A peaceful coastal town in Ilocos Norte, Philippines, showcases a blend of natural beauty and rural charm. Stretching along the northernmost coast of Luzon, it is bordered by the blue waters of the western Pacific Ocean. During October, Burgos became the location where the proverbial rubber met the road as three different nations trained together to accomplish one common goal.
Members of the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARDB), Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), trained side-by-side with the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) 4th Marine Brigade (4MBDE) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), along with support from U.S. Marines and Sailors from Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia (MRF-SEA), elements of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU), and Combined Task Force – 76 (CTF 76) to share knowledge and experiences while participating in various subject matter expert exchanges leading up to a final humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HA/DR) demonstration on Camp Cape Bojeador during the annual Philippine Marine Corps exercise, KAMANDAG 8.
The expert exchanges included classes on Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS); medical care, triage and casualty evacuation; small boats; and operational planning, which were vital to the final execution of the HA/DR demonstration between the combined forces.
Marines and Sailors from MRF-SEA played a key role in the planning for the HA/DR demonstration, coordinated by the JGSDF Logistics Support Brigade (LSB). U.S. Marine involvement comes on the heels of a successful bilateral response to Typhoon Krathon (Julian) in Northern Luzon and the Batanes Islands, which occurred less than a week before the commencement of KAMANDAG. This experience provided MRF-SEA with valuable insights that enhanced the overall planning process.
“This is one of the first major evolutions where you have a combined effort between the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, the Philippine Marine Corps, and the United States Marine Corps,” said U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Matthew Demaso, the Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company officer in charge for Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia.
Leading up to the execution of the HA/DR mission demonstration, leaders from the JGSDF, 4MBDE, and MRF-SEA engaged in extensive planning over four days at Camp Cape Bojeador in Burgos. The Operational Planning Team developed a comprehensive and integrated response strategy for the simulated disaster scenario. Concurrently, participating forces conducted multilateral training in key areas, including amphibious landings, search and rescue operations, medical triage and patient evacuation, engineering clearance procedures, and sUAS operations with an RQ-20 PUMA.
The U.S. Marines manning the PUMA were able to showcase the abilities of an unmanned aerial vehicle in assisting with search and rescue missions in the event of a natural disaster.
“The information that I’ve been sharing with their personnel is focused on search and rescue, specifically how the sUAS systems could help both the military and the civilian sector for any humanitarian aid or disaster relief mission,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Marcos Lopez, a sUAS operator with ANGLICO Detachment 1.
Lopez served as the lead instructor for the sUAS SMEE, demonstrating how to properly launch a PUMA and showcasing the information that the unmanned aircraft can provide, such as grid location, altitude, distance, and live video footage of the surrounding area.
Leveraging the PUMA’s reconnaissance capabilities enables combined forces to identify citizens impacted by natural disasters ahead of time, allowing rescue personnel to prepare accordingly before arriving on-site.
While MRF-SEA Marines shared insights into the capabilities of the sUAS, medical personnel at Camp Cape Bojeador exchanged knowledge on best medical practices for responding to natural disasters as they prepared for the HA/DR demonstration. Nurses with the JGSDF, service members with the Philippine BFP, and U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class David Doyle, a preventative medicine technician with MRF-SEA, led the majority the medical SMEE focusing on taking a mass influx of patients and triaging them promptly, monitoring vitals, and documenting injuries to ensure the best patient care during their admission to a higher echelon of medical care.
“If we can continue to educate each other on the multitude of possible medical scenarios that can happen after a natural disaster, we will enhance our ability to assist in a real-life scenario,” said Doyle.
As the training progressed, the collaborative efforts among the combined forces highlighted the importance of real-world preparedness in the face of potential disasters. Elements of the 15th MEU provided air support with MV-22 Ospreys to aid in transporting supplies and conducting casualty evacuations, including medical personnel from 4MBDE and JGSDF. The demonstration also featured over-the-horizon ship-to-shore movements and coordination with local agencies.
This comprehensive approach not only facilitated skill-building in search-and-rescue tactical operations and patient triage, but also fostered a deeper understanding of each nation’s roles and capabilities, emphasizing the significance of scenario-based training.
MRF-SEA, along with the 15th MEU and CTF 76/3, played a crucial role in the success of the HADR demonstration as it was one of the defining events of KAMANDAG 8. “We did a tabletop exercise through the humanitarian aid disaster response to walk through the plan and rehearse it, and then we were able to execute the plan for the demonstration, near flawlessly, on time, effectively, and safely,” said Demaso.
Elements from the LSB and the 4MBDE conducted their ship-to-shore movement using two MV-22 Ospreys attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced) 15th MEU, launched from the USS Miguel Keith, an expeditionary staging base assigned to CTF-76/3.
Simultaneously, an amphibious insertion involving combined military forces and Philippine relief agencies was executed using small boats, ensuring rapid notional link-up with local government officials. This set the stage for the rapid deployment of forces and assistance in the simulated disaster response.
In the days leading up to the demonstration, Marines and Sailors of MRF-SEA used the RQ-20 PUMA to showcase its capabilities in the search-and-rescue component of a HA/DR mission.
Additionally, MRF-SEA’s tactical air control party conducted successful pick-up and landing zone operations, allowing for the safe and efficient unloading of relief supplies and multilateral disaster relief teams. These efforts also expedited the evacuation of casualties, who were transported to a higher echelon of medical care aboard U.S. Navy vessels.
In a major step toward enhancing multilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, MRF-SEA, in collaboration with CTF-76/3 and the 15th MEU, successfully integrated with the PMC and JGSDF, testing the readiness of the multinational forces to respond to real-world emergencies.
“This successful execution of this HADR training and demonstration marks a significant launch of the Philippines and Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), which was enacted just three months ago,” said Capt. Will Thomas, a joint terminal attack controller with MRF-SEA.
The Philippines and Japan RAA is a defense cooperation agreement that allows for the increased presence of Japanese troops in the Philippines and vice versa for humanitarian missions, disaster response, and other scenarios. This agreement streamlines coordination between the two nations during combined operations or mutual defense needs.
Unified efforts between U.S., Philippine, and Japanese forces demonstrated their ability to conduct effective disaster response operations in challenging environments, further strengthening regional preparedness for real-world scenarios.
The annual Philippine Marine Corps exercise highlighted MRF-SEA’s key role in strengthening multilateral cooperation within the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and reinforced future cooperation with U.S. allies and regional partners, enhancing collective readiness against environmental and security challenges.
Three new key worker accommodation units have been delivered to Narrandera Health Service as part of the NSW Government’s $45.3 million Key Worker Accommodation Program.
Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park announced installation of the units is now underway off Adams Street on the north side of the campus.
The modern and fit-for-purpose units will be fully furnished and self-contained. Each unit features a light-filled living and dining area, modern kitchen, bedroom with ensuite, an internal laundry and a screened verandah. One of the three units has also been designed to support accessibility needs.
Secure access to the units will be provided and there will also be landscaping surrounding the units.
The new units will assist the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) with the recruitment and retention of health workers in the area, with staff expected to move into the new accommodation before the end of the year.
MLHD is one of three regional local health districts to benefit from a $45.3 million investment to deliver accommodation for health workers across rural and regional NSW, under the Key Worker Accommodation Program, which is being delivered in partnership with Health Infrastructure NSW.
Narrandera is the fourth site in NSW to receive new prefabricated units built off-site and modelled on a prototype unit completed earlier this year.
An additional $200.1 million has been committed by the NSW Government to increase key health worker accommodation across rural and regional areas of the state as part of the 2024-25 NSW Budget.
Quotes attributable to Regional Health Minister Ryan Park:
“It’s great to see the rollout of the key worker accommodation program throughout the Murrumbidgee Local Health District, and Narrandera being one of the health services to benefit.”
“Recruitment and retention of staff in rural and regional hospitals is a priority for the Minns Labor Government, which is why we are committing a further $200.1 million to increase key health worker accommodation in the state.”
“Securing suitable accommodation in regional areas can be difficult, so the new units will assist to remove one of the barriers preventing health care workers looking at making the move to a regional town to live and work.”
Quotes attributable to Labor spokesperson for Cootamundra Stephen Lawrence MLC:
“Narrandera is such a great community, and with the Murrumbidgee River and natural beauty of the town, healthcare workers should really consider it as a potential place to live and work, especially with this new accommodation available.”
“The accommodation units are a positive attribute to the local hospital and the town of Narrandera, and we are looking forward to move-in day soon.”
SUBJECTS: Integrating Organ Donor card into the myGov app
BILL SHORTEN, MINISTER FOR THE NDIS AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES: Good morning, everybody. It’s fantastic to be at Services Australia Newmarket offices in the electorate of Maribyrnong. We’ve got a great announcement to make, but before I do that, just introduce some people, with me is the new Labor candidate for Maribyrnong, Jo Briskey. Also, we have Assistant Minister for Health, Ged Kearney, who’s got some exciting news to talk about organ and tissue donation. And we’ve also got Kristy, who’s got an amazing story to tell us all. So, I might hand over to Ged, then I’ll say some words about new developments with Services Australia and organ donation, and then we might hear from Kristy and then take questions. Ged?
GED KEARNEY, ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR HEALTH, AGED CARE AND INDIGENOUS HEALTH: Thanks, Bill. Good morning, everyone I’m Ged Kearney. I’m the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, I’m the Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, and we are here on Wurundjeri land, and I pay my respects to elders, past and present. This is an exciting day. Organ donation is such an incredibly important thing. It saves lives. It gives life back to people who need organ transplants. And we know that the vast majority of Australians agree that organ donation is important, but just over 30% of Australians actually register as organ donors. We need more Australians to register as organ donors, and it’s really easy right now to do that. You can go to myGov and it’s three quick clicks on there, or you can go to DonateLife.gov.au and register to be an organ donor. It’s very important. One organ donor can save up to seven lives. So, it’s great to have Kristy with us today who is a transplant recipient.
But I’m extremely excited to be here with Minister Shorten as the Minister for Services Australia. He has done an amazing thing in that he has allowed us to have a digital ID card. A digital card that will go in your myGov Apple Wallet, to let everybody know that you are an organ donor and that you have registered. For the first time ever in Australia, we will have that available quick and easily as a digital ID card so that everybody knows that you have you intend to be an organ donor. It’s easy to identify, easy to find, easy for you to show people. Because even though you register as an organ donor, what we know, the most successful thing, the thing that is the most enabling for organ donation at that, if indeed you are in a position where you can donate your organs, is that your family knows. If your family doesn’t know that you intended to be an organ donor, they are less likely to give that all important consent at that very difficult time. If they do know that you want it to be an organ donor, they are vastly more likely to give consent, and that’s important. So, this is a great development for organ donation. I congratulate Minister Shorten for this development and it’s very exciting news. Back to you, Bill.
SHORTEN: Thanks, Ged. You can’t overstate how important today’s announcement actually is. Organ and Tissue Australia are doing a great job encouraging people to be organ donors. I’ve seen close hand, a family friend, when she suffered a traumatic road injury, because she was an organ donor there’s three other people who had valuable lifesaving surgeries as a result of my friend’s passing, so it really does make a difference. Four in every five Aussies say that they are up for donating their organs, but only one in every three Australians is actually registered to do it. So, what’s really great is that the Albanese government, through Services Australia, and I thank Services Australia for working with Organ and Tissue Australia, what we’ve done is that you have a myGov app, 6 million Australians have already downloaded the app, and you have a digital wallet. And you know, at the moment you can link it with your Medicare card, or your pension card, or your health card. Now, what you can do is it’s a very simple, very quick process to be able to link it to an organ donor card.
What that means is, it’s going to change lives, literally, the ability to save lives. And so, it is really super, super easy. And what we want to do is encourage Australians, through the use of our myGov app, to be organ donors, just to close the deal between a good intent and a good act. Now we’re really privileged today to be able to hear from Kristy. Kristy has got an amazing story about the importance of organ donation and how that changes lives and, and the ripples of the generosity of organ donation that give life to other people. So maybe let’s hear from Kristy and then we could answer some questions.
KRISTY, TRANSPLANT RECIPIENT: Hi, I’m Kristy. I’m a kidney recipient. And like what the Minister said, this is a bit about my journey that saved my life and changed my life. I was 14 when I was diagnosed with kidney disease, and throughout high school I had to go through a lot of hospital visits. By the time I was 22, I was in hospital and my doctors have told me my kidneys failed. And being 22, I wasn’t sure what that really meant. And then, everything moved so quickly. All I remembered was having tubes in me, and I was going through this machine, and this machine made me feel so cold. And I quickly learned that means it’s dialysis. So, you have to wash your blood through this machine. And that’s why your body feels so cold. And I had to do this three times a week, and it’s from 4 to 5 hours. But my body is so little, and every time after a session, I feel so washed out. My day, I would be at home, I couldn’t stand, I couldn’t walk just because I felt so dizzy.
Then they moved me into peritoneal dialysis. It’s when you have this tube called the Tenckhoff, inserted into your belly. So, I had another operation, and they removed my Permacath, which was for haemodialysis, the taking of the blood. And then to suit my lifestyle style, I had the peritoneal dialysis, and I was able to do dialysis at home, which felt a lot nicer than being in the hospital. I was able to do that for a year. I even went overseas with my dialysis machine for a week. And then later I learned that it wasn’t for me. I went back into hospital. I was in intensive care. My heart was failing. My lungs were failing. I had blood clots in my lungs. It was so because this dialysis wasn’t working for me. And, um, then they put me on haemodialysis again, washing through the blood and this time in a hospital. And I had to stay overnight, and I did it for eight hours, three times a week as well.
