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Category: vaccine

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Kenya, Uganda cross-border polio vaccination reaches 6.5 million children

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    NAIROBI, Kenya, October 24, 2024/APO Group/ —

    Between October 3 and 6, 2024, more than 6.5 million children were vaccinated in a successful synchronized polio campaign between Kenya and Uganda. This cross-border achievement began with a coordinated launch in Bungoma District, Kenya, and Mbale District, Uganda. 

    Both countries have set an exemplary standard in their recent synchronized polio vaccination campaign conducted this week, which focused on high-risk cross-border regions. By conducting these campaigns on the same dates, sharing real-time information, both countries ensured that children under five in these vulnerable areas were reached effectively, reducing the chance of cross-border virus transmission. This joint effort is the result of recent detections in Kenya (with 6 polioviruses in 2024 alone) and Uganda (with 1 virus reported this year through environmental surveillance) and it reflects the broader principle that no child should be left unprotected simply because they live near an international boundary. 

    “Our health workers will vaccinate every child against polio door-to-door. Vaccination has eradicated many diseases in Uganda. We thank all our partners for their support in ensuring a polio-free future. Protect your children from paralysis & vaccinate today”. Said Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze, the Director of Public Health in the Ministry of Health of Uganda.  

    Health authorities have therefore put in place common strategies not only at national levels in Kenya and Uganda, but also regionally, with particular focus on all the 10 districts bordering both countries, covering a total of 772 kilometers. 

    “The virus is spreading fast in the East African region putting our children – particularly aged 5 years or below at the risk of contracting this incurable yet vaccine-preventable disease” – affirmed Dr. Charles Njuguna, the World Health Organization (WHO) country representative in Uganda. 

    This entailed putting in place micro plans: mapping the cross-border communities, migratory routes, cross-border entry/exit points, and transit routes for each of the cross-border facilities. 

    “The Current Polio outbreak in Eastern Africa is fueled by heavy movement of high-risk populations between countries. The decision by the Governments of Kenya and Uganda to conduct two synchronized in October 2-6 and November 6-10 is a laudable effort support by the GPEI partnership”. – confirmed the Global Polio Eradication Initiative Coordinator in Kenya, Charles Korir. 

    The collaborative initiative comes as part of a broader strategy supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other GPEI partners, aiming to close immunization gaps and address the persistent challenge of “zero-dose” children—those who have never been vaccinated. Both Kenya and Uganda have recognized that polio eradication cannot be achieved in isolation, and their united front is a powerful example of how regional cooperation can help achieve public health goals. 

    Polio knows no borders, and neither should the fight to eradicate it. Cross-border communities, especially those living in remote or nomadic areas, are at heightened risk of infection due to their mobility and the porous nature of international boundaries. This is why the coordination of vaccination efforts between neighboring countries is critical to achieving comprehensive immunization coverage, so that the risk of paralysis due to the virus can be avoided.  

    As the world moves closer to eradicating polio, this synchronized approach will be key in ensuring that no pockets of the virus remain in these hard-to-reach areas. Kenya and Uganda’s coordinated actions not only protect their own populations but also contribute to global health security by preventing the virus from spreading beyond their borders. 

    This collaboration serves as a model for other countries facing similar challenges. By continuing to prioritize cross-border vaccination synchronization, Kenya, Uganda, and their health partners are leading the way toward a polio-free future for all. 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: mRNA vaccine candidate for norovirus – the start of an RCT

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Norovirus, a virus that causes vomiting and diarrhoea, can be a particular problem in closed settings which have high numbers of vulnerable (e.g. elderly) people, such as care home and cruise ships.  But we’ve never had a vaccine against norovirus.

    Now, a phase 3 randomised controlled trial of a new norovirus vaccine candidate is being launched in the UK and globally, to investigate whether the vaccine works.

    The vaccine candidate is an mRNA vaccine, produced by Moderna, and the trial is being run as a collaboration between the NIHR, Moderna and DHSC.

    Journalists came to this SMC briefing to hear from those running the trial about what the vaccine is, how it works, what data so far has suggested about whether it will work, how the trial will be run and how it will recruit those most at risk from norovirus, etc.

    Speakers included: 

    Dr Patrick Moore, Chief Investigator of the study, and GP

    Prof Saul Faust, Professor of Paediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Southampton, and NIHR Vaccination Innovation Pathway co clinical lead

    Dr Melanie Ivarsson, Chief Development Officer, Moderna

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Being mentally flexible might influence our attitudes to vaccination, a new study shows

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephanie Gomes-Ng, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Auckland University of Technology

    Getty Images

    Making decisions about our health is a complex and sometimes difficult process.

    On top of our own attitudes, experiences and perspectives, we are inundated with information from other people (friends, family, health professionals) and from external sources (news or social media) about what it means to be healthy.

    Sometimes, this information is consistent with what we think about our own health. At other times, it may contradict our own beliefs. And to make things even more complicated, sometimes this information is deliberate misinformation.

    How do we make sense of all this when making decisions about our health? What determines whether we hold fast to our attitudes, or change our minds?

    Most of us can probably relate to this. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we had to change many of our behaviours to slow the spread of the virus. This meant working from home, wearing a mask, staying in our “bubbles”, and eventually getting the vaccine.

    While the decision to get vaccinated was an obvious one for many people, it was not as straightforward for others. Research from the period immediately before the COVID vaccine became available in New Zealand showed a sizeable minority was unsure about or unlikely to be vaccinated.

    These people were more likely to be young, female and less educated, and were primarily concerned about unknown future side effects. Our new research suggests cognitive (mental) flexibility may also have something to do with attitudes towards vaccination.

    A flexible mind

    Past research suggests mental flexibility plays an important role in our decision-making. Imagine changing the way you do something at work, having a discussion with someone with a different opinion, or being told you should make healthier choices (such as exercising more).

    Some people navigate these situations with ease. Others find it more difficult to adapt. Mental flexibility describes this ability to adapt our attitudes, thoughts or behaviours when faced with new or changing information.

    Studies show mental flexibility influences how extreme our opinions are, how likely we are to believe misinformation or “fake news”, whether we make pro-environmental choices or engage in health-promoting behaviours (sun protection or physical exercise, for example).

    To increase vaccination coverage, governments often use education campaigns that emphasise the safety, effectiveness and importance of vaccination. However, these campaigns don’t always succeed in reducing feelings of uncertainty about vaccination.



    Read more:
    Vaccine hesitancy is one of the greatest threats to global health – and the pandemic has made it worse

    We wanted to know why, and we thought mental flexibility might play a role. To test this, we surveyed 601 New Zealanders on their opinions and experiences of vaccination.

    Some questions asked about external factors, such as how easy they thought it was to access or afford vaccines. Other questions asked about internal factors, such as personal beliefs about vaccination, perceptions of their own heath, and how important or safe they thought vaccines were.

    Overall, our participants reported few external barriers to vaccination, with 97% saying they found vaccines accessible or affordable. These percentages are promising, and may reflect the government’s continued efforts to make it easier to get a vaccine.

    In comparison, internal factors played a larger role in vaccine uncertainty or hesitancy. In particular, nearly a quarter (22%) of participants reported concerns about the health risks of vaccines. And 12% said they didn’t trust the processes or people who developed vaccines.

    Health information campaigns don’t always succeed in reducing anxiety or uncertainty.
    Getty Images

    Testing adaptive behaviour

    We also asked our participants to play a game designed to measure mental flexibility.

    This involved matching cards based on a rule – for example, match the cards with the same number of objects. The rule would randomly change during the game, meaning participants had to adapt their behaviour as the game went on.

    Interestingly, people who found it harder to adapt to the rule changes (meaning they had lower levels of mental flexibility) also reported more internal barriers to vaccination.

    For example, when we split participants into two groups based on their mental flexibility, the low-flexibility group was 18% more likely to say vaccination was inconsistent with their beliefs. They were also 14% more likely to say they didn’t trust vaccines, and 11% more likely to report concerns about the negative side effects of vaccines.

    This wasn’t the case for external factors. Mental flexibility didn’t predict whether people thought vaccines were accessible or affordable.

    Information is sometimes not enough

    These results suggest making decisions about our health – including whether or not to get vaccinated – depends on more than receiving the “right” information.

    Simply being told about the importance of vaccination may not be enough to change attitudes or behaviours. It also depends on each person’s unique cognitive style – the way they perceive and process information.

    Declining vaccination rates have been a concern worldwide, including in New Zealand, since well before the pandemic. Our findings suggest health education campaigns may be more effective if they take into account the role of cognitive flexibility.

    One technique is to change the way information is framed. For example, instead of just presenting facts about the safety or importance of vaccination, education campaigns could encourage us to question our own perspectives, or to imagine alternative realities by asking “what if?” questions.

    Research shows this type of framing can engage our deliberative thought processes (the ones that help us to think deeply and critically), increase mental flexibility, and ultimately make us more receptive to change.

    Stephanie Gomes-Ng received funding from the Ember Korowai Takitini Trust for this research. The funders had no influence over the study’s conceptualisation, design, methodology, data collection or interpretation, nor the decision to publish.

    – ref. Being mentally flexible might influence our attitudes to vaccination, a new study shows – https://theconversation.com/being-mentally-flexible-might-influence-our-attitudes-to-vaccination-a-new-study-shows-241559

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: English Translation of Prime Minister’s Remarks at the Open Plenary of the 16th BRICS Summit

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 23 OCT 2024 5:22PM by PIB Delhi

    Your Highness,
    Excellencies,

    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    Congratulations to President Putin for the excellent organisation of the 16th BRICS Summit.

    And, once again, a warm welcome to all the new friends who have joined BRICS. In its new avatar, BRICS accounts for 40 per cent of the world’s humanity and about 30 per cent of the global economy.

    In the last nearly two decades, BRICS has achieved many milestones.I am confident that in the times to come, this organisation will emerge as a more effective medium to face global challenges.

    I would also like to convey warm greetings to Her Excellency Dilma Rousseff, President of the New Development Bank.

    Friends,

    In the last ten years, this bank has emerged as an important option for the development needs of the countries of the Global South.The opening of GIFT or Gujarat International Finance Tech City in India as well as regional centres in Africa and Russia has boosted the activities of this bank. And, development projects worth about USD 35 billion have been sanctioned. NDB should continue to work on the basis of the demand driven principle. And, while expanding the bank, ensuring long-term financial sustainability, healthy credit rating and market access should remain a priority.

    Friends,

    In its new expanded avatar, BRICS has emerged as an economy of more than USD 30 trillion dollars.The BRICS Business Council and the BRICS Women Business Alliance have played a special role in increasing our economic cooperation.

    This year, the consensus reached within BRICS on WTO reforms, trade facilitation in Agriculture, resilient supply chains, e-commerce and Special Economic Zones will strengthen our economic cooperation.Amidst all these initiatives, we should also focus on the interests of small and medium scale industries.

    I am pleased that the BRICS Startup Forum proposed during India’s presidency in 2021 will be launched this year. The Railway Research Network initiative taken by India is also playing an important role in increasing logistics and supply chain connectivity among BRICS countries. This year, the consensus reached by BRICS countries, in collaboration with UNIDO, to prepare a skilled work force for Industry 4.0 is quite significant.

    The BRICS Vaccine R&D Centre launched in 2022 is helping increase health security in all the countries. We would be happy to share India’s successful experience in Digital Health with BRICS partners.

    Friends,

    Climate Change has been a subject of our common priority.

    The consensus reached for the BRICS Open Carbon Market Partnership under Russia’s presidency is welcome. In India too, special emphasis is being laid on green growth, climate resilient infrastructure and green transition. Indeed, India has taken up several initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, Mission LiFE i.e. Lifestyle for Environment, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam or a Tree in the name of mother.

    Last year, during COP-28, we started an important initiative called Green Credit.I invite BRICS partners to join these initiatives.

    Special emphasis is being laid on the construction of infrastructure in all BRICS countries.

    We have established a digital platform called the Gati-Shakti portal to rapidly expand multi-modal connectivity in India. This has helped in integrated infrastructure development planning and implementation and has reduced logistics costs.

    We will be happy to share our experiences with all of you.

    Friends,

    We welcome efforts to increase financial integration among BRICS countries.

    Trade in local currencies and smooth cross-border payments will strengthen our economic cooperation. The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) developed by India is a huge success story and has been adopted in many countries.

    Last year, together with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed, it was launched in the UAE as well. We can also cooperate with other BRICS countries in this area.

    Friends,

    India is fully committed to increasing cooperation under BRICS.

    Our strong belief in our diversity and multipolarity is our strength. This strength of ours, and our shared belief in humanity, will help in giving a meaningful shape to a prosperous and a bright future for the generations to come.

    I thank everyone for today’s very important and valuable discussions.

    As the next President of BRICS, I extend my heartfelt best wishes to President Lula. India will give its full support for the success of your BRICS presidency.

    Once again, many thanks to President Putin and all the leaders.

    DISCLAIMER – This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister’s remarks. Original remarks were delivered

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Experts of the Committee on the Rights of the Child Praise Ecuador’s Social Expenditure for Children, Ask about December 2024 Child Murders and Excessive Use of Force against Child Demonstrators

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on the Rights of the Child today concluded its consideration of the seventh periodic report of Ecuador, with Committee Experts praising the State’s social expenditure for children and adolescents, and raising questions about the murder of four children in December 2024 and excessive use of force against child demonstrators by the police.

    Mary Beloff, Committee Expert and Coordinator of the Country Taskforce for Ecuador, praised the efforts made by the country to enhance social expenditure aimed at children and adolescents.  She said it was a pleasure to hear the focus being placed on resource allocation to guarantee rights in early childhood.

    However, she said the examination was marked by the atrocious events that took place in Guayaquil in December 2024, related to the illegal detention, forced disappearance and subsequent murder of four children.  Investigating the social conditions that led to these events was an essential part of the Committee’s work.

    Velina Todorova, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, said that in October 2019, in the context of the national strike, the personal integrity of at least 12 children was severely impacted by the public forces.  During the June 2022 strike, violence was also used against children. How was the State safeguarding the rights of children to freedom of assembly?

    Marcelo Vázquez Bermúdez, Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations Office at Geneva, presenting the report, said Ecuador had several cash transfers for social protection for children or adolescents in situations of poverty and vulnerability, including the human development bonus, the Joaquín Gallegos Lara bonus, and the lifetime pension.

    The murder of four minors in December 2024 had profoundly shocked the Government and the people of Ecuador, the delegation said. The Ecuadorian State had acted immediately following these events and had been carrying out due actions to investigate and punish the perpetrators.  Investigations had begun and 16 members of the armed forces were now in pretrial detention.

    Measures had been taken to prevent cases of excessive use of force by the police against children from reoccurring, the delegation said. Institutional guidelines had been developed to protect the rights of citizens involved in demonstrations, and an organic law regulating the legitimate use of force had been developed and disseminated.  The State party recognised that all children and adolescents had the right to protest peacefully.

    In closing remarks, Ms. Beloff said that the dialogue had provided insight on the issues faced by Ecuador and areas that needed to be focused on in public policies.  The Committee hoped that the State party would be able to achieve its goals for the benefit of all Ecuadorian children.

    Zaida Rovira, Minister of Economic and Social Inclusion of Ecuador, in concluding remarks, said that the State party was committed to taking on its challenges by increasing the budget for children, and developing robust standards and laws and an institutional system with sufficiently trained staff.  The topics discussed in the dialogue would inform the State’s future efforts for children and adolescents.

    The delegation of Ecuador consisted of representatives from the Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion; the Ministry of Education; the Ministry of Women and Human Rights; Ecuador Grows without Child Malnutrition; the National Comprehensive Care Service for Adults Persons Deprived of Liberty and Adolescent Offenders; and the Permanent Mission of Ecuador to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

    The Committee will issue the concluding observations on the report of Ecuador at the end of its ninety-eighth session on 31 January.  Those, and other documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, will be available on the session’s webpage.  Summaries of the public meetings of the Committee can be found here, while webcasts of the public meetings can be found here.

    The Committee will next meet in public on Thursday, 30 January at 3 p.m. to hold an informal meeting with States.

    Report

    The Committee has before it the seventh periodic report of Ecuador (CRC/C/ECU/7).

    Presentation of Report

    MARCELO VÁZQUEZ BERMÚDEZ, Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said Ecuador was fully committed to fulfilling its international obligations under the Convention.  In May 2024, the organic law for the support and reparation for relatives of victims of femicide and violent deaths for gender reasons was adopted. Between 2023 and 2024, the Attorney General’s Office issued seven key technical instruments to strengthen the protection and care of victims, especially children, adolescents and persons affected by gender-based violence.  These instruments included guidelines on complaints and protective measures against physical, psychological, or sexual violence; guidelines to avoid revictimisation; and operational guides for the investigation of crimes such as human trafficking and the recruitment of children and adolescents for criminal purposes. 

    Through the Child Development Centres and the “growing with our children” programme, the Government provided comprehensive care to 289,000 children and adolescents in vulnerable situations in 2024.  In addition, there was close collaboration with indigenous, Afro-descendant, and Montubio communities and children on the move.  There were also several cash transfers for social protection for children or adolescents in situations of poverty and vulnerability, namely the human development bonus, the Joaquín Gallegos Lara bonus, and the lifetime pension.

    One of the most outstanding achievements was the creation of the Technical Secretariat for the “Ecuador grows without child malnutrition” policy and the implementation of its strategy, as well as the intersectoral strategic plan for the prevention and reduction of chronic child malnutrition.  These allowed effective collaboration between various government entities, focusing on the prevention and reduction of chronic malnutrition in children under two years of age.  Due to the implementation of the strategy, by 2024, the indicator on prevalence of chronic malnutrition in children under two years of age was reduced to 19.3 per cent, from the previous level of 24.8 per cent.  The programme was expected to achieve the goal of reducing the malnutrition rate to less than 15 per cent. 

    As an important component of the strategy, there was a cash transfer called the “1,000 days voucher”, which consisted of a fixed transfer and payments conditional on the commitment to attend prenatal check-ups and early registration of the birth in the Civil Registry.  Furthermore, all beneficiaries of the “1,000 days bonus” had the right to receive weekly family counselling services from specialised educators of the Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion.

    ZAIDA ROVIRA, Minister of Economic and Social Inclusion of Ecuador, said Ecuador guaranteed access to quality vaccines approved by the World Health Organization, ensuring that every child received the appropriate vaccine to prevent diseases. As of August 2024, 95 out of every 100 Ecuadorian children had completed their vaccination schedule.  Between 2020 and 2023, maternal mortality was almost halved. The suicide prevention manual had been issued, which focused on the construction of support networks, from 10 years of age onwards.  Around 2,724 people had been trained in using the manual for the early identification of suicidal ideation, and 21 community support networks had been established for the prevention of suicide. 

    The Ministry of Labour, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization and the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, had implemented a tool called the child labour risk identification model, which made it possible to identify the territories most prone to child labour and estimate the impact of various associated factors.  More than 1,000 labour inspections took place between January 2023 and July 2024.  In addition, 217 dialogue tables had been held with key actors, such as decentralised autonomous governments and civil society organizations, to design local intervention strategies. 

    Digital literacy campaigns had been carried out to educate the population on the safe and effective use of information technologies; 919 digital points had been opened nationwide.  Between 2023 and 2024, more than 9,000 visas were issued for children and adolescents seeking refuge, with particular focus on the Venezuelan population.  Between 2023 and 2024, Ecuadorian Consulates had handled 10,668 cases of children and adolescents in vulnerable conditions abroad, managing to resolve the majority of these cases. 

    The National Service for the comprehensive care of adults deprived of liberty and adolescent offenders, through the horizon of change work plan, had strengthened the comprehensive development of socio-educational measures by strengthening care for more than 739 adolescents in conflict with the law.  In addition, awareness-raising talks and trainings were carried out in educational units, reaching more than 7,000 adolescents.  Ms. Rovira hoped the exchange with the Committee members would help the country delve deeper into progress made and provide clarity on any issues. 

    Questions by Committee Experts

    MARY BELOFF, Committee Expert and Taskforce Coordinator, said the Committee was aware that the national context in which the dialogue was taking place was complex in many ways, especially since the declaration of an internal armed conflict.  The examination being carried out by the Committee was inevitably marked by the atrocious events that took place in Guayaquil in December 2024, related to the illegal detention, forced disappearance and subsequent murder of four children: Saúl Arboleda (15 years old); the brothers Josué Arroyo (14 years old) and Ismael Arroyo (15 years old); and Steven Medina (11 years old).  Investigating the social conditions that led to these events was an essential part of the work of the Committee in order to contribute to ensure that similar events never happened again in the country.

    There were more than 50 norms and standards to do with the rights of the child and adolescents which required legislative amendments.  What was the timeline for this?  Where did the difficulties lie in this regard?  The Committee praised the efforts made by the country to enhance social expenditure aimed at children and adolescents.  However, there had been a regressive trend after the pandemic in this respect.  How did the State plan to draw up a budget which considered the specific needs of children and adolescents in the country?  If a crisis were to occur again, how would expenditure on child-related matters be protected?  What were the State’s plans to ensure there was a coordination body at the national and local levels in order to facilitate missing data?  How was the State planning to extend its scope to cover the entire population, particularly those at the greatest risk of social disadvantage?

    Ecuador faced a situation described as one of structural discrimination, which had a direct link to poverty.  This affected indigenous populations, Afro-indigenous populations, and children in State custody.  What were the comprehensive policies which the State was planning to establish to put an end to structural discrimination?    How was the monitoring of centres where children were deprived of their liberty carried out, particularly during the state of emergency? How was it ensured that legislation relating to child labour was enforced?  The Committee was aware of the number of instruments relating to child participation.  However, it was indicated that children’s voices were not really being heard.  How was Ecuador going to include the voices of children and adolescents, particularly when it pertained to their rights? 

    VELINA TODOROVA, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, said in October 2019, in the context of the national strike, the personal integrity of at least 12 children was severely impacted by the public forces.  Children suffered from injuries, as well as what could be as considered acts of torture. During the June 2022 strike, violence was also used against children, which was serious and unjustifiable.  How was the State safeguarding the rights of children to freedom of assembly?  Could the Committee be informed of investigations, prosecutions and reparations relating to these events?  Over the past few years, there had been acts of cruelty towards children by the Ecuadorian State.  Ecuador was in a state of deep regression of children’s rights, which the Committee had expressed concern about in 2016.  There were many reasons for this, and the State had failed to address the root causes. 

    The Committee understood that children in Ecuador did not feel safe in their families, neighbourhoods, and schools due to the increase presence of gangs in schools.  Many children had witnessed violent acts by gangs, including shootings.  Was this a real concern for the Government?  There had been a shocking increase in the number of deaths of children by 640 per cent, between 2019 and 2023, as well as enforced disappearances and acts of torture.  The Committee was informed that children in marginalised communities were most affected by security operations.  What progress had been made in investigations into these events?  How could the Government guarantee that perpetrators would face justice and convictions?   

    Another worrying trend was the use of children and adolescents by organised crime groups.  Boys as young as eight years old were recruited, as well as indigenous children and those from remote communities.  There were also many reports of illiteracy in these areas. Could the delegation explain the actions by the State to approve legislation trying children as adults in certain cases, such as murder?  In 2023, the forced recruitment of children and adolescents in the context of armed conflict was criminalised in Ecuador, which was highly commendable.  However, to date there had been no convictions under this crime.  What was the Government doing to address the human rights of children? 

    Every second child in Ecuador between 0 and five years of age suffered violence at home.  Did high profile politicians or celebrities in Ecuador ever condemn this kind of violence publicly?  Would the Government implement a programme for respectful parenting? What were the plans for the proper implementation of the law on femicide?  What measures had been taken to implement an early warning system on femicide?  How many children reported violence to the Public Defenders Service?  The levels of sexual abuse were a disgrace for Ecuador; girls were often victims of rape within their close circles of trust, including fathers, brothers and teachers.  Many cases were not reported and there was a high degree of impunity. Why was there such a high level of impunity for perpetrators?  Could this be attributed to the lack of trained prosecutors?  How were victims interviewed with the view to avoid harmful repetitive interviews? 

    One of the greatest issues in Ecuador was teenage pregnancy.  Six girls under 14 became mothers every day.  Although abortion was decriminalised, it was understood that the legal restrictions on abortion violated the rights of pregnant women. How did the State guarantee that rape victims could access safe abortions without obstacles?  What measures had been adopted to guarantee the non-criminalisation of doctors who performed abortions? 

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said when it came the murder of the four minors, this case had profoundly shocked the Government and the people of Ecuador.  The Ecuadorian State had acted immediately following these events and had been carrying out due actions to investigate and punish the perpetrators. These events took place in December 2024, when the disappearance of the minors was reported.  The competent authorities then took all necessary actions to locate the children.  Investigations had begun and 16 members of the armed forces were now in pretrial detention.  All actions were being undertaken to ensure that the perpetrators were punished for this serious crime.

    Ecuador was a country with limited resources but it had focused on addressing childhood issues. There had been a delay concerning the Code of Children and Adolescents, which would end the scattered pieces of legislation that were a cause for concern.  The early childhood law was before the Assembly, as was the law on malnutrition.  Chronic malnutrition was high in Ecuador, and this had been a key focus of the State since 2018.  Many ministries were involved in this process and a system allowed information to be received from all ministries, allowing work to be honed into the vulnerable territories and ascertain where the greatest vulnerability level lay. Chronic malnutrition had been reduced by four points, which showed that the strategies were working.  The strategy focused on ages 0 to two, as well as pregnant mothers, and it was hoped this could be extended to other ages. 

    “Ecuador grows without malnutrition” was the pilot project being rolled out to address one of the main problems of the enjoyment of the rights of children and adolescents in the country.  Follow-up was carried out on each of the households for all families living in poverty and extreme vulnerability.  It was ensured that all care services for children and adolescents had a budget for the entire year.  Each of the State’s services had been and would be monitored continually to ensure their efficiency with funds. 

    More than 20,000 new families had been included in the “human development voucher” cash programme. In Ecuador there were money transfers for children who had no parents due to violent deaths.  They received support from several Government ministries to provide them with priority, comprehensive reparations.  The Ombudsman law ensured anyone could defend their rights without discrimination.  Ecuador had conducted around 1,000 annual inspections for child labour.  These were conducted on the ground and online to ensure a nationwide reach. 

    Ecuador had received an award for best practices because of work being done with the youth. The programme “horizon of change” aimed to be a worldwide reference point by 2035.  Currently, the programme was working with high-level methodologies, including a therapeutic system used with the youth.  The State was also investing heavily in occupational vocational activities, including through a programme which covered topics, including baking and juvenile fashion, among other areas. 

    In centres with young offenders, there was a whole staff of psychologists and medical professionals on hand.  The State was also working to bolster the self-esteem of young offenders through art and culture.  A life skills programme aimed to teach young offenders how to handle depression and anxiety, and work in this area had also been carried out in schools. 

    There were approximately 40,000 children and adolescents who were not in the education system.  The Government had identified them and was encouraging them to go back to school. School dropout had dropped between 2021 and 2023.  Children within the educational system had the right to participation.  There was a participation model which placed children and adolescents closer to the centre on issues which related to them.  A campaign had been drafted to reduce racial discrimination, and another to address violence in the education system. The shared responsibility of families was promoted throughout the education system, and child rearing skills programmes were offered, including on communication skills, emotional sympathy, learning support, preventing sexual violence, and teenage pregnancy, among others.  Over one million families benefited from these sessions in 2024. 

    Teen pregnancy was an issue of concern in the country, particularly the health of the baby due to malnutrition.  The teen fertility rate had decreased.  There were many communications strategies which addressed the issue of teen pregnancy. There was a law in force for abortion in cases of violence.  Pregnancy in the case of rape could be terminated up to 12 weeks. 

    Questions by Committee Experts

    VELINA TODOROVA, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, asked if the malnutrition of the baby was really the key issue when it came to teen pregnancy?  Could examples of the messaging to pregnant girls be provided? Had it been considered that boys or men who were responsible for the pregnancy also needed to receive messages? The Committee had received many reports that the phenomenon of child marriage existed, and was underrated by the Government.  Information had been received that around 30,000 girls lived in early unions, particularly in Amazon communities.  There was an increase in early unions between girls 12 and 14 years old.  Many of these adolescent girls remained in these unions until they were 18 and then they married.  Did the delegation not consider this a trend which needed the attention of the Government? 

    Had the State ever considered the reason for the high number of missing girls?  Was it likely that some of these girls were sold by parents or were involved in prostitution?  One form of using children in prostitution was the so-called “prepaid” with contact being made discreetly and in advance.  What were the policies of the Government regarding this issue? 

    MARY BELOFF, Committee Expert and Taskforce Coordinator, said it was a pleasure to hear the focus being placed on resource allocation to guarantee rights in early childhood. This trend was promising, and it was hoped it would be consolidated in coming years.  What would the budgetary allocation be for the new Code of Children and Adolescents?  Were there any plans to increase the investment per capita amongst children? What was the State planning to do to reach out to all vulnerable populations to grapple with the issue of recruitment proactively?

    A Committee Expert said between January and November 2024, there had been nine complaints of enforced disappearance, 80 complaints of torture, and 145 complaints of excessive use of force.  It would appear the poorest neighbourhoods were the most impacted.  What was the State doing to prevent this pattern?  Afro-Ecuadorians, migrants and trans children were groups which faced discrimination.  There were two cases before the court on trans children.  What was the State doing to address this issue of discrimination? 

    Another Expert asked if the consent form was used in cases of all children in terms of abortion?  Could a minor give their consent for abortion? Were parents informed if their child requested an abortion?  Was there any special support put in place for young girls to ascertain if the pregnancy was the result of a rape?  What was being done to protect the young girls in this context?

    An Expert asked if a young girl who was over the age of 14 who was pregnant due to rape was required to bring the pregnancy to term? 

    VELINA TODOROVA, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, asked about the inclusiveness of policies for children with disabilities in the areas of care and education?  Did Ecuador implement a policy of inclusive education and community-based care for children who could not stay with their families? What was the difference between comprehensive child development services and specialised comprehensive rehabilitation centres of the Ministry of Health? 

    ZARA RATOU, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, said in the case of children deprived of a family environment, the technical standard was part of the strategy for the deinstitutionalisation of children and promoted their reintegration into the family environment.  What progress had been made in terms of ending institutionalisation and the adoption of a strategy and action plan for the deinstitutionalisation of children and adolescents to take into account judicial proceedings?  Was there information on the effective implementation of the technical standard of family support, family custody, and foster care?  Had a framework been set up by the Government to guarantee extended coverage for children?  What measures had been taken to facilitate the rehabilitation and social reintegration of children?  What measures had been taken to strengthen the capacity of professionals working with families and children, including judges, law enforcement, and social workers to ensure alternative care solutions?

    What measures had been taken by the Government to speed up the national adoption process, including by increasing the number of family judges and ensuring that properly trained professionals worked in foster care centres? Could information be provided on the implementation and results of the application of the technical standard of family support, family custody, and foster care placement to expedite the adoption process?

    What steps was the Government taking to adopt a comprehensive strategy to ensure equal access to essential health services for children living in marginalised situations?  How did the State maintain and strengthen measures to achieve universal immunisation coverage, such as the 2023 national immunisation campaign for a polio-free, measles-free, and rubella-free Ecuador?  What measures had the Government implemented to maintain and strengthen Ecuador’s national strategy to ensure that children grow up free of child malnutrition?  What was the Government doing to improve prevention strategies on anaemia, diarrhoea, and respiratory diseases?  What support was given to breastfeeding campaigns?  What measures was the Government taking to provide appropriate support to mothers through counselling structures in hospitals and the implementation of the baby-friendly hospitals initiative throughout the country? 

    According to the information received, the suicide rate had increased from 1.7 per cent in 2018 to 7.2 per cent in 2022.  Could information be provided on the adoption and implementation of the national mental health policy and the national suicide prevention strategy?  Ms. Ratou commended the Government for the efforts of the intersectoral policy for the prevention of pregnancy among girls and adolescents, which had achieved remarkable results in 2019-2022.  However,

    could more information on the implementation of the policy for the prevention of pregnancies be provided?  How was the Government providing children and adolescents with accurate and objective information on the prevention of substance abuse, such as tobacco and alcohol?

    What steps had been taken to improve the follow-up treatment of HIV/AIDS-infected mothers and their children?  Were there revised and harmonised laws and policies on HIV/AIDS to ensure access to confidential HIV testing services?  What measures had been taken to provide counselling to adolescents without the need for parental consent?  Was there specific data on government strategies to protect intersex children?  What steps were being taken to fully guarantee the rights of inter-sex children?

    MARY BELOFF, Committee Expert and Taskforce Coordinator, asked if any mechanism had been implemented to allow children who were not registered to benefit from cash transfers?  What strategy could be used to reach these children who lived in remote areas?  What was the State’s responsibility in terms of the oil and mining industry and its impact on the environment, which could violate the rights of children and adolescents? What mechanisms were there for oversight and sanctioning?  What were the mitigation measures used to address the environmental impacts felt by the country?  Was there any policy on this issue?  How often were the most affected communities consulted? 

    BENYAM MEZMUR, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, acknowledged the efforts made by the State party despite the challenges.  Significant resources went to the education of children between the ages of five and 17. How would early childhood education be addressed?  What had been the impact of interventions to address school dropout?  Had there been improvements to the water and sanitation systems in schools?  The intersectoral policy for the prevention of pregnancy in girls and adolescents was positively noted.  Why were all complaints not transferred to the Ombudsman’s office?  What was the criteria to establish which complaints were transferred?  The State should be congratulated on progress in learning outcomes since the COVID-19 pandemic.  What was the Government doing to move beyond this? 

    Some school bus drivers were recognised as committing sexual violence against children.  How was the State addressing this?  There were concerns about access to justice for asylum seeking migrants and children.  How would this be addressed?  There were also concerns around the regularisation process in the State party. To what extent were temporary residents’ visas being issued to individuals?  How would the Government address shortcomings faced by migrant children, particularly those from Venezuela?  To what extent were efforts to combat xenophobic speech against migrant and refugee children effective?  Could information be provided on children in street situations, including violence faced at the hands of law officials?  There were concerns around the lack of resources for monitoring of rehabilitation centres, where children were deprived of their liberty.  What was the State party doing to address this challenge?  Would 14 be maintained as the criminal age of responsibility?   

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said over 37,000 members of the armed forces and 57,000 police officers were trained on the principles of human rights, and manuals, protocols, and training modules had been developed on protecting the rights of children and adolescents.  There were internal investigation units that could issue sanctions against police officers and armed forces personnel who committed human rights violations.  The Attorney-General also conducted investigations of such cases and could pursue criminal proceedings.

    An inter-sectoral prevention policy was in place to reduce incidences of teenage pregnancy. Personalised school curricula and virtual learning platforms had been developed for girls who fell pregnant. The State had sexual and reproductive health education programmes, manuals on adolescent health, and over 1,000 health centres providing reproductive health care for adolescents. The Ministry of Health was working to properly implement the law on the voluntary termination of pregnancy and had trained over 5,000 public health workers on the law.

    The State party was working to use online tools to identify and prevent cases of gender-based violence.  There was a national plan in place to prevent violence against children and a safe schools project.  The State sought to guarantee clear paths of redress for victims of ill treatment. More than 33,000 teachers had been trained in early detection of incidences of violence.

    The bill on the rights of boys, girls, and adolescents, which sought to establish a governing body on the rights of children and adolescents, was being debated in the National Assembly.  The budget for children and adolescents had significantly increased in recent years. For example, from 2021 to 2025, the budget for early childhood education had increased by more than 20 per cent. In 2024, there was a 1.5 per cent reduction in the poverty rate from 2023, from 26 to 24.5 per cent.  The State party had implemented various actions, including cash transfers and vouchers, to reduce the poverty rate.

    State law guaranteed comprehensive care for all children with HIV, who were entitled to free treatment.  Programmes promoting screening for HIV and child prophylaxis had helped to reduce mother-to-child transmission. 

    The State party also aimed to improve the availability and quality of mental health care clinics across the country. The organic law on mental health established processes for diagnosis, rehabilitation, and reintegration into the community.

    Ecuador had established support groups for mothers that encouraged breastfeeding.  The breastfeeding rate had recently increased from 51 to 53 per cent. Over 3,000 breastfeeding-friendly areas had been certified by the State.  A book on baby nutrition had been produced and breast milk banks had been set up.

    Ecuador had a national immunisation project that was based on World Health Organization guidelines.  Eighteen vaccinations were provided to children and adults by public health care clinics.  The rate of children who were vaccinated before the age of one had increased to 91 per cent.  Vaccinations were voluntary and free of charge.  Interventions in remote provinces had been carried out to promote vaccination.  In the second half of 2025, the State party would start to provide cellular vaccinations against various diseases.

    One of the pillars of the State’s strategy to tackle malnutrition was to improve access to safe water supplies. The national Government was supporting decentralised governments to bolster the development of water filtration. The prevalence of acute diarrhoea and respiratory infections in children under two had decreased in recent years.

    Alternative care modalities, including institutional and foster care, had been established to provide care to children who were victims of violence.  A national guardianship programme was also in place to bolster family ties and reduce institutionalisation.  Over 19 million United States dollars had been invested in the protection system in 2024.  The State party focused on deinstitutionalisation and family integration.  Placement in foster homes was a measure of last resort. An independent committee was monitoring the implementation of child protection policies.  There were two specialised units working to care for child victims of trafficking and reinsert them into family environments.

    Ecuador had regulated the adoption process and was working to reduce delays in the process.  Registration of adoptive families was now done online. An entry interview was conducted and families were assessed, then they underwent a four-week training course. Adoption units monitored the situation in adoptive families for two years after children were adopted.

    Ecuador recognised the right of children and adolescents to live in a safe environment.  The State’s second nationally determined contribution under the Paris Agreement for 2026 to 2035 was approved yesterday.  It highlighted indigenous knowledge as key to combatting climate change, and aimed to ensure social protection for children, encouraging them to engage in climate action. A roundtable on the protection of environmental human rights defenders had been set up and was drafting a public policy on their protection.  Standards on free, prior and informed consent had been developed and were considered in court cases relating to development projects.

    The Constitution, the Organic Law on Disability, and the Code on Children and Adolescents promoted the rights of children with disabilities.  Over 1,400 caregivers participated in a support network for children with disabilities.  Subsidies, vouchers, and pensions were provided to families caring for persons with disabilities to lighten the economic burden.  Around 34 million United States dollars was allocated to this annually.  In 2023 and 2024, there were over 38,000 students with disabilities in the regular school system, while around 3,000 were enrolled in special schools.  A public policy was in place to prevent violence against children with disabilities.  Around 1,300 civil servants had been trained to improve care for children with disabilities.  The State party sought to broaden programmes for children with disabilities in remote areas and ensure that they could fully enjoy their rights.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    MARY BELOFF, Committee Expert and Taskforce Coordinator, asked whether the worsening security situation in the country would affect public opinion regarding proposed legislation on the rights of children and adolescents.  The various reforms of the social protection sector were very welcome.  Why was there such a high number of persons behind bars?  What measures were in place to provide alternatives to detention for adolescents?

    VELINA TODOROVA, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, asked why no information had been provided on cases of the use of force by State officials against children in 2017 and 2022?  A commission had been established to investigate allegations of sexual abuse against children by members of the Catholic Church in 2017, which identified several cases of cover-ups of such abuse.  Did the State party plan to establish a Truth Commission related to this issue?  How were teachers, parents, and children prepared to support children with disabilities in inclusive education?  What was meant by the concept of “care by agreement”?

    BENYAM MEZMUR, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, cited concerns regarding the potential abuse of children’s rights in the implementation of the state of emergency.  How would the State party prevent this?  Were there plans to develop distinct legislation addressing the recruitment of children by non-State armed groups?  There had reportedly been a decline in vaccination coverage recently; why was this?

    ZARA RATOU, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, asked whether cellular vaccines, which could have undesired effects on children, would be administered to them.

    Other Committee Experts asked questions on strategies to address high rates of child murders and suicides; measures to protect children from structural violence and organised crime; plans for full vaccination against the pneumococcal virus and polio; the coverage of the sexual and reproductive health education programme; measures to protect children in the Galapagos islands from abuse; plans to restore speciality to the juvenile justice system; why children vaccinated in the public sector did not receive the same vaccines as in the private sector; when the State party would update the national vaccination schedule; measures to ensure all births were registered; whether pregnant girls’ parents needed to consent to abortions; whether the national preventive mechanism provided specialised oversight of the detention of children; and inquiries into human rights violations occurring in international intercountry adoptions.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said thousands of institutions were providing inclusive education for children with disabilities, and over 126,000 teachers had received training on providing inclusive education.  A new national curriculum had been developed to encourage inclusive education, and there were also models of education tailored to the needs of children with various disabilities.  A programme had been developed to support children whose education had been delayed and there were policies in place to promote reinsertion for children who had dropped out of school.  Around one per cent of educational institutions were in a state of disrepair. The State party was investing more funds in refurbishing schools.  A voluntary early childhood education system had been developed, and 18,000 children were enrolled in the system. 

    All complaints of sexual violence occurring in schools needed to be reported to the police. Health services provided psychological care to child victims.  Schools were required to report complaints of abuse of students by bus drivers, which prosecutors duly investigated.  Data on violence in schools was collected to inform public protection policies and to provide specialised care to students.  A plan of action to prevent gender-based violence against children with disabilities in the education system was being implemented.

    Ecuador had growing rates of violence and terrorist crimes, which were an affront to the State’s sovereignty.  Given this situation, the Government declared a state of emergency in 2024.  All states of emergency were reviewed by the Constitutional Court, which had found them to be lawful.  All policies administered under states of emergency respected the rights of children and adolescents and promoted peace and human rights.

    The Constitution banned discrimination based on migration status.  The organic law on people on the move and other legislation ensured the rights of all migrant children in Ecuador and the provision of comprehensive care to them.  A specialised policy had been developed on caring for and regularising the status of unaccompanied minors.  Between 2021 and 2025, more than 4,900 children and adolescents were granted international protection by Ecuador.  Single parent migrant families had access to free legal representation.  There was an awareness raising campaign in place aiming to prevent discrimination against migrants on the northern border.  Guides had been developed that promoted the inclusion of migrant children in society and the education system.  All foreign persons had the same access to education and healthcare as Ecuadorian nationals.

    Ecuador had stepped up efforts to combat trafficking in persons.  It had produced guidance booklets against these crimes and was implementing preventive checks at border points.  The State party had managed to prevent over 3,000 irregular exits by children in recent years.  Training had been provided to border officials on detecting victims of trafficking, and an interactive map had been developed that displayed patterns in criminal activity.  Funding in the response to trafficking had been boosted in recent years.

    The police had a unit that was investigating illegal intercountry adoptions and taking measures to prevent such adoptions.  A protocol for the searching for the origins of adoptees had been developed.

    Measures had been taken to prevent cases of excessive use of force by the police against children from reoccurring.  Institutional guidelines had been developed to protect the rights of citizens involved in demonstrations, and an organic law regulating the legitimate use of force had been developed and disseminated.  The State party recognised that all children and adolescents had the right to protest peacefully.

    The State party was raising awareness of the importance of juvenile justice.  Measures imposed on adolescents aimed to ensure that they could rehabilitate and return to society.  These measures could be applied on adolescents for a minimum period of one year and a maximum of eight, depending on the severity of the crime. There were custodial and non-custodial socio-educational measures.  Units for social reintegration had bedrooms instead of cells, recreational areas, canteens, and educational workshops.  Around 430 adolescents were housed in these units, around half of whom had committed rape. The “good citizenship” programme was addressing the issue of adolescent rape.  No young persons had passed away in these centres in 2024.

    Parents did not need to give permission for girls to seek abortions.  Babies needed to be registered within 45 days of birth.  The cellular vaccine that the State would use had been scientifically tested and found to be safe for children aged six months and over.

    Concluding Remarks 

    MARY BELOFF, Committee Expert and Taskforce Coordinator, thanked the delegation for its efforts to answer the Committee’s questions.  The dialogue had provided insight on the issues faced by Ecuador and areas that needed to be focused on in public policies.  Ecuador had expressed its commitment to implementing the Convention.  The Committee hoped that the State party would be able to achieve its goals for the benefit of all children.

    ZAIDA ROVIRA, Minister of Economic and Social Inclusion of Ecuador, said that the dialogue had been sincere and candid.  The delegation had provided information on the implementation of the Convention through public policies, plans, and programmes aimed at protecting the rights of children and adolescents.  It had submitted official, verified information that it hoped had dispelled the Committee’s concerns.  It called for the Committee’s support to build a system for the protection of all children and adolescents.  It hoped to make its policies a reality in a short space of time.

    The State party had a debt to children and adolescents in the country.  It was committed to taking on its challenges by increasing the budget for children, developing robust standards and laws and an institutional system with sufficiently trained staff, and promoting cooperation with civil society.  The topics discussed in the dialogue would inform the State’s future efforts for children and adolescents.

     

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

     

    CRC25.008E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Mpox in the DRC: residents of the slum at the centre of Kinshasa’s epidemic have little chance of avoiding this major health crisis

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Yap Boum, Professor in the faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology

    Walking through the crowded streets of the Pakadjuma neighbourhood in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, I am struck by the vibrant atmosphere around me.

    Children play happily in puddles, surrounded by piles of plastic bags and open ditches of sewage. Shacks patched together from pieces of corrugated iron crowd the settlement. Loud rumba music blasts through the air as young people enjoy themselves in open bars, waiting for grilled pork or chicken to be served. Sex workers sit outside tin shacks in narrow alleyways, calling for customers.

    Nearby a Médecins Sans Frontières triage centre is the only reminder that this slum area is the epicentre of the mpox epidemic in Kinshasa. There are no posters, no pamphlets or banners warning residents of the dangers of this viral disease that was declared a continental and global emergency in August last year.

    At the clinic, patients suspected to have mpox are sent to one of three dedicated mpox centres in the city. Common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle ache, chills, exhaustion, swollen lymph nodes and lesions. With symptomatic care most patients get better in 7 to 35 days, depending on the severity of the case.

    As an epidemiologist co-leading the response to mpox for Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, I visited Pakadjuma to get a better sense of the situation on the ground.

    Mpox has historically been a rural disease in the DRC. This microcosm of Kinshasa sheds light on the complex challenges of managing the outbreak in a city.

    Fighting on two fronts

    With a population of more than 17 million, Kinshasa is Africa’s biggest megacity. Pakadjuma is one of the city’s many overcrowded areas where people live in extreme poverty.

    Kinshasa, often called “Kin la Belle”, faces a unique crisis in the fight against mpox. Both strains of the virus, clade Ia and clade Ib, are circulating in the city simultaneously. This is first time this has happened.

    Clade Ia, which is primarily transmitted from animal to human and then within households through touch, has been endemic to Africa for decades.

    Clade Ib is a new strain and contracted predominantly through sexual contact. It is the strain that has spread rapidly across 21 African countries during the current epidemic in east and central Africa.

    Grilled meat for customers.

    This dual transmission makes the fight against mpox even more complicated: how does one tackle a public health crisis rooted in both intimate human connections and structural inequities such as living in overcrowded areas?

    Although the strains are treated similarly clinically, their spread and transmission differ.

    Clade Ia is mainly associated with zoonotic transmission (from animals to humans) in rural areas. Animal surveillance and community education are required to control spillovers.

    Clade Ib, with higher human-to-human transmissibility, necessitates intensified contact tracing, vaccination, and preventive measures in urban and peri-urban areas.

    Tailoring strategies to these differences is key to containing the outbreak.

    When condoms don’t work

    Pakadjuma, in the north-east of the city, is known for poverty and high crime rates. For many girls and young women the sex trade is their only option if they want to survive.

    One of the most pressing challenges to combat the virus in the area is curbing sexual transmission.

    Unlike HIV, where condoms can significantly reduce the risk of spread, mpox poses a different challenge: because the virus is spread by touch there is no practical preventive measure for sexual transmission apart from complete abstinence.

    Mpox lesions start in the groin, making any movement excruciating. For these sex workers, though, abstinence is not an option. It would mean losing their livelihood and the ability to feed their children.

    For their clients, who come from all over the city, it would require altering a core aspect of their lives for a disease they perceive as less lethal than Ebola. There are no easy answers to this dilemma.

    Patients are tested for mpox at this Médecins Sans Frontières triage centre

    Tracing the spread

    Contact tracing, a cornerstone of outbreak control, is another hurdle.

    Identifying and tracing the contacts of sex workers is complex. As a result only a fraction of mpox cases are confirmed with laboratory analysis.

    On average, each mpox case has about 20 contacts, yet tracing clients in a highly confidential sexual network is next to impossible.

    Without effective contact tracing, infected individuals remain in the community, often seeking treatment only when their condition worsens. From discussions with Médecins Sans Frontières staff in the triage zone, it emerges that suspected mpox cases usually arrive in advanced stages of the disease, when symptoms are clearly visible. Many patients first attempt other remedies such as traditional healing methods, before seeking medical care.

    Fortunately Kinshasa benefits from a strong laboratory network led by the Institut National de la Recherche Biomédicale and test results are available within 48 to 72 hours. This state-of-the-art institute was pioneered by Dr Jean Jacques Muyembe, the microbiologist who first discovered Ebola.

    In the first week of January 2025 there were 1,155 confirmed cases and 27 deaths in the city, according to the DRC Ministry of Health.

    Even for those who seek care at the dedicated mpox centres, navigating the chaotic, congested roads is a nightmare. Yellow minibuses – ominously known locally as the “Spirit of Death” – are crammed and it can take hours to get to a destination.

    With increasing patient numbers, mpox centres in the city are overwhelmed.

    Pakadjuma, one of the poorest districts in the city.
    A goods train passing through.

    The fight on all fronts

    Addressing the mpox outbreak in Kinshasa requires a multifaceted approach which includes:

    Vaccination: Blanket vaccination drives offer the strongest hope for controlling the outbreak in hotspots such as Pakadjuma where contact tracing is almost impossible. In these cases the whole community needs to be vaccinated.

    This could break transmission chains while allowing individuals at risk, such as sex workers, to continue plying their trades.

    Prevention and control: Home care is essential, particularly in informal settlements like Pakadjuma. Providing food and material support to patients and their families and encouraging the isolation of infected relatives will help to limit the spread of the disease.

    These measures require new thinking, however, when people are trying to survive from day to day.

    Talking to the community: This is difficult because of the stigma around the disease, but it must be at the heart of the response.

    Amplifying the message: The media, local leaders and trusted community members need to be engaged to spread the word loud and clear.

    This all needs to happen immediately or the epidemic will be almost impossible to contain in this vast, sprawling city. The consequences would be dire.

    – Mpox in the DRC: residents of the slum at the centre of Kinshasa’s epidemic have little chance of avoiding this major health crisis
    – https://theconversation.com/mpox-in-the-drc-residents-of-the-slum-at-the-centre-of-kinshasas-epidemic-have-little-chance-of-avoiding-this-major-health-crisis-247809

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Mpox in the DRC: residents of the slum at the centre of Kinshasa’s epidemic have little chance of avoiding this major health crisis

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Yap Boum, Professor in the faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology

    Walking through the crowded streets of the Pakadjuma neighbourhood in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, I am struck by the vibrant atmosphere around me.

    Children play happily in puddles, surrounded by piles of plastic bags and open ditches of sewage. Shacks patched together from pieces of corrugated iron crowd the settlement. Loud rumba music blasts through the air as young people enjoy themselves in open bars, waiting for grilled pork or chicken to be served. Sex workers sit outside tin shacks in narrow alleyways, calling for customers.

    Nearby a Médecins Sans Frontières triage centre is the only reminder that this slum area is the epicentre of the mpox epidemic in Kinshasa. There are no posters, no pamphlets or banners warning residents of the dangers of this viral disease that was declared a continental and global emergency in August last year.

    At the clinic, patients suspected to have mpox are sent to one of three dedicated mpox centres in the city. Common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle ache, chills, exhaustion, swollen lymph nodes and lesions. With symptomatic care most patients get better in 7 to 35 days, depending on the severity of the case.

    As an epidemiologist co-leading the response to mpox for Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, I visited Pakadjuma to get a better sense of the situation on the ground.

    Mpox has historically been a rural disease in the DRC. This microcosm of Kinshasa sheds light on the complex challenges of managing the outbreak in a city.

    Fighting on two fronts

    With a population of more than 17 million, Kinshasa is Africa’s biggest megacity. Pakadjuma is one of the city’s many overcrowded areas where people live in extreme poverty.

    Kinshasa, often called “Kin la Belle”, faces a unique crisis in the fight against mpox. Both strains of the virus, clade Ia and clade Ib, are circulating in the city simultaneously. This is first time this has happened.

    Clade Ia, which is primarily transmitted from animal to human and then within households through touch, has been endemic to Africa for decades.

    Clade Ib is a new strain and contracted predominantly through sexual contact. It is the strain that has spread rapidly across 21 African countries during the current epidemic in east and central Africa.

    This dual transmission makes the fight against mpox even more complicated: how does one tackle a public health crisis rooted in both intimate human connections and structural inequities such as living in overcrowded areas?

    Although the strains are treated similarly clinically, their spread and transmission differ.

    Clade Ia is mainly associated with zoonotic transmission (from animals to humans) in rural areas. Animal surveillance and community education are required to control spillovers.

    Clade Ib, with higher human-to-human transmissibility, necessitates intensified contact tracing, vaccination, and preventive measures in urban and peri-urban areas.

    Tailoring strategies to these differences is key to containing the outbreak.

    When condoms don’t work

    Pakadjuma, in the north-east of the city, is known for poverty and high crime rates. For many girls and young women the sex trade is their only option if they want to survive.

    One of the most pressing challenges to combat the virus in the area is curbing sexual transmission.

    Unlike HIV, where condoms can significantly reduce the risk of spread, mpox poses a different challenge: because the virus is spread by touch there is no practical preventive measure for sexual transmission apart from complete abstinence.

    Mpox lesions start in the groin, making any movement excruciating. For these sex workers, though, abstinence is not an option. It would mean losing their livelihood and the ability to feed their children.

    For their clients, who come from all over the city, it would require altering a core aspect of their lives for a disease they perceive as less lethal than Ebola. There are no easy answers to this dilemma.

    Tracing the spread

    Contact tracing, a cornerstone of outbreak control, is another hurdle.

    Identifying and tracing the contacts of sex workers is complex. As a result only a fraction of mpox cases are confirmed with laboratory analysis.

    On average, each mpox case has about 20 contacts, yet tracing clients in a highly confidential sexual network is next to impossible.

    Without effective contact tracing, infected individuals remain in the community, often seeking treatment only when their condition worsens. From discussions with Médecins Sans Frontières staff in the triage zone, it emerges that suspected mpox cases usually arrive in advanced stages of the disease, when symptoms are clearly visible. Many patients first attempt other remedies such as traditional healing methods, before seeking medical care.

    Fortunately Kinshasa benefits from a strong laboratory network led by the Institut National de la Recherche Biomédicale and test results are available within 48 to 72 hours. This state-of-the-art institute was pioneered by Dr Jean Jacques Muyembe, the microbiologist who first discovered Ebola.

    In the first week of January 2025 there were 1,155 confirmed cases and 27 deaths in the city, according to the DRC Ministry of Health.

    Even for those who seek care at the dedicated mpox centres, navigating the chaotic, congested roads is a nightmare. Yellow minibuses – ominously known locally as the “Spirit of Death” – are crammed and it can take hours to get to a destination.

    With increasing patient numbers, mpox centres in the city are overwhelmed.

    The fight on all fronts

    Addressing the mpox outbreak in Kinshasa requires a multifaceted approach which includes:

    Vaccination: Blanket vaccination drives offer the strongest hope for controlling the outbreak in hotspots such as Pakadjuma where contact tracing is almost impossible. In these cases the whole community needs to be vaccinated.

    This could break transmission chains while allowing individuals at risk, such as sex workers, to continue plying their trades.

    Prevention and control: Home care is essential, particularly in informal settlements like Pakadjuma. Providing food and material support to patients and their families and encouraging the isolation of infected relatives will help to limit the spread of the disease.

    These measures require new thinking, however, when people are trying to survive from day to day.

    Talking to the community: This is difficult because of the stigma around the disease, but it must be at the heart of the response.

    Amplifying the message: The media, local leaders and trusted community members need to be engaged to spread the word loud and clear.

    This all needs to happen immediately or the epidemic will be almost impossible to contain in this vast, sprawling city. The consequences would be dire.

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

    – ref. Mpox in the DRC: residents of the slum at the centre of Kinshasa’s epidemic have little chance of avoiding this major health crisis – https://theconversation.com/mpox-in-the-drc-residents-of-the-slum-at-the-centre-of-kinshasas-epidemic-have-little-chance-of-avoiding-this-major-health-crisis-247809

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Karolinska Development’s portfolio company SVF Vaccines announces positive data from a phase 1 study of its universal Covid-19 vaccine

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, October 21, 2024. Karolinska Development AB (Nasdaq Stockholm: KDEV) announces that its portfolio company SVF Vaccines, has presented positive clinical safety and immunogenicity data from a clinical phase 1 study of the universal Covid-19 vaccine candidate, SVF-002.

    SVF Vaccines develops SVF-002, a DNA vaccine designed to engage a broad neutralizing response directed against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, but has also been designed to induce a T-cell response that is capable of eliminating cells in which the virus is present. SVF-002 has now been evaluated in a double-blind, first-in-human clinical study. The results were presented today at the annual meeting of the International Society for Vaccines in Seoul, South Korea, by the principal investigator of the study, Professor Soo Aleman, Senior Physician and Section Manager at the Medical Unit for Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital.

    The results showed that the vaccine candidate was safe and well-tolerated and that the higher dose boosted neutralizing antibodies to the spike protein and provided unique T-cell responses against highly conserved components of the virus, the membrane protein and the nucleoprotein, which may entail better protection even if the virus changes. The study was run by the OpenCorona consortium in collaboration with the Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden. The study enrolled healthy individuals who had previously received three doses of an mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccine.

    “SVF Vaccine is developing a portfolio of therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines that potentially can both prevent disease and cure infected patients. The positive results in the clinical phase 1 study are an important achievement that validates SVF Vaccines development platform,” says Viktor Drvota, CEO of Karolinska Development.

    Karolinska Development’s ownership in SVF Vaccines amounts to 34%.

    For further information, please contact:

    Viktor Drvota, CEO, Karolinska Development AB
    Phone: +46 73 982 52 02, e-mail: viktor.drvota@karolinskadevelopment.com

    Johan Dighed, General Counsel and Deputy CEO, Karolinska Development AB
    Phone: +46 70 207 48 26, e-mail: johan.dighed@karolinskadevelopment.com

    TO THE EDITORS

    About Karolinska Development AB

    Karolinska Development AB (Nasdaq Stockholm: KDEV) is a Nordic life sciences investment company. The company focuses on identifying breakthrough medical innovations in the Nordic region that are developed by entrepreneurs and leadership teams. The Company invests in the creation and growth of companies that advance these assets into commercial products that are designed to make a difference to patient’s lives while providing an attractive return on investment to shareholders.

    Karolinska Development has access to world-class medical innovations at the Karolinska Institutet and other leading universities and research institutes in the Nordic region. The Company aims to build companies around scientists who are leaders in their fields, supported by experienced management teams and advisers, and co-funded by specialist international investors, to provide the greatest chance of success.

    Karolinska Development has a portfolio of eleven companies targeting opportunities in innovative treatment for life-threatening or serious debilitating diseases.

    The Company is led by an entrepreneurial team of investment professionals with a proven track record as company builders and with access to a strong global network.

    For more information, please visit http://www.karolinskadevelopment.com.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Tracking vampire worms with machine learning − using AI to diagnose schistosomiasis before the parasites causing it hatch in your blood

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Trirupa Chakraborty, Ph.D. Candidate in Integrative Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh

    Blood samples of patients infected with a parasitic worm that causes schistosomiasis contain hidden information that marks different stages of the disease. In our recently published research, our team used machine learning to uncover that hidden information and improve early detection and diagnosis of infection.

    The parasite that causes schistosomiasis completes its life cycle in two hosts – first in snails and then in mammals such as people, dogs and mice. Freshwater worm eggs enter human hosts through the skin and circulate throughout the body, damaging multiple organs, including the liver, intestine, bladder and urethra. When these larvae reach blood vessels connecting the intestines to the liver, they mature into adult worms. They then release eggs that are excreted when the infected person defecates, continuing the transmission cycle.

    Since diagnosis currently relies on detecting eggs in feces, doctors usually miss the early stages of infection. By the time eggs are detected, patients have already reached an advanced stage of the disease. Because diagnosis rates are poor, public health officials typically mass-administer the drug praziquantel to populations in affected regions. However, praziquantel cannot clear juvenile worms in early stages of infection, nor can it prevent reinfection.

    Schistosomiasis isn’t usually diagnosed until the late stages of the disease.
    DPDx/CDC

    Our study provides a clear path forward to improving early detection and diagnosis by identifying the hidden information in blood that signals active, early stage infection.

    Your body responds to a schistosomiasis infection by mounting an immune response involving several types of immune cells, as well as antibodies specifically targeting molecules secreted by or present on the worm and eggs. Our study introduces two ways to screen for certain characteristics of antibodies that signal early infection.

    The first is an assay that captures a quantitative and qualitative profile of immune response, including various classes of antibodies and characteristics that dictate how they communicate with other immune cells. This allowed us to identify specific facets of the immune response that distinguish uninfected patients from patients with early and late-stage disease.

    Second, we developed a new machine learning approach that analyzes antibodies to identify latent characteristics of the immune response linked to disease stage and severity. We trained the model on immune profile data from infected and uninfected patients and tested the model on data that wasn’t used for training and data from a different geographical location. We identified not only biomarkers for the disease but also the potential mechanism that underlies infection.

    Why it matters

    Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that affects over 200 million people worldwide, causing 280,000 deaths annually. Early diagnosis can improve treatment effectiveness and prevent severe disease.

    In addition, unlike many machine learning methods that are black boxes, our approach is also interpretable. This means it can provide insights into why and how the disease develops beyond simply identifying markers of disease, guiding future strategies for early diagnosis and treatment.

    Clusters of Schistosoma haematobium eggs surrounded by immune cells in bladder tissue.
    CDC/Dr. Edwin P. Ewing Jr.

    What still isn’t known

    The schistosomiasis infection signatures we identified remain stable across two geographical regions across two continents. Future research could explore how well these biomarkers apply to additional populations.

    Further, our work identifies a potential mechanism behind disease progression. We found that a particular immune response against a specific protein on the surface of the worm signals an intermediate stage of infection. Understanding how the immune system responds to this understudied antigen could improve diagnosis and treatment.

    What’s next

    Besides improving our understanding of how the immune system responds to different stages of infection, our findings identify key antigens that could pave the way for designing cost-effective and efficient approaches to diagnosis and treatments. Our next steps will include actually deploying these strategies in the field for early detection and management of disease.

    The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work.

    Trirupa Chakraborty is affiliated with Light Up non-profit organisation, based in India. The organisation does not have any connection with or benefits from this article.

    Aniruddh Sarkar has received grant funding from the NIAID, BARDA, Task Force for Global Health (TFGH), Atlanta Center for Point-of-Care Technologies (ACME POCT), Center for Childhood Infections & Vaccines (CCIV) and the Bernie Marcus Early Career Professorship at Georgia Tech

    Jishnu Das has research grant funding from the NIH (NIAID, NHGRI, NIAMS, NEI, NCI, NHLBI, NIMH), DoD and the Rainin Foundation. He consults for Seromyx on a case-by-case basis and receives corresponding financial compensation including stock options. Seromyx has no direct connection to (including benefitting from financially or otherwise) this article.

    – ref. Tracking vampire worms with machine learning − using AI to diagnose schistosomiasis before the parasites causing it hatch in your blood – https://theconversation.com/tracking-vampire-worms-with-machine-learning-using-ai-to-diagnose-schistosomiasis-before-the-parasites-causing-it-hatch-in-your-blood-239466

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government appeals to all sectors of community to support seasonal influenza vaccination programmes

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Government today (October 21) appeals to all members of the public, especially priority groups, to timely receive seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV). The Government has made special arrangements to facilitate priority groups (including school children) to receive SIV through various SIV programmes.

    Latest statistics on schools joining SIV programmes

         The 2024/25 SIV Programmes started on September 26. At present, around 870 kindergartens and child care centres (80 per cent), 620 primary schools (93 per cent) and 400 secondary schools (79 per cent) have joined the SIV School Outreach Programme (SIVSOP). As of October 20, 2024, 380 schools have completed the first dose vaccination and more than 77 800 students have received SIV under School Outreach Programmes.

    Flexible arrangements on SIV school outreach vaccination services in season 2024/25

         The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has been promoting SIV in schoolchildren, particularly young children in child-care centres and kindergartens, and optimising the vaccination programmes in response to the feedback from schools and parents.

         To boost the SIV coverage rate among schoolchildren, special arrangements have been made under the SIVSOP this year to offer a more flexible choice of vaccine options for kindergartens and child-care centres. Kindergartens and child-care centres can choose to provide both injectable inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV) and live attenuated influenza vaccines (i.e. nasal vaccines) (LAIV) at the same or different outreach vaccination activities. Among the kindergartens and child-care centres participating in SIVSOP, 246 schools will offer LAIV, ten schools will offer both IIV and LAIV, and the rest will offer IIV. As a pilot scheme, LAIV is also provided to selected primary and secondary schools which indicated their preference for LAIV earlier this year. So far, two primary schools and four secondary schools have joined the pilot scheme. The Department of Health (DH) will continue to monitor and review the arrangement as appropriate.

         Alternatively, schools can also invite doctors to arrange outreach service for injectable IIV and/or nasal LAIV at their campus under the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme School Outreach.

    Ongoing promotion of SIV uptake amongst school children

         The DH has invited all schools in Hong Kong through the Education Bureau (EDB) to participate in the SIVSOP. Upon commencement of the 2024/25 SIV Programmes, the DH has reached out to non-participating schools one by one to understand their difficulties, offer necessary assistance and facilitate them to participate in the programmes. The DH has also liaised with the EDB to issue appeal letters again to the School Heads Association of Kindergartens/Child-Care Centres to promote SIV uptake amongst young children. The CHP spokesman calls on those schools that have yet to join the outreach vaccination programmes to enrol as soon as possible to seize the optimum timing for vaccination and do their part to provide the best protection for schoolchildren.

         Early childhood educators are also important points of contact with young school children and their parents. The DH has met a number of early childhood education and parent-teacher associations, as well as relevant medical associations to promote SIV among young children. The DH urges early childhood educators to join hands in appealing the parents to arrange for their children to participate in SIV, and at the same time to play their part in educating parents on the importance of vaccination to encourage more young school children to get vaccinated. With increased vaccination coverage, the protection of children could be strengthened and their risk of severe illness and death after contracting influenza could also be reduced.

         “Surveillance data up to October 20 showed a total of 34 severe paediatric influenza-associated complication and death cases as recorded by the CHP this year, which is comparable with 41 cases in the pre-COVID-19 era in 2019. Among these 34 cases, 25 (74 per cent) did not receive influenza vaccine, illustrating the importance of SIV,” a CHP spokesperson said.

         A range of health education materials on influenza prevention (including webpage, press releases, pamphlets, and FAQs) has been produced by the DH and disseminated through various channels, especially those parenting media. The DH will continue to maintain close communication with stakeholders (including doctors, schools and other relevant Government Departments). For the latest information, please refer to the CHP’s influenza page and Vaccination Schemes page.     

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NCDHHS Livestream Spanish-language Cafecito and Tele-Town Hall: Understanding Seasonal Vaccines and Respiratory Health In North Carolina

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: NCDHHS Livestream Spanish-language Cafecito and Tele-Town Hall: Understanding Seasonal Vaccines and Respiratory Health In North Carolina

    NCDHHS Livestream Spanish-language Cafecito and Tele-Town Hall: Understanding Seasonal Vaccines and Respiratory Health In North Carolina
    hejones1

    The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live Spanish-language Cafecito and tele-town hall on Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss how seasonal vaccines, including flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, help protect communities against severe illness, hospitalization and long-term health complications. Following the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene, NCDHHS and participants will also share health-related information and resources available to support Hispanic and Latino communities during disaster recovery.

    Event participants include:   

    • Carolina Siliceo Perez, MLAS, Acting Director for Latinx/Hispanic Policy and Strategy, NCDHHS  
    • Gabriela Plasencia, MD, MAS, Family Medicine Physician & Health Equity Researcher, Duke Family Medicine 
    • Sharon Muñoz, Health Literacy Consultant, LATIN-19 

    Everyone ages 6 months and older is due for their updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines. The updated shots were developed to protect communities against the newest strains of the viruses expected to circulate this fall and winter. Seasonal vaccines are the best way to prevent people from experiencing severe cases of flu and COVID-19, especially for those who are at a higher risk of complications from the viruses. This includes people who are under 5, those 65 and older, pregnant and/or living with chronic medical conditions.   

    Cafecito and tele-town hall panelists will discuss the following:   

    • How to get your seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines   
    • What to know about RSV protection, including RSV vaccines  
    • Ways to find health information, services and care in Spanish  
    • Steps to protect yourself and your household against seasonal illness  
    • How to access free vaccines for children 

    In addition to flu and COVID-19 vaccines, RSV vaccines are also now available for older adults and pregnant women. Some babies and children under 2 may also need to receive an immunization to help build protection against RSV. It’s important for individuals of all ages to be up to date on all recommended vaccines before enjoying seasonal activities or sporting events with loved ones. 

    Everyone should test for COVID-19 right away if they feel sick or have symptoms to help prevent the virus from spreading to others around them. Free, at-home COVID-19 tests are available at more than 300 local organizations statewide and by mail through CovidTests.gov. To find free tests near you, visit MySpot.nc.gov/Tests. 

    The Cafecito will stream live from the NCDHHS Facebook and YouTube accounts, where viewers can submit questions. The event also includes a tele-town hall, which invites people by phone to listen in and submit questions. People can also dial into the event by calling 855-756-7520 Ext. 112992#. 

    Visit MySpot.nc.gov for information, guidance and resources on seasonal vaccines and how they support respiratory health.  

