say on a new SEND strategy.

    You can have your say on the draft SEND strategy at the same in person or online events as for the Autism and ADHD Strategy, or complete the online survey

    The Autism and ADHD Strategy consultation will run until Monday 11 August. The SEND survey will run until Sunday 7 September.  Feedback will be used to shape the final strategies.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Israeli troops kill Palestinian in northern West Bank

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    RAMALLAH, July 15 (Xinhua) — Israeli troops killed a young Palestinian man near the northern West Bank town of Jenin on Monday, the Ramallah-based Health Ministry said.

    “The Palestinian Authority for Civil Affairs informed us of the killing of 20-year-old Yousef Walid Abdullah Sheikh Ibrahim from the town of Kafr Rai as a result of Israeli shelling near Jenin,” the press release said. It noted that the Israeli military had taken away the body of the deceased.

    The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Monday that “IDF troops found an armed terrorist near the community of Maoz Zvi,” a settlement in the northern West Bank. “The soldiers opened fire on the terrorist and killed him,” the statement said. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –