NewzIntel.com

Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI USA: Groundbreaking Celebrates State-of-the-Art Nursing Building

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    The University of Connecticut held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new School of Nursing Building on Wednesday, Oct. 30 amidst a crowd of students, benefactors, and University and state officials.

    Construction on the building will begin in November and is scheduled to be completed for the fall of 2026. It will be located on Bolton Road near the South Campus dormitories and strategically adjacent to existing clinical, academic, and research spaces.

    A $50 million gift from Elisabeth DeLuca ’69 (NUR) will support the construction of facility for the UConn School of Nursing along with generous state support.

    Inspired by her mother’s guidance, DeLuca pursued a degree in nursing and graduated from UConn. Her training and work experience as a nurse instilled in her a lifelong appreciation for both the professionalism and compassion that nurses provide. As her husband’s business grew over the next several years, she joined him in running what would ultimately become a global restaurant chain. Today, she serves as President of the Elisabeth C. DeLuca Foundation and the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, which are focused on access to education and health.

    “Nurses are a special breed, and if you ever have a chance to meet UConn nursing students, they are amazing and they get an education that will serve them well in life, not only in their profession, but in all aspects of life, and that’s what happened to me at UConn,” said DeLuca at the ceremony.

    Elisabeth DeLuca ’69 (NUR) speaks during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new School of Nursing building on Oct. 30, 2024. (UConn Photo)

    “I have a passion for letting nurses be more prepared for when they enter the work force. We are working with curriculum ideas and other innovations to make them more ready to be practicing on patients and to face the real work of clinical practice,” she said. “I also think we have a responsibility to work with employers in the state to make the nursing profession be more respected and acknowledged, and have nurses be part of the collaboration with decision making in health care.”

    DeLuca’s gift is the largest in the history of the University for any purpose. $20 million of DeLuca’s gift will go directly to construction costs of the School of Nursing Building, while $5 million will fund equipment for the building, and the remainder of the gift will be used for student scholarships and programmatic support.

    The balance of the construction costs will be funded through UConn 2000 and State of Connecticut bonding.

    “I was reminded how important nurses were during the worst days of COVID – when no one was going to work, except for the nurses – everyday. They have heart, tenderness and save lives,” said Governor Ned Lamont. “After COVID, when things were settling down a little bit, I realized the long hours our nurses were still working.

    “I found out there were thousands of people applying to be nursing students at UConn and we weren’t able to place many of them. And Liz, that’s why you are here – because you are a nurse, and you know what it means. You are giving nursing students the tools to think about how they can perform their job in a patient-centric way. We desperately needed this in Connecticut, and thank you for stepping up and doing the right thing.”

    “UConn nurses have always been leaders and innovators who drive meaningful and important change in health care,” said UConn President Radenka Marick. “This facility will position them as national leaders in their discipline, at a time when skilled and educated nurses are needed more than ever.

    Victoria Vaughan Dickson, dean of nursing, speaks during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new School of Nursing building on Oct. 30, 2024. (UConn Photo)

    “Thanks to the transformative generosity of this gift, we will be able to provide scholarships and programmatic support for a dynamic nursing education that includes patient-centered practice, interdisciplinary research, and technological innovation.”

    The new building will be about 90,000 square feet and include the following program elements: instructional spaces, including a lecture hall and classrooms; simulation labsuite; human behavioral research lab; wet lab; student academic center; offices and support spaces.

    “Thousands of prospective nurses apply every year to join the School of Nursing, and in August we welcomed our largest ever incoming class. But as our School has developed and our national reputation has continued to grow, we once again find ourselves in need of a new home,” said Dean of the School of Nursing Victoria Vaughan Dickson. “Not surprisingly, it was a UConn nurse who came to the rescue. The tremendous generosity of alumna Elisabeth DeLuca is enabling us not only to move into the first-ever purpose-built home for the School of Nursing, but to greatly expand our programmatic offerings and scholarship assistance.”

    “My mom passed away when I was 14 from a long battle with cancer. I didn’t remember the medication or the treatments that she was getting, but the one thing I remember is the nurses who took care of her,” said Samuel Geisler ’25 (NUR), the vice president of the nursing senior class, who is from Newington and a member of the men’s track and field team. “When I saw nursing was a major offered at UConn, everything made sense. Nursing at UConn has done more for me as a person than I could ever imagine. The School of Nursing has not only given me the knowledge and critical thinking skills to become the best nurse I can possibly be, but it’s also given me the gift of compassion, ferocity and selflessness.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Africa Investment Forum welcomes BADEA as new partner ahead of the December Market Days in Rabat

    Source: African Development Bank Group

    The Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) has joined the Africa Investment Forum as a founding partner, marking a new phase in the Forum’s expansion and influence as a catalyst for mega investments into the continent.

    The official announcement came during a breakfast meeting of heads of the Africa Investment Forum Founding Partner institutions, convened by the African Development Bank in Washington, DC on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank’s annual meetings. During the meeting, the partners examined and adopted a new strategic framework to govern the forum. The meeting took place on Friday 25 October.

    In welcoming BADEA as a new partner, African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina said: “Since 2018, BADEA has been a steadfast supporter of the Africa Investment Forum, consistently contributing to the growth and success of this platform.”

    The Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa is a multilateral development financial institution owned by 18 Arab countries. Its operations cover the entire Sub-Saharan African region.

    BADEA group president Dr. Sidi Ould Tah said the main shareholders of his bank had been working on a new mechanism to support investment flows to Africa. The group has sovereign funds under management with assets in the trillions of dollars, of which they had pledged to channel a part for Africa’s infrastructure needs.

    “The role of BADEA is to catalyse resources for Africa. BADEA will work with all the member countries of AIF to make this pledge a reality,” Tah said.                                 

    The addition of BADEA brings the AIF’s founding partners to nine:  the African Development Bank, Afreximbank, Africa Finance Corporation, Africa50, Development Bank of Southern Africa, European Investment Bank, Islamic Development Bank, and Trade and Development Bank.

    Meeting of AIF founding partners in Washington, DC October 2024

    Heads and representatives of each of the partners who attended the meeting included included Trade and Development Bank President and CEO Admassu Tadesse, Africa Finance Corporation’s CEO  Samaila Zubairu, Africa50  President Alain Ebobissé, European Investment Bank Vice President Ambroise Fayolle,  Hani Salem Sonbol  Chief Executive Officer of the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation representing Islamic Development Bank President Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, and Afreximbank’s Director for Export Development Oluranti Doherty, who represented its president.

    Adesina also commended the founding partners for their energy, drive and momentum which he described as a testament to their confidence in the Forum.

    The AIF’s Market Days events, held annually, have drawn sovereign and non-sovereign investors from around the world, enabling a shift in risk perception and fostering confidence in Africa’s investment landscape.

    The platform has actively supported women-led businesses under its Women as Investment Champions pillar with examples such as Mobihealth International Ltd (Healthcare, Nigeria) which was supported to access grant and loan funding for feasibility studies and pan-African expansion.

    From the African Development Bank, Senior Vice President Marie Laure Akin-Olugbade, Hassatou N’Sele Vice President for Finance and CFO, Beth Dunford, Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development,  Nnenna Nwabufo, Vice President for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery and Kevin Urama, Chief Economist and Vice President, Economic Governance and Knowledge Management, also attended the meeting. The Senior Director of Syndications, the Africa Investment Forum and Client Solutions, Max Magor Ndiaye, and the Special Representative of President Adesina, Yacine Fall were also present.

    The 2024 Market Days will take place from 4-6 December 2024 in Rabat, Morocco, under the theme: “Leveraging Innovative Partnerships for Scale.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Not the time to share: NZ needs to rethink multi-bed hospital rooms

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cindy Towns, Senior Lecturer, University of Otago Wellington, University of Otago

    As New Zealand agonises over its hospitals – where they are, how they should be staffed and how they should be funded – a key element in the debate is being missed: the need for single rooms in all public hospitals.

    It’s currently normal for patients to stay in shared rooms with up to five other people. In some hospitals this includes accommodating men and women in the same room, despite serious safety and ethical concerns.

    But it shouldn’t be this way. For a number of reasons, including infection control, privacy and cost, new hospitals and renovations need to be based on single occupancy rooms.

    Our new research brings together both the clinical and ethical arguments for single rooms for all patients as the most basic standard of care.

    Infection control

    Many may view shared rooms as a cost saving. But one of the key arguments for individual rooms in hospitals is the cost and harm of infections and bacterial resistance.

    Single rooms reduce risks by eliminating exposure to shared infection sources such as touched surfaces, unfiltered air, toilets and water systems.

    They also reduce the need for room transfers within the hospital which increase the risk for infection transmission between patients.

    There is strong evidence single occupancy rooms result in reduced infections in intensive care units. And further research has also found single occupancy reduces hospital transmission of COVID-19.

    In New Zealand, single rooms are prioritised for patients known to be infectious. But the key word here is known. This policy fails to recognise that a large proportion of transmissible infections are unknown at the time of ward placement.

    However, even when infection is known, our hospitals cannot meet basic guidelines due to the lack of single rooms. Only 30% of Wellington and Hutt hospital rooms are single occupancy, for example.

    Without single occupancy as the standard in hospitals, infection control will remain compromised.

    Delirium and dementia

    Individual rooms are also required for older adults. New Zealand’s population is ageing; as a result, patients with delirium and dementia needing hospitalisation will increase.

    Delirium affects about 25% of patients in hospital and is associated with a longer stay, more complications and an increased risk for death.

    Delirium prevention and management requires a low-stimulus environment, undisrupted sleep, and control of light and noise which cannot be achieved in shared hospital rooms.

    Research has shown a reduction in delirium with single rooms.

    The behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia also pose significant challenges in hospital. Symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, sleep disturbance, depression, inappropriate sexual behaviour and aggression.

    These can be highly distressing for the patient and those around them and – like delirium – cannot be managed to a basic standard of care within a shared room.

    Dementia prevalence will more than double by 2050. And yet New Zealand hospitals are ill-prepared to accommodate this rise in demand.

    The right to security, privacy and dignity

    Shared rooms in hospitals clearly undermine clinical care, but they also violate human and patient rights.

    One of the most fundamental human rights is “security of person”. Nobody should have to share rooms with patients who are agitated, aggressive or sexually inappropriate due to delirium or dementia.

    Unfortunately, patients frequently share with those who are unable to manage their own behaviour. While the risks to women have been highlighted, no patient should be endangered or frightened by another patient’s behaviour.

    Dignity and privacy are also a fundamental patient rights, with privacy covered by by both the Health Information Privacy Code and the Health and Disability patient Code of Rights.

    Hospital patients often need assistance with dressing, showering and toileting. Many admissions involve vomiting, diarrhoea or incontinence. And design that relies on curtains to maintain privacy renders this right farcical.

    Research and complaints clearly show patients do not believe their privacy is adequately protected in shared spaces.

    Some may argue for multi-bed rooms on the basis that some patients prefer company. However patient surveys on privacy and confidentiality are overwhelmingly in favour of single occupancy.

    Factoring in cost

    While there is an increase in up-front costs when building single rooms due to the larger hospital footprint, research has found there is no convincing economic evidence in favour of multi-bed rooms.

    The potential savings for future pandemics – in mortality, patient transfers and disease transmission – should not be underestimated. Improved management of delirium and dementia, will also decrease length of stay and cost.

    The argument for single occupancy hospital rooms on clinical, ethical and legal grounds is collectively unequivocal.

    New Zealand needs to follow international best practice and introduce single occupancy rooms as a basic standard for new hospital builds and upgrades.

    Not doing so would ignore the lessons learnt in the COVID-19 pandemic, fail to account for the needs of an ageing population and continue to render New Zealand’s code of patient rights a fairy tale.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Not the time to share: NZ needs to rethink multi-bed hospital rooms – https://theconversation.com/not-the-time-to-share-nz-needs-to-rethink-multi-bed-hospital-rooms-241573

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA Continues Work with the Disability Community on Helene and Milton Response, FEMA’s Disability Director Visits Affected Areas to Meet with Survivors, Community Groups and Governmental Officials

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FEMA Continues Work with the Disability Community on Helene and Milton Response, FEMA’s Disability Director Visits Affected Areas to Meet with Survivors, Community Groups and Governmental Officials

    FEMA Continues Work with the Disability Community on Helene and Milton Response, FEMA’s Disability Director Visits Affected Areas to Meet with Survivors, Community Groups and Governmental Officials

    WASHINGTON — Since Hurricane Helene made landfall, FEMA has been working with governmental and voluntary disability support organizations to ensure survivors with disabilities have the tools they need to recover from the storm. Building relationships with these organizations pre-disaster has been crucial to getting support to survivors as quickly as possible. FEMA’s Disability Integration Advisors continue their work advocating for people with disabilities and connecting them with available resources to help speed their recovery.Sherman Gillums, Jr., FEMA’s Director of the Office of Disability Integration and Coordination personally traveled to hurricane-impacted areas to support these advisors, survey recovery efforts and meet with state officials and local disability organizations. “It was important to me to talk to organizations and officials in person to show our unwavering commitment to people with disabilities,” said Director Gillums. “The relationships we’ve built with these organizations prior to the disaster allowed us to pinpoint the areas where people with disabilities needed help. My visit with Able South Carolina and independent living centers in Ashville highlighted ways we could assist with their recovery efforts. I deeply appreciated their insight and openness about their experiences which allowed us to work together on solutions to challenges.”   The percentage of people applying for FEMA disaster assistance and identifying as having a disability is consistent with the demographic information we have for the hurricane affected areas. “This is really important,” said Director Gillums. “It is a good indication that we are reaching people with disabilities and getting them the tools they need to apply for assistance more quickly year after year. That doesn’t mean that there isn’t more work needed to get people with disabilities on the road to recovery, but it is an encouraging first step.As disability advisors, Director Gillums and his staff work to integrate accessibility into all stages of recovery. This includes everything from helping survivors access medical necessities to getting them access to assistive devices like screen readers so they can apply for assistance. Most importantly though, the advisors support emergency management specialists throughout the recovery process, by helping them integrate accessibility and disability inclusiveness into their work. “This storm caused massive disruption to infrastructure that many of us take for granted,” Director Gillums commented after his travel in North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina. “As a disability advisor, and a member of the disability community myself, I see how these challenges are compounded for people with disabilities. Getting access to electricity can be a matter of independence and even survival. During my deployment, I witnessed firsthand how communities were eager to be a part of the effort to ensure people with disabilities get what they need to sustain some semblance of independence. FEMA is working with these partners to make sure all survivors, including those with disabilities, are able to access the essential resources they need to be safe, informed and in charge of their lives.”FEMA encourages Helene and Milton survivors to apply online as this remains the best way to apply for disaster assistance. Here are the ways to apply for federal assistance: Applying online at disasterassistance.govUsing the FEMA AppCalling 800-621-3362, Staffed daily from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. local timeVisiting a Disaster Recovery Center to talk with FEMA and state agency officials and apply for assistance

    Richmond, VA — Federal Coordinating Officer Timothy S. Pheil discussing the disability integration strategy for the Hurricane Helene response with FEMA Disability Coordinator Sherman Gillums Jr. along with state access and functional needs staff in the situation room at the Virginia Emergency Operations Center.

    View Original’ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”56473″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/cf9d4bec75102ebbb97b6fc199bfe0d0.jpg?itok=9VB86i5n” alt=”Caption: Columbia, S.C. (Oct. 14, 2024) – FEMA’s Director of Disability Integration and Coordination, Sherman Gillums, Jr., visits the Association for Better Living and Education to show support for their ongoing efforts in supporting the disabled community. Director Gillums met with Dori Tempio, Sr., Director of Community Education, and Mandy Halloran, Director of Public Health.” class=”image-style-large”>

    Columbia, S.C. (Oct. 14, 2024) – FEMA’s Director of Disability Integration and Coordination, Sherman Gillums, Jr., visits the Association for Better Living and Education to show support for their ongoing efforts in supporting the disabled community. Director Gillums met with Dori Tempio, Sr., Director of Community Education, and Mandy Halloran, Director of Public Health.

    amy.ashbridge
    Wed, 10/30/2024 – 21:38

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China reimburses expenses for assisted reproduction to boost birth support

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

    BEIJING, Oct. 30 — The majority of Chinese localities, including 27 provincial-level regions on the mainland, have added assisted reproduction services into the scope of medical insurance reimbursement, the National Healthcare Security Administration said on Wednesday.

    The remaining four provincial-regions on the mainland have also announced expedited measures to catch up on the issue, according to the administration.

    Assisted reproduction normally refers to the use of technologies such as artificial insemination and test-tube fertilization to help couples suffering from infertility or family genetic diseases conceive and give birth to healthy newborns.

    On Oct. 28, China’s State Council issued a directive outlining 13 targeted measures to enhance childbirth support services, expand child care systems, strengthen support in education, housing and employment, and foster a birth-friendly social atmosphere.

    Notably, suitable labor-pain relief and assisted reproductive technology services will be added to the list of services that qualify for medical insurance reimbursement, according to the document.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Breast screening age extension begins in Nelson Marlborough

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Free breast screening has been extended for 70 to 74-year-old women living in the Nelson Marlborough district, ahead of a national roll-out late next year, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.

    “Breast cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand with about 3,400 women diagnosed with the disease each year,” says Dr Reti. 

    “The aim of breast screening is to find breast cancers early – before there are any noticeable symptoms.  

    “Women who participate in the BreastScreen Aotearoa programme are 34 per cent less likely to die from breast cancer. 

    “That’s why earlier this year I announced that the Government would extend breast cancer screening to women aged 70-74 – a commitment reinforced through Budget 2024, which delivered $31.2 million for this initiative.

    “It’s a real pleasure to be in Nelson, on the last day of Breast Cancer Awareness month, to celebrate a significant milestone in the extension of our free breast screening programme – the start of the roll out here in the Nelson Marlborough district.”

    Over the next five years, women will continue to be eligible, while living in Nelson Marlborough, for screening at sites in district until they turn 75, before a roll out across the country from October 2025. 

    “Extending breast screening to an approximately 60,000 additional eligible women per year takes an immense amount of planning, including investment in workforce and physical infrastructure,” says Dr Reti.  

    “I thank everyone involved for their efforts and look forward to seeing this programme rolled out nationwide. The extension will potentially save 22 lives per year. We will also be looking to improve the outcomes for women like the more than 60 New Zealanders who succumbed in this age group in 2019.

    “The extension of breast screening to 70 to 74-year-olds is only one initiative the Government has introduced to provide New Zealanders with better cancer care. 

    “As a Government, we’ve already made a number of other advancements such as: 

    • Introducing a target for faster cancer treatment
    • Increasing access to PET-CT scanning, which is particularly helpful for diagnosis of prostate cancer
    • Expanding access to life-extending cancer medicines through our transformative investment in Pharmac
    • Building a new cancer radiotherapy machine at Whangārei Hospital, so 520 Northlanders a year will no longer have to travel to Auckland for treatment
    • Boosting the National Travel Assistance scheme by $18 million per year for those that need to travel for treatment. 

    “The Government is committed to improving outcomes for the thousands of Kiwis and their families affected by cancer every year.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Minister Rishworth interviewed on Radio National Breakfast with Patricia Karvelas

    Source: Ministers for Social Services

    E&OE TRANSCRIPT

    Topics: COVID-19 pandemic; COVID inquiry report; Australian Centre for Disease Control; PLACE announcement; Qantas flight upgrades.

    PATRICIA KARVELAS, HOST: What would you do if Australia faced another global pandemic and you were again asked to make big sacrifices in the name of public health? A major review of Australia’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has found many people will be less accommodating of those requests in the future, while warning another pandemic is likely to happen in our lifetimes. Now, the Government says a new disease control centre will help restore public trust. We’re going to be joined now by Amanda Rishworth, who is the Minister for Social Services. She’s going to talk to us about this and another scheme the Government’s announcing today. Welcome to the programme, Minister.

    AMANDA RISHWORTH, MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES: Great to be with you.

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: The COVID inquiry found mistakes were made, but overall, Australia was one of the most successful countries in its pandemic response. Do you think history will give the Morrison Government more credit?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well, look, I think really what this review tried to do is identify what can we do better next time and what actually worked. And so the report’s been very useful in that. But what really, I think, came out of the report is we need to be better prepared in the future. I think that was one of the really key findings. How do we get in a position where we are better prepared to respond to something like that in the future? And I think in terms of key learnings of this report, I think that is one of the key learnings, that we need to be prepared for what may come next.

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: You’ve promised to fund an Australian Centre for Disease Control, and you say it will restore public trust, but will that be enough?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well, look, the public trust issue is a very concerning element of this report. If you remember back to that time during COVID you know, people were very compliant. But I think one of the elements is that this Centre for Disease Control will be independent, but I think importantly, it will be much more responsive and transparent with the evidence. I think that is one of the things coming out of this report that really talked about how do we make sure that the health data, the evidence, that what we’re asking people to do is very much embedded in real-time evidence, is really critical. And I hope that as we build up this capability, this transparency, but also the real-time evidence, provides people with the reassurance that what we’re asking them to do actually is something that they should do, because it’s backed up by that real-time evidence.

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: The coalition says this review didn’t look at the states and territories. They are right. And given they were the ones that imposed some of these restrictions, isn’t that a major flaw?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: This wasn’t wanting to go over the existing reviews that have been done in states and territories. I think from the Commonwealth’s perspective, this report was really about how do we prepare for a future pandemic. What are the lessons learned for the Commonwealth? It’s very important that the Commonwealth is better prepared and that came through clearly both in its economic response and its health response. So, I’m focused on, as is the Government, what can we do better next time? And this report has been really important in identifying what went right, but where we could have adjusted the settings as well.

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: You’re the Minister for Social Services and that involves really many vulnerable communities. It was in fact vulnerable communities, particularly when I think about the NSW lockdowns, that were disproportionately affected. Was that wrong with the benefit of hindsight?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well, look, I don’t want to second guess, but the report did highlight the disproportionate impact [the lockdowns] had on some vulnerable communities. So, I think that is really important. And what the report said is we, obviously, had to have a strong response to understand what we were dealing with, but how do we transition really quickly and weigh up the health benefits and the non-health risks, which were things at both economic but also wellbeing risks. So, this report does talk about how we better transition in different phases, but it did highlight that as a result of perhaps not transitioning from the initial response to the suppression response, that some vulnerable communities were particularly targeted or not targeted – that’s probably not the right word – were particularly impacted as a result. And I think we have to be very much aware of that. The other element that really came out in the report is the impact on mental health and wellbeing. And I think that’s something we need to be very conscious of and work into the future on repairing.

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: I want to move to what you’re launching today. You’re launching a new policy that brings philanthropic donors and the Government together to take on entrenched social issues. How will it work?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: Today is a really exciting day because we’re announcing a new organisation called PLACE, which will be a not-for-profit, independent national organisation that will work with communities about responding to the issues that they know are in their communities, but in a way that they would like to see responded. Now, this is different, because this isn’t the Government just giving a grant to an organisation to do this work. This is a true partnership where five philanthropic organisations are putting money on the table, with government, to create this organisation in true partnership, and it will work with local communities to get better outcomes and shift in some areas – which have been seeing entrenched disadvantage – to see things move. So, this is really exciting. There is really amazing work being done in communities when it comes to what we call place-based solutions. That’s where communities have a say and help design the solutions. And money isn’t top down, but it really is directed to where communities want. But it’s pretty sporadic, and a lot of communities don’t have the data they need, for example, this organisation will work with communities, so if they want to implement this type of response, they can.

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: It’s not a lot of money. So, how would it work? How do you get the money to actually be meaningful in a community that’s identified as being high needs?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well, this money is not about funding the services and support. That money is often there being provided by philanthropy and being provided by Government, but it’s not being directed into the initiatives or into the areas that community want. So, what this organisation will do will work with communities and government and philanthropic organisations to get the money that’s often already in their community, working better in programs that align to what the community wants. So, this isn’t about funding programs, this is about doing the work, working on how to get the data, for example. A lot of communities have a gut feeling something’s working, but they can’t see the data. And where we’ve implemented this place-based response, we can see it really working. One example is the community in Burnie decided they wanted to focus on completion rates, year 12 completion rates and it has gone up since 2011 to 2020 by 86%. And so this organisation is about working with communities to help them build these responses and attract the investment and get the money working for their community.

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: Before I let you go, there’s been a lot of talk about the Prime Minister in the wake of this book on Qantas and upgrades. There is a proposal from Peter Dutton that the Prime Minister should refer himself to the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Will he?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well, look, I think that instead of focusing on the Prime Minister and his family, the Opposition Leader needs to start explaining about his upgrades, about his use of Gina Reinhart’s private jet. I mean, the Prime Minister has been incredibly transparent about this. He has declared on the public record over and over again. But Peter Dutton seems to be absolutely focused on the politics of this and not on the substance.

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: But you didn’t kind of go to my fundamental question, which is, do you think this should be looked at by the National Anti Corruption Commission? If there’s nothing to see, where’s the harm in him referring himself?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well, I think the Prime Minister, as with other members of Parliament, are required to be transparent through their declarations on their register of interest. And, you know, we’ve seen over the last couple of days many, many politicians from all sides having flight upgrades.

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: Have you ever asked for one?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: To be honest, I’ve got a young family and I don’t travel into very many places, but I haven’t asked for one. But I think that there are many politicians that have had upgrades. And so there’s a register of public interest, so that it’s all transparent. And, you know, if Peter Dutton is saying there’s questions to be answered, he needs to answer the question, explain his use of Gina Rinehart’s private jet.

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: It doesn’t have to be a competition between will you answer questions? Will you answer questions? Shouldn’t, you know, both sides just answer the questions? And there are some additional questions that the Prime Minister has not addressed about if he discussed upgraded flights directly with Alan Joyce when he was Transport Minister.

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well, I think that there needs to be a consistent approach. The opposition is making this completely political. It’s a complete pile on the Prime Minister. Peter Dutton can’t explain his use of Gina Rinehart’s private jet. So, quite frankly, I think there’s a lot of politics here and a lot of hypocrisy from the opposition. I mean, we have Paul Fletcher, who’s declared sixty-nine upgrades. So, I think what I’m pointing out here is the hypocrisy of the opposition playing politics with this.

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: Thank you so much for joining us, Minister.

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: Thank you.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ15: Dental care professionals

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by the Hon Lam Chun-sing and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, in the Legislative Council today (October 30):Question:     Regarding dental care professionals (DenCPs), will the Government inform this Council:(1) of the following information on the Department of Health (DH)’s recruitment exercise for dental hygienists, dental therapists, dental technicians and dental surgery assistants in each of the past five years: the (i) target number of recruits, (ii) number of applicants, (iii) number of persons invited to attend interviews/trade tests, (iv) number of persons who passed the interviews/trade tests, (v) number of appointment letters issued and (vi) number of persons who reported for duty;(2) as the Working Group on Oral Health and Dental Care under the Health Bureau has pointed out in the Interim Report submitted to the Panel on Health Services of this Council in March this year that merely relying on the dentist workforce to meet the needs for enhancing dental care services is insufficient, and suggested that DenCPs play a more significant role in dental care services, whether the authorities have plans to expand the staff establishments of dental hygienists and dental therapists so as to enhance public services; if so, of the details and timetable; if not, the reasons for that;(3) as DH currently provides annual tuition fee sponsorship of $70,000 to students pursuing studies as dental hygienists and dental therapists on the condition that they work in dental clinics under DH or specified non-governmental organisations for one year after graduation, how the authorities plan to attract those graduates to stay and serve in the public healthcare system upon the expiry of the one-year period;(4) as there are views pointing out that the introduction of a statutory registration system for DenCPs (including dental hygienists and dental therapists) with their scope of practice defined under the Dentists Registration (Amendment) Bill 2024 (the Bill) has fundamentally altered the work nature, duties and work complexity of the dental hygienist and dental therapist grades in the Government, whether the authorities will commence a grade structure review for the aforesaid grades to comprehensively examine their entry requirements, qualification requirements for various ranks and remuneration packages; if so, of the timetable and roadmap; if not, the reasons for that;(5) as the authorities indicated during the Second Reading debate on the Bill that they expected the Dental Council of Hong Kong (DCHK) to set up a registration system for DenCPs within three years upon the passage of the Bill, of the timetable and roadmap for the relevant work (including compiling a DenCPs register and drawing up a code of practice); whether they have plans to include dental technicians and dental surgery assistants in the registration system in phases, so as to enhance the protection for users of dental services; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;(6) whether the authorities will consider discussing with DCHK to further relax the scope of practice of dental hygienists to allow them to administer anaesthetic injections for periodontal disease and root canal treatments, as well as other non-invasive treatments, and to include relevant contents such as the procedure for administering anaesthetic injections in the training curriculum of dental hygienists; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;(7) whether the authorities have plans to further expand the participation of DenCPs in the primary healthcare system, including allowing them in the provision of oral healthcare at District Health Centre Expresses and District Health Centres, as well as dental health education and disease prevention services; if so, of the details; if not, whether the authorities will formulate the relevant plans expeditiously; and(8) whether it has considered including DenCPs as healthcare service providers under the Elderly Healthcare Voucher Scheme to encourage the elderly to receive dental care services on a regular basis; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?Reply:President,     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government established the Working Group on Oral Health and Dental Care (Working Group) in December 2022 to review the policy objectives, implementation strategies, service scopes and delivery models, etc, of oral health and dental care, with a view to safeguarding the oral health of members of the public. The Working Group mentioned in its interim report released in December 2023 that the Government should work in line with the strategies set out in the Primary Healthcare Blueprint and aim at preventing oral diseases and enhancing the oral health of the community on the premise of improving oral health of all citizens. The report also mentioned that it is insufficient to merely rely on the dentist workforce to meet the needs for enhancing dental care services, and that ancillary dental workers, including dental hygienists and dental therapists, could play a more significant role in dental care services.     The HKSAR Government has completed the amendment of the Dentists Registration Ordinance (Chapter 156) (DRO) to modernise the regulatory framework for dentists and ancillary dental workers (including dental hygienists and dental therapists), and increase the manpower resources for dental care profession by gradually increasing training places for dental hygienists and dental therapists. The measures above will contribute to the implementation of the recommendations of the Working Group, allowing ancillary dental workers to play a more significant role in providing more preventive primary dental care services to complement the direction of the Primary Healthcare Blueprint which attaches importance to prevention, early identification and timely intervention.     The consolidated reply in response to the questions raised by the Hon Lam Chun-sing is as follows:Registration system and scope of work of dental care professionals     The amended DRO introduced a statutory registration system for two classes of ancillary dental workers (including dental hygienists and dental therapists) and retitled ancillary dental workers as dental care professionals (DenCPs), so as to ensure their service quality through a more formalised regulatory regime and establish their professional status.     At present, dental hygienists can work in public or private sectors, and may perform preventive dental care (e.g. education, consultation, risk assessment, oral examination, fluoride application and scaling) in accordance with the directions of a dentist who is available in the premises at all times when such work is being carried out. Dental therapists work exclusively under the Department of Health (DH) to provide the School Dental Care Service. Dental therapists may perform preventive dental care and basic curative dental care (e.g. filling, extraction) in accordance with the directions of a dentist who is available in the premises at all times when such work is being carried out.     The amended DRO suitably adjusted the scope of practice of dental hygienists and dental therapists based on a risk-based approach, taking into account the consultation outcome with the sectors and relevant stakeholders. It would enable them, upon training, to perform some lower-risk preventive dental care (e.g. oral examination, education, teeth cleaning and polishing, fluoride application) without the presence of a dentist, and perform scaling in accordance with the directions of a dentist who is present in the same premises. Dental therapists may also perform basic curative dental care (e.g. filling, extraction) in accordance with the directions of a dentist who is present in the same premises.     The statutory registration system for DenCPs would be put in place within three years, and by then the revised scope of work of DenCPs will come into effect. All DenCPs (including dental therapists) will be allowed to provide services outside the DH (including institutions in the public or private sector). During the transitional period, the Dental Council of Hong Kong (DCHK) will develop clear guidelines on the collaborative relationship between dentists and DenCPs and establish the Continuing Professional Development arrangements for DenCPs. At the current stage, the DCHK is focusing on the preparatory work for establishing the registration system as soon as possible and will liaise with the sectors to explore the feasibility of implementing DenCP registration earlier in 2026. When the new registration system is in place, the DCHK will monitor both its implementation and the adaptation of DenCPs to the expanded scope of work to ensure the safety of patients. As things currently stand, the Government has no plan to further expand the scope of work of dental hygienists to perform higher-risk procedures such as injection of local anaesthetics. The Government will maintain dialogue with the dental professions and revisit the scope of practice of DenCPs from time to time, with a view to meeting local dental care service needs.     In view of the actual needs in the community, the Government will examine the necessity for including other classes of DenCPs under the registration system on a risk-based approach. The Government will maintain communication with the dental professions to canvass their views.The role of DenCPs in primary healthcare system     Taking reference to the suggestion of the Working Group, the Government would promote primary dental services appropriate for different age groups and make use of the existing primary healthcare service system. For example, when the manpower supply for dental hygienists has increased, they can provide preventive primary dental services suitable for different age groups at District Health Centres or District Health Centre Expresses, including risk assessment, offering advice on oral care and personal lifestyle, and assisting the citizens in managing their own oral health, so as to put prevention, early identification and timely intervention of dental diseases into action.     Furthermore, the Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme (EHVS) currently allows eligible elderly persons to choose from private primary healthcare services provided by 14 categories of healthcare professions, including dentists. Following the upcoming establishment of registration system for DenCPs, the preventive primary dental service would be strengthened. Eligible elderly persons can use Elderly Health Care Vouchers to pay for the relevant service charges through dental clinics in future. The Government will review the relevant operational details of the EHVS in a timely manner.Manpower of DenCPs      As at September 2024, there are a total of 614 registered dental hygienists, whereas 226 dental therapists are employed by the DH. To increase the manpower resources for dental care profession, the Government has gradually increased training places for dental hygienists and dental therapists to nearly double from 95 in the 2023/24 academic year to 185 in the 2024/25 academic year.     When the statutory registration system is in place, dental therapists will be allowed to work in private institutions which will broaden their employment opportunities. Establishing a career ladder for DenCPs will, in the long run, attract more individuals to join the industry. To attract more young people to join the industry, the DH has been offering full tuition fee sponsorship since 2023/24 academic year to students studying the programmes for dental hygienists and dental therapists. Dental hygienists and dental therapists who have received the sponsorship are required to work in dental clinics of the DH or other specified non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for at least one year after graduation. The above measures could help provide sufficient manpower in support of dental care services provided by the Government, private institutions and NGOs in future.     Regarding the establishment issue of DenCP grades in the DH, according to the prevailing policy guidelines, the Government may consider conducting a Grade Structure Review (GSR) as necessary in case of fundamental changes in the job nature, level of responsibilities and job complexity of a particular grade, or if there are proven and persistent recruitment and retention difficulties in the grade. For Dental Hygienist grade in the DH, when the relevant provisions of the amended DRO come into effect, given the minimum academic qualification requirement for registration as dental hygienist with the DCHK, the job entry requirements of the Dental Hygienist grade including the Qualification Group of the academic qualification will be changed. The DH is gathering relevant data and information of the Dental Hygienist grade (including their job nature, duties and responsibilities, and recruitment situation) for consideration of conducting a GSR for the grade. The Government will also assess the need for GSR for Dental Therapist grade in accordance with the relevant policy guidelines in due course.      In the past five years, the information of recruitment of dental ancillary grades of the DH is at Annex.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ2: Development of private museums

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ2: Development of private museums
    LCQ2: Development of private museums
    ************************************

         ​Following is a question by the Hon Ma Fung-kwok and a reply by the Acting Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, in the Legislative Council today (October 30): Question:      In the National 14th Five-Year Plan, the country has expressed unequivocal support for developing Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. It is learnt that while private museums are recognised as facilitating the preservation of arts and culture and are booming in many places across the globe, the development of private museums in Hong Kong has all along been constrained by the lack of suitable venues, high maintenance costs, as well as the lack of government support, accreditation, promotion and publicity, etc, some private museums have even ceased operations as a result. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: (1) whether it knows the number of private museums and their operating conditions in the past three years, including the ratio of fee-charging to free admission, attendances, the ratio of those on the promotion list of the Government or the relevant organisations, as well as the number of private museums facing operating difficulties; whether any applications to operate a private museum have been rejected; (2) among the existing private museums, of the number of those which have received support (including one-off or regular funding) from the Government or the relevant organisations; whether any requests for support by a museum have been rejected by the Government, and of the purpose for which support was requested; and (3) whether it has plans to introduce an accreditation scheme for private museums or extend the scope of application of the Museums Regulation to cover private museums and to centralise the promotion of local museums, so as to enrich the contents of Hong Kong’s tourism in arts and culture, and facilitate the development of Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange? Reply: President,      Museums are an important part of cultural inheritance and dissemination. The Government has been committed to supporting the development of cultural software in Hong Kong through public museums. Currently, 15 museums and two art spaces are managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) in accordance with the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Chapter 132), each with different focuses and themes, covering the three major areas of art, history and science, bringing different cultural experiences to citizens and tourists. The LCSD continues to invest a lot of resources in improving the facilities and enriching the content of its museums. The renovation of the Hong Kong Museum of Art in recent years is an important example.           The current-term Government is committed to fostering cultural development with a view to developing Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, and has announced that the number of museums under the LCSD will be further increased to continue to enrich Hong Kong’s cultural landscape and bring new impetus to cultural development to meet the general public’s demand for museums. From the cultural policy perspective, in addition to operating and developing public museums, the Government also welcomes the establishment of private museums by individuals or organisations to complement with public museums, which is conducive to the diversified development of the cultural ecology of Hong Kong. The LCSD museums have detailed plans from planning, construction to operation to achieve the Government’s public policy mission, while private museums have higher development autonomy, fewer restrictions, and can also be operated in a more commercial manner. Therefore, when the Government considers supporting private museums and formulating related policies, it must take into account the overall resource allocation and evaluate relative priorities of projects to avoid unnecessary pressure on public funds. Having regard to the uniqueness on the history, theme, scale, operating mode, and financial situation of individual museums, the Government currently does not have plans to formulate a set of standard mechanisms to support the operation of private museums, however, if resources permit, we will consider providing different forms of support to the operation of individual private museums, based on the Government’s policy objectives, expectations of society, and the actual situation of individual museums.      In consultation with relevant bureaux/departments, my reply to the question raised by the Hon Ma Fung-kwok is as follows: (1) and (2) The Government does not maintain data on the number and operating conditions of private museums. As far as we know, there are dozens of private museums in Hong Kong, covering different themes such as culture, arts, history, folklore and education. Currently, the Hong Kong Maritime Museum (HKMM) is the only private museum subvented by the Government. It rents Central Pier No. 8 at nominal rent and receives Government subvention to support its operation. The HKMM recorded approximately 66 100, 52 800 and 106 200 visitors respectively in the last three financial years (i.e. April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2024), among which free visitors account for about 30 per cent, mainly school tour groups.      In addition to subvention, the Government welcomes organisations interested in operating museums to apply for subsidy for cultural, arts projects or activities, such as the Springboard Grants and the Project Grants under the Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme managed by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB), the Project Grant and Matching Fund Scheme from Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) and the Lord Wilson Heritage Trust, to support the museum’s operations or to organise events. For example, the HKADC provided funding to a private museum’s training programme in 2023.           Non-government organisations and social enterprises, if interested in operating a private museum on vacant government land, can submit an application for “Use of Vacant Government Land for Community, Institutional or Non-Profit Making Purposes on Short Term Basis”. The Government will consider whether to grant the short term tenancy at nominal rent in accordance with policy objectives and established assessment criteria. In 2024, the CSTB provided policy support at nominal rent for two short-term tenancy applications for the use of private museums. These two applications are currently being considered together with other applications by relevant departments.           Private museums may also consider participating in the global network of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) by referring to and adhering to the professional and ethical standards established by the ICOM, thereby improving the quality of their museums to attract more visitors and gain more chances of mutual support and collaboration with other museums. The ICOM, established in 1946, is an international organisation of museums and museum professionals committed to the conservation, continuation and communication to society of the world’s natural and cultural heritage. The major museums under the LCSD are members of the ICOM. Non-governmental cultural and museum organisations including the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, the HKMM, the Art Museum of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the University Museum and Art Gallery of the University of Hong Kong and MILL6 Foundation are also members of the Council. (3) As mentioned above, the Government encourages the diversified development of Hong Kong’s cultural ecology and currently has no plans to launch a private museum certification system or regulate the operation of private museums through legislation. Nonetheless, the LCSD museums have been collaborating with other local museums from time to time, and promoting these museums through different platforms and channels. One of the most obvious examples is the Muse Fest HK organised by the LCSD every year since 2015, inviting different local museums and cultural institutions to become partners, allowing citizens and tourists to visit different museums in the city and experience Hong Kong’s rich and unique culture, history and artistic diversity. In addition, the LCSD museums and private museums also from time to time lend collections to each other or collaborate in organising various activities, including exhibitions, lectures and seminars.      In addition, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has been promoting unique museums, including public and private museums and related activities to tourists through its website (discoverhongkong.com), social platforms and tourist information centres, etc, such as M+, Hong Kong Palace Museum, Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences and Hong Kong News-Expo. The HKTB also introduces Hong Kong’s museums through social media. For example, it has collaborated with the Mainland social media Xiaohongshu to launch the Hong Kong Citywalk Guide, which introduces five unique Citywalk routes for roaming around Hong Kong, including the Museum Walk route.

     
    Ends/Wednesday, October 30, 2024Issued at HKT 15:11

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ22: Combating sales activities of duty-not-paid cigarettes

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by Dr the Hon Ngan Man-yu and a written reply by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, in the Legislative Council today (October 30):
     
    Question:
     
         It has been reported that the sales activities of duty-not-paid cigarettes (illicit cigarettes) have become increasingly rampant in recent years. Lawbreakers have employed adolescents with little life experience to distribute illicit cigarette leaflets, commonly known as “dim sum sheets”, in public housing estates, and there are even “cheap whites promotion teams” wearing tops printed with the brand names of “cheap whites” (i.e. illicit cigarettes packaged in the same way as duty-paid cigarettes) to promote illicit cigarettes to smokers in busy areas. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) of the following information on illicit cigarette cases intercepted at source by the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) in the past three years: the number of such cases, the number of persons involved in such cases, and the market value of the illicit cigarettes involved; what measures the authorities have put in place to step up efforts to intercept at source the smuggling of illicit cigarettes into Hong Kong;
     
    (2) of the following information on the law enforcement operations conducted by C&ED to combat illicit cigarette activities in the past three years: the number of such operations, the number of cases detected, the number and dutiable value of the illicit cigarettes seized, the number and age distribution of persons arrested (with a breakdown by seller and buyer), and the penalty imposed on the convicted persons;
     
    (3) regarding the recruitment of young people by lawbreakers to promote illicit cigarettes, whether C&ED and the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health have received the related reports, and of the relevant follow-up situations; what measures C&ED and TACO have put in place to prevent young people from participating in the promotional and trafficking activities of illicit cigarettes;
     
    (4) as it has been reported that lawbreakers have set up websites to advertise illicit cigarettes on the Internet, and to advertise and sell illicit cigarettes through social media platforms and instant messaging applications (e.g. Facebook, Instagram and Telegram), what measures C&ED and TACO have put in place to intercept such advertising and sales activities, and whether it has assessed the effectiveness of such measures;
     
    (5) of the total number of reports on suspected illicit cigarette activities received by C&ED through its 24-hour hotline, dedicated crime-reporting email account or online form in the past three years, and the relevant follow-up situations; and
     
    (6) whether C&ED and TACO have considered, by drawing reference from the policy on combating abuses of public housing, setting up a financial reward mechanism for reporting to encourage members of the public to report the sale of illicit cigarettes, so as to reduce the promotional and trafficking activities of illicit cigarettes in public housing estates?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         Tobacco products are dutiable commodities. Tobacco duty is payable by importers or manufacturers according to the specified rates under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109). To protect Government revenue, the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) has been combating smuggling and trading of illicit cigarettes on different fronts. As for matters relating to tobacco control, they are mainly enforced by the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health according to the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371).
     
         Upon consultation with the Health Bureau, the consolidated reply to the question is as follows:
     
    (1) C&ED has been closely monitoring the control points and illicit cigarettes activities in the city closely, and has strengthened intelligence exchange with the Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies with a view to intercepting illicit cigarettes at source. The relevant numbers on interception of illicit cigarettes at various control points by C&ED from January 2021 to September 2024 are set out below:
     

    Year
    Number of cases
    Number of persons arrested
    Number of illicit cigarettes seized
    (million)
    Estimated market value
    ($million)

    2021
    3 156
    2 856
    247
    678

    2022
    2 575
    2 246
    634
    1,753

    2023 (Note 1)
    10 452
    10 276
    554
    1,896

    2024 (Note 1)
    (Up to September)
    14 198
    13 783
    191
    841

    Note 1: The significant increase in the number of cases and arrests as compared with 2022 is mainly due to the large increase in the number of incoming passengers intercepted at control points for possessing tobacco products exceeding the duty-free quantity after the full resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland.
     
    (2) From January 2021 to September 2024, C&ED has conducted 11 large-scale special operations to combat illicit cigarette activities at various control points, as well as telephone-ordering activities for or distribution of flyers of illicit cigarettes at public rental housing estates (PRH). In addition, C&ED has been closely monitoring the latest development in the market and strengthened intelligence gathering. If a retailer is found to be selling duty-not-paid cigarettes, C&ED will take resolute enforcement actions. The enforcement figures of C&ED in combating illicit cigarettes through various channels (including daily inspections, interception at various control points, large-scale special operations, etc.) from January 2021 to September 2024 are set out below:
     

    Year
    Number of cases
    Number of persons arrested
    Number of illicit cigarettes seized
    (million)
    Estimated market value
    ($million)
    Duty payable
    ($million)

    2021
    4 009
    3 555
    427
    1,176
    815

    2022
    3 438
    2 813
    732
    2,017
    1,395

    2023Note
    11 806
    10 994
    652
    2,256
    1,541

    2024 (Note 2)
    (Up to September)
    15 014
    14 397
    367
    1,639
    1,208

    Note 2: The significant increase in the number of cases and arrests as compared with 2022 is mainly due to the large increase in the number of incoming passengers intercepted at control points for possessing tobacco products exceeding the duty-free quantity after the full resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland, and the seven large-scale special operations conducted by C&ED in 2023 and 2024.
     
         The number of arrested persons involved in buying or selling illicit cigarettes from January 2021 to September 2024 are set out below:
     

    Year
    Arrested persons
    Age distribution

    Sellers
    Buyers
    Total
    20 or below
    21 to 40
    41 to 60
    61 or above

    2021
    259
    206
    465
    13
    99
    172
    181

    2022
    117
    301
    418
    26
    98
    165
    129

    2023
    185
    401
    586
    28
    145
    222
    191

    2024
    (Up to September)
    244
    262
    506
    15
    86
    207
    198

     
         During the above period, the penalties imposed by the court on illicit cigarette cases ranged from a minimum of $200 (involving 200 illicit cigarettes) to a maximum of imprisonment of 18 months (involving about 12 million illicit cigarettes).
     
    (3), (4) and (6) According to the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (the Ordinance), no person shall display or cause to be displayed any smoking product advertisement in any form. Any person who contravenes the prohibitions is liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000, and in the case of a continuing offence, to a further penalty of $1,500 for each day during which the offence continues. The distribution of smoking product advertisements in PRH not only involves peddling of suspected duty-not-paid smoking products, but also affects the law and order and management of the estates. Hence, TACO has all along been co-operating with the relevant departments with a view to combating these illegal activities more effectively. A co-operation mechanism has been established among TACO, the Police and the Housing Department to conduct enforcement actions against illegal activities of distributing smoking products advertisements in PRH. Since January this year, the relevant departments have conducted over 220 joint operations in PRH in Hong Kong. During the operations, in addition to patrolling the estates, officers from TACO also provided information to the estate security workers and residents on how to deal with suspected violation. They were also reminded to observe the laws and not to purchase smoking products from unknown sources. TACO will refer any suspected cases of illicit cigarettes that involve violations of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance to C&ED for further investigation.
     
         Regarding the allegation that some people are distributing illicit cigarettes on the streets, under the Ordinance, no person may give smoking product to another person for promotion or advertisement. Any person who contravenes the prohibitions is liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of $25,000. TACO has conducted multiple proactive inspections at relevant locations. No illegal activity has been found so far. TACO will closely monitor activities contravening the Ordinance (including those promoting or advertising smoking products), which include arranging covert inspections and taking enforcement actions on an ongoing basis. In addition, TACO will also conduct online inspections. If online smoking product advertisements suspected of contravening the law are found, TACO will request the relevant internet service providers and social media platforms to remove the relevant content.
     
         From January 2023 to August 2024, TACO issued 124 summonses and 43 warning letters regarding offences of displaying or distributing smoking product advertisements, and removed around 2 550 websites and social media accounts/posts involving advertisements of smoking products. Since 2021, 14 offenders have been convicted of the offence related to distributing smoking product advertisements, with a maximum penalty of $8,000.
     
         In addition, C&ED has also been conducting online inspections targeting suspected sale of illicit cigarettes. When suspected cases are found, C&ED will immediately express concerns to and follow up with the relevant websites or social media platforms, including blocking the accounts concerned and removing the relevant illicit cigarettes advertisements. From January to September 2024, a total of 429 relevant advertisements have been removed.
     
         In order to combat illicit cigarettes in a more effective manner and protect non-smokers from tobacco hazards, the Government announced its plan in June this year to implement the next-phase tobacco control measures. They include the introduction of a duty stamp system in order to differentiate duty-paid cigarettes from duty-not-paid ones; to require proofs that tobacco products sold at a price lower than the tobacco duty are duty-paid; and to increase the maximum penalty for dealing with, possession of, selling or buying duty-not-paid cigarettes. The Government expects that the above measures will strengthen the deterrent effect and enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies in combating illicit cigarettes. At present, the Government has no plan to introduce financial incentives for reporting illicit cigarette cases. However, C&ED will seriously follow up on reports of suspected illicit cigarette activities.
     
    (5) The numbers of reports on suspected illicit cigarettes activities received by C&ED through different channels from January 2021 to September 2024 are set out below:
     

    Year
    Reports

    2021
    3 054

    2022
    3 526

    2023
    3 476

    2024
    (Up to September)
    5 640

         C&ED will follow up each report and refer it to frontline staff for investigation if necessary. Since the investigations are confidential, C&ED will not disclose their progress and details.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 2024 Edition of “Hong Kong Annual Digest of Statistics” published

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    2024 Edition of “Hong Kong Annual Digest of Statistics” published
    2024 Edition of “Hong Kong Annual Digest of Statistics” published
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         The 2024 Edition of the “Hong Kong Annual Digest of Statistics” was published by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) today (October 30). The Digest is available for downloading at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1010003&scode=460).      The Digest is a comprehensive and convenient collection of official statistics. It contains some 300 statistical tables on a wide range of topics, including: – Population- Labour- External trade- National income and Balance of Payments- Prices- Business performance- Innovation and technology- Energy- Housing and property- Government accounts, finance and insurance- Transport, communications and tourism- Education- Health- Social welfare- Law and order- Culture, entertainment and recreation- Environment, climate and geography      This Digest aims to provide key annual statistical series on various aspects of the social and economic developments of Hong Kong. Most of the data series presented reflect the latest situation covering a time span of the last decade, enabling readers to understand the trends of development in recent years. Descriptions of the scope of the statistical data and definitions of the terms used in this Digest are provided in the “Concepts and methods” in each chapter.      Enquiries about the “Hong Kong Annual Digest of Statistics” can be directed to the Statistical Information Dissemination Section (1) of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 5073; email: gen-enquiry@censtatd.gov.hk).

     
    Ends/Wednesday, October 30, 2024Issued at HKT 16:00

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

    Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

    3 mins ago

    EIT’s School of Health and Sport Science is focused on accelerating health outcomes for the community, with lecturers conducting meaningful local research.

    Accelerating health outcomes in the community is a focus for EIT’s School of Health and Sport Science, with lecturers conducting meaningful local research.

    Dr Helen Ryan-Stewart, EIT’s Executive Dean, Education, Humanities and Health Science and until recently the acting Head of the School of Health and Sport Science, says like many tertiary institutions, research is important to EIT. Research helps lecturers stay up-to-date on the latest developments in their field, ensuring they provide students with the most current and relevant knowledge. It can also provide an important community link to address local challenges.

    Helen’s role as the Head of School has been taken by Dr Andrew Garrett, who comes to EIT with a research pedigree, having been Sport, Health and Exercise Science Programme Director and Graduate Research Director at the University of Hull in the United Kingdom.

    Andrew’s main area of research expertise is the markers of fatigue in temperature regulation during exercise in the time of climate change and he was an Associate Member of the Hull York Medical School (HYMS). His PhD work was funded by the Australian Military based at the University of Otago in New Zealand (Induction and decay of heat acclimation) and in collaboration with the Otago Medical School. His current research interest focuses on practical methods for the prevention of heat injury in older populations.

    Helen says that research will continue to be an important part of the School. At present the School has a combined research committee with the School of Nursing, which has resulted in health being a focus for research.

    “The research we do has a health science focus and anything that we were going to do would be aimed at accelerating health outcomes in our community.”

    A significant project which is having an impact on the Hawke’s Bay community is research that is addressing the epidemic of youth vaping among intermediate and high school students.

    The project has been led by  Associate Professor Anita Jagroop-Dearing and was funded by Health Research Foundation Hawke’s Bay and EIT. It also received a funding boost from Health Research Council (HRC) of New Zealand. The initial project was  entitled Actions to Vaporise Rangatahi Vaping in Te Matau-a-Māui. Recently the project was extended outside the region following interest from a Bay of Plenty High School.

    A project in the early stages of development, is being conducted by researcher and lecturer Dr Patrick Lander. It looks at green spaces in urban areas and how people use those for well-being and health.

    Helen says that while the School has a strategy around health research, there are also researchers who focus on sport and exercise. Working in this field is Mike Schofield, a lecturer in strength and conditioning, who is the coach of New Zealand shot-putter Maddison-Lee Wesche, who won a silver medal at the Olympic Games earlier this year.

    Mike’s area of research is biomechanics and it is about evolving a technical model from a theoretical basis. His research is aimed at allowing top-level athletes to reach their full potential.

    Another lecturer who is an active researcher is Associate Professor Carl Paton, who is involved in a number of research projects with students. These projects are focused on high performance cycling.

    Helen says it is important that academic staff are research active.

    “Degrees in institutions such as ours should be taught by staff active in relevant applied research. Sport, exercise and health is focused on application to the real world. So we have to enable our academic staff to do research that’s relevant to the field, the discipline that they’re teaching. That keeps them current, and gives students real-world examples of how they could apply their knowledge.”

    “And that’s really important from my perspective.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ4: Healthcare services provided by unregistered persons

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by Professor the Hon Chan Wing-kwong and a reply by the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee, in the Legislative Council today (October 30):
     
    Question:
     
         It has been reported that there are currently many premises in the community claiming to be pain treatment centres, etc., boasting that they can provide clients with services such as “bone manipulating” and pain treatment, but some members of the public are injured after receiving services provided by persons who are suspected to be non-healthcare professionals at these premises. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) whether it knows the number of the aforesaid premises and, among them, the number of those which have applied for licences for private healthcare facilities (PHFs);
     
    (2) of the number of complaints made against the aforesaid premises and the follow-up situations in the past three years; among them, the number of cases involving unlicensed medical practice, and the respective numbers of persons prosecuted and convicted; and
     
    (3) as it is learnt that some premises which have not applied for PHFs licences are presenting an image of licensed healthcare facilities through means such as promotion and furnishings in order to mislead consumers, of the measures the authorities have put in place to caution members of the public against seeking inappropriate treatments for certain medical conditions, so as to safeguard their health?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         In consultation with the Security Bureau, I provide a consolidated reply as follows:
     
         Premises providing pain relief services in the community can be classified into three categories:

    (1) involving healthcare services which should be provided by registered medical practitioners and/or dentists, e.g. prescription of painkillers or performance of surgical procedures etc.;
     
    (2) involving healthcare services which should be provided by healthcare professions of other different disciplines; and
     
    (3) not providing healthcare services, say conducting only massage which do not concern the practice of healthcare professionals.
     
         These three categories of services are regulated by different legislations. As the premises under the aforementioned categories 1 and 2 provide healthcare services, they are regulated by relevant legislations on healthcare facilities and healthcare professions.
     
         Since 2018, the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance (Cap. 633) regulates premises where registered medical practitioners and/or dentists practise. Operators are required to obtain a licence or letter of exemption in order to operate private healthcare facilities. The existing law specifically covers premises of these two healthcare professions as their daily operation may very likely involve high-risk issues such as infection control and blood management, thereby requiring the most stringent regulatory system under a risk-based principle. In this connection, apart from being regulated by the specific legislations on healthcare professions, such premises are also regulated by the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance. As of the third quarter of 2024, there are 14 licensed private hospitals and 259 licensed day procedure centres in Hong Kong. The Government is also preparing to implement the clinic licensing regime under the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance and will make an announcement shortly.
     
         Premises under category 2 involve healthcare services which are provided by healthcare professions of other multiple disciplines. By nature, services commonly known as “bone-manipulating” and “pain management” may be similar to the treatments provided by Chinese medicine practitioners, physiotherapists and chiropractors under their respective scope of practice. Depending on the actual services performed, relevant ordinances would come into play when healthcare services which must be provided by registered healthcare professionals are involved. This serves to prevent non-professionals from performing such acts so as to safeguard public health.
     
         The provision of a service will be considered as practising Chinese medicine if it involves the performance of any act or activities on the basis of traditional Chinese medicine in general practice, acupuncture or bone-setting as stipulated in the Chinese Medicine Ordinance (Cap. 549). Any person who is neither a registered nor listed Chinese medicine practitioner providing such service commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 6 and imprisonment for three years. By the same token, any person who practises the profession of a physiotherapist as stipulated in the Supplementary Medical Professions Ordinance (Cap. 359) without registration commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 2 and imprisonment for six months; whereas any person who is not listed in the register of registered chiropractors under the Chiropractors Registration Ordinance (Cap. 428) but practises chiropractic as defined in the Code of Practice by the Chiropractors Council commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 5 and imprisonment for one year.
     
         During the period of 2021 to the third quarter of 2024, available records show that there were a total of 35 suspected cases of providing “bone-manipulating” or “pain management” services in contravention of the various ordinances on healthcare professionals. Of these, 3 cases were successfully prosecuted with conviction, while the others are still being processed or could not be successfully prosecuted possibly due to the individuals involved being subsequently proven to be registered healthcare professionals, etc. Members of the public should report to the Police if they suspect that someone is practising without registration or falsely using the title of a registered healthcare professional. The Department of Health (DH) as well as the statutory boards and councils of relevant healthcare professions will provide professional support to the Police as appropriate.
     
         To prevent the public from seeking improper treatment of certain conditions regardless of the type of premises which provides such services, the Undesirable Medical Advertisements Ordinance (Cap. 231) prohibits/restricts the publication of advertisements that will likely lead to the use of any medicine, surgical appliance or treatment for the purpose of treating or preventing diseases or conditions specified in Schedules 1 and 2 to the Ordinance. These include any disease of the musculo-skeletal system, including rheumatism, arthritis and sciatica. The DH has put in place an established mechanism for screening advertisements. Appropriate actions will be taken in accordance with the law against any contravention of the Ordinance.
     
         The Government urges members of the public not to casually believe the claims of being able to offer so-called “treatment” from random persons who are not registered or accredited as healthcare professionals. Since the professional qualifications and standards of these persons have not been attested, the safety and effectiveness of the so-called “treatment” cannot be assured. It may even worsen the condition or cause injury. Before receiving healthcare services, members of the public can browse the online registers of the statutory boards and councils of relevant healthcare professions to ascertain the qualifications of service providers. If members of the public have doubts about the qualifications of the healthcare professionals, they can also request the person concerned to provide relevant certification documents in order to better protect their safety.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fact Sheet: Key AI Accomplishments in the Year Since the Biden-⁠ Harris Administration’s Landmark Executive  Order

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    One year ago, President Biden issued a landmark Executive Order to ensure that America leads the way in seizing the promise and managing the risks of artificial intelligence (AI). The Executive Order directed sweeping actions to manage AI’s safety and security risks, protect Americans’ privacy, advance equity and civil rights, stand up for consumers and workers, promote innovation and competition, advance American leadership around the world, and more.
    Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is announcing that Federal agencies have completed on schedule each action that the Executive Order tasked for this past year—more than one hundred in all. Below are some of the Administration’s most significant accomplishments on managing AI’s risks and seizing its promise in the year since President Biden signed his Executive Order.
    Managing Risks to Safety and Security:The Executive Order directed the boldest actions ever taken to protect Americans from a broad range of AI’s safety and security risks, including risks related to dangerous biological materials, software vulnerabilities, and foreign actors’ efforts to develop AI for harmful purposes. Over the last year, to protect safety and security, agencies have:
    Used Defense Production Act authorities to require developers of the most powerful AI systems to report vital information, including results of safety and security testing, to the U.S. government. These companies have notified the Department of Commerce about the results of their red-team safety tests, their plans to train powerful models, and large computing clusters they possess capable of such training. Last month, the Department of Commerce proposed a rule to require the reporting of this information on a quarterly basis.
    Led the way on AI safety testing and evaluations to advance the science of AI safety. The U.S. AI Safety Institute (US AISI) at the Department of Commerce has begun pre-deployment testing of major new AI models through recently signed agreements with two leading AI developers. The Department of Energy (DOE) developed and expanded its AI testbeds and evaluation tools, which it has already used to test models’ risk to nuclear security.
    Developed guidance and tools for managing AI risk. The US AISI and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) at the Department of Commerce published frameworks for managing risks related to generative AI and dual-use foundation models, and earlier this month, AISI released a Request for Information on the responsible development and use of AI models for chemical and biological sciences. The Department of Defense (DoD) released its Responsible AI toolkit to align AI projects with the Department’s Ethical Principles.
    Issued a first-ever National Security Memorandum (NSM) on AI. The NSM directs concrete steps by Federal agencies to ensure the United States leads the world’s development of safe, secure, and trustworthy AI; to enable agencies to harness cutting-edge AI for national security objectives, including by protecting human rights and democratic values; and to advance international consensus and governance on AI. This essential document serves as a formal charter for the AI Safety Institute, designating it as the center of the whole-of-government approach to advanced AI model testing, and will guide rapid and responsible AI adoption by the DoD and Intelligence Community. The NSM also directs the creation of a Framework to Advance AI Governance and Risk Management in National Security, which provides agile guidance to implement the NSM in accordance with democratic values, including mechanisms for risk management, evaluations, accountability, and transparency. 
    Finalized a framework for nucleic acid synthesis screening to help prevent the misuse of AI for engineering dangerous biological materials. The framework, developed by the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), encourages nucleic acid synthesis providers to identify gene sequences that could be used to pose national security risks, and to implement customer screening to mitigate the risks of misuse. Federal agencies will require that funding recipients obtain synthetic nucleic acids from vendors that adhere to the framework, starting in 2025. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has developed an initial framework with principles for evaluating the effectiveness of screening mechanisms going forward.
    Launched a new Task Force on AI Datacenter Infrastructure. The Task Force provides streamlined coordination on policies to advance datacenter development operations in line with economic, national security, and environmental goals.
    Identified measures—including approaches for labeling content and improving transparency—to reduce the risks posed by AI-generated content. The Department of Commerce submitted to the White House a final report on science-backed standards and techniques for addressing these risks, while NIST has launched a challenge to develop methods for detecting AI-generated content. President Biden has emphasized that the public has a right to know when content is AI-generated, and agencies are working to use these tools to help Americans to know that communications they receive from their government are authentic.
    Combatted AI-generated image-based sexual abuse. Image-based sexual abuse—both non-consensual intimate images of adults and child sexual abuse material—is one of the fastest growing harmful uses of AI to date and disproportionately targets women, children, and LGBTQI+ people. This year, following the Vice President’s leadership in underscoring the urgent need to address deepfake image-based sexual abuse and a White House Call to Action to reduce these risks, leading AI developers and data providers made voluntary commitments to curb the creation of AI-generated image-based sexual abuse material. Additionally, the Department of Justice (DOJ) funded the first-ever helpline to provide 24/7 support and specialized services for victims of the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, including deepfakes. The Department of Education also clarified that school responsibilities under Title IX may extend to conduct that takes place online, including AI-generated abuse.
    Established the AI Safety and Security Board (AISSB) to advise the Secretary of Homeland Security on the safe and secure use of AI in critical infrastructure. The AISSB has met thrice this year to develop a set of recommendations for entities that develop, deploy, and promote accountability for AI systems that assist in delivering essential services to millions of Americans. The work of the AISSB complements DHS’s first-ever AI safety and security guidelines for critical infrastructure owners and operators, which were informed by agencies’ assessments of AI risks across all critical infrastructure sectors. To help protect critical infrastructure further, the Department of Treasury released a report on managing security risks of AI use in the financial sector, and the Department of Energy released an assessment of potential risks to the power grid, as well as ways in which AI could potentially strengthen grid resilience and our ability to respond to threats.
    Piloted AI for protecting vital government software systems. The Department of Defense and DHS conducted AI pilots to address vulnerabilities in government networks used, respectively, for national security purposes and for civilian governmental organizations.
    Standing up for Workers, Consumers, Privacy, and Civil RightsAI is changing the products and services Americans buy, affecting jobs and workplaces, and introducing or exacerbating risks to privacy, equity, and civil rights. President Biden’s Executive Order stands up for Americans in each of these domains, and over the last year, agencies have:
    Developed bedrock principles and practices, along with guidance, to help protect and empower workers as AI is built for and used in the workplace. The Department of Labor (DOL) released AI Principles and Best Practices for employers and developers to build and use AI in ways that center the wellbeing of workers and improve the quality of jobs. DOL also published two guidance documents to assist federal contractors and employers in complying with worker protection laws as they deploy AI in the workplace. In addition, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission released resources for job seekers and workers to understand how AI use could violate employment discrimination laws.
    Protected patients’ rights and safety, while encouraging innovation, as AI is developed and deployed for healthcare. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) established an AI Safety Program to track harmful incidents involving AI’s use in healthcare settings and to evaluate mitigations for those harms. HHS has also developed objectives, goals, and high-level principles for the use of AI or AI-enabled tools in drug development processes and AI-enabled devices. Additionally, HHS finalized a rule that established first-of-its-kind transparency requirements for AI and other predictive algorithms that are part of certified health information technology. HHS also finalized a civil rights regulation, implementing Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, that requires covered health care entities to take steps to identify and mitigate discrimination when they use AI and other forms of decision support tools for care.
    Published guidance and resources for the safe, secure, and trustworthy design and use of AI in education. In July, the Department of Education released guidance calling up on educational technology developers to design AI in ways that protect rights, improve transparency, and center teaching and learning. This month, the Department of Education released a toolkit to support schools and educational leaders in responsibly adopting valuable AI use cases.
    Issued guidance on AI’s nondiscriminatory use in the housing sector, which affirms that existing prohibitions against discrimination apply to AI’s use for tenant screening and housing advertisements, while explaining how to comply with these obligations. Additionally, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau approved a rule requiring that algorithms and AI used for home valuations are fair, nondiscriminatory, and free of conflicts of interest.
    Set guardrails on the responsible and equitable use of AI and algorithmic systems in administering public benefits programs. The Department of Agriculture’s guidance provides a framework for how State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments should manage risks for uses of AI and automated systems in critical benefits programs such as SNAP, while HHS released a plan with guidelines on similar topics for benefits programs it oversees.
    Affirmed commitments to prevent and address unlawful discrimination and other harms resulting from AI. DOJ’s Civil Rights Division convenes federal agency civil rights offices and senior government officials to foster AI and civil rights coordination. Five new agencies also joined a 2023 pledge to uphold America’s commitment to fairness, equality, and justice as new technologies like AI become more common in daily life.
    Advanced privacy protections to safeguard Americans from privacy risks that AI creates or exacerbates. In particular, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and DOE established a research network dedicated to advancing the development, deployment, and scaling of privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs), while NSF launched the $23 million initiative Privacy-preserving Data Sharing in Practice program to apply, mature, and scale PETs for specific use cases and establish testbeds to accelerate their adoption. Simultaneously, DOE launched a $68 million effort on AI for Science research, which includes efforts at multiple DOE National Laboratories and other institutions to advance PETs for scientific AI. The Department of Commerce also developed guidelines on evaluating differential privacy guarantees. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a Request for Information (RFI) on issues related to federal agency collection, processing, maintenance, use, sharing, dissemination, and disposition of commercially available information containing personally identifiable information. OMB also released an RFI on how federal agencies’ privacy impact assessments may be more effective at mitigating privacy risks, including those that are further exacerbated by AI and other advances in technology and data capabilities.
    Harnessing AI for GoodOver the last year, agencies have worked to seize AI’s enormous promise, including by collaborating with the private sector, promoting development and use of valuable AI use cases, and deepening the U.S. lead in AI innovation. To harness AI for good, agencies have:
    Launched the National AI Research Resource (NAIRR) pilot and awarded over 150 research teams access to computational and other AI resources. The NAIRR pilot—a national infrastructure led by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in partnership with DOE and other governmental and nongovernmental partners—makes available resources to support the nation’s AI research and education community. Supported research teams span 34 states and tackle projects covering deepfake detection, AI safety, next-generation medical diagnoses, environmental protection, and materials engineering.
    Promoted AI education and training across the United States. DOE is leveraging its network of national laboratories to train 500 new researchers by 2025 to meet demand for AI talent, while NSF has invested millions of dollars in programs to train future AI leaders and innovators. These programs include the EducateAI initiative, which helps fund educators creating high-quality, inclusive AI educational opportunities at the K-12 through undergraduate levels that support experiential learning in fields such as AI and build capacity in AI research at minority-serving institutions.
    Expanded the ability of top AI scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs to come to the United States, including by clarifying O-1 and H-1B visa rules and working to streamline visa processing.
    Released a report on the potential benefits, risks, and implications of dual-use foundation models for which the model weights are widely available, including related policy recommendations. The Department of Commerce’s report draws on extensive outreach to experts and stakeholders, including hundreds of public comments submitted on this topic.
    Announced a competition for up to $100 million to support the application of AI-enabled autonomous experimentation to accelerate research into—and delivery of—targeted, industry-relevant, sustainable semiconductor materials and processes.
    Established two new National AI Research Institutes for building AI tools to advance progress across economic sectors, science, and engineering. The NSF-led AI Research Institutes launched in September will develop AI tools for astronomical sciences, with broader applications across scientific disciplines. Earlier this year, NSF also funded 10 inaugural Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines), seven of which include a focus on advancing AI.
    Announced millions of dollars in further investments to advance responsible AI development and use throughout our society. These include $13 million invested by DOE in the VoltAIc initiative for using AI to streamline permitting and accelerate clean energy deployment, as well as $68M from DOE to fund AI for scientific research to accelerate scientific programming and develop energy efficient AI models and hardware. DOE has also launched the Frontiers in AI for Science, Security, and Technology (FASST) initiative roadmap and request for information to harness AI for scientific discovery, national security, energy and electric grid resilience, and other national challenges, building on AI tools, models, and partnerships. NSF, in partnership with philanthropy, announced an inaugural investment of more than $18 million to 44 multidisciplinary, multi-sector teams across the U.S. to advance the responsible design, development, and deployment of technologies including AI, ensuring ethical, legal, community, and societal considerations are embedded in the lifecycle of technology’s creation.
    Issued a first-ever report analyzing AI’s near-term potential to support the growth of America’s clean energy economy. DOE’s National Laboratories also issued a long-term grand challenges report identifying opportunities in AI for energy over the next decade. 
    Released a vision for how AI can help us achieve our nation’s greatest aspirations. AI Aspirations sets forth goals to create a future of better health and opportunity for all, mitigate climate change and boost resilience, build robust infrastructure and manufacturing, ensure the government works for every American, and more. In furtherance of these goals, HHS launched CATALYST, a research and development program focused on the potential use of AI to better predict drug safety and efficacy before clinical trials start. In complement, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology also authored a report outlining AI’s potential to revolutionize and accelerate scientific discovery.
    Published guidance addressing vital questions at the intersection of AI and intellectual property. To advance innovation the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has released guidance documents addressing the patentability of AI-assisted inventions, on the subject matter eligibility of patent claims involving inventions related to AI technology, and on the use of AI tools in proceedings before USPTO.
    Bringing AI and AI Talent into GovernmentAI can help government deliver better results for the American people, though its use by Federal agencies can also pose risks, such as discrimination and unsafe decisions. Bringing AI and AI-enabling professionals into government, moreover, is vital for managing these risks and opportunities and advancing other critical AI missions. Over the last year, agencies have:
    Issued the first-ever government-wide policy to strengthen governance, mitigate risks, and advance innovation in federal use of AI. OMB’s historic policy, M-24-10, requires agencies to implement concrete safeguards when using AI in a way that could impact Americans’ rights or safety. These safeguards include a series of mandatory risk management practices to reliably assess, test, and monitor AI’s impacts on the public and provide greater transparency into how the government uses AI. OMB’s policy also directs agencies to designate Chief AI Officers to coordinate the use of AI across their agency, while expanding and upskilling their AI workforce and removing barriers to adopting AI for all manner of purposes—from addressing climate change to advancing public health and safety.
    Released a government-wide policy to advance responsible acquisition of AI by Federal agencies. M-24-18, published this month by OMB, helps ensure that when Federal agencies acquire AI, they have the information and tools necessary to manage risks, promote a competitive marketplace, and collaborate on strategic planning. This work directs the Federal government—the largest buyer in the U.S. economy—to advance AI innovation and risk management through responsibly exercising its purchasing power.
    Hired over 250 AI practitioners into the Federal government through the AI Talent Surge. Tech talent programs ramped up hiring for AI talent, with the Presidential Innovation Fellows bringing on their first-ever AI cohort, DHS establishing their AI Corps with over 30 members onboarded to date, and the U.S. Digital Corps providing pathways for early-career technologists to join Federal service. AI talent has been instrumental in delivering on critical AI priorities, from using AI to deliver top-tier government services, to protecting the public’s rights and safety in the use of AI.
    Established the Chief AI Officers Council to harmonize best practices and sharing of resources across the interagency to implement OMB’s guidance and coordinate the development and use of AI in agencies’ programs and operations.
    Introduced expanded reporting instructions for the federal AI use case inventory to include identifying use cases that impact rights or safety and how the agency is addressing the relevant risks in line with OMB’s policies. 
    Bolstered the public interest technology ecosystem. Building on the AI Talent Surge, the White House announced funding across government, academia, and civil society to support education and career pathways that will help ensure government has access to diverse, mission-oriented technology talent.
    Activated new hiring authorities to bring AI and AI-enabling talent into agencies. As part of the AI Talent Surge, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) granted new hiring authorities, including direct hire authorities and excepted service authorities, for agencies to rapidly bring on top-tier AI and AI-enabling talent, and released guidance on skills-based hiring and pay and leave flexibilities to best position agencies to hire and retain AI and AI-enabling talent. Additionally, OPM collaborated with partners to run three National Tech to Gov career fairs to connect the public with AI and tech jobs in government, surfacing roles from over 64 Federal, state, and local government employers to over 3,000 job seekers.
    Advancing U.S. Leadership AbroadPresident Biden’s Executive Order directed work to lead global efforts to capture AI’s promise, mitigate AI’s risks, and ensure AI’s responsible governance. To advance these goals, the Administration has:
    Sponsored and passed a landmark United Nations General Assembly resolution. The unanimously adopted resolution, with more than 100 co-sponsors (including the People’s Republic of China), lays out a common vision for countries around the world to promote the safe and secure use of AI to address global challenges.
    Engaged foreign leaders on strengthening international rules and norms for AI, including at the 2023 UK AI Safety Summit and the AI Seoul Summit in May 2024, where Vice President Harris represented the United States. In the United Kingdom, Vice President Harris unveiled a series of U.S. initiatives to advance the safe and responsible use of AI, including the establishment of AISI at the Department of Commerce.
    Announced a global network of AI Safety Institutes and other government-backed scientific offices to advance AI safety at a technical level. This network, which will formally launch in November at the inaugural network convening in San Francisco, will accelerate critical information exchange and drive toward common or compatible safety evaluations and policies.
    Expanded global support for the U.S.-led Political Declaration on the Responsible Military Use of Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy. Fifty-six nations now endorse the political declaration, which outlines a set of norms for the responsible development, deployment, and use of military AI capabilities. DoD has expanded the scope of its international AI Partnership for Defense to align global Responsible AI practices with the Political Declaration’s norms.
    Developed comprehensive plans for U.S. engagement on global AI standards and AI-related critical infrastructure topics. NIST and DHS, respectively, will report on priority actions taken per these plans in 90 days.
    Signed the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on AI and Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law. This first multilateral treaty on AI represents a powerful affirmation of the relevance of existing human rights obligations to AI activities and establishes a strong baseline in international law for responsible government use of AI. The United States’ signature reflects its commitment to ensuring that AI technologies are designed, developed, used, and governed in ways that promote respect for human rights and democratic values. 
    Led the development of a Joint Statement on Responsible Government Practices for AI Technologies. The Joint Statement, to which the 41 countries of the Freedom Online Coalition committed, calls on governments to develop, use, and procure AI responsibly, including by respecting international obligations and commitments, assessing impacts of AI systems, conducting ongoing monitoring, ensuring adequate human training and assessment, communicating and responding to the public, and providing effective access to remedy. 
    Launched the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse.  The 15-country Global Partnership has advanced international policies to address online safety, and spurred new programs to prevent and respond to technology-facilitated gender-based violence, including through AI.
    The Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development published resources to advance global AI research and use of AI for economic development. The AI in Global Development Playbook incorporates principles and practices from NIST’s AI Risk Management Framework to guide AI’s responsible development and deployment across international contexts, while the Global AI Research Agenda outlines priorities for advancing AI’s safe, responsible, and sustainable global development and adoption.
    The table below summarizes many of the activities that federal agencies have completed in response to the Executive Order.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: GAZA – Israeli UNRWA ban will deepen Palestinian humanitarian catastrophe – MSF

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)

    30 October, 2024. The Israeli Knesset’s ban on UNRWA’s operations voted on 28 October represents a devastating blow to Palestinian life. It will further undermine people’s survival prospects in Gaza and heavily impact communities in the West Bank.

    Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) denounces this legislation, which represents an inhumane ban on vital humanitarian aid. The Knesset’s vote is propelling Palestinians towards an even deeper humanitarian crisis. It is imperative that the world acts to safeguard Palestinians’ fundamental rights. Immediate international intervention is needed to pressure Israel to allow unhindered access to humanitarian aid, implement a ceasefire and bring to an end the current campaign of destruction in Gaza.

    “UNRWA is a lifeline for Palestinians,” says Christopher Lockyear, MSF Secretary General. “If implemented, the ban on UNRWA’s activities would have catastrophic implications on the dire humanitarian situation of Palestinians living in Gaza, as well as in the West Bank, now and for generations to come. We strongly condemn this decision, which is the culmination of a long-running campaign against the organisation.”

    The newly voted legislation will make it almost impossible for UNRWA to work in Gaza or the West Bank; coordination with Israeli authorities will be impeded and entrance permits to either of the occupied territories will be denied, and essentially blocking delivery of UNRWA aid into and within Gaza. UNRWA handles almost all the distribution of UN aid coming into the strip.

    UNRWA is the largest health provider in Gaza, with over half of Gazans relying on UNWRA for essential healthcare services, including for the treatment of chronic diseases, maternal and child heath, and vaccinations; each day UNWRA’s health teams provide over 15,000 consultations in the Gaza Strip. The ban of its activities threatens to create a vast gap in services within an already largely destroyed health system in Gaza – directly and indirectly endangering the lives of Palestinians. Without urgent action, more Gazans could die from preventable diseases and displacement-related conditions.