    El Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte (NCDHHS) presentará un Cafecito, una conversación virtual y telefónica en vivo el miércoles 23 de octubre, de 6 a 7 p.m., para hablar sobre cómo las vacunas estacionales, incluidas las del COVID-19, la gripe (influenza) y el virus respiratorio sincitial (VRS), ayudan a proteger a las comunidades contra enfermedades graves, hospitalizaciones y complicaciones de salud a largo plazo. Después de los devastadores impactos del huracán Helene, las panelistas también compartirán información y recursos de salud disponibles para apoyar a las comunidades hispanas y latinas durante la recuperación ante desastres. 

    Panelistas del evento incluyen:  

    • Carolina Siliceo Perez, MLAS, directora interina de Política y Estrategia Latina e Hispana, NCDHHS   
    • Gabriela Plasencia, MD, MAS, médica de medicina familiar e investigadora de equidad en salud, Centro Médico de la Universidad de Duke   
    • Sharon Muñoz, consultora en educación en la salud, LATIN-19   

    Todas las personas de 6 meses de edad en adelante deben recibir las vacunas actualizadas contra la gripe y el COVID-19. Las dosis actualizadas se desarrollaron para proteger a las comunidades contra las nuevas cepas de los virus que se espera que circulen este otoño e invierno. Las vacunas estacionales son la mejor manera de prevenir que las personas padezcan casos graves de gripe y COVID-19, especialmente aquellas con mayor riesgo de complicaciones. Esto incluye a las personas menores de 5 años, mayores de 65 años, embarazadas y/o con condiciones médicas crónicas. 

    Las panelistas del Cafecito hablarán sobre los siguientes temas:  

    • Cómo recibir las vacunas estacionales contra la gripe (influenza) y el COVID-19   
    • Información sobre la protección contra el VRS, incluyendo las vacunas  
    • Maneras de encontrar información, servicios y atención médica en español   
    • Pasos para protegerse y proteger a su hogar contra las enfermedades estacionales   
    • Cómo acceder a vacunas gratuitas para los niños   

    Además de las vacunas contra la gripe y el COVID-19, las vacunas contra el VRS también están disponibles para adultos mayores y personas embarazadas. Algunos bebés y niños menores de 2 años también pueden necesitar recibir una inmunización para ayudar a desarrollar protección contra el VRS. Es importante que personas de todas las edades estén al día con todas las vacunas recomendadas antes de disfrutar de actividades estacionales o eventos deportivos con seres queridos. 

    Todos deben hacerse la prueba de COVID-19 de inmediato si se sienten enfermos o tienen síntomas, ya que esto ayudara a prevenir la propagación del virus a quienes los rodean. Pruebas caseras gratuitas de COVID-19 están disponibles en más de 300 organizaciones locales en todo el estado y por correo a través de CovidTests.gov. Para encontrar pruebas gratuitas cerca de usted, visite Vacunate.nc.gov/Pruebas. 

    El Cafecito se transmitirá en vivo y en español desde las cuentas de Facebook y YouTube del NCDHHS, donde los espectadores podrán enviar sus preguntas. El evento incluirá una opción de telecomunicación, que invita a las personas a escuchar y enviar preguntas por teléfono. Los participantes también pueden llamar al evento al 855-756-7520 Ext. 112992#. 

    Visite Vacunate.nc.gov para obtener información, orientación y recursos sobre las vacunas estacionales y cómo apoyan la salud respiratoria. 

    Oct 21, 2024

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Catch up clinics to offer children free flu vaccinations

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    All children from Reception to Year 11 are eligible for the free vaccination in school given by healthcare professionals from Vaccination UK. Each school in Wolverhampton is being visited twice, giving children who may have been off the first time around a second chance to get vaccinated.

    Parents and guardians of children who may have either missed both dates in school, or who would prefer their child to receive it in a clinic, are invited to book an appointment at one of the catch-up clinics, taking place as follows: 

    • Saturday 9 November, 9am to 2pm, Bingley Family Hub, Norfolk Road WV3 0JE 
    • Saturday 23 November, 9am to 2pm, Dove Family Hub, Grangefield Close, Ryefield WV8 1XF 
    • Saturday 30 November, 9am to 2pm, Whitmore Reans Family Hub, Lansdowne Road WV1 4AL 
    • Saturday 11 January, 10am to 2pm, Biz Space, Planetary Road, WV13 3SW

    Appointments must be booked in advance by contacting Vaccination UK on 01902 200077. There are also clinics taking place in Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall – call Vaccination UK for more details of these.

    For the majority of children, the vaccine can be given via a nasal spray. For children who require a pork gelatine free alternative, or who are unable to have the nasal spray for medical reasons, an injectable vaccination is available on request.

    John Denley, Wolverhampton’s Director of Public Health, said: “Flu can be deadly and easily spread by children and adults. The free vaccine is the best way to protect your children and other family members, particularly more vulnerable relatives like grandparents or those with underlying health conditions, from becoming ill because of the flu.

    “The vaccination is quick and safe and it’s also needle free for most children because it can be given via a nasal spray, rather than via injection. If your child has missed out on their vaccination in school, or you’d rather take them to a clinic, please book an appointment at one of the catch up clinics being held in the coming weeks.”

    Children aged 2 and 3, and children with some long term health conditions, are also eligible for the nasal spray, with their vaccinations given at their local GP surgery. Parents and carers are encouraged to contact their GP if they haven’t yet received an invitation.

    To find out more about the flu vaccine for children, read the answers to frequently asked questions and enjoy the four exciting Flu Fighters stories for children, Flu Fighters Versus Chilly, Achy and Snotty, Flu Fighters in The Battle of Planet Bogey, Flu Fighters in Close Encounters of the Germed Kind and Flu Fighters on a Vacc-tastic Voyage, please visit Bugbusters.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ6: Quarantine period for pet cats/dogs entering Hong Kong from Mainland

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by Dr the Hon Johnny Ng and a reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (October 23):

    Question:

         It is learnt that in recent years, more members of the public exit or enter the territory carrying pet cats/dogs. On the other hand, for the sake of preventing the spread of rabies into Hong Kong, pet cats/dogs carried by members of the public back to Hong Kong from Group III places (including the Mainland) as specified by the Government are required to comply with the quarantine procedures prescribed by law, including a quarantine period of at least 120 days. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) of the number of cases applying for quarantine of pet cats/dogs entering the territory that were received by the Government in each month of the past three years; among these cases, the respective numbers of cats and dogs which had fallen sick and died during the quarantine period and the reasons for that;

    (2) whether it will increase the number of quarantine institutions and quarantine centres as well as the number of animals that can be quarantined, so as to meet the immigration needs of pet cats/dogs; if so, of the plans and timetable; if not, the reasons for that; and

    (3) as information shows that some advanced regions in Asia adopt more lenient quarantine requirements on pets entering the territory than Hong Kong, such as the seven-day and 30-day quarantine periods adopted respectively by Taiwan and Singapore, whether the Government will make reference to the practice of those regions and shorten the present quarantine period for pet cats/dogs brought into the territory from Group III places; if so, of the specific arrangements and the earliest possible date of implementation; if not, the reasons for that?

    Reply:

    President,

         Rabies is a contagious disease that can cause fatality to mammals (including humans). No specific treatment is available at present and rabies is almost always fatal once clinical signs appear, and nearly 60 000 people die of rabies globally every year. To safeguard public health, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) currently regulates the import of live animals through a permit system, and controls the import of cats and dogs under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Regulations (Cap. 139A) and the Rabies Regulation (Cap. 421A), aiming to prevent the transmission of animal diseases including rabies into Hong Kong. Under effective control measures, Hong Kong has long been widely recognised as a rabies-free place; therefore, animals of Hong Kong residents generally face less stringent quarantine requirements when entering other places, for example places with strictest quarantine requirements like Australia and New Zealand permit the entry of cats and dogs from Hong Kong.

         For importation of cats and dogs, the AFCD classifies places into three groups according to different risk of rabies, with reference to information about the surveillance of animal diseases from the World Organisation for Animal Health. Group I includes rabies-free places (i.e. where rabies has been absent for a long time); Group II includes places where rabies cases are few and under effective control; and Group III includes places where rabies cases are reported and not under effective control. In general, places that do not meet the requirements of Group I or II (or their situations cannot be determined) will be included in Group III.

         Since Groups I and II places are considered of lower risk of rabies, cats and dogs imported from these places are exempted from quarantine upon fulfilling relevant requirements (such as providing Animal Health Certificate, Residence Certificate, Anti-rabies Vaccination Certificate, etc.). For Group III places, the risk of rabies is higher or uncertain. Since the incubation period of rabies can be up to several months, to prevent the transmission of rabies into Hong Kong, the AFCD requires a quarantine period of no less than 120 days for the cats and dogs imported from Group III places.

         On the questions raised by Dr the Hon Johnny Ng, I would like to reply to the question as follows:

    (1) The AFCD will immediately arrange to send cats and dogs imported from Group III places upon arrival in Hong Kong to its Animal Management Centre for quarantine. If an animal falls ill during quarantine, the AFCD will inform the animal owner to take the animal to a vet clinic under the escort of the AFCD, or arrange a vet to the quarantine centre for treatment. If an animal shows an urgent health problem and the AFCD is unable to contact the animal owner, the AFCD will arrange for the pet to be examined by a vet as soon as possible. Over the past three years, a total of three animals (including two cats and one dog) passed away during quarantine, due to their own severe health issues such as kidney failure. In the past three years, the number of applications received by the AFCD for reserving a quarantine space for importing cats and dogs, the number of cats and dogs which received veterinary treatment during the quarantine period, and the number of cats and dogs deceased during the quarantine period are at the Annex.

    (2) and (3) The AFCD is actively adopting a two-pronged approach to facilitate animal owners from Group III places in bringing their pet cats and dogs to Hong Kong. On the one hand, the AFCD is increasing the number of quarantine facilities; on the other hand, the AFCD is exploring ways to refine the quarantine requirements for cats and dogs.

         Regarding quarantine facilities, two Animal Management Centres (i.e. Kowloon Animal Management Centre and Hong Kong Animal Management Centre) operated by the AFCD provide quarantine services for cats and dogs imported from Group III places. The two centres provide a total of 20 spaces for cats and dogs respectively. The Kowloon Animal Management Centre is currently undergoing works by the AFCD to increase the number of quarantine facilities, with the works expected to be completed in the first half of next year. Upon completion, the total number of quarantine facilities for cats and dogs in the two centres will increase to 34 and 30 respectively. To further increase the number of facilities, the AFCD is actively exploring the feasibility of operating and providing some of the cats and dogs quarantine facility by the private sector. Organisations are required to obtain a licence from the AFCD to operate a quarantine centre under the Rabies Regulation (Cap. 421A), and the relevant quarantine facility is a designated project under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap. 499) which requires obtaining an environmental permit. The Government is now discussing with the private sector about the relevant arrangements and is providing assistance, and is striving to implement a pilot scheme in the first half of next year.

         For the refinement of quarantine requirements for cats and dogs from Group III places, different places conduct their own risk assessments and establish import requirements based on their acceptable level of risk. The risk of rabies transmission is influenced by various factors, including the number of imported cats and dogs, whether the importing places can take effective control measures to prevent the introduction of rabies, the rabies immunisation status of the importing places, the rabies situation of neighbouring places, etc. As biotechnology has developed in recent years, the AFCD has earlier conducted a risk assessment, and considered that the quarantine period for cats and dogs imported from some Group III places (including the Mainland and Macao) could be shortened by measures such as rabies vaccination and rabies antibody titer testing. The AFCD is discussing the proposed arrangements with the places concerned to finalise the implementation details. The AFCD will announce the details of the arrangements once the discussion is completed. With the gradual implementation of the revised measures, the waiting time of quarantine facilities would decrease, thereby further facilitating animal owners from Group III places in bringing their pet cats and dogs to Hong Kong.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Experts of the Human Rights Committee Commend Greece on Measures Taken for Unaccompanied Minors, Raise Questions on Domestic Violence and Allegations of Border Pushbacks

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Human Rights Committee today concluded its consideration of the third periodic report of Greece on how it implements the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.  Committee Experts commended Greece for the measures taken for unaccompanied minors, while raising questions on domestic violence, and allegations of pushbacks at the border. 

    One Committee Expert said the Committee welcomed measures taken by the State party, including the establishment of the Special Secretariat for the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors, the Emergency Response Mechanism, and law 4960/2022 on the establishment of a National Guardianship System for unaccompanied minors.  The Committee also appreciated the national protection strategy (2021–2025) and the mechanism for unaccompanied children living in precarious conditions. 

    Another Expert asked how the State party addressed the root causes of gender-based violence? Was there a comprehensive strategy to prevent, raise awareness on, and respond to gender-based violence?  Was there mandatory and continuous capacity building for judges, prosecutors, and other law enforcement officials about gender-based violence? 

    A Committee Expert said numerous reports documented instances of pushbacks by the Hellenic police and Hellenic coast guards, including patterns of excessive use of force, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, incommunicado detention, and unlawful destruction of personal belongings.  How would Greece ensure thorough, systematic, effective, and independent investigations into allegations of pushbacks and hold those responsible accountable?  Reports before the Committee indicated that from January 2020 to June 2024, there were 1,452 incidents at the borders affecting approximately 46,649 people. What measures were being taken to ensure that border control operations prioritised the protection of life and that rescue efforts were conducted in compliance with human rights?

    The delegation said violence against women had increased significantly during the pandemic. In April 2020, there was a significant increase of more than 200 per cent regarding phone calls to the hotline for reporting violence.  Psychosocial support was provided upon request, including both online and in-person. An awareness raising campaign was launched in 2024 and was displayed in the Athens urban rail network.  A panic button application was launched, enabling women in immediate danger to call for help in a safe manner by pressing a button on their phone which was linked to the police. 

    The delegation said pushbacks were not the policy of the Greek Government in any way, shape, or form; the Government policy was clear.  Actions taken by Hellenic authorities at the sea borders were carried out in full compliance with international obligations.  Allegations on so-called pushbacks were not compatible with the well-established operations of the Hellenic authorities.  However, any allegations of pushbacks or mistreatment of third country nationals were thoroughly investigated.  From 2015 to the present, the Hellenic coast guards had rescued more than 254,000 people.  Several mechanisms allowed complaints against pushbacks to be submitted to the Hellenic authorities, and the coast guards had a robust disciplinary mechanism.

    Introducing the report, Katerina Patsogianni, Secretary General for Equality and Human Rights, Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family of Greece and head of the delegation, said in recent years, Greece had confronted the combined effects of the economic crisis, the migration crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic.  The country was now on a path to long-term progress and sustainability, benefiting its human rights framework.  Greece had developed one of Europe’s most efficient asylum services and continued to improve its capacities and infrastructure.  The fight against human trafficking was a top priority for authorities, who worked closely with non-governmental organizations in a strategic alliance. 

    In concluding remarks, Ioannis Ghikas, Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations Office at Geneva, thanked the Committee for the frank and honest exchange.  Greece had worked hard to improve the situation, particularly on migration; the number of deaths in the Aegean Sea had fallen by 40 per cent. Greece had a vibrant society with few resources but was working to do better. 

    Tania María Abdo Rocholl, Committee Chairperson, thanked the delegation for the dialogue, which had covered a wide range of subjects under the Covenant.   The Committee aimed to ensure the highest level of implementation of the Covenant in Greece. 

    The delegation of Greece was made up of representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family; the Ministry of Justice; the Ministry of Citizen Protection; the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy; the Ministry of Migration and Asylum; the Ministry of National Defence; the Ministry of Interior; the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports; the Ministry of Health; the Presidency of the Government; and the Permanent Mission of Greece to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

    The Human Rights Committee’s one hundred and forty-second session is being held from 14 October to 7 November 2024.  All the documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage.  Meeting summary releases can be found here.  The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.

    The Committee will next meet in public at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 22 October, to begin its consideration of the sixth periodic report of France (CCPR/C/FRA/6).

    Report

    The Committee has before it the third periodic report of Greece (CCPR/C/GRC/3).

    Presentation of Report

    IOANNIS GHIKAS, Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said since the last review, Greece had made significant progress in key areas, including the protection of vulnerable groups, ensuring gender equality, and promoting human rights safeguards.  Despite unprecedented challenges, Greece had remained committed to protecting and promoting human rights and looked forward to the Committee’s recommendations. 

    KATERINA PATSOGIANNI, Secretary General for Equality and Human Rights, Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family of Greece and head of the delegation, said in recent years, Greece had confronted the combined effects of the economic crisis, the migration crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic.  The country was now on a path to long-term progress and sustainability, benefiting its human rights framework.  Faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, Greece implemented restrictive measures to curb the spread of the disease, which were proportionate, non-discriminatory, and scientifically evaluated.  At the same time, the authorities enacted policies to protect public health and mitigate the social and economic effects of the pandemic. The National Vaccination Programme ran smoothly and efficiently, targeting specific and vulnerable groups. Following recommendations to improve policy coordination, Greece launched national human rights action plans with input from independent bodies and civil society. 

    Significant progress had been made on gender equality, including ratifying the Council of Europe Convention on Violence against Women and the International Labour Organization Convention on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace.  The Labour Inspection Body was now an independent authority, and the Greek Ombudsperson’s role in equal treatment had been strengthened. In 2019, Greece introduced a comprehensive legal framework to promote gender equality.  The new national action plan 2026-2030 would guide future policies with civil society input. 

    This year marked a significant milestone for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, with the enactment of marriage equality for all, without gender discrimination.  On the rights of the child, key policy actions were focused on strengthening foster care and adoption, preventing child abuse, and setting rules for child protection units and childcare centres. 

    Greece was actively implementing the Roma National Strategy 2021–2030, guided by the principle “for the Roma, with the Roma.”  Key committees, including the Roma Forum, were fully operational. All available European Union funding was being used to enhance Roma’s employment, education, healthcare, and housing participation.  Harsher penalties now applied to crimes with racist characteristics. The National Council against Racism and Intolerance, an inter-ministerial body with the participation of independent bodies, adopted the first national action plan in December 2020. 