Then one day, I got a call after work. I was at McDonald’s eating, eating my meal, getting ready for dialysis. I had my sleep pack. And the call was, we found your kidney, and everything just stopped for me at that moment. And then, they told me the kidney is from a young man from Perth. And I had a minute to decide if I want this or not. And you know what’s there to lose? I said yes, and I was so excited about the news that I kept crying, and on my way home to put my dialysis bag away and go into hospital, I was crying on the tram. Then I realised I took the wrong tram. People were eavesdropping, but after I got off the phone, people were congratulating me. Then I took the taxi to my hospital, Saint Vincent’s hospital. They had nurses waiting for me downstairs because they’ve known me since I was 16, and it just felt like a royal treatment from then.
I had my last dialysis session before I had my transplant, because they want your body to be in good shape before you have your transplant. And it took two weeks for my kidney to start. It didn’t start straight away, so I was feeling a little bit glum. But once it started working and I was doing my last half an hour of dialysis, I asked them to stop it because I felt like I needed to wee, which was the first time I would have weed in the past four years. It’s very, very weird. When you’re on dialysis, you don’t go to the toilet anymore. So, something so small I felt like I took for granted, just going to the toilet. And that’s what I felt like I really needed to do, first thing, when my kidneys started working. Um, and that also meant I didn’t need to drink water – I limited my water intake to one litre, so that was really hard for me when I was on dialysis during summer and being in Australia, we have very harsh summers and yeah, and just drinking up to one litre, that was my limit. And I’m aware some dialysis patients, but they can’t really drink up to half a litre, so I can’t imagine what they had to go through. But for me, one litre was very hard.
So, a year after my transplant, nothing was wrong with my transplant. I told my doctors I’m ready to start a family because I wasn’t, I couldn’t – my body was not able to prior to transplant. So, post-transplant, we’ve changed my medication. I got the okay. And now I have two beautiful children. They’re 18 months and four years old. And I think that’s the biggest gift from the donors – giving me my life back, giving me a career back and letting me have a family.
SHORTEN: Are there any questions for Kristy or Jed or myself?
JOURNALIST: I’m wondering how the process works. Obviously, if someone’s passing away and could potentially donate their organs, will the hospital be able to access the myGov record? How does that process sort of work, to notify someone? And will that make things smoother now rather than just having a card in a wallet?
SHORTEN: Yeah, What you’ll to be able to do is the family will be able to tell. I mean, making these decisions at the time where they’re there’s been a death or the organ’s available is very difficult. This will just provide easily accessible information for the authorities to be able to understand the intent of the donor. The best reasons to upload your myGov app and connect it to your Medicare and then get your organ donors cards, the best reasons really, I’ve heard, are 18 months and four years old. Kristy’s children. And so, yes, this just makes it a heck of a lot easier for everyone to identify the intent and the action.
JOURNALIST: Minister, do you expect organ donation numbers to increase following this policy change? Have you got any research on that or expectations?
SHORTEN: I’ll get Ged to supplement this, but yes, I do expect numbers to increase. Australians are a pretty generous bunch of people, but sometimes we have an idea, but we don’t get around to doing it. What we want to do is take the degree of difficulty out of the process of converting your general aspiration to be an organ donor into a reality. When people go on the myGov app and as I said, 6 million people have the app, they’ll realise, and when they’ve connected their Medicare card up, it is really, really quick. It is just a couple of steps and you’re done.
So, what we are doing is taking the red tape and the bureaucracy out of it. By the way, if you still want a physical card, you can still get a physical card. But once you’ve got it on your digital wallet, you just – life’s just that much easier. We’re all used to tap and go, and what we do with the organ donor card is going to just be a lot quicker. So, I expect there to be an uptake and we will of course be promoting it. Maybe Ged might have some comments she’d like to make.
KEARNEY: Sure. Thanks, Bill. I think the beauty of this is that it will be a prompt. You have your myGov app there. It might be a prompt for people to say who’ve always intended to donate or to, to register as a donor, to say, oh yeah, I should do that. And it makes it really quick and easy. So that’s the first step, is that we hope that more people will register by that, that simple prompt that the app might give them. But the most important thing, the thing that we know increases our donation, is your family knowing. Because it doesn’t matter what. It doesn’t matter how many people actually register as donors, at that time when there’s the possibility that you could be a donor, your family or your next of kin will be the ones asked to give consent. And your family are the ones that have to say yes.
So, we know all the data shows that if your family knows that you wanted, that was your intent to donate your organs, they will say yes, and it increases the donation rates dramatically. So, having the evidence there for the family to see loud and clear every, every now and then when you open up your myGov app, you’ll say, oh, remember mum, remember dad, remember to your wife, that I’m registered. It might be a little prompt for that all important conversation. I think that is the beauty of having it right there all the time on your phone for everyone to see. It might just prompt that conversation. It’s not an easy conversation to have, but it’s an important conversation to have. So yeah, I think that this will go a long way, hopefully to increasing donation rates. So, thank you.
The government-appointed inquiry into Australia’s COVID response has warned public trust won’t be so high in a future pandemic and people would be unlikely to accept again many of the measures taken.
“That means there is a job to be done to rebuild trust, and we must plan a response based on the Australia we are today, not the Australia we were before the pandemic,” the report released on Tuesday said.
The inquiry was conducted by former NSW public servant Robyn Kirk, epidemiologist Catherine Bennett, and economist Angela Jackson. It examined the health and economic responses; while it did not directly delve into the state responses, it did cover the federal-state interface.
The overall takeout from the inquiry is that “Australia did well relative to other nations, that experienced larger losses in human life, health system collapse and more severe economic downturns”.
But “the pandemic response was not as effective as it could have been” for an event for which there was “no playbook for pivotal actions.”
The inquiry said “with the benefit of hindsight, there was excessive fiscal and monetary policy stimulus provided throughout 2021 and 2022, especially in the construction sector. Combined with supply side disruptions, this contributed to inflationary pressures coming out of the pandemic.”
The inquiry criticised the Homebuilder program’s contribution to inflation, as well as Jobkeeper’s targeting, and said blanket access to superannuation should not be repeated.
The government – which might have originally expected the inquiry to have been more critical of the Morrison government – quickly seized on the report’s economic criticisms.
The panel has made a set of recommendations to ensure better preparation for a future pandemic.
It highlighted the “tail” the pandemic has left, especially its effect on children, who suffered school closures.
“Children faced lower health risks from COVID-19; however, broader impacts on the social and emotional development of children are ongoing. These include impacts on mental health, school attendance and academic outcomes for some groups of children.”
The report noted that the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee had never recommended widespread school closures.
A lack of clear communication about risks had created the environment for states to decide to go to remote learning.
The impacts on children should be considered in future pandemic preparations, the inquiry said.
It strongly backed making permanent the interim Australian Centre for Disease Control. The government will legislate next year for the CDC, to start on January 1 2026, as an independent statutory agency.
The CDC would be important in rebuilding trust, the report said, as well as “strengthening resilience and preparedness”. It would provide “national coordination to gather evidence necessary to undertake the assessments that can guide the proportionality of public health responses in future crises”.
The report said trust in government was essential for a successful response to a pandemic.
At COVID’s outset, the public largely did what was asked of them, complying with restrictive public health orders.
But the initial strengthening of trust in government did not continue through the pandemic. By the second year, restrictions on personal freedom were less accepted.
Reasons for the decrease in trust included a lack of transparency in decision making, poor communication, the stringency and duration of restrictions, implementation of mandated measures, access to vaccines and inconsistencies in responses across jurisdictions.
Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The public online voting for the Healthy Living, Happy Family Series – Picturise Your Messages Sticker Design Competition organised by the Education Bureau (EDB) commences from today (October 29) to November 4. Parents, students, teachers and members of the public are welcome to vote for the winning entries of the Most Liked Award among the outstanding submissions selected by the adjudication panel.
A spokesman for the EDB said, “The sticker design competition was well received with the submission of over 4 000 creative entries, through which participants used different ways to convey the message of developing healthy lifestyle. To encourage public participation and enhance interaction of the competition, the EDB has specially set up the Most Liked Award for the Kindergarten Group, Primary Group and Secondary Group, and 15 outstanding entries from each group have been selected by the adjudication panel. Parents, students, teachers and members of the public can vote for their favourite entries through the activity website (www.parent.edu.hk/en/smart-parent-net/topics/article/ppc-competition2024). The entry with the most likes in each group will be presented with the Most Liked Award. The results of the competition will be announced through the activity website on November 13, and the awards will be presented at the Positive Parent Campaign Activity Day cum Prize Presentation Ceremony on December 15.”
The EDB has been running the Positive Parent Campaign since June 2020 to promote positive parent education through extensive and diversified channels with a view to fostering parents’ positive thinking and promoting proper ways and attitudes of nurturing children, thereby developing in parents a positive and optimistic mindset that contributes to the effective learning and happy development of children. The Healthy Living, Happy Family Series – Picturise Your Messages Sticker Design Competition aims to encourage parents and children to develop a healthy lifestyle together, including adequate sleep, daily exercises and participation in leisure activities, so that both parents and children can relax appropriately and maintain their physical and psychological well-being to facilitate happy and healthy development of children.
The EDB aims to raise the awareness of the Positive Parent Campaign among students, parents and the public through the activities under the Healthy Living, Happy Family Series, and to complement the promotion of the 4Rs Mental Health Charter (4Rs Charter) implemented by the EDB in the 2024/25 school year. Parents are encouraged to support the 4Rs Charter and uphold the four essential elements in fostering mental health, namely Rest, Relaxation, Relationship and Resilience, and work together with schools to create an environment conducive to the healthy development of students. For the updated information of the Positive Parent Campaign, please visit the EDB Smart Parent Net website (www.parent.edu.hk/en).
Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Lomé, Togo – The International Organization for Migration, in collaboration with the Togolese Government, facilitated the voluntary return of 131 migrants (77 men, 54 women, including 28 children) from Libya via a charter flight on Tuesday, 22 October 2024.
Upon their arrival in Lomé, the migrants were welcomed by H.E. Madame Kossiwa Zinsou-Klassou, Minister of Social Action, National Solidarity, and Women’s Promotion, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration, and Togolese Abroad, along with representatives from the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection, the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, and Madame Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, Chief of Mission of IOM for Benin, Togo, and Ghana. IOM provided immediate assistance to the migrants, including food, water, and hygiene kits.
In a message on behalf of President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, H.E. Madame Kossiwa Zinsou-Klassou welcomed the migrants and reassured them of the Togolese Government’s commitment to establish necessary services to facilitate their social reintegration, in line with the policy of inclusion under the leadership of President Faure Essozimna. “No one will come to build Togo in our place. We must all contribute to building the Togolese nation,” she conveyed to the migrants.
IOM continued the registration and profiling process initiated in Libya, allowing reintegration measures to be tailored to the specific needs of the migrants. In collaboration with officials from the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, IOM also provided psychological and health-care support to migrants in need.
Mme. Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, IOM Togo Chief of Mission, expressed gratitude to IOM Libya, which, through emergency funding, enabled the smooth facilitation of the profiling and reintegration process for migrants returning voluntarily to Togo. She emphasized that protection and assistance activities for migrants, such as voluntary return assistance provided by IOM, ensure vulnerable, stranded migrants a safe and dignified journey home if they choose, allowing them to reunite with their families. She also thanked the Togolese Government for its ongoing collaboration in organizing the voluntary return of Togolese migrants.
IOM and its partners will continue to support returnees by developing comprehensive reintegration plans that address economic, social, and psychosocial needs. These plans will include initiatives such as identifying income-generating activities, housing, education, vocational training for small business development, and strengthening professional skills acquired before and during the migration journey.
Quote from Mr. Lare Nadijoua (Returning Migrant):
“Returning home is a tremendous relief. When the plane landed, you could hear everyone’s shouts of joy. Words truly fail to describe my happiness. Now, I have the opportunity to rebuild my life and reunite with my family. I thank the Togolese Government and IOM.”
***
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Etienne Banga, Head of IOM Togo Office, ebanga@iom.int
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
HKSAR Government sets up Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosk and “iAM Smart” self-registration kiosk in Foshan (with photos) HKSAR Government sets up Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosk and “iAM Smart” self-registration kiosk in Foshan (with photos) ******************************************************************************************
To advance the development of a digital government, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) collaborates with Guangdong Province to promote the Cross-boundary Public Services initiative. The Digital Policy Office (DPO) announced today (October 29) the setting up of a Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosk in Foshan. It will help residents and enterprises in Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) access public services of Hong Kong without the need to travel to Hong Kong in person. Starting today, the public can use the Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosk located on the first floor of the Foshan Nanhai District Administrative Service Center to access various public services of Hong Kong. The kiosk is available for use during the opening hours of the Center (i.e. 8.30am to noon and 2pm to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday except public holidays on the Mainland). For details, please visit the Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services thematic website at www.crossboundaryservices.gov.hk/en/home/index.html. Following the Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosks that commenced operation earlier in Guangzhou, Qianhai and Futian in Shenzhen as well as Zhuhai, the Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosk currently provides a total of 70 public services from 11 government bureaux and departments as well as related organisations, encompassing areas commonly used by enterprises and the public including taxation, company registration, property and vehicle enquiry and registration, application for personal identification documents and entry of talent, welfare and education, healthcare, immigration clearance, urgent assistance as well as culture and tourism. Members of the public can use the self-service kiosk to perform data entry, document scanning and result printing to enjoy one-stop access when applying for various public services. An “iAM Smart” self-registration kiosk is also set up at the location mentioned above to enable Hong Kong residents working and living on the Mainland to register for, or upgrade to, “iAM Smart+” directly to enjoy online public services that support “iAM Smart+” such as renewal of a vehicle licence, application for an International Driving Permit and registration for eHealth. For details and registration requirements, please visit the “iAM Smart” thematic website at www.iamsmart.gov.hk/en/reg.html. A spokesman for the DPO expressed sincere gratitude to the Guangdong Provincial Administration of Government Service and Data for its strong support and the Center for its full co-operation. The DPO will continue to discuss with the Guangdong Provincial Administration of Government Service and Data to set up self-service and self-registration kiosks in more Mainland cities of the GBA to cope with the demands of residents and enterprises in the GBA for public services of Hong Kong. To implement the State Council’s Guiding Opinions to all provincial governments on Cross-provincial Public Services and their comprehensive deployment, the HKSAR Government accepted the invitation of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province in 2021 to jointly launch the GBA Cross-boundary Public Services, and worked with Guangdong Province in November last year to introduce a dedicated service area/thematic website for Cross-boundary Public Services. The initiative enables enterprises and the public in both regions to enjoy simple and convenient cross-boundary services, with a view to facilitating the provision of public services and investment in the GBA, and enhancing the satisfaction and sense of contentment of enterprises and the public in accessing services across the boundary.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jocelyne Basseal, Associate Director, Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute (Sydney ID), Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney
The long-awaited independent inquiry into Australia’s COVID response was released today, with lessons on how the nation could better prepare for future pandemics.
The 868-page report outlined nine guiding recommendations and 26 actions, including 19 set for implementation over the next 12 to 18 months. These form the foundation for future pandemic preparedness.
With initial strong national solidarity, Australia acted quickly to close national borders, the inquiry found. This bought crucial time, but Australia was not adequately prepared for a crisis of the scale of the COVID pandemic.
Australia’s response lacked strong central co-ordination and leadership. Communication about public health advice was often conflicting or not appropriately communicated with the most vulnerable groups. Public trust was further undermined by a lack of transparency in decision-making, such as disease modelling, which underpinned important public health responses.
In hindsight, the inquiry concluded a fully fledged Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) could have made a huge difference. In response, the federal government today committed A$251 milion to establish such a centre in Canberra.
What did the inquiry find?
1. Early rapid response and consensus helped keep us safe. As an inland nation, Australia was able to close its borders while preparing for the ultimate inevitable population-wide spread of SARS CoV-2. But it was unprepared for pandemic-related quarantines.
2. Initially, the communication was clear and consistent. This didn’t last. Huge uncertainties, rapidly changing circumstances, differing opinions among experts and the politicisation of the response undermined communication strategies. Communication with diverse ethnic groups and vulnerable populations groups were often sub-optimal. In future, misinformation and disinformation needs to be addressed through improving health literacy and proactive communication.
3. Our health-care infrastructure was lacking and couldn’t cope with emergency surge capacity, the inquiry found, although health-care workers “pulled together” remarkably. Aged care facilities were particularly vulnerable and had poor infection-control practices. More broadly, there were supply chain issues and inadequate stockpiles of essential infection prevention and control equipment, such as masks and gloves. Australia was unable to manufacture these and was left at the mercy of foreign providers.
4. Analysing the genetic material of the virus and widespread testing were critical to tracking viral evolution and spread.Pathogen genomics in New South Wales and Victoria, for instance, allowed accurate tracking of virus variants and local transmission. But there was poor exchange of data between jurisdictions and limited national coordination to optimise data interpretation and response.
5. Transparent, evidence-based decision-making was lacking.Disease models that informed key decisions were opaque and not open to scrutiny or peer review.
6. Vulnerable populations, including children, suffered disproportionately. COVID-related school closures were particularly harmful as they affected learning, socialising and development, and disproportionately affected children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Strict social isolation also increased the risk of family violence, along with anxiety and other mental health impacts. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experienced higher risks due to the inequity of service provision and the social determinants of health.
7. Research is important and should be rapidly scalable. Good surveillance systems for emerging infectious diseases and future pandemic threats should be in place. Patient specimens need to be stored so we can rapidly explore the mechanisms of disease and develop essential diagnostic tests. The inquiry recognised the need for Australia to develop its own vaccines and for access to mRNA technology was recognised as an important health security measure, given challenges in vaccine access.
9. Emerging diseases with a One Health focus should be recognised as a ‘standing threat’. In our modern interconnected world, with highly concentrated human and animal populations combined with stressed ecosystems, new diseases with pandemic potential will continue to emerge at an unprecedented rate. This requires a gobal focus.
How could a CDC make a difference?
One of the inquiry’s key take-home messages is that the lack of strong, independent, central co-ordination hampered our pandemic response.
The inadequate flow of data between jurisdictions were major shortcomings that limited the ability to target responses. This is needed to understand:
transmission dynamics
the vulnerabilities in those with severe disease
the circulating viral variants.
The inquiry also emphasised the need to analyse data in near real time.
Good data drive evidence-informed and transparent policy. This is a crucial area for a future Australian CDC to address. The CDC will function as a “data hub”, with Canberra offering the ideal location supporting a multi-jurisdictional “hub-and-spoke” model.
Australia’s new CDC is expected to be launched by January 2026, pending legislation approval. The ongoing challenge will be to ensure it delivers optimal long-term health benefits for all Australians.
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.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Public urged to lead active and healthy lifestyle in support of World Stroke Day Public urged to lead active and healthy lifestyle in support of World Stroke Day ********************************************************************************
In support of World Stroke Day, the Department of Health (DH) today (October 29) appealed to members of the public to lead an active and healthy lifestyle to guard against stroke. World Stroke Day has been designated on October 29 each year by the World Stroke Organization to increase awareness and drive actions on strokes around the world. A spokesman for the DH said that stroke is one of the major causes of ill health, long-term disability and death. Every year, strokes attack over 12 million people worldwide. In Hong Kong, stroke is the fourth commonest cause of death with 3 048* registered deaths in 2023. A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted, or when the blood vessel of the brain ruptures leading to a haemorrhage. High blood pressure (HT) is the largest single risk for stroke, followed by a high body mass index and high blood glucose. “Physical activity can modify these common biomedical risk factors of stroke. Epidemiological studies support a beneficial effect of engaging in a sufficient amount of physical activities on stroke risk, whether it is simply walking at a faster pace, bicycling or leisure pursuits,” the spokesman added. Stroke risk can be reduced by adhering to an active and healthy lifestyle. Members of the public are advised to engage in at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity or an equivalent amount and intensity of physical activity throughout the week, and limit the amount of time spent being sedentary and replace sedentary time with physical activity of any intensity including a light-intensity physical activity. To further reduce the risk of having a stroke, members of the public should also maintain an optimal body weight and waist circumference, reduce salt intake and eat a balanced diet, avoid smoking and refrain from alcohol drinking to guard against stroke. With an aim to advocate members of the public to increase their physical activities, the DH launched the “10,000 Steps a Day” Campaign in 2022 to encourage adults to gradually increase their daily step goal to 10 000 based on their own physical conditions, abilities, pace and individual circumstances. The campaign has entered its third phase this year, and this year’s event coincides with the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The Health Bureau and the DH will for the first time partner with Greater Bay Area (GBA) Mainland cities to jointly promote walking to mark the celebration. In Hong Kong, a walking challenge with the slogan of “Shall We Walk and Talk” will be held through the “e+Life Platform” on November 1 to inspire the public to walk with friends. Participants can use a step-counting mobile application to record their step counts during the challenge period and synchronise the data with the “e+Life Platform”. For details, please visit the event website of the Walking Challenge (www.10000stepsaday.hk/?lang=en) and the thematic website of “e+Life Platform” (app.ehealth.gov.hk/elife-overview). The Primary Care Commission has established the District Health Centre (DHC)/DHC Express across 18 districts and has been proactively promoting the Life Course Preventive Care Plan. The DHC healthcare team would work hand in hand with Family Doctors to help clients to develop customised healthy living plans (including smoking cessation, balance diet, regular physical activity and weight management) based on individuals’ health needs at different stages of life, enhancing the public’s capability to take care of their own health and prevent strokes. Apart from active and healthy living, early diagnosis and proper management of hypertension and diabetes is another key to lowering the risk of stroke. The Government launched the Chronic Disease Co-Care Pilot Scheme (CDCC Pilot Scheme) in November 2023, to subsidise Hong Kong residents aged 45 or above with no known medical history of HT or diabetes (DM) to undergo HT and DM screening services in the private healthcare sector. They can then receive long-term follow-up care in the community provided by Family Doctors, DHC /DHC Express, and other healthcare services. For more details, members of the public may browse the dedicated website of the CDCC Pilot Scheme (www.primaryhealthcare.gov.hk/cdcc/en). In addition to promoting stroke prevention measures, the Government is committed to enhancing services for stroke treatment. The Chief Executive announced in this year’s Policy Address that the Hospital Authority would set up the first stroke centre in accordance with the national accreditation standards at a public hospital of Hong Kong. Through cross-specialty and patient-centred integrated neuromedicine services, it aims to enhance the efficiency of diagnosing acute strokes, expedite treatment and improve patient care, thereby lowering mortality rates, hospital bed days and readmission rates as well as improving post-stroke rehabilitation. The Government will continue to step up efforts in enhancing public awareness about the importance of active and healthy living in the area of stroke prevention and working in close partnership with community partners to build a health-enhancing environment. For details, please visit the thematic website at www.change4health.gov.hk/en/index.html. *Provisional figure
MOFA welcomes European Parliament resolution on PRC’s misinterpretation of UNGA Resolution 2758 and continuous military provocations against Taiwan
Date：2024-10-25 Data Source：Department of European Affairs
October 25, 2024No. 365The European Parliament (EP) on October 24 adopted a resolution concerning the misinterpretation of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 by the People’s Republic of China and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan by an overwhelming majority of 432 votes in favor and 60 against. The EP resolution strongly opposes the PRC distorting UNGA Resolution 2758 to block Taiwan’s international participation and calls on the European Union and its member states to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in relevant international organizations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly affirms and sincerely appreciates this support. The EP resolution points out that UNGA Resolution 2758 addresses the status of the PRC but does not determine that the PRC enjoys sovereignty over Taiwan, nor does it make any judgement on the future inclusion of Taiwan in the UN or any other international organization. It also states that Taiwan has never been part of the PRC. Stressing that UNGA Resolution 2758 takes no position on Taiwan, the EP resolution strongly rejects and refutes the PRC’s attempts to distort history and international rules and thereby block Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations. It also strongly condemns the PRC’s continued military provocations and gray-zone activities against Taiwan and reiterates the EU’s firm rejection of any unilateral change to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.Pointing out that Taiwan is a key, like-minded partner of the EU in the Indo-Pacific, the EP resolution calls for the EU and its member states to further deepen cooperation and exchanges with Taiwan in such domains as the economy, investment, semiconductor and high-tech industrial supply chains, disaster management, civil protection, and countering disinformation and foreign interference. It also advocates continued support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Criminal Police Organization, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and other multilateral organizations. In addition, the EP welcomes closer official and people-to-people interactions and exchanges between Taiwan and the EU, including the recent visit of former President Tsai Ing-wen to the EP.Since the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China passed a model resolution concerning UNGA Resolution 2758 in July for its members’ reference, the Australian Senate and the Dutch House of Representatives have passed motions in support of Taiwan. The EP thus becomes the third parliament to approve a similar resolution. MOFA urges the global community to take concrete action to oppose China’s misrepresentation of UNGA Resolution 2758 and to refute China’s false claim that there is an international consensus on its so-called “one China principle.” Taiwan will continue to enhance its substantive and comprehensive cooperation with the EU and other like-minded partners to jointly ensure peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the Indo-Pacific. (E)
Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs
MOFA welcomes European Parliament resolution on PRC’s misinterpretation of UNGA Resolution 2758 and continuous military provocations against Taiwan
Date：2024-10-25
Data Source：Department of European Affairs
October 25, 2024 No. 365
The European Parliament (EP) on October 24 adopted a resolution concerning the misinterpretation of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 by the People’s Republic of China and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan by an overwhelming majority of 432 votes in favor and 60 against. The EP resolution strongly opposes the PRC distorting UNGA Resolution 2758 to block Taiwan’s international participation and calls on the European Union and its member states to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in relevant international organizations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly affirms and sincerely appreciates this support.
The EP resolution points out that UNGA Resolution 2758 addresses the status of the PRC but does not determine that the PRC enjoys sovereignty over Taiwan, nor does it make any judgement on the future inclusion of Taiwan in the UN or any other international organization. It also states that Taiwan has never been part of the PRC. Stressing that UNGA Resolution 2758 takes no position on Taiwan, the EP resolution strongly rejects and refutes the PRC’s attempts to distort history and international rules and thereby block Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations. It also strongly condemns the PRC’s continued military provocations and gray-zone activities against Taiwan and reiterates the EU’s firm rejection of any unilateral change to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.
Pointing out that Taiwan is a key, like-minded partner of the EU in the Indo-Pacific, the EP resolution calls for the EU and its member states to further deepen cooperation and exchanges with Taiwan in such domains as the economy, investment, semiconductor and high-tech industrial supply chains, disaster management, civil protection, and countering disinformation and foreign interference. It also advocates continued support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Criminal Police Organization, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and other multilateral organizations. In addition, the EP welcomes closer official and people-to-people interactions and exchanges between Taiwan and the EU, including the recent visit of former President Tsai Ing-wen to the EP.
Since the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China passed a model resolution concerning UNGA Resolution 2758 in July for its members’ reference, the Australian Senate and the Dutch House of Representatives have passed motions in support of Taiwan. The EP thus becomes the third parliament to approve a similar resolution. MOFA urges the global community to take concrete action to oppose China’s misrepresentation of UNGA Resolution 2758 and to refute China’s false claim that there is an international consensus on its so-called “one China principle.” Taiwan will continue to enhance its substantive and comprehensive cooperation with the EU and other like-minded partners to jointly ensure peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the Indo-Pacific. (E)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint Subcommittee holds first meeting today (with photos) Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint Subcommittee holds first meeting today (with photos) ******************************************************************************************
The Commissioner for Chinese Medicine Development (C for CMD) of the Health Bureau (HHB), Dr Vincent Chung, chaired the first meeting of the Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint Subcommittee (CMDBSC) today (October 29), and discussed with members the major areas to be covered in the Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint in order to harness collective wisdom and insights. Hong Kong embraces a healthcare system that incorporates both Chinese and Western medicine on a dual-track basis. The application of pure traditional Chinese medicine (CM) theories and methods for prevention and treatment of diseases is a distinctive advantage of CM in Hong Kong. The development of CM in Hong Kong has been progressing steadily over the past two decades or so. Complemented by the successive implementation of various policy initiatives, CM has emerged as an integral part of the city’s healthcare system. On this basis, the members were of the view that it is now an opportune time for Hong Kong to further strengthen the role of CM in the overall healthcare system. A framework should also be set up in a proactive manner to enable collaboration among the CM sector and other healthcare professions, with a view to providing more comprehensive Chinese and Western medical services to members of the public. During the meeting, the members engaged in in-depth discussions and offered constructive suggestions on multiple major areas to be covered in the Blueprint, including establishing a comprehensive governance framework and service system for CM, upgrading CM education and professional training standards, constructing a professional development system for CM personnel, reviewing the prevailing regulatory framework and legislation for CM, cultivating interdisciplinary collaboration networks among CM practitioners, making good use of medical data to promote service development and support policy formulation, driving scientific research and innovation, facilitating the CM industry in levelling up and assisting high-quality CM products to go global, as well as fostering cultural inheritance and promotion of CM. The relevant suggestions, having regard to their nature, will be relayed to the three working groups under the CMDBSC, namely the Working Group on the Development of Chinese Medicine Services, the Working Group on the Development of Chinese Medicine Industry and Cultural Popularisation, and the Working Group on the Development of Chinese Medicine Profession and Talent Cultivation, for focused study and exploration to formulate a preliminary plan of the Blueprint and relevant strategies. Dr Chung expressed gratitude to members for being keen to engage in the discussions and expression of views. He said, “The Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address that the Government will make use of Hong Kong’s advantages in its healthcare system, regulatory regime, standard-setting, clinical research and trade, and other areas to develop Hong Kong into a bridgehead for the internationalisation of CM, and publish the Blueprint next year. The Chinese Medicine Unit of the HHB will work towards these goals by pressing ahead with the consultation on the Blueprint and maintaining close liaison with local, Mainland and international stakeholders through different platforms and means to forge consensus, with a view to mapping out and formulating the vision and strategies for the future development of the CM sector in Hong Kong through concerted efforts.” To gather a wider spectrum of views, the Government established the CMDBSC under the Chinese Medicine Development Committee (CMDC) on September 1 this year. Chaired by the C for CMD of the HHB, the CMDBSC comprises ex-officio members, Chairmen of the Chinese Medicine Practice Subcommittee and the Chinese Medicines Industry Subcommittee under the CMDC, representatives from the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong and the schools of CM of three local universities, and persons from the fields of CM practice, CM drugs, other healthcare professions, testing, research and development, social services, education, etc. The CMDBSC is tasked to make recommendations to the CMDC on concrete strategies for the overall development of CM, as well as the short, medium and long-term objectives and respective feasible initiatives for the long-term planning.
Since the launch of the Community Catalysts Programme in Westminster earlier this year, the initiative has achieved remarkable success in fostering innovative, local micro-enterprises that support residents with learning disabilities, older people, and those with dementia.
Funded by Westminster City Council, this two-year programme empowers local residents and community organisations to establish and grow sustainable community micro-enterprises through dedicated support, business advice and mentorship. From drama workshops to fitness and music sessions, these micro-enterprises are thriving, creating opportunities for social engagement and meaningful connections. Residents now have access to a diverse range of activities that improve mental and physical wellbeing, while also addressing some of the longstanding challenges within social care.
Among the early success stories are Dende Collective, offering drama and arts activities for older people; Colliers Wood Shanty Singers, providing engaging musical experiences; and Creative Yoga Workshops, running accessible yoga sessions for all abilities. These enterprises exemplify the programme’s aim to foster independence and enable individuals to follow their passions while contributing meaningfully to their communities.
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, Cllr Nafsika Butler-Thalassis, said:
“We’re thrilled to see how the Community Catalysts Development Programme is transforming the way we think about social care in Westminster.
Community Catalysts is not just creating businesses; it’s building a network of compassionate, local support that understands and responds to the unique needs of our residents. This programme is a testament to what can be achieved when we empower our communities to be part of the solution to social care challenges.
The creativity and commitment of the micro-enterprises we’ve supported so far have been inspiring, and we’re excited to see even more residents get involved.”
Andre Pink, Artistic Director of Dende Collective, also expressed the value of the programme:
“Community Catalysts has been a helpful resource for us, offering support in areas like safeguarding, risk assessments, and connecting us with others in the community.
As a small organisation, their input has streamlined some of the behind-the-scenes work, allowing us to focus more on what we’re passionate about — involving a wide range of diverse audiences with live theatre and making a positive difference locally.”
As the programme continues to grow, Westminster City Council and Community Catalysts are calling on more local residents to join the network and set up or grow their own community enterprises. Whether you have an idea or an existing group that needs support, the programme is here to help turn those ideas into sustainable, impactful ventures.
For more information on how to get involved or to access services provided by these new enterprises, visit the Community Catalysts website.
BOSTON, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Midaxo, the leading provider of software solutions for corporate development, today announced it has been named a Leader in the first IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Mergers and Acquisitions Software 2024 Vendor Assessment. According to the IDC MarketScape report, “The platform enhances collaboration with role-based access, supports real-time analytics and AI-driven insights, and integrates with existing productivity tools, serving industries such as healthcare, financial services, and IT. Midaxo aims to increase deal velocity and visibility, helping organizations manage complex transactions more efficiently and achieve consistent inorganic growth.”
“Midaxo is the cloud for corporate development to drive inorganic growth for their businesses.” said Jude McColgan, CEO Midaxo. Large and mid-sized companies rely on us to find, manage and close more deals. We are pleased to be named a Leader by the IDC MarketScape.”
Midaxo strengths:
Capabilities: Midaxo offers an impressive number of capabilities for a full end-to-end M&A process.
Road map: Midaxo has a robust road map that includes more capabilities on the horizon for a more thorough financial valuation and analysis but also AI-enhanced capabilities to help with automation and guidance.
Customer support: Customers noted customer support and service as being excellent.
“We have been using Midaxo since 2021 for the full M&A lifecycle: sourcing, closing and implementing deals,” said Joerg Windbichler, Executive Vice President of Acquisitions and Integrations at SoftwareOne, a leading global software and cloud solutions provider. “We have seen an impressive development of features over that time. We look forward to our continued collaboration and seeing even more capabilities supporting our M&A process”.
SOURCE: IDC MarketScape Worldwide Mergers and Acquisitions Software Vendor Assessment, by Heather Herbst Kevin Permenter, September 2024, IDC #US51053324
About the IDC MarketScape: IDC MarketScape vendor assessment model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of technology and service suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor’s position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT and telecommunications vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors.
About Midaxo Midaxo provides the most widely used work management solution for corporate development. Digitally transforming the transaction process, Midaxo Cloud leverages automation, AI, and machine learning to deliver accelerated inorganic growth while decreasing deal risk. The platform can be customized to fit the needs of each company to enable corporate development and M&A leaders to find, evaluate, and deliver inorganic growth with unprecedented speed and accuracy. Users of the M&A capabilities report identifying and managing 5x more targets, reducing diligence time by 50%, and accelerating time to value realization up to 40%. More than 500 Midaxo customers, including Banner Health, Daimler AG, Professional Services Co., and United Site Services, have closed over 5,000 transactions valued in excess of $1 trillion.
Contact: Neil Lieberman Midaxo neil.lieberman@midaxo.com
All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners.
Médecins Sans Frontières is outraged by the repeated killings of our staff in Gaza, Palestine, and calls for an immediate halt on attacks against medical personnel, humanitarian workers, and civilians.
Israeli forces killed Hasan Suboh on the night of 24 October after an airstrike hit his relative’s house, where he was staying in Khan Younis, northern Gaza. According to the Ministry of Health, this attack hit several houses and killed 38 people, including 14 children and four members of Hasan’s family.
Hasan joined MSF as a skilled labourer in April 2019. He was 41 years old and is survived by his wife and seven children. In this tragic moment, our thoughts are with his family and all colleagues mourning his death.
Hasan Suboh, skilled labourer for MSF, in an MSF vehicle in Gaza.
Hasan’s tattered MSF vest, which he wore all the time, was found under the rubble. This vest symbolises Hasan’s commitment to helping people in distress, but more globally it also symbolises healthcare and humanitarian assistance. To see it destroyed is representative of how in this war, Israel, the US government, and the rest of Israel’s allies, have disregarded the protection of healthcare workers, and ripped the rules of war to shreds. The claim that humanitarian workers are protected, that civilian lives are protected, has once again been exposed as a lie for all the world to see.
Hasan Suboh’s tattered MSF vest, which he wore all the time, was found under the rubble. Palestine, October 2024.
This attack happened only two weeks after the killing of our colleague Nasser Hamdi Abdelatif Al Shalfouh on October 10, who died after being injured by shrapnel following relentless attacks by Israeli forces in Jabalia, northern Gaza. Eight of our colleagues have been killed in Gaza since the beginning of the war.
We denounce these killings in the strongest possible terms and are revolted by the fact that in over one year of war, Israel has acted with total impunity. Israel’s repeated direct attacks, which do not distinguish between military objectives and civilians, must be investigated independently.
All over Gaza, people continue to be killed and injured by relentless fighting and bombings. Israel’s all-out war on the people of Gaza and its complete disregard of civilian lives must stop now.
Saturday’s Queensland result provides the latest evidence of the dual tugs on the modern Labor Party, coming from its different constituencies.
The smallest swing against the Miles government was in inner Brisbane; the swing became bigger in the outer suburbs, and larger again in the regions. The broad state figures were: south-east Queensland 6.3%; rural/regional Queensland 9.2%. The awings in the city were: inner Brisbane 5.0%; outer Brisbane 7.7%.
This sort of divide reflects a challenge, first recognised decades ago, that’s highlighted by former Labor senator and minister Kim Carr, in his just-published A Long March. In a scathing critique of Labor’s problems, Carr calls this a “cultural crisis.”
“The Labor ship has struck the rock of identity politics,” Carr writes, “with too many of its spokespeople adopting a censorious tone to those who fail to embrace their particular social policy agendas”.
From the left, old school and former factional heavyweight, Carr argues Labor has sought to build a new constituency without paying sufficient attention to its traditional support base.
Over decades, the once-working class party has taken up causes that appeal to the wealthier, better-educated middle- class voters, and these people have moved their support to it. The cost has been an erosion of outer suburban votes, the people now being aggressively targeted by opposition leader Peter Dutton.
Meanwhile, in inner urban areas Labor has come under increasing pressure from the Greens. The danger for the ALP, Carr believes, is by trying to compete with the Greens on identity politics it will inevitably be outmanoeuvred.
“The profound challenge for the Labor Party in the 2020s is to find a way to bind together its more affluent and educated support base in the inner and middle suburbs of the big cities with its less well-off and less formally educated supporters in the outer suburbs and regional cities,” Carr says.
Political historian Paul Strangio, however, warns that while obviously Labor has to straddle constituencies, “there is no returning to an imagined ‘heartland’. The outer suburbs Carr seems to want Labor to focus upon are themselves radically changing. They are not a repository of old-fashioned working class values and priorities, and nor on their own are they sufficient to provide a basis for the party to hold government.”
Carr says the issue is how to build Labor’s primary vote in its heartland communities.
On what we’ve seen in recent politics, this appears a formidable, if not insurmountable, hope for any time soon.
Voters don’t trust parties, let alone join them. The popularity of “community candidates” has seen a record-sized crossbench in the House of Representatives, with an expanded Greens presence and disillusionment with the Liberals making a strong contribution to the number in 2022. Next year’s election will test whether this trend is entrenched.
Carr points out that Labor has a party membership that’s wealthier and older than the general community. Its membership is “thin” in the outer suburbs and the regions compared with the inner areas.
Among the consequences is that the messages coming up through the party may not gell with the preoccupations of the broader community, he says.
Over the years the ALP rank and file has not just shrunk numerically but been deprived of most of the not-inconsiderable power it once had within the party.
In terms of clout, Labor’s national conference, which sets the platform, is a diminished beast, though massively swollen numerically. The party membership’s power over preselections has been greatly reduced, thanks to factional deal-making and frequent intervention by the party’s national executive. In just one significant way has the rank and file gained power: it now has a 50% voice in electing the party’s leader, so far exercised once, in 2013, when Bill Shorten and Anthony Albanese faced off.
Given the shrinkage and balkanisation of the party, there is currently not the interest in internal party reform that erupted periodically and often heatedly in earlier years.
Labor veteran Race Mathews’ career, documented by his wife Iola in Race Mathews: A Life in Politics, has an extraordinarily broad political CV: a staffer for federal and state leaders, MP for the federal seat of Casey (elected on the 1972 Whitlam wave and defeated in the 1975 post-dismissal rout), and a Victorian state minister. An enduring preoccupation for Mathews, who was part of an influx of young, well-educated middle-class activists attracted to Labor in the 1960s and early 1970s, was fighting to make the Labor Party fit for purpose and more internally democratic.
Serving on Gough Whitlam’s staff in the late 1960s, Mathews was in the thick of the then-opposition leader’s tumultuous battle with the troglodytes of the Victorian party, who preferred political impotence to the power of government. Whitlam knew that unless the ALP organisation was reformed, Labor’s road to office would be obstructed.
Way back when, the party’s organisation, in which the left flexed a lot of muscle, liked to signal that the MPs were under its thumb. In 1963, then-opposition leader Arthur Calwell and Whitlam, his deputy, were embarrassed when photographed outside a Canberra hotel waiting for the party’s special national conference (to which they were not delegates) to decide Labor’s attitude to the North West Cape joint facility. The ultimate decision was not the problem – the line it was made by “36 faceless men” was.
Mathews later highlighted the significance of the 1970 federal intervention in Victoria, saying it had led to important reforms in that state and elsewhere. “Good people were brought into parliament and membership was a rewarding experience.” But then factionalism “ossified” the party and “if you weren’t part of the factions, you were marginalised”.
In his 70s Mathews (who is now aged 89 and suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease) was still fighting for democratisation of Labor’s organisation, which he described as “archaic and decrepit”. While party leaders and others were supportive in principle, the quest for a new wave of change ultimately brought only limited outcomes.
Iola Mathews quotes her husband’s Facebook answer to those who wondered why he, at 80, he was still in these trenches.
He wrote: “The fact is that nobody ever changed the party other than from inside it, or ever will. And shaping it closer to our heart’s desire is the only game in town.”
The truth is, however, it’s a game those who run the Labor Party these days have no serious interest in pursuing. As Strangio observes, “the age of the mass party has passed”.
Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
South Sudan is currently facing one of its worst floods in recent decades. In Old Fangak, where teams from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) are working, only mud dykes protect the town’s thousands of inhabitants from submersion.
South Sudan is currently facing one of its worst floods of recent decades. In Old Fangak, where teams from Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) are working, only mud dykes protect the town’s thousands of inhabitants from submersion.MSF
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Port Sudan, 29 October – Good morning, I am glad to be able to speak with you this morning live from Port Sudan.
I arrived here yesterday on a four-day visit, into a deteriorating security situation with alarming reports of new atrocities. I have heard distressing detail from our teams on the ground of the conditions faced by ordinary Sudanese people whose lives have been thrown into turmoil by this conflict.
The situation here in Sudan is catastrophic. There is simply no other way to put it. Hunger, disease and sexual violence are rampant. For the people of Sudan, this is a living nightmare.
This is an underreported conflict situation, and we must pay it more attention. Millions are suffering, and there is now the serious possibility of the conflict igniting regional instability from the Sahel to the Horn of Africa to the Red Sea.
Yesterday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres shone the spotlight on this suffering, calling it an ‘utter humanitarian catastrophe’.
Eighteen months have passed since fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. Outside forces are now ‘fueling the fire’ which is intensifying the conflict.
The suffering is growing by the day, with the Secretary-General reporting yesterday that almost 25 million people are now requiring assistance.
In recent days, we have heard utterly shocking reports of mass killings and sexual violence in villages in Al Jazirah State in the east of the country.
Throughout this year, Sudan has been world’s largest displacement crisis.
Today I can share that we will release new figures this week showing the displacement number has hit 11 million. That’s up 200,000 just since September.
Another 3.1 million people have traveled across borders to flee the fighting. In total, nearly 30 per cent of Sudan’s population has been displaced.
More than half of those displaced are women, and more than a quarter of them are children under the age of five. Think about that for a moment, that is a huge number of extremely vulnerable women and children on the move.
Many have been forced to flee repeatedly, with little to no access to shelter, much less to their livelihoods and the ability to get basic necessities.
The scale of this displacement – and the corresponding humanitarian needs – grows every day. Half the country’s population needs help. They don’t have access to shelter, to clean drinking water, to health care. Disease is spreading fast.
One in every two Sudanese is struggling to get even the minimal amount of food to survive. Famine conditions have taken hold in North Darfur, and millions struggle to feed themselves every day.
I saw some of that suffering yesterday, in a visit to the Arbaat dam area about 40 kilometers from Port Sudan.
After heavy rains in August, a spillway collapsed. The resulting flood killed at least 148 people and devastated homes, livestock, and infrastructure.
This devastation would be bad enough if it weren’t coming on top of a conflict that continues to rage and is becoming worse by the day – and one that has dramatically impacted the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
The safety of aid workers is often threatened. Access restrictions and bureaucratic impediments continue to be imposed.
People are dying because of this.
The parties to this conflict must do what they have pledged to do – and what international humanitarian law requires – protect civilians, and ensure safe, swift and unimpeded access to life-saving assistance.
What we also need, most desperately, is the help of the international community.
Sudan is easily the most neglected crisis in the world today. The collective failure to act means the devastation risks spilling over into neighboring countries.
At a conference in Paris this past April, the international community made generous pledges. But that appeal is only 52 per cent funded. And though IOM has been able to help nearly 3 million people since the war started, our part of the response plan is only 20% funded.
With the proper amount of funding, there is much we can do to alleviate the suffering, to help people get shelter and proper sanitation, to feed them and protect them.
But our progress will always be limited as long as war continues to be waged.
All wars are brutal, but the toll of this one is particularly horrifying, and the recent killings and appalling human rights violations in Aj Jazirah state were yet another example. Since last year, reports of rape, torture and ethnically motivated violence have been far too common. Indiscriminate attacks are killing civilians, including young children.
Some of the areas of most severe need remain cut off entirely, with no access to humanitarian aid.
The potential long-term impact of this catastrophic crisis is simply staggering. Education will be set back decades. The health and well-being of children will be stunted. Livelihoods will be permanently ruined. A generation will live in the shadow of trauma.
And the immense tragedy about it all is that a peaceful Sudan has the capacity to take care of itself. Its people are resilient, and their natural resources are immense.
So while I’m here today to raise awareness of the needs and to highlight the cost of this displacement crisis, what IOM really wants – what every person in the world should want – is for the guns in Sudan to fall silent.
The humanitarian response must be scaled up, and we call on the donor community to support this effort.
I echo the Secretary General in calling for:
An end to hostilities;
Protection for civilians;
and access for humanitarian agencies so that aid can flow.
We will not allow Sudan to be forgotten. But its people need peace, now.
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Recently, the demonstration plants were inaugurated at three identified locations—a government school, a community health centre, and the constructed wetland at the main pond. It was graced by Dr. Anita Gupta, Head of the Climate, Energy, and Sustainable Technology (CEST) Division, along with Dr. G.V Raghunath Reddy, the Programme Officer.
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Partnerships have been established with recycling agencies for the collection and segregation of recyclable waste from the Resource Recovery Center (RRC), ensuring its proper disposal and recycling. Vermicomposting units have also been developed, and the techniques have been disseminated among the villagers for their utilization.
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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launches, inaugurates and lays the foundation stone of multiple projects related to health sector worth over Rs 12,850 crore Augmenting the healthcare infrastructure is our priority, Initiatives relating to the sector launched today will make top-quality and affordable facilities available to the citizens:PM
It is a matter of happiness for all of us that today Ayurveda Day is being celebrated in more than 150 countries: PM
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Now every senior citizen of the country above the age of 70 years will get free treatment in the hospital,Such elderly people will be given Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card:PM
Government is running Mission Indradhanush campaign to prevent deadly diseases: PM
Our government is saving the money of the countrymen by making maximum use of technology in the health sector: PM
Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 3:09PM by PIB Delhi
On the occasion of Dhanvantari Jayanti and 9th Ayurveda Day, the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today launched, inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple projects related to the health sector worth around Rs 12,850 crore at All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister noted the occasion of Dhanvantari Jayanti and Dhanteras and conveyed his best wishes on the occasion. He conveyed his wishes to all business owners of the country as most people tend to buy something new for their homes, and also extended advanced greetings for Diwali.
The Prime Minister underlined that this Diwali is a historic one as Lord Shri Ram’s temple in Ayodhya will be lit up with thousands of diyas, making the celebrations unprecedented. “Lord Ram has once again returned to his abode in this year’s Diwali”, the Prime Minister remarked, adding that this wait is finally over not after 14 but 500 years.
Shri Modi said that it is no coincidence that this year’s festival of Dhanteras is an amalgamation of prosperity and health but a symbol of India’s culture and philosophy of life. Quoting sages and saints, the Prime Minister explained that health is considered supreme wealth and this ancient notion is finding acceptance across the world in the form of Yoga. Shri Modi expressed happiness that Ayurveda Diwas is being celebrated in more than 150 countries today and said that it is proof of the growing attraction towards Ayurveda, and India’s contribution to the world from its ancient past.
The Prime Minister underscored that in the past decade, the country had witnessed the beginning of a new chapter in the health sector with the amalgamation of knowledge of Ayurveda with Modern medicine. He added that All India Institute of Ayurveda had been a focal point of this chapter. Shri Modi remarked that seven years ago on Ayurveda day, he was fortunate to dedicate the first phase of the institute to the country and today with the blessings of Lord Dhanvantri, he was inaugurating the second phase of the institute. He noted that it would be possible to see the ancient techniques like Panchakarma infused with modern technology in this institute along with advanced research studies in the fields of Ayurveda and medical science. Shri Modi congratulated the citizens of India for this advancement.
Noting that the progress of a nation is directly proportional to the health of its citizens, the Prime Minister highlighted the government’s priority to the health of its citizens and outlined the five pillars of health policy. He listed the five pillars as preventive healthcare, early detection of ailments, free and low-cost treatment and medicines, availability of doctors in small towns and lastly expansion of technology in health services. “India is looking at the health sector as holistic health”, Shri Modi said, adding that the projects of today provide a glimpse of these five pillars. Touching upon the inauguration and foundation stone laying of projects worth more than Rs 13,000 crore, the Prime Minister mentioned creation of 4 centers of excellence under Ayush Health scheme, expansion of health services with the use of drones, helicopter service in AIIMS, Rishikesh, new infrastructure in AIIMS, New Delhi and AIIMS, Bilaspur, expansion of services in five other AIIMS in the country, establishment of medical colleges, bhoomi pujan of nursing colleges and other projects related to the health sector.The Prime Minister expressed happiness with several hospitals being established for the treatment of shramiks and said that it would become a center of treatment for shramiks. He also touched upon the inauguration of pharma units that would play a key role in manufacturing of advanced medicine and high quality stents and implants and further India’s growth.
The Prime Minister noted that most of us come from a background where illness meant a lightning strike on the entire family and especially in a poor household if a person is down with serious ailment, every member of the family was deeply affected. He added that there was a time when people would sell their houses, lands, jewelry, everything for treatment and be unable to bear the huge out-of-pocket expenditure while poor people had to make a choice between healthcare and other priorities of family. Shri Modi underlined that to overcome the despair of the poor, our Government introduced the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, where the government would bear the cost of hospitalization of the poor up to Rs. 5 lakh. The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction that about 4 crore poor people in the country have benefited from the Ayushman Yojana by getting treated without having to pay a single rupee. Shri Modi remarked that when he meets the beneficiaries of Ayushman Yojana in different states of the country, he feels satisfied that the scheme was a blessing for every person associated with it, be it a doctor or a paramedical staff.
Expressing satisfaction on the expansion of Ayushman Yojana, Shri Modi said that every elderly person was looking forward to it and the poll guarantee, if elected for the third term, of bringing all the elderly above 70 years of age under the ambit of Ayushman Yojana was being fulfilled. He added that every elderly person above 70 years of age in the country will get free treatment in the hospital by a Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card. Shri Modi highlighted that the card was universal and there was no restriction on income, be it poor or middle class or upper class. Informing that the scheme would prove to be a milestone for its universal applicability, Shri Modi remarked that with a Ayushman Vaya Vandana card for an elderly in the house, the Out-of-Pocket expenditure will be reduced to a great extent. He congratulated all the countrymen for this scheme and also informed that the scheme was not implemented in Delhi and West Bengal.
Reiterating the government’s priority to reduce the cost of treatment, be it the poor or middle class, the Prime Minister mentioned the launch of more than 14,000 PM Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country where medicines are available at 80 percent discount. He informed that the poor and middle class have managed to save Rs 30,000 crore due to availability of cheap medicines. He further added that prices of devices like stents and knee implants have been reduced, therefore, preventing a loss of more than Rs 80,000 crores rupees by the common citizens. He also mentioned the free dialysis scheme and Mission Indradhanush campaign to prevent fatal diseases and saving the lives of pregnant women and newborn babies. The Prime Minister assured that he will not rest until the poor and middle class of the country are free from the burden of expensive treatment.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of timely diagnosis in reducing the risks and inconveniences associated with illnesses. He highlighted that over two lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been established across the country to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment. He said that these Arogya Mandirs enable crores of citizens to easily check for diseases like cancer, hypertension, and diabetes. He said that timely diagnosis leads to prompt treatment, ultimately saving costs for patients. The Prime Minister explained that the government is leveraging technology to enhance healthcare and save citizens’ money under the e-Sanjeevani scheme where over 30 crore people have consulted doctors online. “Free and accurate consultations from doctors have significantly reduced healthcare expenses”, he added. Shri Modi announced the launch of the U-win platform which will provide India with a technologically advanced interface in the health sector. “The world witnessed the success of our Co-win platform during the pandemic, and the success of the UPI payment system has become a global story,” he said, adding that India aims to replicate this success in the healthcare sector through Digital Public Infrastructure.
The Prime Minister highlighted the unprecedented progress made in India’s healthcare sector over the past decade, contrasting it with the limited achievements in the previous six to seven decades and said, “In the last 10 years, we have seen a record number of new AIIMS and medical colleges being established”. Referring to today’s occasion, the Prime Minister said that hospitals were inaugurated in Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh. He also mentioned the foundation stone laying for new medical colleges in Narsapur and Bommasandra in Karnataka, Pithampur in Madhya Pradesh, Achitapuram in Andhra Pradesh, and Faridabad in Haryana. “Additionally, work has begun on the new ESIC Hospital in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, and a new hospital was inaugurated in Indore”, he added. The Prime Minister emphasized that the increasing number of hospitals reflects a proportional rise in medical seats. He affirmed that no poor child’s dream of becoming a doctor would be shattered, and no middle-class student would be forced to study abroad due to lack of options in India. Shri Modi informed that nearly 1 lakh new MBBS and MD seats have been added over the past 10 years and reiterated the commitment to announcing another 75,000 seats in the next five years.
The Prime Minister informed that 7.5 lakh registered AYUSH practitioners are already contributing to the nation’s healthcare. He stressed on increasing this number further and highlighted the growing demand for medical and wellness tourism in India. He stressed the need for the youth and AYUSH practitioners to prepare for expanding fields such as preventive cardiology, Ayurvedic orthopedics, and Ayurvedic rehabilitation centers, both in India and abroad. “Immense opportunities are being created for AYUSH practitioners. Our youth will not only progress themselves through these opportunities but will also render a great service to humanity”, he added.
PM Modi noted the rapid progress in medicine during the 21st century, with breakthroughs in treatments for previously incurable diseases. He said, “As the world places importance on wellness along with treatment, India has thousands of years of knowledge in this area.” The Prime Minister announced the launch of the Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan aimed at designing ideal lifestyles and risk analysis for individuals using Ayurveda principles. He emphasized that this initiative can redefine the healthcare sector globally and provide a new perspective for the entire world.
Prime Minister Modi underscored the importance of validating traditional herbs like Ashwagandha, turmeric, and black pepper through high-impact scientific studies. “Lab validation of our traditional healthcare systems will not only increase the value of these herbs but also create a significant market”, he remarked, pointing to the rising demand for Ashwagandha, which is projected to reach $2.5 billion by the end of this decade.
Underlining that the success of AYUSH is transforming not only the health sector but also the economy, the Prime Minister informed that the AYUSH manufacturing sector has grown from $3 billion in 2014 to nearly $24 billion today, an 8-fold increase in just 10 years. He added that over 900 AYUSH start-ups are now operational in India, creating new opportunities for the youth. The Prime Minister highlighted the global export of AYUSH products to 150 countries, benefiting Indian farmers by turning local herbs and superfoods into global commodities. He also pointed out initiatives like the Namami Gange project, which promotes natural farming and herb cultivation along the Ganga river.
Reflecting on India’s commitment to health and well-being, Shri Modi said that it is the soul of India’s national character and social fabric. He emphasized that the government in the last 10 years has aligned the nation’s policies with the philosophy of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.’ “In the next 25 years, these efforts will lay a strong foundation for a developed and healthy India”, Shri Modi concluded.
Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare & Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri J P Nadda, and Minister of Labour and Employment & Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya were present on the occasion among others.
Background
As a major addition to the flagship scheme Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), the Prime Minister launched expansion of health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above. This will help provide health coverage to all senior citizens regardless of their income.
It has been the constant endeavor of the Prime Minister to provide quality healthcare services all across the country. In a major boost to healthcare infrastructure, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple healthcare institutions.
The Prime Minister inaugurated Phase II of India’s First All India Institute of Ayurveda. It includes a Panchakarma hospital, an Ayurvedic pharmacy for drug manufacturing, a sports medicine unit, a central library, an IT and start-ups incubation center and a 500-seat auditorium among others. He also inaugurated three medical colleges at Mandsaur, Neemuch and Seoni in Madhya Pradesh. Further, he inaugurated facility and service extensions at various AIIMS in Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh, Kalyani in West Bengal, Patna in Bihar, Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, Guwahati in Assam and in New Delhi, which will also include a Jan Aushadhi Kendra. The Prime Minister also inaugurated a Super Speciality Block in Government Medical College at Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh and a Critical Care Block in Bargarh, Odisha.
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of five Nursing Colleges in Shivpuri, Ratlam, Khandwa, Rajgarh and Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh; 21 Critical Care Blocks at Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Manipur, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan under Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) and several facilities and service extensions at AIIMS in New Delhi and in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated an ESIC Hospital at Indore in Madhya Pradesh, and lay the foundation stone for ESIC hospitals at Faridabad in Haryana, Bommasandra and Narasapur in Karnataka, Indore in Madhya Pradesh, Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, and Atchutapuram in Andhra Pradesh. These projects will bring healthcare benefits to around 55 lakh ESI beneficiaries.
The Prime Minister has been a strong proponent of expanding the usage of technology to enhance service delivery across sectors. In an innovative usage of drone technology to enhance service delivery to make healthcare more accessible, the Prime Minister launched drone services at 11 Tertiary Healthcare Institutions. These are AIIMS Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, AIIMS Bibinagar in Telangana, AIIMS Guwahati in Assam, AIIMS Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, AIIMS Jodhpur in Rajasthan, AIIMS Patna in Bihar, AIIMS Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh, AIIMS Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh, AIIMS Raipur in Chhattisgarh, AIIMS Mangalagiri in Andhra Pradesh and RIMS Imphal in Manipur. He will also launch Helicopter Emergency Medical Services from AIIMS Rishikesh, which will help deliver speedy medical care.
The Prime Minister launched the U-WIN portal. It will benefit pregnant women and infants by fully digitalizing the vaccination process. It will ensure timely administration of life-saving vaccines to pregnant women and children (from birth to 16 years) against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases. Further, the Prime Minister also launched a portal for allied and healthcare professionals and institutes. It will act as a centralized database of existing healthcare professionals and institutes.
The Prime Minister launched several initiatives to strengthen the R&D and testing infrastructure to improve the healthcare ecosystem in the country. The Prime Minister inaugurated a Central Drugs Testing Laboratory in Gothapatna in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
He laid the foundation stone of two Central Research Institutes in Yoga and Naturopathy at Khordha in Odisha, Raipur in Chhattisgarh. He also laid the foundation stone of four Centres of Excellence at NIPER Ahmedabad in Gujarat for medical devices, NIPER Hyderabad in Telangana for bulk drugs, NIPER Guwahati in Assam for phytopharmaceuticals, and NIPER Mohali in Punjab for anti-bacterial anti-viral drug discovery and development.
The Prime Minister launched four Ayush Centres of Excellence, namely Centre of Excellence for diabetes and metabolic disorders at Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru; Centre of Excellence in sustainable Ayush for advanced technological solutions, start-up support and net zero sustainable solutions for Rasaushadhies at IIT Delhi; Centre of Excellence for fundamental and translational research in Ayurveda at Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow; and Centre of Excellence on Ayurveda and Systems Medicine at JNU, New Delhi.
In a major boost to Make in India initiative in the healthcare sector, Prime Minister inaugurated five projects under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for medical devices and bulk drugs at Vapi in Gujarat, Hyderabad in Telangana, Bengaluru in Karnataka, Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh and Nalagarh in Himachal Pradesh. These units will manufacture high-end medical devices, such as body implants and critical care equipment, along with important bulk drugs.
The Prime Minister also launched a nationwide campaign, “Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan,” that aims to raise health awareness among the citizens. He also launched the State specific Action Plan on Climate Change and Human Health for each state and UT which will lay out adaptation strategies towards developing climate resilient healthcare services.
Augmenting the healthcare infrastructure is our priority. Initiatives relating to the sector launched today will make top-quality and affordable facilities available to the citizens.https://t.co/eqbS0KJjE2
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses Rozgar Mela It is a matter of great joy to have handed over appointment letters for government jobs to 51 thousand youth in the Rozgar Mela, Best wishes to all the youth who are taking a step towards nation building:PM
It is our commitment that the youth of the country should get maximum employment: PM
Today India is moving towards becoming the third largest economy in the world: PM
We promoted Make in India in every new technology,We worked on self-reliant India: PM
Under the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme, provision has been made for paid internships in the top 500 companies of India: PM
Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 11:53AM by PIB Delhi
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the Rozgar Mela and distributed more than 51,000 appointment letters to newly appointed youth in Government departments and organizations via videoconferencing today. Rozgar Mela highlights the Prime Minister’s commitment to prioritizing employment generation. It will empower the youth by providing them with meaningful opportunities to contribute to nation-building.
Addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister noted the auspicious occasion of Dhanteras and conveyed his best wishes on the occasion. Underlining that this year’s Diwali would be a special one, the Prime Minister said that it is the first Diwali since Lord Shri Ram has been seated in his magnificent temple in Ayodhya after 500 years. He said that several generations have waited for this Diwali, while many have sacrificed their lives for it or faced adversities. The Prime Minister emphasized that the present generation is extremely fortunate to witness and become a part of such celebrations. In the atmosphere of festivity, said the Prime Minister, 51,000 youth are being handed out recruitment letters for government jobs. He congratulated the new recruits and conveyed his best wishes to them.
The Prime Minister highlighted that offering permanent Government jobs to lakhs of youths has been a legacy which is continuously going on. He added that lakhs of youths were handed appointment letters even in the states being governed by BJP and NDA allies. Shri Modi emphasized that in Haryana there is a festive atmosphere with 26,000 youths getting jobs by the newly formed government . Shri Modi said their Government in Haryana had a special identity of giving jobs without any expense or recommendation. He greeted the 26,000 youths of Haryana who will be handed over their appointment letters today apart from 51,000 jobs in today’s Rozgar Mela.
The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment that the youth of the country should get maximum employment. Noting that the policies and decisions of the government have a direct impact on job creation, the Prime Minister highlighted the development of expressways, highways, roads, rail, ports, airports, laying of fiber cables, setting up of mobile towers and expansion of new industries in all parts of the country. Referring to laying of water and gas pipelines, establishing of new schools, colleges and universities and reducing logistics cost by spending on infrastructure, Shri Modi said that it is not only benefitting the citizens but also creating new job opportunities.
Recalling his visit to Vadodara in Gujarat yesterday, the Prime Minister mentioned inaugurating an aircraft manufacturing facility for the defence sector. He said that thousands of citizens would get direct employment while MSME industries would hugely benefit from the manufacturing of spare parts and other equipment, creating a huge network of supply chains. Noting that a single aircraft comprises 15,000 to 25,000 parts, Shri Modi emphasized that thousands of smaller factories would play an active role in fulfilling the demands of a mega factory, thereby benefiting India’s MSMEs.
The Prime Minister remarked that whenever a scheme is launched, the focus is not just only on the benefits accrued to the citizens, but also develop an entire ecosystem of employment generation using it as a medium by thinking in a broader scope. Citing an example of PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana, he said in the last 6 months, around 2 crore customers had registered for the scheme, more than 9,000 vendors were associated with scheme, solar panels were already installed in more than 5 lakh houses and in the near future, there was a plan to create 800 Solar villages as model under this scheme. He also noted that 30,000 people had undergone training for roof-top solar installation as well. Therefore, he added, this one scheme of PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana has created a host of employment opportunities for manufacturers, vendors, assemblers and repairers across the country.
Noting that the Khadi industry of India has been transformed by the policies of the government in the last 10 years and impacted the people in the villages, the Prime Minister informed that Khadi Gram Udyog’s business has surpassed 1.5 lakh crores today. Drawing parallels from 10 years ago, the Prime Minister exclaimed that the sale of Khadi has grown up to 400 percent, thereby benefiting artists, weavers and businesses and also creating new employment opportunities. Shri Modi also touched upon the Lakhpati Didi scheme where new employment and self-employment opportunities are provided to rural women. “More than 10 crore women have joined self-help groups in the last decade”, he added, noting that 10 crore women are now engaged in economic activities. He credited the support provided by the government in every step and reiterated the commitment to creating 3 crore lakhpati didis. “More than 1.25 crore women have already become Lakhpati Didis so far making their annual income above Rs 1 lakh”, he added.
The Prime Minister stated that India is moving towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy. Reflecting on the country’s progress, he noted the inquisition by the youth of India who often ask why the country didn’t achieve this pace earlier. Underlining that the answer lies in the lack of clear policies and intent in previous governments, the Prime Minister pointed out that India had been lagging behind in several sectors, particularly technology. He recalled that India used to wait for new technologies from around the world and what was considered outdated in the West would eventually reach the nation. He pointed out the long withstanding belief that modern technology could not be developed in India not only set India back in terms of growth but also deprived the country of crucial job opportunities.
Highlighting the steps taken to free the country from this old thinking, the Prime Minister stated that efforts were initiated to break free from this old mindset in sectors like space, semiconductors, electronics and electric vehicles by promoting Make in India. The Prime Minister underscored the importance of technological advancement and investment, adding that the PLI scheme was launched to bring new technology and foreign direct investment to India, which has accelerated job creation when combined with the Make in India initiative. He noted that every sector is now receiving a boost providing opportunities for youth across different fields. “Today, India is witnessing massive investment, and record opportunities are being created”, he said, adding that in the last eight years, over 1.5 lakh startups have been launched, making India the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem. He further added that these sectors are offering our youth a chance to grow and gain employment.
The Prime Minister reiterated that the government is very focused on skill development today to increase the capacity of the youth of India. Therefore, he added, Government started missions like Skill India and youth were being trained in many skill development centers. Shri Modi remarked that arrangements were made to ensure that India’s youth need not have to wander for experience and opportunity. Citing the Pradhan Mantri Internship Yojana, Shri Modi said provisions were made for paid internships in the top 500 companies of India, where every intern would be given Rs 5,000 per month for one year. He added the Government’s target was to ensure one crore youth get internship opportunities in the next 5 years. This, he said, would give the youth a chance to connect with the real-life business environment in different sectors and add a beneficial experience to their career.
The Prime Minister remarked that the Indian government was creating new opportunities to make it easier for Indian youth to get jobs abroad. Citing the recently released Germany’s Skilled Labour Strategy for India, Shri Modi informed that Germany had increased the number of visas given to skilled Indian youth every year from 20 thousand to 90 thousand. He added that India’s youth will benefit greatly from this. Shri Modi also mentioned that India had signed agreements related to migration and employment with 21 countries in recent years, including countries like Japan, Australia, France, Germany, Mauritius, Israel, UK and Italy, apart from Gulf countries. He noted that every year 3 thousand Indians can get a 2-year visa to work and study in the UK while 3 thousand Indian students will get the opportunity to study in Australia. “India’s talent will not only give direction to India’s progress but also to the world’s progress”, exclaimed Shri Modi. He added that India was moving ahead in that direction.
Shri Modi emphasized that the role of the government today was to create a modern system where every youth gets an opportunity and can fulfill their aspirations. Therefore, he urged the newly appointed youths in various positions that their goal should be to provide maximum facilities to the youth and citizens of India.
The Prime Minister emphasized the crucial role of taxpayers and citizens in securing government jobs and stated that the government exists because of the citizens and is appointed to serve them. He reiterated that the primary duty is to serve the nation, be it in the position of a postman or a professor. Shri Modi underlined that the new recruits have joined the government at a time when the country has resolved to become developed. Therefore, said the Prime Minister, to achieve this goal, we must excel in every sector and contribute fully. He urged the new recruits to not only perform well but to strive for excellence. “Government employees in our country should set an example recognized worldwide”, he asserted. The Prime Minister stressed that the nation has high expectations from them and said that these expectations must be met to deliver on the commitments.
The Prime Minister remarked on the new journey that appointees are embarking on with their positions, urging them to always remain humble and to maintain the habit of learning throughout their journey. He highlighted the availability of various courses for government employees on the iGOT Karmayogi platform and encouraged them to utilize this digital training module at their convenience. “Once again, I congratulate the candidates receiving their appointment letters today”, the Prime Minister concluded.
Background
Rozgar Mela is being organized at 40 locations across the country with new recruits joining the Central Government across various Ministries and Departments such as the Department of Revenue, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare among others.
Newly appointed recruits will have the opportunity to undertake foundational training through ‘Karmayogi Prarambh,’ an online module available on the iGOT Karmayogi portal. Over 1400 e-learning courses are available which will equip recruits with essential skills to serve in their roles effectively and work towards building a Viksit Bharat.
रोजगार मेले में 51 हजार नौजवानों को सरकारी नौकरी के नियुक्ति पत्र सौंप कर हर्ष की अनुभूति हो रही है। राष्ट्र निर्माण में कदम रखने वाले सभी युवाओं को ढेर सारी शुभकामनाएं।https://t.co/VijSRzGpZV
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
Hear from the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as hospital and group purchasing organization industry leaders, for an informational briefing on strategies to conserve intravenous fluid (IV) products that are in shortage and may be further impacted until Baxter’s North Cove, NC facility is operational.
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) | http://www.hhs.gov
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
During the meeting on October 21, 2024, the Advisory Council will hear updates from federal agencies on activities during the last quarter and from panels organized by the clinical care and risk reduction subcommittees. Presenters will discuss dementia care from different perspectives, including those of providers, people with lived experience, and CMMI GUIDE Model participants, as well as how to bridge gaps in service delivery.
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) | http://www.hhs.gov | HHS Privacy Policy | http://www.hhs.gov/Privacy.html
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
In the Central Administrative District, another 12 clinics are being reconstructed as part of the second stage of the outpatient modernization program. Work is currently underway in nine medical institutions, and in three of them it will begin as the renovation is completed and the clinics that are already being reconstructed are opened. In the latter, work should be completed in 2025. In addition, one clinic included in the second stage of the outpatient modernization program is already accepting patients.
“During the reconstruction, the internal layout of the buildings is changed, resulting in more open spaces, and the usable area is increased by converting basements and ground floors into storage and utility facilities. Particular attention during the work is paid to the selection of high-quality materials, modern design and interior. The clinics receive additional energy capacity to connect new and modern equipment. As a result, Muscovites receive high-quality medical services, and doctors – comfortable working conditions,” the press service said.
Currently, two children’s clinics are being modernized, located on Antonova-Ovseenko Street (building 8) and in Bolshoi Kozlovsky Lane (building 9, building 1). Work is also underway in seven adult medical institutions on Kazakova Street (building 17a), Ladozhskaya Street (building 4/6, building 1), Zamorenova Street (building 27), Bolshaya Bronnaya Street (building 3), Verkhnyaya Krasnoselskaya Street (building 21, building 1), Malaya Yakimanka Street (building 22, building 1) and in Bolshoi Nikolopeskovsky Lane (building 4, building 1). The total area of the buildings is about 60 thousand square meters.
Many polyclinics will create conditions for the placement of modern mammographs, X-ray machines, including U-arc X-ray machines. In particular, a complex of rooms with functional zones will be prepared for this purpose, including a procedure room (where the X-ray machine will be placed), a control room (for remote control of the machine), specialist offices, auxiliary and utility rooms. Electrical insulating materials resistant to radiation and radiation will be used in the finishing of these zones. In addition, the rooms will have their own ventilation system. When arranging magnetic resonance imaging departments, the procedure room will be shielded using a Faraday cage. This will protect the equipment from the effects of external electromagnetic fields.
“Some renovated polyclinic buildings will be equipped with rooms for testing the function of external respiration. A day hospital with eight beds will be set up in the medical facility on Malaya Yakimanka Street. In addition, the casualty department located in branch No. 2 of polyclinic No. 64 will be renovated and equipped with modern equipment,” the department’s press service noted.
Branch No. 1 of Children’s Polyclinic No. 32 and the main building of the adult polyclinic on Malaya Yakimanka Street will have fully equipped rooms for therapeutic exercise classes, and wall bars will also be installed in them. In the main building of Polyclinic No. 220, a halochamber will be re-equipped for the treatment of various respiratory diseases.
In Branch No. 1 of Children’s Polyclinic No. 104 and Branch No. 1 of Children’s Polyclinic No. 32, filter boxes with an area of about 20 square meters will be created. This will separate the flows of healthy and sick children and thus prevent the spread of infection. In addition, stroller storage with awnings will be set up at the entrances to the buildings in both polyclinics.
Branch No. 1 of Children’s Polyclinic No. 32 will equip an electro-light therapy room. It will use various types of electric current for treatment, so special materials that do not generate static electricity will be used in the finishing of the premises.
During the work, not only the clinic buildings are being renovated, but also the adjacent areas. They are being made more convenient and comfortable.
In one of the polyclinics included in the second stage of the outpatient modernization program, all work has already been completed and patients are being received. The main building of Polyclinic No. 5 on Daev Lane has been almost completely rebuilt – it now has more general practitioner offices, procedure rooms and manipulation rooms. A medical prevention department has been organized, massage rooms, physiotherapy rooms, and a therapeutic exercise room are provided. Specialists have also improved the adjacent territory.
As part of the first stage of the program, six children’s and eight adult medical institutions were renovated in the district. The work took place in the Arbat, Khamovniki, Tagansky, Presnensky, Krasnoselsky, Meshchansky and Tverskoy districts. These clinics now meet the requirements new Moscow standard. In addition to the buildings themselves, the surrounding areas were also transformed. Specialists arranged convenient paths, installed benches, urns and navigation steles. In addition, the areas were additionally landscaped: about 120 trees and more than 1.1 thousand bushes were planted.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Sheffield has a new citywide dementia plan to provide people with dementia and their families with the right support and care.
The Council, key partners across the city, people living with dementia and their families have all worked together to inform the plan, which aims for Sheffield to become a proud dementia-friendly city.
It will be discussed next week by members of the Adult Health and Social Care Policy Committee who will be asked to approve the plan, which will run from 2025-2030.
Councillor Angela Argenzio, Chair of Adult Health and Social Care Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “Our vision is to make sure people with dementia are supported by being in the right environment, with the right support around them. At committee today, the Council and its key partner organisations signed up to a five-year plan, designed as a result of research and conversations with providers and people and families with lived experience of dementia. It focuses on what they have said is important to them.
Nine commitments make up the plan:
Sheffield will become a Dementia friendly city
More will be done to prevent, reduce, and delay, the risk of developing dementia
Improved access to dementia diagnosis at the earliest possible stage for the people of Sheffield.
Support will be personalised, local and accessible, to help people with dementia to remain independent for as long as possible
High quality support to families and carers of people living with dementia in Sheffield will be provided
People living with dementia and their carers will receive care and support that recognises and works with them as individuals
Families and staff will be supported to plan ahead to reduce the likelihood of dementia related crisis
Improved care for people with dementia attending hospital
Personalised, good quality palliative and end of life care when needed
Councillor Angela Argenzio added: “We’re driving this work forward with the NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, all of our partners from both the statutory, voluntary sector and working with communities because we need to be better at supporting the diverse needs of this group of people.
“In Sheffield, we know that our success will be because we have adopted a multi-agency approach in supporting people across the city. It’s the working together that will be key. Supporting people with dementia and their families and those who work with dementia effectively will only be possible by having a focus on doing the things that we know have been agreed as a result of what people living with dementia have told us is important. Working in partnership is key to us all making progress together.
“One of the biggest highlights from the results showed how difficult lives can become for those living with dementia if there isn’t consistency. Consistency makes a world of difference. Our job is to make sure they are fully supported, and we want to achieve this through these commitments.”
Grace Stead from ‘Enrichment for the Elderly’ delivers Dementia Stars training in the city funded by Sheffield City Council through Dementia Advice Sheffield. This training helps professionals and volunteers understand dementia better and the training is designed to meet the diverse needs of Sheffield’s communities.
Grace said: “When supporting my nan with dementia people just didn’t understand how best to support her. The negative impact on her, me and those around her was huge. These dementia commitments will help us to put people with dementia at the centre of what we do, working together to support the person with dementia and the people around them with better understanding at the heart of it.”
People in the city who have done Dementia Stars training speak highly of the difference it has made to them:
“I wish I would have had this training years ago; it would have helped me support my mum better who had dementia, but it will now support my practice.”
“This has been the best learning experience I have ever had! Inspiring, it makes you want to make a difference to people’s lives.”
It’s estimated that there are over 6,000 and up to around 7,300 people aged over 65 currently living with dementia in Sheffield, which is between 6.7% and 7.7% of the 94,840 people aged 65 years and over in the city. Approximately 140 people under 65 in Sheffield live with young onset dementia. Dementia support and awareness in Sheffield has increased over the last 5 years, however, the growing impact of an aging population on dementia prevalence means the number of people living with dementia is predicted to keep increasing.
The Council is committed to helping to prevent and reduce the risk of developing dementia right across a person’s life through the many programmes for which it holds responsibility to deliver. There are ways that some types of dementia can be prevented, or the risk of dementia reduced. Dementia risk includes factors starting at early years and education; and includes environmental factors such as exposure to air pollution.
Some risk factors that can be changed to reduce the risk of dementia are similar to those recommended to people to keep their heart and circulation healthy such as increasing physical activity, reducing alcohol consumption, and reducing smoking. Social contact is really important for everyone, and this is the case for people at risk of developing dementia or who already have dementia. Research has also found that using aids for hearing and visual problems can also reduce the risk.
Sheffield Dementia Action Alliance (SDAA) is a network of organisations who want to help communities, organisations and businesses do more for people affected by dementia: reducing stigma, increasing understanding, and making small but significant changes to buildings and environments to make them more accessible for people with dementia. Over the past 5 years SDAA has recruited and supported over 80 members who have made over 200 pledges to make their organisations more dementia friendly. This has included community centres, train operators, places of worship, theatres, libraries, charity shops and pubs.
Work on the strategy and what it aims to achieve will be formally launched on the morning of Wednesday 27th November at an event for people with dementia and their families, providers, and partners. Taking place at Niagara Conference and Leisure Centre, Niagara Road, Sheffield, S6 1LU, resources, advice, information and more on the city’s dementia plan will be available.
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
From November 11 to 15, the International Forum “World Quality Day 2024” will be held, with the State University of Management as a partner.
The International Forum “World Quality Day” will be held for the fifth time. The event is held as part of the Quality Week, dedicated to World Quality Day, which this year falls on November 14.
The forum will be held in two formats – in-person and hybrid. Offline events are planned in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Ufa, Sochi. Everyone who registers on the forum website will be able to watch the online broadcast of the sessions, and later the recording.
In 2023, 60 sessions were held as part of the business program. They were attended by 437 speakers from 16 countries. The broadcast of the business program was watched by over 3 million people from 65 countries.
As in previous years, the business program will feature leading experts from various sectors of the economy, representatives of federal and regional authorities, businesses and public organizations. Participants will exchange experiences in improving quality standards, implementing innovative management methods and sustainable development practices, and discuss quality infrastructure and industry development vectors.
Traditionally, the main event of the forum will be the plenary session “Development Horizons” with the participation of representatives of government bodies. The participation of the First Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov, the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Anton Alikhanov, the Minister of Health of the Russian Federation Mikhail Murashko, the State Secretary – Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Alexey Khersontsev and others is expected. The experts will discuss key tasks and update the priorities that the state faces until the end of the decade and beyond.