    The impact of UNRWA’s ban will extend beyond Gaza. Critical services, including refugee camp management, health services, education, and social programmes across the West Bank are also at risk of destabilisation under this legislation. This legislation sets a grave precedent for other conflict situations where governments may wish to eliminate an inconvenient United Nations presence.

    For months, international leaders and organisations, including MSF, have raised warnings about the disastrous potential of these newly adopted bills. Yet Israel has chosen to press forward with measures that will undermine vital assistance, endangering Palestinian lives and intensifying the collective punishment they face.

    This vote adds to the endless physical and bureaucratic impediments imposed by Israel to limit the amount of aid reaching Gaza, and blatantly contradicts Israel’s claims that it is facilitating humanitarian assistance into the Strip.

    MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. In 2022, more than 120 project staff from Australia and New Zealand worked with MSF on assignment overseas. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au  

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ13: Promoting students’ physical and mental health

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ13: Promoting students’ physical and mental health
    LCQ13: Promoting students’ physical and mental health
    *****************************************************

         Following is a question by Dr the Hon Hoey Simon Lee and a written reply by the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, in the Legislative Council today (October 30): Question:      Last year, the Ministry of Education issued the Special Action Plan for Comprehensively Strengthening and Improving the Mental Health Education for Students in the New Era (2023-2025), pointing out that promoting the physical and mental health and all-round development of students is an important issue. However, there are views pointing out that a number of student suicide cases were reported in Hong Kong at the beginning of the school year in September this year, highlighting the critical situation of students’ mental health and the need for the Government to strengthen the co-operation among schools, families and the community in order to establish a more comprehensive support system. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: (1) whether it will review afresh the Three-Tier School-based Emergency Mechanism implemented in December last year in order to strengthen the assistance to schools in early identifying students with higher suicidal risk and providing them with appropriate support expeditiously; (2) whether it will formulate quantifiable guidelines (e.g. setting maximum daily homework load) based on the four elements (i.e. Rest, Relaxation, Relationship and Resilience) and the objectives for promoting mental health covered in the Education Bureau’s 4Rs Mental Health Charter to enable schools to take practical actions to reduce student stress; (3) whether it will further implement small class teaching and improve the teacher-student ratios so as to increase the level of student participation and the opportunities for teacher-student interaction, so that teachers can better understand the individual needs and challenges of each student, thereby enhancing the care and counselling for individual students; (4) whether it will improve the resources for life-wide learning so that schools can be more flexible in applying them to help students achieve the aims of whole-person development; (5) whether it will strengthen the comprehensive implementation of positive education and the establishment of a caring school culture, so as to enhance the sense of well-being in schools; and (6) as some studies have pointed out that the emotional stress of teachers and parents positively correlates with the depression level of students, whether the authorities will introduce various activities and measures (e.g. streamlining the administrative work of schools) at the level of teachers and parents to relieve their emotional stress, so as to prevent their negative emotions from affecting students? Reply: President,      The Education Bureau (EDB) attaches great importance to physical and psychological well-being and whole-person development of students, and has been assisting schools in adopting the Whole School Approach at three levels, namely Universal, Selective and Indicated, to promote students’ mental health.      Our reply to the question raised by Dr the Hon Hoey Simon Lee is as follows: (1) The Government has implemented the Three-tier School-based Emergency Mechanism in all secondary schools in Hong Kong since December 2023 through cross-departmental collaboration among the EDB, the Social Welfare Department and the Health Bureau, working with the schools’ multidisciplinary teams, the off-campus support network and medical services for early identification and support of students with high risk. The 2024 Policy Address has announced to extend the Mechanism to the end of 2025 and that enhancement would be made to strengthen collaboration. The Government will continue to review the operation of the Mechanism. (2) The EDB implements the 4Rs Mental Health Charter in 2024 to foster the mental health of students, staff and parents in a more holistic manner. It is pleased to see that over 500 schools have joined the Charter. In the relevant circular memorandum, the EDB has set out the action pledges that participating schools have to achieve in relation to the four elements for promoting mental health (i.e. rest, relaxation, relationship and resilience). Schools are also required to implement various measures and organise activities for the promotion of students’ mental health starting from this school year to help students develop healthy living habits and positive interpersonal relationships, provide them with more opportunities to relax and reduce stress, and enhance their sense of well-being and resilience. In particular, schools should formulate an appropriate school-based assignment policy and co-ordinate the workload across different subjects to strike a balance between the quality and quantity of assignments. (3) It is an established government policy to implement small class teaching (SCT) in public sector primary schools. SCT is a teaching strategy that provides teachers with an environment conducive to greater flexibility in adopting different teaching strategies for diversified educational activities and promoting teacher-student and student-student interactions. Currently, over 90 per cent of public sector primary schools in Hong Kong have implemented SCT, achieving the target set in the 2022 Policy Address one year ahead of schedule. The EDB has also arranged nine schools to start implementing SCT in the 2025/26 school year. By then, the percentage of public sector primary schools implementing SCT will increase to nearly 95 per cent. The EDB will continue to prudently assess the circumstances of individual districts/school nets and maintain communication with schools to pragmatically and flexibly advance SCT in public sector primary schools as soon as possible.      The current standard class size of 25 for primary schools implementing SCT is smaller when compared to the average class size in some advanced places. For secondary schools, the current allocation class size of public sector secondary schools ranges from 31 to 34, while the actual average class size is just 27.1, which is comparable to those in other developed countries. With the implementation of various measures, the overall teacher-to-student ratios in public sector primary and secondary schools have been improving from 1:14.4 and 1:14.5 respectively in the 2012/13 school year to 1:11.9 and 1:11.1 respectively in the 2023/24 school year, which are better than those in most other regions, providing teachers with greater flexibility to nurture students’ whole-person development. (4) The EDB has been proactively encouraging schools to promote students’ life-wide learning in and outside the classroom.  Starting from the 2019/20 school year, the EDB has been providing a recurrent Life-wide Learning Grant (the Grant) to all public sector schools and schools under the Direct Subsidy Scheme each year, with the aim of supporting schools in organising more out-of-classroom experiential learning activities and procuring the necessary equipment, so as to enrich the learning experiences of students. In view of the latest education development and students’ needs, the EDB issued a circular in September this year to update the ambit and guidelines on the use of the Grant, related examples, etc, which includes encouraging schools to make good use of the Grant to organise activities relating to the promotion of students’ mental health, or procure related services, materials and learning and teaching resources. (5) The EDB has all along been encouraging schools to promote positive education and help students face challenges positively. In terms of curriculum, the EDB strives to nurture students with a positive and optimistic attitude towards life through values education. The Values Education Curriculum Framework (Pilot Version) released in 2021 has included “strengthening life education” as one of its emphases, with continuous support given to schools to foster students’ positivity and a positive and optimistic attitude towards life through learning as well as life-wide learning activities within and beyond the classroom. In addition, diversified student activities have been organised to help create a caring and harmonious campus atmosphere. Examples of such include the launch of the “Active Students, Active People” Campaign” to support schools in promoting physical activities; the organisation of Understanding Adolescent Project in primary schools, the Enhanced Smart Teen Project in secondary schools in collaboration with disciplinary forces and uniform groups, and the Pupil Ambassador Scheme on Positive Living to enhance students’ resilience through adventure-based, team-building and problem-solving training; and the “WE” Positive Dynamic Scheme and the “Gratitude, Forgiveness & Happiness Project” to help students build a positive self-image. Besides, the EDB has been organising the “Caring School Award Scheme” annually to recognise schools that are dedicated to implementing caring school measures, and encourage them to establish a caring school culture.  (6) In parallel, the EDB also concern about the mental health of teachers and parents. In this regard, the EDB has set up the Teachers’ Helpline to provide telephone counselling and follow-up services to help teachers cope with stress at work or emotional problems. There are also courses on stress management and promotion of physical and psychological well-being for teachers organised under the Teachers’ Helpline initiative. Over the past few years, the Quality Education Fund has subsidised various projects relating to teachers’ physical and psychological well-being, such as the Mindshift Educational Networking Programme launched by the University of Hong Kong to help teachers learn how to relieve stress. In the 2023/24 school year, the EDB organised a total of 48 workshops and courses for teachers, covering topics such as mental health, expressive arts, mindfulness and physical health. The EDB will continue to organise such workshops and courses for teachers.       The EDB has implemented various new initiatives in recent years to allocate additional manpower and resources to support teachers’ work continuously. Examples of the related measures include increasing the teacher-to-class ratio for public sector schools by 0.1 across-the-board starting from the 2017/18 school year to enhance their teaching manpower; providing additional regular teaching posts for schools; providing cash grants for schools to hire additional teaching and non-teaching staff; and implementing the “One Executive Officer for Each School” policy starting from the 2019/20 school year so as to reduce the administrative work of teachers, thereby creating more room for them.      For parents, the EDB has been implementing the territory-wide Positive Parent Campaign since 2020 to foster parents’ positive thinking and attitudes. The focus of the Positive Parent Campaign this year is to encourage parents and children to develop a healthy lifestyle together, and help parents take good care of the physical and psychological well-being of themselves and their children. In addition, the EDB has introduced the Curriculum Frameworks on Parent Education for kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools respectively, providing reference for schools and other organisations in designing parent education programmes or activities, and one of the four core strands of the Curriculum Frameworks is “Promotion of Parents’ Physical and Psychological Well-being”. Starting from the 2022/23 school year, the EDB has been organising parent education courses and talks for parents of kindergarten and primary school students based on the Curriculum Frameworks. The themes include how to help children cope with stress, and exercising empathy to help children understand, express and regulate their emotions. Meanwhile, the EDB has all along been making use of the one-stop parent education website “Smart Parent Net” to provide information on positive parenting, emotional management of parents, etc. In the 2024/25 school year, the EDB will organise more thematic parent education programmes, and promote positive parent education and enhance parents’ awareness of children’s mental health through diversified modes such as district-based film gala presentations.

     
    Ends/Wednesday, October 30, 2024Issued at HKT 17:35

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia selected to lead European lighthouse project on 6G sustainability

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release

    Nokia selected to lead European lighthouse project on 6G sustainability

    • SUSTAIN-6G will evaluate and explore sustainable 6G technologies, methods and use cases touching on environmental, economic and societal needs
    • The consortium will work out solutions for three specific areas of sustainable development: energy smart grids, e-health and telemedicine, and agriculture

    30 October 2024
    Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announced that the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) has selected Nokia to be the coordinator of the SUSTAIN-6G lighthouse project. The SNS-JU is a public-private partnership funded by the European Commission. Nokia will lead a consortium of innovators that will identify how 6G can play a key role in building a sustainable future, addressing not only environmentally sustainable, but also economically and societally sustainable technologies.

    One of the main goals of SUSTAIN-6G is to develop new solutions for meeting sustainability challenges using the toolkit that 6G will offer. The consortium will devote considerable time to working out use cases for three targeted areas, drawn from the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals:

    • Energy smart grid: The consortium will explore how 6G could be used to create microgrids that manage electricity demand. SUSTAIN-6G will also investigate the use of AI technologies for real-time control of distribution networks. This could lead to more efficient and resilient grids that minimize disruptions while providing the flexibility to draw energy from diverse sources as the world transitions to renewables like solar and wind.
    • E-Health and telemedicine: The consortium will generate new ideas on how 6G can make digital health more inclusive. 6G infrastructure could not only provide a far-reaching infrastructure for securely transmitting and analyzing medical data, but it also could be the foundation for new home-based online assessment services. These networks could improve the diagnosis and treatment process in underserved communities. Meanwhile AI could help detect disease outbreaks at early stages.
    • Agriculture: The consortium will investigate how 6G connectivity could be allocated on a temporary basis to enable smart agricultural applications that require high bandwidth, sensing, telemetry, data analytics and automation. For instance, 6G’s edge cloud capabilities could be harnessed to handle high-priority farming-equipment automation tasks during harvests or provide advanced processing capabilities that integrate data from field sensors, climate stations, soil analysis and satellite imagery to provide contextualized information during the growing season.

    As a lighthouse project, SUSTAIN-6G will be one of the SNS JU’s most highly visible initiatives, and it is the third major European 6G research consortium that Nokia has been selected to lead. The others are Hexa-X and Hexa-X-II, which laid the groundwork for 6G pre-standardization and use cases respectively.

    SUSTAIN-6G has broad representation from industry and academia. The consortium includes network equipment and services vendors, communications services providers, industrial equipment manufacturers, European research institutions and universities, and many small-and medium-sized enterprises. SUSTAIN-6G will kick off in January of 2025 and is scheduled to complete its work in 2027.

    Peter Merz, Vice President of Nokia Standards, said: “The UN Paris Agreement committed the world to combatting climate change. Every industry must do its part. SUSTAIN-6G will show how the communications industry will apply the next generation of networking to creating that sustainable future, overcoming not just environmental challenges but societal and economic challenges as well.”

    Resources and additional information
    Webpage: Nokia Sustainability
    Webpage: What is 6G?

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    Media inquiries
    Nokia Press Office
    Email: Press.Services@nokia.com

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Five reasons weight-loss jabs alone won’t help get people back to work

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Lucie Nield, Senior Lecturer in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Sheffield

    Weight-loss injectables don’t address the many core reasons for why weight gain and unemployment occur in the first place. oleschwander/ Shutterstock

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer and health secretary Wes Streeting have recently discussed plans to trial weight-loss injections for around 250,000 people with obesity who are unemployed in a bid to get them back into work, ease pressure on the NHS and boost the economy.

    Obesity is estimated to cost UK society around £35 billion annually. This is due to lower productivity and higher NHS treatment costs.

    Around 26% of the English adult population (approximately 15 million) are considered obese. However, it’s not known what proportion of unemployed people are obese.

    While weight-loss injections have proven to be very effective in helping people who are obese to lose weight and lower their risk of certain chronic diseases, there are many reasons why these drugs alone won’t help tackle obesity and unemployment rates in the UK.

    1. Lack of capacity

    The majority of UK people who are obese are likely to meet the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s eligibility criteria for weight-loss injections.

    But prescribing these drugs is just one part of the equation. Eligible patients will require support from specialist services who provide guidance in making the appropriate lifestyle changes (such as to their diet) to successfully lose weight while on these drugs. This is crucial, as all of the weight-loss injection trials to date have involved a behaviour change component. This may potentially be key to the successful weight losses observed in these studies.

    However, current demand for weight-loss services is already outstripping capacity. Nearly half of eligible patients in England are unable to get an appointment with a specialist team. Weight-loss injections can only be prescribed through such services currently. If the government is to roll out the proposed programme, they will need to rethink the way weight-loss services are delivered so all eligible patients can access support.

    2. Won’t work for everyone

    Weight-loss jabs don’t necessarily work for everyone. One study found that 9-15% of participants who took the drug tirzepatide (Mounjaro) did not lose clinically significant amounts of weight.

    Weight-loss jabs may also cause intolerable side-effects for some. Trials have shown between 4-8% of participants couldn’t tolerate the side-effects, causing them to drop out of the study. Constipation, diarrhoea and nausea are some of the most commonly reported.

    People with certain health conditions may be unable to use weight-loss injections – such as those with inflammatory bowel disease and pancreatitis. In such cases, weight-loss jabs may worsen symptoms or interact with the prescription drugs used to manage these conditions, increasing risk of harm.

    There are many reasons why weight loss jabs may not work for a person.
    Mohammed_Al_Ali/ Shutterstock

    Additionally, some people may not want to take an injection – whether that’s simply due to personal preference or even fear of needles.

    3. Obesity is a complex issue

    There are many complex factors that contribute to weight gain – such as opportunities for physical activity, access to healthy foods and levels of deprivation in a community. Prescribing weight-loss jabs to help people lose weight may not be effective long-term if the rest of these factors are not also addressed.

    A more effective way of seeing significant, sustainable reductions in obesity levels across a population is by using a “whole systems approach”. This would address to the multiple environmental, social and economic factors that contribute to obesity.

    Where whole systems approaches have been embedded in healthcare design and delivery, they have led to improvements in services and patient outcomes – including obesity-related metrics (such as patients making healthier food choices and being more active).

    However, one limitation to whole systems approaches is challenges in measuring impact. This can reduce political will to implement these approaches.

    4. Obesity stigma

    Obesity stigma in the workplace is a huge barrier to satisfactory employment and leads to poor wellbeing and burnout.