    For persons with disabilities, Greece established a National Accessibility Authority and was developing a national strategy for 2024-2030.  Key policies included deinstitutionalisation and a personal assistant programme for independent living.  A 2023 law improved access to justice for persons with disabilities and removed derogatory language from the legislation.  Additionally, the Ministry of Health had enacted legislation for psychiatric reform, shifting from institutional to community-based care.

    Greece had developed one of Europe’s most efficient asylum services and continued to improve its capacities and infrastructure.  Since 2021, the National Emergency Response Mechanism had supported thousands of unaccompanied minors in precarious conditions.  This year, Greece launched the new national guardianship system to serve vulnerable asylum applicants better at the first reception stage. In 2023, the General Secretariat of Vulnerable People and Institutional Protection was established in the Ministry of Migration and Asylum to address challenges faced by vulnerable refugees and migrants. 

    Greek law enforcement authorities fulfilled their border protection responsibilities in compliance with domestic, European and international law.  Allegations regarding violations of the principle of non-refoulement at land or sea borders did not correspond to the operational activities of law enforcement agencies.  Greece applied a firm policy for the effective monitoring of fundamental rights and the assessment of complaints of ill treatment at the border, comprised of internal disciplinary procedures; prosecutorial supervision under criminal law; and independent monitoring by the Greek Ombudsman and the National Transparency Authority.  In addition, a Special Committee for Compliance with Fundamental Rights and the position of the Fundamental Rights Officer were established in the Ministry of Migration and Asylum in 2022. 

    The fight against human trafficking was a top priority for authorities, who worked closely with non-governmental organizations in a strategic alliance.  In 2019, the National Referral Mechanism for trafficking victims was launched, which trained staff on standard operating procedures for victim protection, including in reception and identification centres.  A key development in the field of justice was the recent reform of the judicial map for civil and criminal courts, which aimed to reorganise courts geographically, streamline procedures, and speed up case resolution.  Greece had also undertaken several key initiatives to further develop a resilient and pluralistic media ecosystem, focusing on protecting, ensuring safety, and empowering journalists.  Ms. Patsogianni expressed gratitude for being able to engage in a constructive and frank dialogue with the Committee.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said the Committee noted that awareness raising on the Covenant was part of training activities for judges, lawyers and law enforcement officials. What were the channels used by the State party, the number of beneficiaries of these training courses, and the number of cases in which the provisions of the Covenant were invoked by the national courts?  What measures were taken by Greece to ensure the full implementation of the Committee’s views, including by providing victims with an effective remedy for the violation of their rights in several cases in the courts? 

    According to the information received, the measures taken by the State party during the COVID-19 pandemic had particularly wider implications for the human rights of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants, who were subject to mandatory quarantine, late vaccinations, lack of access to vaccination for certain groups, and policing people’s movements.  To what extent and how long were asylum procedures suspended due to restrictions imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic?  Could figures be provided on the number criminal investigations opened, and prosecutions and convictions of the perpetrators of domestic violence and femicide committed during the prolonged COVID-19 quarantine?  What measures had been taken by the State party to ensure effective reparation for the damage suffered by the victims?

    The Committee welcomed the decision taken by the Court of Appeal of Athens in a landmark judgment handed down on 7 October 2020 against the neo-Nazi party “Golden Dawn”, which was described as a criminal organization.  The report also provided figures on the number of alleged racist incidents.  However, information received indicated that there was not enough prosecution to punish the perpetrators of the wrongdoings.  What measures were being taken to encourage victims of discrimination to report the situation to authorities?  How was it ensured that victims of hate crimes had access to support services? 

    Another Expert said the Committee appreciated the adoption of several laws, including amendments to the whistleblower protection law, increasing the fines for foreign bribery offenses, as well as the creation of new anti-corruption institutions, including the National Transparency Authority in 2019.  However, the Committee was concerned about the limited practical impact of these reforms.  Could statistics on corruption efforts be provided, including the number of investigations, prosecutions and convictions in corruption cases?  How did the State party ensure thorough and impartial investigations into all allegations of corruption, regardless of the officials or institutions involved?  Could more information on technical initiatives be provided?  How were whistleblower protection mechanisms being implemented? 

    The Committee remained concerned about the use of excessive force during pushbacks of migrants and asylum seekers, including instances of pointing guns, hitting with batons, slapping, and pushing asylum seekers.  Could the State party comment on these reports?  Could the State party also comment on allegations that no investigations had been conducted into police violence against Roma communities nearly five years after the incidents?

    The Committee commended Greece for adopting the 10-year national action plan for mental health in 2023, and for adopting law 5129/2024 for the completion of the psychiatric reform.  What steps were being taken to reduce overcrowding and improve the overall quality and supervision of psychiatric care?  How was the State party working to improve the capacity of the Committee for the Protection of the Rights of People with Psychosocial Disability and the Health Quality Assurance Body?

    While the Committee commended Greece for making the reduction of involuntary hospitalisations a priority, how did the State party ensure that patients being evaluated for involuntary commitment were provided with appropriate legal safeguards.  How was the State party working to reduce the total number of involuntary commitments to psychiatric care?  The Committee was concerned by the use of physical and chemical restraints in psychiatric care; what was being done to ensure that the use of restraints was properly regulated and minimised. 

    One Committee Expert said the Committee welcomed measures taken by the State party, including the establishment of the Special Secretariat for the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors, the Emergency Response Mechanism, and law 4960/2022 on the establishment of a National Guardianship System for unaccompanied minors.  The Committee also appreciated the national protection strategy (2021–2025) and the mechanism for unaccompanied children living in precarious conditions.  It was hoped these measures were robust and effective. 

    However, the Committee had been informed that unaccompanied minors were still sometimes detained in police stations and subjected to heavy restrictions of movement. How did the State party ensure that short-term detention and restrictions did not amount to a disproportionate limitation of the rights to liberty, security, and freedom of movement of unaccompanied minors?  The Committee was aware of the National Guardianship System for unaccompanied minors and of the Hippocrates project on medical and psychosocial services.  How would the State party ensure that the system and project had sufficient resources to be effective, that available guardians were appointed, and that services would be provided in practice? How did Greece ensure that the age determination procedure was multidisciplinary, scientifically based, harmonised across the country, and used only in cases of serious doubts about the claimed age?

    The Committee understood that law 4800/2021 allowed perpetrators of domestic violence or sexual offences to retain child custody and unrestricted contact with their children until they were convicted by a first instance court.  What measures had Greece taken to protect the safety of women and children who were forced into contact with alleged abusers under shared custody arrangements?  It was understood that in cases of imminent danger to a child’s mental or physical health, a prosecutor could take immediate protection measures for up to 90 days and renewable.  How often was this measure taken?  How well-known was this option to prosecutors and lawyers, as well as to women and children involved?  Why did Greece decide not to include femicide as a crime within the law?  What other measures had it taken to protect women against femicide?  What measures had been taken to increase the availability of shelters across the country?

    Could the State party inform the Committee on how it addressed the root causes of gender-based violence?  Was there a comprehensive strategy to prevent, raise awareness on, and respond to gender-based violence?  Was there mandatory and continuous capacity building for judges, prosecutors, and other law enforcement officials about gender-based violence?  The Committee had received information that Greek coast guards were involved in incidents where women, including pregnant women, were beaten and sexually assaulted.  What concrete measures had the State party taken to protect women from assaults and to prosecute and punish perpetrators?

    Another Expert welcomed information from the State party regarding measures taken to improve conditions in reception and detention centres.  However, reports indicated that migrants and asylum seekers continued to be held in poor and prison-like conditions of detention, and that their living conditions may be considered as amounting to inhuman and degrading treatment. What measures did Greece plan to take to address inadequate conditions of detention in reception and detention centres?  Did the State party have any policies in place to ensure adequate resources were available for migrants and asylum seekers at times of increased arrivals? What steps would Greece take to prevent the detention of third country nationals and asylum seekers and ensure that measures of detention were only used as a last resort? 

    Would Greece consider abolishing the administrative detention of asylum seekers on the grounds of illegal entry, particularly those belonging to vulnerable groups?  Would Greece consider putting in place a proper procedure for individualised risk assessment before imposing a detention order for an asylum seeker or a third party national?  What steps would be taken to ensure that all persons deprived of their liberty enjoyed fundamental legal safeguards against ill treatment from the outset of their detention, including the rights to be assisted by a lawyer without delay?  How was it ensured that all foreign nationals deprived of their liberty were granted access to a lawyer and doctor? 

    Another Expert asked what steps were being taken to develop a comprehensive statistical system on trafficking and improve early identification and referral systems? Could disaggregated data be provided on the number of trafficking cases investigated, convictions secured, and sentences imposed?  What steps was the State party taking to adopt a new national action plan and ensure sufficient resources for its implementation?  The situation on support and redress for victims was concerning, as there was a lack of adequately funded and inclusive shelters for trafficking victims and no victims had successfully obtained compensation.  What measures were being taken to increase the capacity of shelters and ensure that they were accessible to all victims?  How did Greece ensure the quality of services provided in shelters, and what long-term reintegration programmes were available?  What steps were being taken to facilitate access to compensation for victims, ensuring they received legal assistance? 

    It was reported that in 2023, of the 10,973 asylum appeals submitted to the Appeals Committees, only 5,915 cases, around 53 per cent, received legal aid.

    What steps were being taken to streamline the legal aid application process and court fee waivers for vulnerable populations?  What measures were being considered to increase the capacity and resources of the legal aid system to ensure timely and effective representation?  How was the State party addressing delays in providing legal aid, especially during critical stages such as police investigations and initial detention?  How did Greece plan to resolve ongoing delays in compensating legal aid lawyers? 

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said that once ratified, international conventions formed part of domestic law. The national school of the judiciary provided training to judges and prosecutors.  Initial training was mandatory since 2022 and covered topics including human rights, gender law, and the treatment of victims.  Thirteen seminars were held online and in-person for judges in 2023, while 15 seminars were planned for 2024.  Greece did not have specific legislation to receive Views from the Committee. 

    During the COVID-19 pandemic, Greek authorities resorted to a wide array of restrictive measures to protect public health.  All these measures were necessary and applied in a non-discriminatory manner.  The Greek Ministry of Justice recently amended the Criminal Code concerning the fight against corruption with a new law in 2024.  Greece had an increased number of ongoing corruption investigations and cases and looked forward to final judgments in the immediate future. 

    In 2021, Greece significantly amended the provisions relating to family law.  The law had since triggered widespread concerns regarding its impact on custody in situations of domestic violence.  The Greek legal system offered certain possibilities to suspend or regulate the parental rights of parents who had been abusive to their spouses or children. 

    The National Council against Racism, through strengthened collaboration, would focus on enhancing victims’ access to services, improving the skills of public officials to draft the second national action plan against racism and intolerance, and raising public awareness through a national campaign which reached over 100,000 people. 

    Violence against women had increased significantly during the pandemic.  In April 2020, there was a significant increase of more than 200 per cent regarding phone calls to the hotline for reporting violence. Psychosocial support was provided upon request, including both online and in-person.  A social media campaign had succeeded in raising awareness on the gender-based violence issue.  Since 2010, a comprehensive strategy had been implemented to combat gender-based violence, comprised of prevention measures.  An awareness raising campaign was launched in 2024 and was displayed in the Athens urban rail network.  A panic button application was launched, enabling women in immediate danger to call for help in a safe manner by pressing a button on their phone which was linked to the police. 

    The National Centre for Social Solidarity operated two support centres in Athens for families that faced psychosocial crises, with an emphasis on victims of violence and trafficking.  Short-term accommodation was provided. 

    One thousand and one hundred persons with disabilities had received personal assistance to enhance their independent living.  A protection officer was stationed at each institution to report any cases of abuse. The Transparent Authority was the intendent mechanism responsible for conducting inspections in institutions where there were allegations or suspicions of abuse. 

    From 2019 to 2023, incidents of domestic violence had increased from 5,221 victims to 11,589. There had been 10 homicides of female victims by male perpetrators last year and six so far this year.  Five offices for the protection of minors had been established and a special hotline was operational, enabling citizens to call and make complaints. 

    Foreigners in prison who did not have sufficient knowledge of the Greek language had the right to appear before courts with an interpreter.  Alternative detention measures were applied under certain conditions. Detainees were immediately informed of their rights upon arrival at the prisons.  Information, lawyer representation, and linguistic assistance were provided to any foreign prisoners.  There were plans to recruit interpreters for implementing linguistic projects.

    Sixty-eight offices had been established in the country to combat violence which arose due to racist motives.  A special hotline was put into operation for reporting hate motivated crimes.  The cybercrime division had developed a series of actions aimed at informing the public on hate speech.  Police personnel were trained in the use of weapons and carried appropriate weapons when performing their duties.  The promotion of ethical standards and the code of conduct of police officers was received through training. 

    For people who tried to illegally cross the maritime borders of Greece, Hellenic officers undertook all legal and necessary measures.  There were clear legal rules that governed the use of force during law enforcement and border control activities.  When Hellenic officers used firearms, it was mandatory to inform the local prosecutor.  Detailed instructions had been disseminated to coast guard officers, and it was ensured that vulnerable groups were immediately provided with appropriate medical care.  It was important to recognise the humanitarian efforts of the coast guard officers; hundreds of thousands of migrants had been rescued by the Hellenic coast guard officers throughout the migrant crisis. 

    Since 2002, the Hellenic police had been dealing with the issue of human trafficking.  There were 12 human trafficking teams and officers had received specialised training in identifying victims and providing support. The fight against trafficking remained a top priority for the Greek authorities.  The establishment of the Office of a National Rapporteur on Trafficking was followed by the National Referral Mechanism.  The Office of the National Rapporteur was responsible for a national strategy to combat trafficking, and was mandated to cooperate closely with all national authorities.  The National Referral Mechanism was in its fifth year of operation; it specialised in victim protection and facilitated training sessions. 

    The national crisis management plan for refugees had been activated during the COVID-19 pandemic and consisted of allocating specific areas for medical care and a temporary restriction on movement for foreign nationals.  This did not constitute a detour from the rights in the Covenant.  Regardless of their legal status, migrants and asylum seekers were offered vaccinations free of charge.  Free transport was provided to asylum seekers to reach the local markets and health centres. Restriction on freedom of movement procedures for third country nationals was temporary and was done to verify a person’s identity.  This did not apply to people who urgently required medical support. 

    The work of the Special Secretariat for Unaccompanied Minors had been remarkable.  The National Guardianship System aimed to ensure that every unaccompanied minor had a guardian.  It was a new system that was implemented in January 2024.  There was a system for submitting complaints and a national registry for unaccompanied minors.  There were 137 guardians active in Greece, with more than 500 minors under the programme.  Greece was following an established procedure regarding age assessment. 

    Current penitentiary legislation provided for the protection of prisoners, including the right to appeal their sentence in an appeals court.  A total of 226 appeals had been launched, of which 15 had been awarded a compensation amount, a favourable sentence, or transfer to another penitentiary.  A working group had been set up to develop a short, easy to use guide for prisoners, informing them of their rights.   

    A training programme had been implemented for mental health service professionals, related to the de-escalation of violence and issues of chemical restraints, to ensure the protection of the rights of those with mental disabilities.   

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said femicide was more than murder; it had specific gender motives and was driven by wider issues.  Could the delegation respond to this?  How were women made aware of the panic/warning application on the phone? What happened if men checked the phones? Did the police have sufficient capacity to respond?  Was it also available in rural areas? 

    Another Expert asked if all detention centres had good conditions?  Previously, the alterative to detention was determined by the asylum office, but now it was done by police officers.  Were individual assessments made before detention? 

    An Expert asked what concrete successes had been achieved in corruption cases, and what had been the challenges?  Could information about timely investigations into excessive use of force be provided? 

    One Expert said domestic violence was a real issue facing Greece.  Could information be provided on the sentences handed down and financial types of reparations to victims during the COVID-19 pandemic? 

    A Committee Expert asked for clarification on services available for trafficking victims. 

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said more medical staff were joining the reception centres every day. Referrals were also made to local public hospitals for serious cases.  Two reception centres had been established on the mainland, which accepted many applicants from the islands and helped to decongest the islands’ reception centres.  There were centres for women victims of violence and accommodation to child victims was also guaranteed.  Access to compensation was provided by Hellenic authorities.  There had been a strong campaign for raising awareness of domestic violence, including a campaign on the nightly news.  The legal framework would not be changed. 

    The delegation said that at the borders, persons were obliged to remain within the premises to be registered for a minimum of five days, up to a maximum of 25.  Usually, registration was completed before the five days and then the restriction on movement was lifted.  Work was done to promote alternative measures to imprisonment, including electronic monitoring and community services. 

    The root causes of violence against women were identified as persistent gender stereotypes. The national action ban to combat violence against women addressed many areas to combat this scourge.  The panic button had specific features to ensure it remained undetectable by the abuser.  Only the victim was aware of its presence on the phone. 

    In Greece, persons with low income could apply for free legal aid.  Victims of trafficking and domestic violence could receive free legal aid regardless of their income.  The new legislation of the Penal Code made sanctions for violence against women more severe, with a victim-centred approach.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said the Committee was concerned about the system for the appointment of the most senior judges and prosecutors, including the President and Vice-President of the Council of State, the Supreme Court, and the Court of Audit. 

    Did the State party have any plans to revise the current system for appointing the highest positions of the judiciary and ensure the involvement of the judiciary in the process?  Were there any other measures in place to ensure that the highest positions of the judiciary were not subject to a strong influence from the executive and to safeguard the independence of the judiciary? 

    Greece had yet to establish a statelessness determination procedure; could the State party clarify its plans to finalise and implement a Presidential Decree establishing a statelessness determination procedure?  Would the State party consider ratifying the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness?