The business program will include sessions on business excellence, food safety, tourism, retail, HR, finance, business and much more. You can view the full program and register for events on the official forum website.
Two sessions of the business program will be held at the State University of Management: – November 14, 12:00-13:30 – Session “New Horizons for the Development of the Labor Market in the Russian Federation”; – November 14, 14:00-15:30 – Session “Assessment of Management Quality: Approaches, Methods, Tools, Personnel”.
The forum is held by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia, the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, Roskachestvo, Rosstandart and Rosaccreditation with the support of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation and other organizations.
The Forum partners are the Russian Society “Knowledge”, PAO Promsvyazbank (PSB), the State University of Management, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, ROSBIOTECH, the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, RUDN University and other universities and organizations.
Subscribe to the tg channel “Our State University” Announcement date: 10/28/2024
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, and the Deputy Commissioner for Labour (Occupational Safety and Health), Mr Vincent Fung, visited a construction site today (October 28) to call on contractors, employers and workers to pay attention to safety and health at work in confined spaces.
The Labour Department (LD) attaches great importance to the occupational safety and health (OSH) of confined space work. The revised Code of Practice for Safety and Health at Work in Confined Spaces (CoP) published by the LD earlier will take effect on November 30 this year. The revised CoP provides proprietors, contractors, competent persons and certified workers engaged in confined spaces work with practical guidance and technical information, and imposes stricter requirements on proprietors and/or contractors to adopt technology to record videos at the entrance and exit of the confined space throughout the entire work period to monitor relevant personnel’s compliance with the safety precautions. The LD will continue to conduct surprise inspections from time to time of workplaces carrying out confined space work, and check relevant work processes and equipment to ensure that workers’ OSH is safeguarded.
Mr Sun said, “The Government has been encouraging the industry to provide a safer working environment, including wider adoption of the Smart Site Safety System in the construction industry. Advanced technology and equipment will be applied to transmit video recordings taken at the entrance and exit of confined space worksites as well as continuous air-monitoring results inside the confined spaces through a central management platform, enabling the management to perform real-time safety monitoring and maintain proper records. The system also helps to initiate evacuation and rescue procedures promptly in case of emergency to further improve OSH in confined space work.
Mr Sun called on proprietors and contractors of confined space work to observe the provisions of the revised CoP, take adequate safety measures and strengthen supervision to prevent accidents. Workers also must raise their safety awareness, remain vigilant at all times, protect their personal safety at work, and cherish their lives and families.
Mr Sun reiterated, “The Government has long adopted the combination of legislation and enforcement, education and training, and publicity and promotion in striving to ensure workplace safety. Employers and employees also have the shared responsibility to help ensure OSH.”
The LD will continue to carry out inspections and law enforcement actions targeting confined space work. If any violations of the OSH legislation are detected, stringent enforcement actions will be taken immediately without prior warning. In addition, the LD is carrying out a new round of publicity work to disseminate OSH messages through different channels, remind employers and employees not to contravene OSH legislation, and enhance workers’ safety awareness regarding confined space work.
Amanda Denes, a professor in the Department of Communication in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has received funding from the National Cancer Institute to conduct a pilot study that investigates the relationships between communication and sexual, relational, and individual well-being for individuals diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.
Metastatic breast cancer, also called stage IV breast cancer, is a late-stage cancer where cancerous cells have spread beyond the breast to other organs.
Denes, who is a principal investigator at UConn’s Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy (InCHIP), will explore how metastatic breast cancer patients communicate with their partner about their sexual, relational, and individual well-being. Patients will complete an online survey about their relationship with their partner, how cancer has changed their sexual relationship, and if and how they communicate with their partner about these changes.
Amanda Denes, professor in the Department of Communication
“Despite the recognition that sexuality should be part of end-of-life care and is vital for couples with cancer to maintain connection, sexual needs are rarely assessed among metastatic cancer patients. Their needs for intimacy may be even stronger than before cancer, given the limited time and highly emotional experience of facing a terminal diagnosis,” says Denes.
A cancer diagnosis is a life-altering experience that impacts not only physical health, but also mental and emotional well-being, and social relationships.
For married or committed couples, a cancer diagnosis becomes a shared challenge as they cope with the diagnosis and adjust to their new reality. Cancer can impact and change the communication patterns that couples have established, as well as their roles and responsibilities in the relationship.
Although being married or in a committed partnership has health benefits and may improve quality of life, couples navigating a cancer diagnosis may also experience heightened levels of stress and breakdowns in communication, a major cause of divorce or breakups.
Mutual, constructive communication has been shown to ease psychological distress, sustain closeness and intimacy, and improve outcomes. It is particularly important for couples to engage in discussions about their sexual health, even if they may be reluctant.
“Sex is one of the most frequently discussed topics among couples facing cancer, so there is evidence that talking about sex is important in this context. There has been some work demonstrating the benefits of interventions focused on improving sexual communication between reproductive cancer patients and their partners, but much of this work overlooks the experiences of people with advanced cancers, like metastatic breast cancer,” says Denes.
Denes is collaborating with Keith Bellizzi, a professor of gerontology in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences. He has expertise in cancer survivorship and quality of life, including sexual function.
Keith Bellizzi, professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences
“While there has been growing attention to psychosocial impacts of cancer, intimacy in couples is much less understood, particularly among women with metastatic breast cancer,” says Bellizzi.
Denes and Bellizzi previously collaborated on projects exploring couples’ communication about sexuality in the context of reproductive cancers. They also conducted preliminary testing of the study’s survey tool.
“Identifying specific forms and features of talk that may help or hinder couples as they navigate intimacy in the context of metastatic breast cancer is a pivotal first step in understanding if and how communication can benefit individual and relational well-being. Findings from this study will help identify aspects of communication that patients find beneficial when navigating sexuality and intimacy in their relationship,” says Denes.
To expand data collection, the research team received bridge funding from InCHIP. This will enable Denes and Bellizzi to survey an additional 200 participants and test their exploratory model, which will serve as the foundation for a future external grant application.
For Denes, studying how couples with cancer successfully talk about cancer-related changes is both a personal and professional endeavor.
“I am particularly interested in the experiences of couples facing cancer given the ways that cancer has affected my own life. I have watched friends and family members battle cancer and experience changes to roles, relationships, and the communication that occurs within them. This has made me want to understand how couples facing cancer can successfully communicate about cancer-related changes,” says Denes.
Denes’ research focuses on interpersonal communication and how it impacts relational, mental, and physical health, with the goal of identifying communication practices that contribute to individual and relational thriving. She currently serves as principal investigator on two projects that explore couples’ communication about sexual and relational changes in the face of a cancer diagnosis and treatment.
These projects were supported by internal funding from UConn and a U.S. Scholar Award from the Australian-American Fulbright Commission, and investigate communication about sexuality and intimacy among heterosexual and LGBTQI+ cancer patients.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), sexual health extends beyond the absence of disease, dysfunction, or infirmity and encompasses physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being. WHO also recommends acknowledging that sexual experiences can and should be pleasurable.
“Despite sex being an essential part of human existence and connection, it is still a topic that many consider taboo. Seeing how the silence that surrounds sex and sexuality can negatively impact individuals and their relationships led me to focus my research on the communication processes that contribute to satisfying relationships,” says Denes.
Nick Kuhlman is a doctoral student in nutritional sciences. (Sean Flynn/UConn Photo)
If you’ve looked at social media or a supplement aisle in the past year, chances are you’ve seen pastel-colored tubs of collagen peptides. This popular supplement is often marketed as supporting joint and bone health (among other things, like skin elasticity and digestion).
But do these claims actually hold up? That’s what Nick Kuhlman, a nutritional sciences Ph.D. candidate, is investigating in his dissertation.
Kuhlman recently received funding to support his work from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Foundation, one of the nation’s premiere providers of support to athletics- and kinesiology-related research.
Prior to pursuing research, Kuhlman worked as a strength and conditioning coach for several universities, including West Texas A&M University and the University of South Alabama (where he became the director of athletic performance).
“The NSCA is the gold standard organization and certification for strength and conditioning coaches, at both the professional and collegiate level,” Kuhlman says. “I was involved with that organization as a coach for many years. But they also have a foundation which is at the cutting edge in terms of research for strength and conditioning, and athletic development. As I transitioned to academia, I took advantage of the opportunity to apply for this award.”
Kuhlman’s double-blind, placebo-controlled study will examine the effects of collagen peptide supplements (using a popular commercial brand) on bone metabolism, tendon health, and biomarkers of inflammation and recovery for female distance runners. This population is doubly at risk for early-onset osteoporosis, and other bone stress injuries such as stress fractures, due to their high-impact sport and nutritional challenges.
Through analyzing bone density scans as well as biomarkers in the bloodstream, the study will investigate whether regular supplementation of collagen peptides helps prevent bone loss.
Investigating Collagen’s Health Claims
Collagen is one of the latest additions to the pantheon of popular over-the-counter supplements with compelling health claims. Since supplement marketing is largely unregulated in the United States, companies have broad leeway in their advertising.
In the case of collagen, though, there is compelling evidence that some of the health claims may actually hold up. Kuhlman mentions existing research on the supplement’s benefits for bone density among post-menopausal women. But, he says, “There’s not a whole lot of evidence in the athletic population.”
The findings of this study will help runners and other athletes assess whether they may benefit from adding collagen peptides to their supplement routines.
“Either way, whether we find some significant effects or not, I think it’s valuable,” Kuhlman says. “If we have a null finding, we can say, ‘OK, despite what you may see in these advertisements, it’s not really bearing out in the literature.’ On the flip side, if we find bone health does improve, we can help contextualize those health claims.”
Sifting through nutritional claims as a consumer can be challenging, especially since many supplements come with high price tags. How can you be sure you’re spending your money on something that will actually improve your health?
“It’s tough even for me, and for someone who’s not plugged in to the science world, I can see it being really, really challenging,” Kuhlman says, adding that individual variability can introduce even more confusion – some people may experience positive effects from a given supplement, while others may report a neutral or negative effect from the exact same product.
That’s why he’s eager to provide new data that can help consumers make informed decisions.
“I’m interested in actionable interventions that people can implement in their daily lives,” he says.
Supporting the Health of Athletic Populations
For Kuhlman, this research at the intersection of nutrition and exercise science is simply the latest step in a career devoted to nurturing athletic health. Earning his doctorate, he says, has been an exercise in understanding the scientific side of the applied work he did as a coach and trainer.
“Getting my Ph.D. was something I wanted to do for a while,” he says. “I love research. I love the process of asking a question and applying the scientific method to uncover a little bit more of the likely truth of whatever problem you’re trying to solve.”
Throughout his doctoral studies, Kuhlman has published numerous articles on sports nutrition and performance, particularly among college athletes, and has presented his research at five conferences.
After receiving his degree, he hopes to remain in the research world, exploring more questions that athletes and athletic people navigate every day. His research seeks to help people understand how nutrition and exercise can benefit everyone – not just those looking to maximize their athletic potential.
“I’m a big believer in the fact that nutrition and exercise can modulate health in so many ways,” he says. “It’s not just about ‘peak performance’ — it’s really about health. Health underpins all of this.”
Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Presentation of the medal to Evgeny Rybnov (in the center). On the right – Askar Zhusupbekov
The results of the national (all-Russian) scientific and technical conference with international participation “Modern methods of design, underground construction and reconstruction of foundations and bases” were summed up at SPbGASU. Let us recall that it brought together specialists from 23 cities and 13 countries. More than 110 reports were heard.
“We tried to consider all aspects of geotechnics, raise problematic issues and discuss their possible solutions, and outline development vectors. For industry representatives, the conference became an open platform for exchanging experience with colleagues and interacting with the scientific community, and for students, it was a series of effective practical lectures. Of course, both in domestic and foreign geotechnics, there are still a huge number of unresolved issues, but Russian geotechnics confirms its high level and is ready to share experience and developments, as well as study international experience. The conference made it possible to do this,” said Rashid Mangushev, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences, Head of the Scientific School, Director of the Scientific and Production-Consulting Center for Geotechnology at St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering.
One of the participants added that he had not been to a conference for a long time that covered the maximum number of geotechnical areas so comprehensively and deeply. The conference program included a tight schedule: nine sessions on twelve main geotechnical areas, technical excursions around St. Petersburg and Kronstadt, a visit to an exhibition dedicated to the anniversary of the geotechnical department, and time for business communication.
The scale and effectiveness of the conference are impressive and inspire new research, emphasized Anatoly Osokin, Candidate of Technical Sciences and Head of the Department of Geotechnics at SPbGASU.
“We identified the problems and demonstrated our readiness and ability to solve them. And, most importantly, we examined geotechnics in detail. The conference participants were replenished with a large number of young specialists and scientists. This indicates that geotechnics will develop as a science and a special branch of construction. We understand that today the development of megacities is often possible only through underground construction, so geotechnics remains a sought-after science in the modern world,” Anatoly Ivanovich summed up.
For his contribution to the development of geotechnics, the rector of the university, Doctor of Economics, PhD in Engineering, Professor Evgeniy Rybnov was awarded the highest award of the Kazakhstan Geotechnical Association – the International Geotechnical Medal named after Academician Sh. M. Aitaliev; the scientific director of the geotechnical school of SPbGASU, Corresponding Member of RAASN, Doctor of Engineering Rashid Mangushev was awarded the medal of the Kazakhstan Geotechnical Association named after Academician T. Zh. The awards were presented by the president of the Kazakhstan Geotechnical Association, Doctor of Engineering, Professor, graduate of SPbGASU (LISI) Askar Zhusupbekov.
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