    Obesity stigma in the workplace perpetuates harmful weight-based stereotypes that overweight and obese people are lazy, unsuccessful, unintelligent and lack willpower. As a result, people with obesity are more likely to be in insecure and lower-paid jobs than those who may be considered of a healthy weight.

    It’s also well-evidenced that regular exposure to stigmatising, isolating and degrading prejudices has long-term consequences on physical and mental health – and may lead to problems such as binge eating and depression.This can lead to a loss of productivity, absenteeism and loneliness.

    Prescribing weight-loss jabs to help a person lose weight doesn’t address the core reasons for why they may have been absent from work or unemployed in the first place. Nor does it help to address the mental health struggles they may still harbour as a result of discrimination they might have experienced.

    5. Barriers to employment

    Weight loss alone does not begin to address the complex physical and mental health reasons for why a person might be unemployed. A person may also be unemployed due to factors such as caring responsibilities or disability.

    Current prescribing restrictions also limit some injections to a maximum of 24 months (although further trials are ongoing). This means that even if a person has successfully lost weight, they may regain that weight again when they stop using the drug. This could mean any health problems they experienced prior to losing weight (and which may have prevented them from being in employment) could reemerge.

    There are better ways of getting people back into work than prescribing weight-loss jabs. Flexible working approaches, for instance, may make it easier for someone who is unemployed due to caring responsibilities or health problems to transition back into employment. Supportive policies and workplace wellbeing programmes may be a more cost-effective way of helping people to overcome barriers, improve their health and transition back into work.

    Lucie Nield has received funding from The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) for evaluation of children’s weight management services.

    Lucie Nield sits on the Board of Trustees for Darnall Wellbeing (a local community service organisation).

    – ref. Five reasons weight-loss jabs alone won’t help get people back to work – https://theconversation.com/five-reasons-weight-loss-jabs-alone-wont-help-get-people-back-to-work-241835

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Jitterbit Expands Global Availability of 24-7 Customer Support with Live Agents, Professional Services

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ALAMEDA, Calif., Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Jitterbit, a global leader in accelerating business transformation for enterprise systems, today announced the global expansion of its Premier Support program to provide businesses with enhanced “follow-the-sun” service and expert issue resolution.

    Jitterbit’s Premier Support program offers flexible, tiered options that provide 24-7 access to experts for troubleshooting mission-critical operations, reducing downtime and ensuring business continuity.

    “Immediate access to expert support is crucial for seamless business operations,” said Keith Trottier, SVP of Global Customer Support and Professional Services at Jitterbit. “Our Premier Support program delivers tailored, high-quality service — when it’s needed most — to quickly resolve issues and minimize disruption.”

    First announced in May 2024, Premier Support is available via three tiers, which now support all time zones globally to meet the diverse needs of organizations. Customers can choose from:

    • Premier: foundational tier that offers reliable support with new phone access to Jitterbit experts, ensuring timely assistance for core operational issues.
    • Premier Plus: enhanced tier that includes all the benefits of Premier, with added 24-7 live agent support for faster response times.
    • Premier Enterprise: top-tier service designed for enterprise-level customers, providing live support for all severity levels, with phone access to expert agents 24-7.

    For more information about Jitterbit Premier Support, visit jitterbit.com/premier-support.

    Industry Recognition for Outstanding Customer Support

    Jitterbit has consistently earned accolades for its exceptional customer service, underscoring the company’s dedication to delivering top-tier support. In 2024, Jitterbit received ‘Best Customer Support’ honors from Gartner Digital Markets for its Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) solution.

    The company was also recognized with G2 Fall 2024 badges for ‘Easiest to Do Business With’ and ‘Best Support’ for Workplace Innovation Platforms for App Builder. Additionally, Jitterbit won a Silver Stevie Award in 2023 for ‘Customer Service Department of the Year.’

    Enhanced Services Expands to Full Harmony Platform

    In addition to the Premier Support follow-the-sun offering, Jitterbit is announcing that its Enhanced Services — previously only for iPaaS — is now available across the entire unified, AI-infused low-code Harmony platform.

    Jitterbit Enhanced Services provides experts to help lighten the load on IT departments by providing tailored service and guidance to ensure that Harmony runs smoothly and efficiently. This service bridges skills gaps, controls costs, and offers immediate expertise. Jitterbit Enhanced Services include:

    • Direct access to Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)
    • Recommendations to optimize platform performance, scalability, and uptime
    • Health checks to assess critical business functions and streamline workflows
    • Architecture consulting and private agent software installation and upgrades

    To learn more about Enhanced Services, visit jitterbit.com/service/enhanced-services/.

    About Jitterbit Inc.
    For organizations ready to modernize and innovate, Jitterbit provides a unified AI-infused low-code platform for integration, orchestration, automation, and app development that accelerates business transformation, boosts productivity, and unlocks value. The Jitterbit Harmony platform, including iPaaS, API Manager, App Builder and EDI, future-proofs operations, simplifies complexity and drives innovation for organizations globally. Learn more at www.jitterbit.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

    Media Contact:
    Laura Hunter
    Head of Communications
    Jitterbit
    310-344-6426
    laura.hunter@jitterbit.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Future of IVD hinges on three big industry themes, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Future of IVD hinges on three big industry themes, says GlobalData

    Posted in Medical Devices

    In vitro diagnostics (IVD) is driving a new age shift in healthcare, fueled by advances in medical technology (medtech). These innovations are revolutionizing how diseases are detected, monitored, and managed. At the recent AdvaMed’s MedTech Conference in Toronto, digital and artificial intelligence (AI) integration, point-of-care (POC) testing, and novel biomarkers were emphasized as important tools in improving the precision and accessibility of medical care. The focus on these innovations will support disease detection, enable earlier diagnosis, personalized treatments, improve patient outcomes, and expand healthcare access, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    Expert speakers at the conference this year emphasized the need to bridge the gap between patients and healthcare. Manufacturers like Hologic focused on the lack of cytologists, which leads to delays in cervical cancer screening. To address this, they created an AI-led platform that streamlines and identifies abnormal cell samples to save cytologists’ time.

    Other companies like Solventum and GE Healthcare highlighted that AI can be utilized as an administration tool by helping medical professionals with patient notes and documentation, manufacturer inventory management, managing waste in manufacturing factories, and improving customer product delivery. The main factors considered for improving medical care are, how can we serve patients better, maximize healthcare professional (HCP) time and expertise, and doing all this with existing regulations.

    Selena Yu, Senior Medical Analyst, at GlobalData, comments: “Decentralized testing is the key to improving patient access to care, detecting diseases earlier, and monitoring patients. These POC tests include over the counter (OTC) tests, direct-to-consumer (DTC) tests, and tests done at patient side, which are typically performed by non-HCPs. The seminar speakers stressed the ongoing issue of healthcare “deserts” and how expanding alternate care outside of doctor offices is crucial to reach these at-risk populations.”

    The lack of reimbursement for POC tests remains a significant barrier, even though access to care is improved when individuals can buy STI tests at local pharmacies. Without reimbursement, however, this convenience adds another layer of inaccessibility. The overall goal for increased decentralized testing is to bridge the gap between patients and healthcare systems so that more individuals are aware of their health status.

    Moreover, experts in the IVD sector—including manufacturers, laboratories, and investors—highlighted key markets for future growth at AdvaMed’s MedTech Conference. The major focus areas included women’s health, neurology, autoimmunity, minimal residual disease, sepsis, and cancer screening especially liquid biopsy. Both speakers and attendees stressed the importance of clinical utility in developing IVDs, emphasizing the need for test results to be actionable, for appropriate actions to be taken based on those results, and for these actions to ultimately improve patient outcomes.

    Yu concludes: “Innovation in IVD is growing particularity in digital and AI integration into healthcare, POC testing, and novel biomarkers. This will aid in disease detection, monitoring, and management, enabling earlier diagnosis, personalized treatments, improving patient prognosis, and increasing patient access to healthcare.”

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Secretary for Health attends 2024 GBA Medical Products Administration Conference in Zhuhai (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, led a delegation to attend the 2024 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Medical Products Administration Conference in Zhuhai today (October 30), and introduced the latest initiatives of developing Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub as put forth in “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address”.
     
         Co-organised by the Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration, the Department of Health of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Pharmaceutical Administration Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, the Conference serves as a platform for Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao to share their work experience in drug regulation, enhance the work mechanism for collaboration on drug and medical device regulation in the GBA, and foster the innovation development of drug and medical device regulation in the region. Deputy Commissioner of the National Medical Products Administration Mr Zhao Junning also attended the Conference.

         During the Conference, representatives from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao exchanged views on the current situation of regulation over drugs and medical devices in the three places, the mechanism for regulatory collaborations on drugs and medical devices in the GBA, the GBA standards for Chinese medicines (CM), as well as the feasibility of streamlining the registration and approval procedures for Hong Kong- and Macao-registered traditional proprietary CM for oral use for sale in the Mainland, and had an in-depth discussion on the way forward.
     
         Professor Lo updated the attendees with the latest developments of Hong Kong’s healthcare policies put forward in “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address”, including complementing technological innovation with institutional innovation through expediting the reform of the approval mechanism for drugs and medical devices, strengthening biomedical technology research and development (R&D) and translation, and promoting the internationalisation of CM. 

         Professor Lo said, “The HKSAR Government is determined to develop Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub and expedite the provision of advanced diagnostic and treatment services to patients by leveraging the advantages of ‘one country, two systems’ and Hong Kong’s healthcare professional system, while actively integrating into the national development by dovetailing with the national initiative of fostering new quality productive forces in biomedical technology as set out in the Resolution of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization and the Development Plan for Shenzhen Park of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone. The HKSAR Government will enhance Hong Kong’s clinical trial capability and facilitate the translation of innovative biomedical research results into clinical applications by rendering firm support to innovation and application of advanced biomedical technology, with a view to attracting the world’s top-notch biomedical enterprises and R&D institutions to set up operations in Hong Kong.”

         Members of the Hong Kong delegation include the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam; Principal Assistant Secretary for Health Mr Gordon Chong; the Assistant Director of Health (Health Sciences and Technology), Dr Liza To; the Assistant Director of Health (Drug), Mr Frank Chan; and the Acting Assistant Director of Health (Chinese Medicine), Mr Robert Law. The delegation will return to Hong Kong this evening.         

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: House Calls | Ada Limón: How Can Poetry Help Us Make Sense Of The World?

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    For Ada Limón, the 24th U.S. Poet Laureate, poetry is her way of connecting — to others, to ourselves, to our natural world. Ada’s work is deeply personal, inspired by gratitude for loved ones, awe and nature, and her struggles with scoliosis and infertility. In this conversation with the Surgeon General, she reflects on her process for writing, which she says often starts with the simple act of seeing what’s around her. When Ada shares her poems, she finds joy in other people seeing their own feelings and life experiences in her writing. In the course of this conversation she beautifully recites two of her poems. “The Raincoat” was written for her mother. The other, “In Praise of Mystery,” is shooting through outer space right now on a NASA aircraft bound for Jupiter’s moon Europa.

    (07:36) Can poetry help keep us grounded?
    (10:33) How does poetry help when language fails us?
    (12:35) Ada shares her poem “The Raincoat”
    (17:50) What are some unexpected ways poetry opens people up?
    (22:40) What if we don’t “get” poetry?
    (26:42) What is it like to live the life of a poet?
    (31:38) How Ada gets herself in the mindset to write
    (38:08) On staying present
    (44:02) How life challenges shaped her creativity
    (52:14) How does Ada define success at this point in her life?
    (59:36) A reading of her poem “In Praise of Mystery.”
    (01:03:08) What gives Ada Limón hope?

    We’d love to hear from you! Send us a note at housecalls@hhs.gov with your feedback & ideas. For more episodes, visit www.surgeongeneral.gov/housecalls.

    —

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) | http://www.hhs.gov

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    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAfZ5R8g7fU

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: IOM Expands Mpox Appeal to Reach Migrants and IDPs Across Africa 

    Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

    Geneva, 30 October 2024 – In response to the escalating number of people affected by the mpox outbreak, spreading across parts of Africa, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is appealing for USD 27.8 million to protect and support migrants, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and mobile populations, from the disease, as well as the communities they interact with.  

    Since August 2024, the number of confirmed cases across Africa has risen sharply from over 2,800 in 12 countries to more than 9,300 in 34 countries as of 20 October 2024.  This appeal comes after an initial USD 18.5 million dollar request for funding for countries affected in East, Horn and Southern Africa, was issued in August 2024.  

    IOM has expanded the East, Horn and Southern Africa’s plan into a Multi-country mpox Preparedness and Response Plan for Africa, covering the period from September 2024 to February 2025. The Plan aims to address the health needs of migrants and IDPs by providing health screenings, risk communication and community engagement within affected communities, supporting cross-border coordination between governments and local communities, and supporting countries to strengthen response at key borders and points of entry in high-risk areas across Africa.   

    “By mobilizing support for this Plan, IOM will be able to support response and readiness measures from our Member States and partners to contain the outbreak and strengthen preparedness.” Said Dr Poonam Dhavan, IOM Director for Migration Health.  

    The virus, which spreads through close contact with infected persons, is disproportionately affecting IDPs, migrants, and highly mobile populations living in cross-border communities due to the absence of disease prevention, detection and control measures available to them. The risk is further heightened by their overcrowded and poor living and working conditions.   

    IOM has been responding to mpox since the recent outbreak and spread of the disease in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Over 1,047,900 health screenings have been conducted in the DRC, Guinea, and Uganda for over four months. Nearly 2,300 border officials and community health workers have been trained in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo Kenya, Libya, Mozambique, South Sudan, Uganda and Zimbabwe on early detection and case management.  In DRC, Mozambique, and Uganda, IOM has reached more than 27,500 individuals with mpox awareness messages since June 2024.  

    In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the continent’s most affected country, IOM is strengthening mpox control in high-risk areas by supporting risk communication and community engagement in IDP camps and trained over 80 community health workers and community leaders to sensitize the camps.  

    IOM response plan seeks to address pressing health vulnerabilities exacerbated by high mobility across the continent. However, despite the work of IOM, the funding gap remains significantly low, with only USD 1 million secured from the USD 18.5 million. Without additional support, crucial activities at points of entry are likely to face disruptions. IOM appeals to international donors, governments, and partners to support the mpox response to protect the health and well-being of migration-affected communities.   

     

    Note to Editor  

    The IOM response plan is developed in coordination with the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).  

    The latest situation report is accessible here.  

      

    For more information, please contact:   

    Dorothy Njagi, dnjagi@iom.int  

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh, Secretary chaired the inter-ministerial meeting to bolster support for the Ministry of Rural Development’s Nayi Chetna 3.0 Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence

    Source: Government of India

    Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh, Secretary chaired the inter-ministerial meeting to bolster support for the Ministry of Rural Development’s Nayi Chetna 3.0 Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence

    Campaign to be launched on 25 November 2024, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

    The month long campaign will run across all Indian States and Union Territories until December 23, 2024

    The initiative will be led by DAY-NRLM’s Self-Help Group network

    Posted On: 30 OCT 2024 2:31PM by PIB Delhi

    The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) under the Ministry of Rural Development convened an inter-ministerial meeting yesterday to outline the strategic roadmap for ‘Nayi Chetna 3.0’ – the third edition of its National Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence.

    Chaired by Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Rural Development, the meeting brought together representatives from seven line ministries to discuss collaboration and action plans to raise awareness and reinforce response mechanisms against gender-based violence nationwide.

    Smt. Smriti Sharan, Joint Secretary, Rural Development, commenced the meeting by presenting key findings from previous editions of the Nayi Chetna Campaign emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts, followed by an overview of the goals and structure for Nayi Chetna-3.0.

    The month-long campaign will launch on November 25, 2024 and will run across all Indian States and Union Territories until December 23, 2024. The initiative will be led by DAY-NRLM’s Self-Help Group (SHG) network, embodying the spirit of Jan Andolan (people’s movement)

    Led by the Ministry of Rural Development, the meeting saw participation from line ministries including the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Information and Broadcasting, Women and Child Development, Panchayati Raj, Youth Affairs, Social Justice and Empowerment and the Department of Justice. Discussions focused on fostering convergence to strengthen preventive efforts, improve access to support systems, and leverage each ministry’s expertise to drive the campaign’s objectives. A draft joint advisory delineating each ministry’s role was discussed and reviewed. The discussion threw light on the different forms of violence that could be prioritized and steps that could be taken to address these barriers.