    The Committee was concerned about reports that unregistered Roma people faced lengthy and costly judicial procedures to acquire Greek citizenship, and that children born to stateless parents faced substantial barriers to obtaining Greek nationality.  Did Greece have any plans to amend the list of documents required to apply for Greek nationality on the basis of birth and non-acquisition of a foreign nationality at birth, especially for children born to stateless parents?  What concrete steps were in place to eliminate the barriers that stateless Roma faced to acquiring Greek nationality and to address the risk of statelessness within this community? 

    Concerns persisted about the application of the “safe third country” concept, particularly with the designation of Türkiye as a safe third country for asylum seekers from Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Somalia.  Despite the lack of readmissions to Türkiye since March 2020, Greece continued to reject numerous applications as inadmissible under this concept, leaving many individuals in prolonged legal limbo without access to international protection.  What measures had been taken to reconsider the extensive use of the safe third country concept given the non-implementation of returns to Türkiye?  How was the State party addressing the protracted legal limbo experienced by asylum seekers, and what protections and support were available for their rights?  What had been done to 

    ensure the implementation of law 4939/2022, which mandated an in-merit examination when a third country did not permit entry?  What support mechanisms were in place for those whose applications had been deemed inadmissible? 

    Another Expert said the State party had asserted that pushbacks had never been practiced as a de facto border policy of the State party and that the Hellenic police and Hellenic coast guard consistently followed the established legal and procedural frameworks.  Yet numerous reports documented instances of pushbacks, including patterns of excessive use of force, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, incommunicado detention, and unlawful destruction of personal belongings.  Reports before the Committee indicated that from January 2020 to June 2024, there were 1,452 incidents at the borders affecting approximately 46,649 people.  Could the State party comment on such allegations and provide information on measures in place to prevent such practices and to safeguard the principle of non-refoulement? 

    Could information be provided on the outcome of investigations undertaken by the National Transparency Authority and other monitoring mechanisms on pushback allegations, and whether there was any follow-up or redress measures taken on allegations of pushbacks?  How would Greece ensure thorough, systematic, effective, and independent investigations into allegations of pushbacks and hold those responsible accountable?  What was the outcome of the 200 documented complaints of pushback cases?  What measures were being taken to ensure that border control operations prioritised the protection of life and that rescue efforts were conducted in compliance with human rights?

    Another Expert said according to the information received, conscientious objectors who performed civilian service would receive either food and accommodation without any salary, or €223.53, which was well below the legal minimum wage.  In addition, the law provided for the possibility for persons over the age of 33 to perform only part of their service and to buy back the rest, at a significantly higher rate than that for military service.  Could the State party comment on this information?  What measures did the State party intend to take to avoid imposing repeated sanctions on conscientious objectors?  What measures did the State party intend to take to ensure non-punitive alternative civilian service?

    It was evident that Roma were considered as a vulnerable social group, and could exercise all civil and political rights.  What measures were being taken to prevent, combat and eliminate all forms of discrimination against Roma children in the education system?  What measures were being taken to limit the use of forced evictions by adopting viable alternatives to eviction, including alternative housing for evicted families?

    The Committee was concerned that stricter registration and financial regulations could compromise civil society’s capacity to monitor human rights, particularly those of asylum seekers, refugees and displaced people.  How did the State party ensure that registration and financial requirements were necessary and proportionate?  How was it guaranteed that these requirements did not indirectly discriminate? 

    The Committee continued to receive information that human rights defenders, especially those working with migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, and on pushbacks, were regularly subjected to smear campaigns, harassment, threats and criminal prosecution. In one case, a human rights defender faced restrictions, including a travel ban.  How were these measures considered proportionate?  How were human rights defenders protected in order to ensure that they could carry out their work safely?

    The Committee had received reports linking blanket bans on assemblies to political events. Could the State party confirm that authorities limited their discretion to prohibit assemblies to those strictly necessary and not merely due to their political content?  Now that the COVID-19 emergency measures had ended, what steps had the State party taken to prevent the imposition of blanket bans on all demonstrations?

    One Expert said credible reports indicated that police officers had used excessive force against, and caused serious injuries to, protestors and journalists participating in demonstrations.  What measures were being taken to ensure that police officers used the minimum force necessary in response to high-tension demonstrations?  Could updates be provided about the installation and use of surveillance systems in public demonstrations, including any efforts to establish clear criteria for identifying the persons and places subjected to surveillance, to limit the time period of data retention, and to make information about the systems publicly accessible? 

    What specific reform measures had been adopted to strengthen internal oversight and accountability within the Hellenic Police, especially regarding protest management? How was it ensured that all police officers consistently complied with the requirement to wear visible identification during public assemblies?

    Greece’s Ethics Committee had the authority to exclude media from state advertising and funds for up to two years, raising concerns that government control could have a chilling effect on press freedom.  How was it ensured that the Ethics Committee operated independently from government influence and respected journalistic integrity?  Would the State party revise the legal framework to protect journalists against the use of retaliatory lawsuits?  How were journalists informed about their rights and responsibilities during public demonstrations? 

    Responses by the Delegation 

    The delegation said the Supreme Judicial Council decided on the placements, postings and promotion of judicial officers. The principle of non-refoulment was a cornerstone of the framework for the protection of refugees. Strict adherence to this principle applied, and the Hellenic police had circulated clear guidelines for Hellenic police staff regarding the protection of those arriving in the country, particularly women and children.  It was clarified that no third country national who applied for international protection should be returned until their application had been reviewed. 

    The Hellenic police conducted border surveillance duties with full respect of the human rights of third country nationals.  Particular emphasis was given in the provisions of the European Convention of Human Rights.  Land border activities conducted by the Hellenic police aimed at detecting all illegal crossings.  Greece’s legislative framework did not have a specific framework for protecting human rights defenders.  However, an article within the Penal Code set out a special aggravating condition for crimes or misdemeanours committed out of hatred. 

    Actions taken by Hellenic authorities at the sea borders were carried out in full compliance with international obligations. Allegations of so-called pushbacks were not compatible with the well-established operations of the Hellenic authorities.  However, any allegations of pushbacks or mistreatment of third country nationals were thoroughly investigated.  Hellenic coast guards demonstrated a high level of professionalism and were trained to respect the rights of all who were crossing the borders.  From 2015 to the present, the Hellenic coast guards had rescued more than 254,000 people. 

    Several mechanisms allowed complaints against pushbacks to be submitted to the Hellenic authorities, and the coast guards had a robust disciplinary mechanism. Upon receiving a complaint on human rights violations, an administration investigation was launched, and depending on findings, disciplinary sanctions were carried out.  An independent investigation had been launched by the Greek Ombudsman, the results of which were pending.  The law aimed to ensure people in distress at sea and migrants received the highest level of assistance. 

    Greece enacted a law in 2020, followed by a presidential decree, pertaining to public assembly.  This law clearly defined the power of police authorities while ensuring protection, fully protecting the right to freedom of assembly. The Greek police had imposed assembly bans during COVID-19 based on exceptional public health concerns. Greece’s primary aim was to promote the right to assembly, not to restrict it.  In 2023, only three rallies had been banned.  The Hellenic police prioritised de-escalation and the use of “soft measures”, with force being used as a last resort.  Around 34 cases of excessive use of force had been recorded against journalists in 2021, and were sent to the Ombudsman for review. 

    The use of the surveillance system in the context of public open-air assemblies was limited to the assemblies only, without focusing on particular people and without recording sound.  Police officers were obliged to wear a badge of identity on their uniforms during the assemblies. 

    The Greek asylum service had significantly expanded its operational capacity, now operating in 26 different locations across the country, including islands such as Lesbos; these islands were the frontlines of migratory flows.  The number of employees had tripled after 2019 to manage the high volume of cases. By implementing reforms, the Greek asylum service managed to reduce the large number of pending asylum cases to around 18,000 in 2024, down from over 200,000.  Asylum seekers whose appeal had been rejected had the right to file for the annulment of the decision within 30 days.  During 2023, refugee and protection status had been granted to 873 applicants.  This number was around 400 so far in 2024. 

    Greece had designated Türkiye as a safe third country concerning asylum seekers from certain countries.  Based on this information, it could safely be assumed that Türkiye respected the principle of non-refoulment.  Since March 2020, Türkiye had not been responding to requests from nationals from countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Syria and other countries and was therefore not implementing its obligations. 

    Free legal aid was provided to asylum applicants.  Appeals committees were instructed to rule that the applicants were stateless if asylum applicants could not prove which country they came from.  Acquisition of Greek citizenship did not discriminate, and children born to Greek Roma parents were awarded Greek citizenship from birth.  The Greek Citizenship Code aimed to prevent statelessness.  Stateless children enjoyed a right to Greek citizenship if they resided permanently in Greece and had between six to nine years of Greek schooling, even if they had not been born in Greece.   

    Several laws referred to the requirements of registration for non-governmental organizations.  The new registration process aimed to set the same rules for all non-governmental organizations and was free of charge.  This year, 10 registrations had been accepted and only one was rejected. 

    In July 2022, the revision of the school curriculum for primary and secondary education was completed, seeking to foster a more equitable educational environment.  In this framework, the teaching of religious education in Greece was viewed as an essential component.  Like other subjects, religious education was intended to foster critical thinking and respect for diverse beliefs and values.  This course would be provided with alternative educational opportunities for students who did not participate in religious education due to their beliefs or backgrounds.

    Military service was a universal obligation in Greece.  Those who identified as conscientious objectors could fulfil this duty through another service, other than within the armed forces.  In the case of the person banned from leaving the country, this ban had been lifted. 

    The Greek authorities had gone the extra mile regarding the adoption of a law in 2022 to strengthen the transparency of print and electronic media. The conditions which had been set out for print and electronic media enhanced the protection of journalists. Regarding the two-year penalty of exclusion from media, this only occurred following a careful examination. This two-year penalty had been approved by the federal journalistic organizations of Greece. 

    More than 200 print media and 400 electronic media had been approved in Greece.  In July 2022, a taskforce was created to focus on issues including gender-based challenges in the media area.  Most recently, a training was conducted in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for law enforcement operators and media professionals to foster better cooperation between the two groups. From this taskforce, a law was developed to protect journalists covering sports events from violence. 

    A new programme was being designed to help Roma people with no documents acquire them.  There was no specific legislation on minority associations or organizations.  Over 200 associations had been formed by members of the Muslim minority. 

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert asked how often demonstrations were completely prohibited?  How were associations informed about procedural rights? 

    Another Expert asked for more information regarding the income of conscientious objectors? 

    An Expert said there were overwhelming reports that had documented instances of forced returns.  How was it possible to follow the principle of non-refoulment in these instances?   

    Another Expert thanked the delegation for their thorough answers.  Could further clarification be provided about the State party’s plan to develop a statelessness determination procedure? 

    Responses by the Delegation 

    The delegation said each case of public assembly was evaluated directly, taking into account proportionality and necessity.  The police aimed to facilitate the legal rights to assembly without incident.  The new Penitentiary Code introduced a remedy, enabling those serving in pretrial detention to lodge complaints about the conditions of their living conditions and medical care. 

    Pushbacks were not the policy of the Greek Government in any way, shape, or form; the Government policy was clear.  Greece had significantly approved the asylum system for migration and was now the fourth most productive in the European Union. The State had made all the progress it could considering the difficult region.  Legislation protected everyone, including human rights defenders. Alleged “smear campaigns” needed to be examined by the courts; they could not always be presumed. 

    Closing Remarks

    IOANNIS GHIKAS, Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations Office at Geneva, thanked the Committee for the frank and honest exchange.  Although progress had been made, there was still work which needed to be done. Greece had worked hard to improve the situation, particularly on migration; the number of deaths in the Aegean Sea had fallen by 40 per cent.  Greece had a vibrant society with few resources but was working to do better. 

    TANIA MARÍA ABDO ROCHOLL, Committee Chairperson, thanked the delegation for the dialogue, which had covered a wide range of subjects under the Covenant.   The Committee aimed to ensure the highest level of implementation of the Covenant in Greece. 

    ____

    CCPR.24.023E

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    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Ignored, blamed, and sometimes left to die – a leading expert in ME explains the origins of a modern medical ‘scandal’

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Chris Ponting, Chair of Medical Bioinformatics, University of Edinburgh

    Lea Aring/German Association for ME/CFS

    There is a city nearby that we hide from view. Its people are of all ages, ethnicities and classes. What unites them is a disease: all are diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis, or ME.

    We hide them there because we don’t know where else to put them. Like a plague village, we have no plans to treat them, to study their disease or to trial possible drugs for them. We could choose to draw up such plans, to give the residents hope for their future health. But our country’s choice is to turn away and forget about these 250,000-plus inhabitants altogether. A city the size of Brighton that we deliberately ignore.

    Worse, when we don’t ignore them, we blame them, telling them that they are all free to rise from their beds and wheelchairs, to walk away from the city. Doctors tell them they can free themselves of the disease by changing their belief systems. Make the effort, they say, and you will regain your health and previous lives.


    This article is part of Conversation Insights.

    Our co-editors commission long-form journalism, working with academics from many different backgrounds who are engaged in projects aimed at tackling societal and scientific challenges.

    Outwardly, the city is quiet: its clocks have stopped, the streets are empty and house blinds are drawn. Inwardly, some lie still in their darkened rooms, masks on to protect them from their light sensitivity, keeping within their limited energy level, unable to tolerate sound, food and touch – lives spent in the shadows, barely lived. Inside, they feel like they have life-sapping toxins coursing through their veins. They say it feels like being on the verge of death; some even call it a “pseudo dying syndrome”.

    A brief conversation with a friend, or washing their hair, or a sudden movement causes their symptoms to flare. This intensifies a fatigue that sleep cannot alleviate, and heightens their muscle or joint pain, headaches, or sensitivities to food, light or sound.

    Simon McGrath, a close friend of mine who has lived with ME and written about it for 20 years, tells me:

    I never know how much it is safe for me to do. It’s like I’m surrounded by an electric fence that will trigger a bad day if I touch it. But the fence is invisible, and moves every day.

    A ‘scandal’ so much more than chronic fatigue

    Fatigue does not begin to describe this disease, despite its other name being chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS. “A bad day is like a very bad hangover lasting 24 hours or more: the morning after, without the night before,” Simon explains. “But with much more pain, much more fatigue and very bad brain fog. I feel as if all the neurons in my skull have collapsed and disconnected from each other.” By spotlighting fatigue, ME’s other name fails to convey its many debilitating symptoms.

    Simon – or, rather, his illness – is why I am a ME researcher. At university, where we met, he graduated with a biochemistry degree, fizzing with energy and talent. His ME soon dimmed his bright future but would not stop him making a difference to the ME community through his writing, and in helping me understand this horrible disease.

    Treatment of ME has been called “the greatest medical scandal of the 21st century” by Guardian journalist George Monbiot. It is difficult to disagree when there is not a single bed anywhere in the UK set aside for treating people with severe ME.

    The Times journalist, Sean O’Neill, says that ME is “routinely stigmatised and ignored by the NHS” and calls it “a scandal waiting for its Post Office moment”. O’Neill and his family had to endure the inquest into the death of his daughter, Maeve Boothby O’Neill, who died from natural causes because of severe ME.

    Maeve’s ME left her unable to move, communicate or tolerate light, sound or touch. She did not want to go to hospital because, according to her GP, she “always gets worse when [she] goes in”.

    Why is it that we give the least or worst treatments to those who are most in need?

    Exile and misogyny

    ME exiles people from their family, friends, and hoped-for futures. For most, this banishment is for life because nine in ten will never recover, and also because we expend too little effort to end this wicked disease.

    That’s the irony – it’s society’s lack of effort to understand this illness and its treatment; our societal inertia; our failure to accept patients’ symptoms that perpetuate their exile.

    So let’s attempt to diagnose what causes our apathy towards this cruel disease. The chief cause is misogyny, an ingrained prejudice born of the disease’s strong female bias: for every five women living with ME, there is only one man. It also has a strong age bias – young men are ten times less likely to be diagnosed with it than older women.

    Another female-dominant disease is endometriosis. Like ME, the medical establishment is only just starting to appreciate the full nature of this debilitating condition.

    In her memoir, Giving up the Ghost, the prize-winning novelist Hilary Mantel said of her endometriosis: “The more I said that I had a physical illness, the more they said I had a mental illness. The more I questioned the nature, the reality of the mental illness, the more I was found to be in denial, deluded.”

    ME patients also report feeling that their concerns and symptoms are all too often dismissed.

    Women with ME have spoken about their experiences of medical misogyny. For example, I talked to the Vikings actress Jennie Jacques who has spoken openly about her experiences of ME. She said that “Medical misogyny [is] at the heart of it. ME was psychologised when it most definitely shouldn’t have been”.

    Soon after the World Health Organization recognised ME as a disease in 1969, the Royal Free Hospital ME outbreak of 1955 was re-evaluated by two psychiatrists, Colin McEvedy and William Beard. They reassessed this outbreak as “an epidemic of hysteria” principally because there was a “high attack rate in females compared with males”.

    When later asked by ME specialist Byron Hyde MD “why had he written up the Free Hospital epidemics as hysteria without any careful exploration of the basis of his thesis?”, McEvedy responded devastatingly, saying: “It was an easy PhD, why not?”

    This explains in part why the state invests a mere £3 per ME patient each year on researching this disease.

    In the US, female-biased conditions attract less funding than male-biased ones. Funding for ME is 400-times less than for HIV/Aids, a male-biased disease, once their different disease burdens are accounted for.

    In 2021, the previous UK government acknowledged the problem stating: “Studies suggest gender biases in clinical trials and research are contributing to worse health outcomes for women.”

    COVID empathy?

    The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic should have woken us up from our collective lethargy, and should have turned apathy into empathy. For then there were times when we all became housebound, often sick with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and moreover so many of us – a million people, more than Liverpool and Manchester combined – came down with Long COVID.