    In his remarks, Shri Charanjit Singh, Additional Secretary, Rural Development, commended the suggestions made during the meeting and called for formalizing the advisory to drive the campaign in mission mode.

    In his closing remarks, Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh emphasized the necessity for a united approach across ministries to combat gender-based violence, fostering widespread social change.

    The Nayi Chetna Campaign seeks to amplify awareness and drive informed action to address gender-based violence through grassroots initiatives. Since its inception, Nayi Chetna has mobilized millions nationwide, creating a substantial movement for gender equality and women’s empowerment. In its first year, the campaign reached 3.5 crore people, supported by multiple line ministries, while the second edition, Nayi Chetna 2.0, involved 5.5 crore participants across 31 States and Union Territories, with over 9 lakh awareness activities on gender-based violence conducted nationwide.

     

    *****

    SS

    (Release ID: 2069503) Visitor Counter : 23

    Read this release in: Hindi

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Department of Labor finds construction contractors failed to protect rigger from fatal 30-story fall at Fort Lauderdale high-rise

    Source: US Department of Labor

    FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – A U.S. Department of Labor investigation found two contractors could have prevented a crane collapse at a Fort Lauderdale residential construction site in April 2024, which caused a 27-year-old rigger to suffer fatal injuries after falling approximately 30 stories.

    Investigators with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration learned that two workers employed by Phoenix Rigging & Erecting LLC were installing a section on a tower crane to increase its height when a support cable failed and the platform on which they stood became displaced. One worker, who was wearing the required fall protection and tied off, was rescued. Another worker, whose lanyard was not connected to an anchor point was fatally injured.

    OSHA cited Phoenix Rigging & Erecting in Mableton, Georgia, for three serious violations for failing to do the following: 

    The agency also cited a Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, crane rental company, Maxim Crane Works LP, for two serious violations for failing to do the following:

    • Observing deficiencies to significantly corroded and cracked pins and bolts, and improperly applying end connections.
    • Allowing employees to start work without conducting pre-inspections of crane components, including but not limited to U-bolt clamps, bolts, pins, thimbles and wire ropes, to ensure those were inspected adequately by a qualified person for damage or excessive wear.

    “Neglecting workplace safety requirements can be a matter of life or death,” said OSHA Area Director Condell Eastmond in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “If these companies had made safety a priority, a young man’s family, friends, and co-workers wouldn’t be facing this preventable loss. Construction employers are responsible for ensuring that workers use fall protection in hazardous situations, and we will hold all employers accountable for failing to provide safe working conditions.”

    OSHA cited the construction contractors for five serious violations and proposed $61,299 in penalties, the maximum amount that OSHA can legally recommend. 

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 1,056 construction workers were fatally injured on the job in 2022, with 423 of those fatalities related to falls from elevation, slips or trips.  

    Phoenix Rigging & Erecting LLC conducts crane assembly and dismantling. Maxim Crane Works LP rents heavy-lift equipment, including hydraulic truck cranes, rough terrain cranes, crawler cranes, tower cranes, conventional truck cranes and boom trucks at more than 50 locations nationwide.

    The contractors have 15 business days from receipt of their citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

    Visit OSHA’s website for information on developing a workplace safety and health program. Employers can also contact the agency for information about OSHA’s compliance assistance resources and for free help on complying with OSHA standards. 

    Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit OSHA’s website to learn more. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: On the eve of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, Union Health Minister Shri JP Nadda Leads Pledge for National Unity

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 30 OCT 2024 10:50AM by PIB Delhi

    On the eve of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day), Union Health Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, led a gathering of officials and staff from the Union Health Ministry in a pledge to strengthen the unity and integrity of India, here in Nirman Bhawan today. Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Union MoS for Health and Family Welfare and Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava, Union Health Secretary were also present. The event aimed to honour the legacy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whose vision and leadership played a pivotal role in unifying the nation.

    During the ceremony, the Union Health Minister emphasized the importance of national unity in fostering a cohesive and progressive society. He stated, “Today, we reaffirm our commitment to the principles of unity and integrity that Sardar Patel championed. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that our actions and policies reflect the spirit of inclusiveness and diversity that makes India unique.”

    The event included a reading of the pledge, where all participants vowed to work towards strengthening the bonds of unity among the diverse cultures, languages, and traditions of India.

    The Union Health Ministry remains committed to its mission of improving public health and ensuring that the principles of unity and equality are upheld in all its initiatives.

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    MV

    HFW/ HFM Unity Pledge /30th October 2024/1

    (Release ID: 2069446) Visitor Counter : 60

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: June Labour Market Report published30 October 2024 ​​​​Statistics Jersey have today published the June 2024 Labour Market report. This report is published every six months and covers key aspects of the job market for both the private and public sector.… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    30 October 2024

    ​​​​Statistics Jersey have today published the June 2024 Labour Market report. This report is published every six months and covers key aspects of the job market for both the private and public sector. ​​ 

    Summary for the Labour Market Report in June 2024

    • The total number of jobs was 65,290. This was made up of 55,590 jobs in the private sector and 9,710 jobs in the public sector. The number of jobs, in both private and public sectors, were at their highest recorded to date.
    • There was an annual increase of 510 jobs (0.8%) since June 2023.
      • In the private sector there was an annual increase of 70 jobs (0.1%). There was a decrease of 70 jobs filled by entitled or entitled for work individuals since June 2023, which was more than offset by increases in jobs filled by other residential statuses.
      • In the public sector there was an annual increase of 440 jobs (4.7%). This increase was driven by an increase of 450 in the number of Government of Jersey (GOJ) core jobs (permanent and fixed term employees). The departments with the largest annual increase in core staff were Children, Young People, Education and Skills (up 190) and Health and Community Services (up 150).

    ​In the private sector at the sectoral level

    • Three sectors saw notable annual increases in jobs:
      • 130 jobs in private education, health and other services (up 1.5%)
      • 120 jobs in financial and legal activities (up 0.9%)
      • 100 jobs in miscellaneous business activities (up 1.6%)
    • Three sectors recorded notable annual decreases in jobs:
      • 160 jobs in construction and quarrying (down 2.5%)
      • 100 jobs in hotels, restaurants and bars (down 1.5%)
      • 80 jobs in wholesale and retail (down 1.1%)

    ​Over the last five years (from June 2019 to June 2024)

    • There was an increase of 2,820 all sector jobs (up 4.5%) from June 2019.
      • The total number of private sector jobs increased over five years by 930 (up 1.7%).
      • Public sector jobs increased by 1,890 from June 2019 to June 2024 (up 24.2%), which has brought the proportion of workforce jobs in Government of Jersey core jobs (13.2%) above the average for the last two decades (12.1%). 

    Labour Market June 2024​​​

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Liverpool unwraps a brand new markets offer this Christmas

    Source: City of Liverpool

    Shoppers will be spoilt for choice this festive season as Liverpool welcomes some brand new markets, as well as the return of some old favourites, in the run up to Christmas.

    Liverpool City Council’s Markets team have been busy elves working behind the scenes to schedule a brand new offer to meet the Christmas demand.

    New for 2024:

    • Sunday 3 November – nearly 100 traders will take over St George’s Hall this Sunday for the first Winter Artisan Market with stalls filled with beautiful artwork, jewellery, candles, and lots of festive goodies perfect for Christmas gifts. Visitors can enjoy free entry from 10am to 4.30pm with live music performances taking place throughout the day, and outside the Hall In addition. There will be a food zone, the perfect  place to take a break from browsing, with a variety of hot food vendors.
    • Sunday 17 and 24 November, and Sunday 15 December –  following the huge success of the summer’s weekly Stanley Park Market which began in July, there will be a festive special starting next month. Operating between 10am and 4pm, there will be a whole host of returning traders, along with some special Christmas programmes for all the family to enjoy.
    • Saturday 30 November –  Basnett Street in the city centre (next to T.K. Maxx) will host to an artisan and creator’s market with traders specialising in handmade products perfect for gifting. If it’s a success, the team will look to hold the market on a more regular basis.
    • Fridays in December – Liverpool City Council has teamed up with Exchange Flags to create a twilight offer on 6, 13 and 20 December from 4-8pm. Expect street performers, live music, food and drink, as well as an array of artisan traders.

    It’s not just about the city centre – the much-loved farmers and craft markets at Lark Lane, Woolton Village and Allerton Road will be taking place hosting all the usual favourite traders promoting their Christmas offer.

    And not forgetting weekly market every Saturday at Greatie (Great Homer Street Market), this year there will also be 2 Sunday openings the 1st and 8th December for the popular market, alongside  the Friday market at Garston, and the twice weekly Tuebrook market – all the perfect places to shop local this Christmas season.

    Find out more at the City Council’s dedicated markets pages.

    Liverpool Christmas Market, courtesy of Clarke Events, will also return to St George’s Hall plateau from November 14 to December 24, opening every day from 11am to 10pm. Building in popularity year-on-year, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of stalls selling food, drinks, gifts and crafts, as well as live entertainment, rides and a Ferris wheel. Head to Clarke’s website for all the latest information.

    Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:

    “We must all be on the good list this year as our Markets team are spoiling us with so many incredible festive options!

    “This feels like a real celebration of local makers, and we’ll have so much choice when it comes to discovering that perfect gift or savouring some seasonal delights.

    “We’ve listened to what people have told us they want and have responded – for example, the success of the summer Stanley Park Market exceeded all our expectations, and the feedback from the local community is that they want it to continue in one form or another, and this is a great starting point.

    “Liverpool is going to be the perfect destination to embrace Christmas and we look forward to welcoming the thousands of visitors and helping them get into the festive spirit.”

    Local market trader Shirley Brett, said:

    “This programme really feels like it’s putting Liverpool’s markets back on the map.

    “Everybody loves a bargain and in this current financial environment money’s tight for everybody, and here at Liverpool Markets we have bargains galore!

    “And not only can you do your weekly shop, you can bag some Christmas goodies, spend time with family and friends and soak of the Christmassy atmosphere.
    “As a trader I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who’s come down this year and supported all the small local businesses – it’s been great getting to know you all and we look forward to seeing you all soon.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DH urges public not to buy or consume product with undeclared controlled drug ingredient (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         â€‹The Department of Health (DH) today (October 30) urged the public not to buy or consume a product, namely Firstwell Tongkat Ali Premix Coffee, as it was found to contain an undeclared controlled drug ingredient.
          
         Acting upon a public complaint, the DH obtained samples of the above product via online platforms for analysis. Test results from the Government Laboratory revealed that the samples contained sildenafil, which is a Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) (the Ordinance). The product is not registered pharmaceutical product in Hong Kong. The DH’s investigation is continuing.
          
         Sildenafil is a prescription drug used for treatment of erectile dysfunction, and should only be used under a doctor’s advice and be supplied in a pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist upon a doctor’s prescription. Side effects of sildenafil include low blood pressure, headaches, vomiting, dizziness and transient vision disturbances. It may interact with some drugs (such as nitroglycerin for the treatment of angina) and cause a decrease in blood pressure to dangerous levels. Improper use of sildenafil may pose serious health risks, especially for patients with heart problems.

         According to the Ordinance, all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be legally sold in the market. Illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons are criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment.
          
         The DH spokesman strongly urged members of the public not to buy products of unknown or doubtful composition, or to consume products from unknown sources. All registered pharmaceutical products should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the package in the format of “HK-XXXXX”. The safety, quality and efficacy of unregistered pharmaceutical products are not guaranteed. Members of the public who have purchased the above products should stop consuming them immediately. They should consult healthcare professionals for advice if feeling unwell after consumption. The public may submit the products to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 1804-1806, 18/F, Wing On Kowloon Centre, 345 Nathan Road, Kowloon, during office hours for disposal.
          
         The public may visit the webpage of the DH’s Drug Office’s page for the health message on sexual dysfunction and virility products and virility products found to contain undeclared Western medicines.      

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn, EPA Launch Regional Environmental Justice Center

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    A multi-disciplinary team of researchers at UConn has received a five-year $10 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to lead a New England regional center focused on environmental justice.

    On Wednesday, Oct. 30, UConn launched the Environmental Justice Thriving Community Technical Assistance Center (EJ-TCTAC). In close partnership with the EPA, the University will provide critical support to communities throughout New England.

    The center will benefit cities, towns, and recognized Tribes throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine, offering assistance with navigating the federal grant process, engagement efforts, and identifying funding opportunities as the region embraces evolving environmental challenges.

    “As Connecticut’s flagship university, UConn takes pride in service to our communities and helping to prepare them for the environmental challenges they face in the present and the future,” says Pamir Alpay, UConn Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. “With the EPA’s generous support, we are proud to extend our expertise and resourcefulness to support environmental justice throughout the cities, towns, and Tribes of New England.”

    UConn won the grant through a competitive process among other universities in the region. UConn is well-positioned to lead the Center thanks to the expertise of faculty working in various areas related to environmental justice and existing connections with community organizations.

    “Too often, communities with the most pressing environmental justice concerns have been left behind due to barriers in accessing federal funding,” says EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. “UConn’s technical assistance center is a game-changer for New England and will provide greater access to services to ensure overburdened and underserved communities and our Tribal nations can access historic investments to address generational environmental and health disparities.”

    The center became operational with the launch of its website, environmental-justice.program.uconn.edu.

    Carolyn A. Lin, professor in the Department of Communication, leads the team as the director of the EJ-TCTAC. The team includes associate directors Rupal Parekh, assistant professor in the School of Social Work; David Chacon-Hurtado, assistant research professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering; Diego Cerrai, assistant professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering; and Chris Newell, the director of Native American Cultural Programs as the tribal liaison.

    “We have a very large group of talented faculty and researchers who have been working on environment-related projects and a lot of them have an environmental justice focus as well,” Lin says. “We hope to excel and do even more than is anticipated successfully.”

    Environmental justice highlights that certain communities, typically lower-income and communities of color, are more likely to be at risk of suffering from environmental harms like pollution and vulnerability to climate change-related impacts like flooding.

    “The need for environmental justice work is very high,” Lin says. “Climate change does not wait for us. The problems are here, and the consequences are obvious. They may not all manifest all at once, but people who live in those communities understand those consequences and they have suffered from them.”

    The Center will support urban, rural, and Tribal communities throughout New England, helping organizations access funding from federal and state agencies to complete environmental justice projects.

    Community organizations will be able to submit requests for free support with tasks like needs assessment, identifying funding sources, grant preparation, grant applications, and grant management. The team will engage partners directly and create digital informational resources, including webinars, podcasts and videos.

    Through this technical assistance, the Center will support projects aimed at improving the quality of life and economic development of communities most affected by environmental injustices.

    “My hope for the Center is that we can use our combined talent and resources, not to mention our passion for this line of work, to truly make a difference in the New England region across urban, rural, and tribal communities,” Lin says.

    The Center is partnering with the EPA; the Institute for New England Native American Studies at the University of Massachusetts, Boston; the New England Environmental Finance Center at the University of Southern Maine; the New England Rural Health Association; Groundwork USA, and the Environmental Protection Network. These partnerships will help the team strengthen its connection with communities and better understand their needs.

    “The only purpose of our Center is to serve the needs of communities across New England,” Lin says. “We have a very strong commitment to pulling together any kind of resources we can and building coalitions with communities and state governments and tribal nations. Because if you unite you are much bigger and much stronger in what you can do.”

    For example, one environmental justice concern in Connecticut is transportation equity. Expanding public transit networks is not only good for the environment, as it cuts carbon emissions by reducing dependence on cars, but it also increases mobility for people who do not own a car.

    “How do we improve our transportation system so that disadvantaged communities who don’t have good access to public transportation will be able to travel more efficiently in terms of time and cost to actually have better educational and economic opportunities,” asks Lin.

    Other initiatives may tackle health disparities related to pollution exposure and toxic infrastructures, helping community organizations combat sources of pollution, develop educational resources, or connect community residents to healthcare services.

    “Environmental issues are directly relevant to our health,” Lin says. “The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil beneath us all affect our well-being.”

    MIL OSI USA News –