    Long COVID and ME share so many symptoms: post-exertional malaise, fatigue, widespread pain, disordered sleep, and brain fog. This overlap should never have surprised us – after all, two-thirds of people with ME report having had a triggering infection, such as glandular fever, just prior to their initial symptoms. Around 10% of people with glandular fever go on to develop ME symptoms.

    It is as if we have our own brain fog, obscuring everyone with ME, forgetting how we – if fortune had been different – might have been them.

    If we do not act to reduce the spread of infection, through immunisation and better ventilation, then numbers of people with long COVID – and other ME-like illnesses – will continue to rise, as infections so often trigger these conditions.



    Read more:
    Long COVID: effects on fatigue and quality of life can be comparable to some cancers – new research

    Harmful treatments

    Going back to Simon, ME made him housebound, then bedbound. The NHS treated him with therapies based on increasing activity levels (Graded Exercise Therapy, or GET). This involves “gradually increasing physical activity to improve fitness and get the body used to activity again”.

    The other NHS treatment approach, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), is about changing “illness beliefs”. Here, patients are asked to examine “how thoughts, behaviour and CFS/ME symptoms interact with each other”.

    But these treatments are ineffective as cures. And worse still, for the majority of 11,000 people with ME on one survey, GET did more harm then good.

    In a different online survey, of 542 ME patients, 81% responded that their symptoms worsened because of GET treatment. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines, revised in 2021, say that CBT is not curative and that GET should not be offered to people with ME. Yet this new guidance has been implemented by only 28% of English NHS Trusts and Integrated Care Boards.

    So, despite GET being described by patients as causing harm, and CBT as being ineffective as a cure, they are still being offered as a treatment. Over decades, very little has changed for Simon and hundreds of thousands of others with ME.

    As we grew older together, Simon watched as I changed scientific career from physics into biology. I watched as his health might begin to rebuild, before suddenly collapsing, setting him back months or years. His ME has cost so much, he told me:

    It’s so isolating and there’s so much loss. I got ill in the prime of life. It cost me relationships, my social life, my career, the chance of a family, the chance to contribute. Everything. Plenty of people seem to think it’s a lifestyle choice. Nobody would choose this.

    As if his ME burden was not heavy enough, he started to carry other long-term health conditions, which each alone would bring me to my knees. Even though he does not feel it, I see his strength and resolution in adversity. At a time when biomedical evidence was rarely championed, he began his ME blog, and together with co-authors re-analysed clinical trial data. They concluded that the “recovery rates in the CBT and GET groups were not significantly higher than those in the control, no-therapy group”.

    His own experience of ME, and his scientific eye-for-detail, make him a go-to person for people in the ME community.

    In contrast, by 2013, and despite my decades of scientific training and academic privileges, I had done nothing for ME research. Why did I hesitate? “It’s not my scientific area,” I told myself. I trusted other researchers to identify effective and potentially curative treatments soon.

    I was unprepared for the shock of my first ME research meetings. When studying other diseases, I had become used to vast conference halls brimming with celebrated scientists, enthusiastic PhD students, science prize winners, funders, and journal editors, all on the hunt for the next big breakthrough, grant or career opportunity.

    For ME, however, the rooms were small and half-empty, funders and journal editors were nowhere to be seen, and researchers were talking at cross-purposes, showing sparse data from small-scale studies. These meetings were also empty of robust evidence for what physiologically had gone wrong for so many. At each meeting, a single word came to my mind: “forsaken” – those who others shun, neglect and abandon, whose existence is denied. I could not then, in all conscience, turn my back and walk away.

    Not once have I regretted this decision. Its professional cost – measured in traditional markers of esteem, such as “glamour” publications, international conference and seminar invitations – has been more than offset by the fulfilment from working in this long-neglected field.

    The extent of scientific disinterest in ME is clear: so far this year, there have been 17-times more publications mentioning “multiple sclerosis” than those mentioning ME or CFS, despite MS being rarer.

    New study

    My privilege now is to walk ME’s city of stolen futures alongside many people – like Simon – whose lost decades have been spent searching for their disease’s root causes. Together, for two-and-a-half years our team went back-and-forth with the Medical Research Council MRC and the National Institute for Health and Care Research NIHR. Eventually, we managed to secure a £3.2m award for DecodeME, a hunt for ME’s genetic causes.

    DecodeME is not just the world’s largest study of the genetic causes of ME, but it was the first to place people with experience of ME at its heart. A total of 27,000 people with ME in the UK took part. We will report the study’s results as soon as we can. When we do, we will give them back first to the ME community whose data and samples we hold in trust.

    The UK government has pledged to publish its delivery plan on ME in 2025. Andrew Gwynne MP, parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Department of Health and Social Care, has said that it “will focus on boosting research, improving attitudes and education and bettering the lives of people with this debilitating disease”.

    This delivery plan will need to be radical.

    Today, we urgently need more people to move through this city of lost hope to hear and to listen.

    We need scientists to develop new vaccines against infections that trigger ME.

    We need researchers, clinical specialists, hospital managers, and politicians to give deserved priority to this long-forsaken community and help lead these long-lost inhabitants back into the land of the well.


    For you: more from our Insights series:

    To hear about new Insights articles, join the hundreds of thousands of people who value The Conversation’s evidence-based news. Subscribe to our newsletter.

    Chris Ponting’s research has been funded by MRC, NIHR, Action for M.E. and ME Research UK.

    – ref. Ignored, blamed, and sometimes left to die – a leading expert in ME explains the origins of a modern medical ‘scandal’ – https://theconversation.com/ignored-blamed-and-sometimes-left-to-die-a-leading-expert-in-me-explains-the-origins-of-a-modern-medical-scandal-241149

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Buenos Aires Sets Global Precedent by Empowering 3.6 Million Citizens with Blockchain-based Digital Identity on miBA platform

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    • QuarkID, powered by ZKsync, marks world’s first government-enabled decentralized digital identity
    • ZKsync-powered QuarkID becomes first decentralized ID enabled by a government entity

    Today, the Government of the City of Buenos Aires announces the integration of QuarkID, a ZKsync-powered decentralized identity solution, into its miBA platform. This groundbreaking initiative makes Buenos Aires the first city worldwide to implement blockchain and zero-knowledge cryptography for creating self-sovereign digital identities. By empowering 3.6 million residents with enhanced control over their personal data, the city sets a new standard in privacy and security for digital identity management.

    Starting October 1, 2024, all active users of miBA, the city’s digital platform for accessing government services and documents, received their own decentralized digital identity (DID). These DIDs are secured by QuarkID’s wallet and settled on Era, a Layer 2 blockchain powered by ZKsync. This initiative positions Buenos Aires as a pioneer in transforming government services through blockchain technology, setting a new global standard for privacy-focused digital identity.

    Empowering Citizens with Ownership and Control

    In a world where governments and institutions traditionally own and manage citizens’ data, Buenos Aires is turning the model upside down by giving citizens direct ownership of their personal information. Through QuarkID, individuals can now access, store, and share their verified credentials — like birth certificates or tax documents — securely and independently.

    This self-sovereign identity approach gives citizens control over their personal data. Rather than relying on physical documents that expose unnecessary information, such as a full name or address when proving one’s age, residents can now verify their credentials peer-to-peer through their mobile devices. This guarantees that no third party, including the government, can track when, how, or why a credential is being used.

    Jorge Macri, Chief of Government of the City of Buenos Aires, commented on the news: “The incorporation of zero-knowledge blockchain technology into the City’s digital identity system is an unprecedented milestone that positions us globally and once again demonstrates that the City of Buenos Aires is at the forefront of innovation. Adopting new technologies that simplify citizens’ processes and grant them full control over their information is a fundamental step to continue offering more secure and transparent digital solutions.”

    The Benefits of Decentralized Identity

    At the core of this initiative are QuarkID’s open-source digital trust framework powered by ZKsync’s zero-knowledge proof blockchain technology, which brings a new level of security, privacy, and transparency to how personal data is managed:

    • Privacy and Zero-Knowledge Proofs: With QuarkID powered by ZKsync Era, citizens can verify the accuracy of their credentials without ever exposing their personal data. Through zero-knowledge proofs, only the necessary information is revealed — for instance, confirming an individual’s age without disclosing their full birthdate, address, or document number. This ensures maximum privacy while maintaining verifiable accuracy.
    • Ownership and Control: Citizens now have full custody over their digital credentials, stored securely on their mobile devices and protected by biometric encryption. They are no longer reliant on centralized systems that retain and manage their data on their behalf, significantly reducing the risks of data breaches and identity theft.
    • Security and Immutability: ZKsync’s decentralized architecture adds an additional layer of security. Proof of citizen’s personal credentials are settled on chain , making them far less vulnerable to cyberattacks.The verification of these credentials occurs through a secure peer-to-peer system, with zero-knowledge proofs ensuring that no personally identifiable information (PII) is ever exposed.
    • Open Source and Scalable: QuarkID’s architecture is open-source and has been recognized as a Digital Public Good (DPG) working towards achieving the SDGs set by the United Nations. By making it accessible to cities, governments, and private enterprises across Latin America and beyond. This framework is designed to scale, encouraging banks, sports teams, artists, and businesses to adopt QuarkID and offer secure login solutions for citizens with endless possibilities such as providing exclusive benefits, including loyalty programs or discounts for verified users.

    “We’ve seen a lot of blockchain-based innovation in financial services, but this initiative demonstrates the power of blockchain to revolutionize other uses cases such as government services by empowering citizens to safely and securely own their data,” said Diego Fernandez, Secretary of Innovation and Digital Transformation of the City of Buenos Aires. “By giving residents control over their identities, we’re not only improving privacy and security, but we’re also setting the foundation for a future where personal data ownership is a basic right, protected by advanced zero-knowledge-based cryptographic proofs.”

    QuarkID: Present and Future

    Since the initial announcement of QuarkID in September 2023, Buenos Aires has worked closely with partners such as Extrimian to transition miBA’s centralized system to a decentralized one. QuarkID allows residents to view, download, and share documents while also serving as the login portal for all government systems to schedule appointments, carry out procedures, or submit requests. Citizens can now access any of the City’s systems (previously miBA login) by simply scanning a QR code—no password required.

    With the integration of QuarkID, miBA users will have access to over 60 digital documents and certificates, including but not limited to:

    • Birth, marriage, and death certificates
    • Student certificates
    • Vaccination certificates
    • Gross income tax certificates
    • Citizen credentials

    In the coming months, additional documents, such as driver’s licenses, public space permits, and high school diplomas, will be added. This innovation will also allow users to add credentials from other organizations that adopt the QuarkID protocol, enhancing the platform’s versatility and usability.

    In addition to its use in Buenos Aires, QuarkID has successfully conducted pilot programs in Mexico, Colombia, and Peru, and is slated for future adoption in other Argentine provinces, including Salta.

    Diego Fernández, Secretary of Innovation and Digital Transformation from the Buenos Aires City Government commented: “When we developed the open-source protocol QuarkID, one of our main goals was for the Government of the City of Buenos Aires to be not its owner but another user, allowing over 3 million citizens to have their official documents in their miBA wallet, secured by the ZKsync Era blockchain. Today, this is a reality, and we are very proud that this development positions us as pioneers in the region and the world”.

    QuarkID: Open-Source Collaboration for Secure Digital Identity

    As an open-source Digital Public Good, QuarkID invites developers, enterprises, and institutions to contribute to its continued growth. The framework offers a secure, decentralized infrastructure that can be adapted for secure logins, identity verification, and even loyalty programs across various industries.

    • Developers: Contribute to QuarkID’s core protocol to help expand secure login capabilities for citizens. Learn more and get involved through the open-source codebase at [GitHub link].
    • Private Enterprises: Banks, sports teams, and businesses are encouraged to enable secure logins and offer exclusive benefits to verified citizens, helping build a more secure and engaging ecosystem for everyone.

    About miBA

    miBA is the digital platform for accessing services and documents issued by the Government of Buenos Aires. Used by more than 3.6 million residents, miBA offers secure access to government services, document viewing, and management, all from a mobile app. Now, with the integration of QuarkID technology, miBA is taking a major step toward self-sovereign digital identity, giving citizens more control and security over their personal data.

    About QuarkID

    QuarkID is a digital protocol that implements a new trust framework for creating and managing digital identities and all their credentials in a decentralized manner, using asymmetric cryptography and the immutability of the blockchain to establish trust in a digital world. It is open-source and based on international standards such as those from W3C, Trust Over IP, and Decentralized Identity Foundation. It is designed to be interoperable with other protocols created around the world.

    About Extrimian

    Extrimian is a leading company in Latin America specializing in digital identity solutions on the blockchain. Its mission is to empower individuals and organizations through decentralized technologies that allow full control over digital identity and personal data.

    About ZKsync

    ZKsync leverages cutting-edge zero-knowledge (ZK) technology to create secure, scalable, and interoperable blockchain solutions. Through its ZK Stack framework, ZKsync enables developers, enterprises, and financial institutions to deploy customizable ZK Chains, forming the Elastic Chain ecosystem. This innovative network offers native, trustless interoperability, enhanced privacy, and unparalleled scalability while maintaining Ethereum’s security. ZKsync’s mission is to bring crypto to the mainstream, empowering millions of developers and billions of users with digital self-ownership and personal freedom. To learn more, users can visit zksync.io.

    Contact

    Henri Vies

    mgroup@matterlabs.dev

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Text of the Vice-President’s address at the Indian School of Business (ISB) Leadership Summit at Mohali, Punjab

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 18 OCT 2024 9:20PM by PIB Delhi

    Very warm good afternoon to all of you. 

    Distinguished audience and most importantly boys and girls, I am here for you. It is an absolute delight to address this gathering, and why? you are young minds. You are young minds at the ISB. You are young minds at the moment, participating in the ISB Leadership Summit. Your set is the most significant stakeholder in governance and democracy.

    Our youth demographic dividend is the envy of the world at the moment and it is the fuel to our growth engine destined to accomplish a developed nation@2047. I must appreciate the management for having crafted such a theme.and the theme is leadership in India’s century. This bears boys and girls huge contemporaneous elements. And why not? It is for the first time in history that the voice of India, the voice of India’s Prime Minister, is heard with respect like never before. India has come to count. India has come to count in global affairs, consistent with its populace being a repository of knowledge and wisdom, home to one-sixth of humanity.

    Never before we had this enjoyable moment as we are having now. Having been elected to Parliament in 1989, I faced a situation where our foreign exchange reserves were one billion US dollars. One billion! We crossed 700 billion last week, what an accomplishment. 700 times something beyond a geometric leap. India is being looked upon as a nation that can legitimately address issues confronting the globe. And why not? India’s G20 presidency, according to one and all in the world, has set a very high benchmark but look at the outcomes:

    One, the African Union was made a member of the G20. Only the European Union was before. I’ll come to that later.

    But the Global South, most people like me have not heard of it. It’s a name that resonates and mind you, the armature contributed to the world in terms of populace and GDP.

    International Solar Alliance, International Yoga Day all have been fortified for the benefit of the world on account of one individual: India’s Prime Minister. His vision, his foresightedness, his commitment and therefore, it has great contemporaneous relevance.

    It has two parts: leadership and India’s century. To begin with, the Indian century. Bharat, our Bharat, is no longer a nation with promise, some people have wrong notions that India has arrived. They are mistaken, We are no longer a nation with promise, the promise has been realised, fully exploited. 

    We are a nation on the rise, the rise is unstoppable, the rise is incremental, the rise is continual. The rise is various elements that matter to our growth. Let me advert to some aspects that make Bharat a  land of hope and possibility and before that, all of you know it. Just a decade ago, what was the mood of the nation? We were in a state of despondency and dejection. The daily public domain discourse was one of scams, corruption, favouritism. What has been transformed in a decade? There is an over-pervasive mood of hope and possibility and I had seen those days 34 years ago when world institutions the IMF and the World Bank used to be dictatorial, like a teacher in a class for a student who has not done homework and we were just meekly sitting but look at what they say we are getting accolades from the International Monetary Fund. And the accolades is favourite global investment and opportunity destination, I had the occasion to meet the head of the IMF, an enormously talented lady. Every time she talked of India, it was in these words and why not? This is the ground reality. 

    Our technological advancements, deep penetration, and digitalisation are termed by the World Bank as ‘a global role model’. Indicated by a statement that what India accomplished in six years is otherwise not possible in over four decades plus. Our exponential economic upsurge makes Bharat the fastest-growing large global economy. India has transformed in the last decade, becoming a $4 trillion economy with 8% growth potential, expanding infrastructure with four new airports and one metro system built yearly. 

    Every year, four new airports and a metro. There is daily addition of 14 kilometres of highways quality highways, world-class highways and six kilometres of railways. Digital technologies have enabled massive public infrastructure projects, benefiting 85 million people with housing, 330 million with health coverage, and 29 million small businesses with loans annually. When I talk to global leaders, I have to be a little careful because the volume is so high. The numbers are so staggering that instantly a person would believe I have just added one or two zeros. Just imagine a country where you add 500 million bank accounts in the shortest time.

    India leads in digital transactions, should I give the figure to you? Hold your breath. 6.5 billion monthly digital transactions, and we have the third-largest startup ecosystem with 58 unicorns. With 800 global capability centres generating 60 billion US dollars yearly.

    There is significant expansion in education. Your Chairman, Vice-Chairman of the group, is associated with this venture in a meaningful way here and elsewhere. It is soothing for us all that Indian talent is increasingly relevant globally. You know young boys and girls. Indian human resources are dominating global discourse when it comes to corporate heads.

    Driving interest in mobility agreements, India now takes pride in its lunar and Mars missions. Vaccine production and growing importance in semiconductors, as was indicated by Mr. Mittal and engineering he knows it out of experience, and you all will gather when you take a big leap into the public domain. Manufacturing is the key to making us leap forward. 

    All this has happened because of leadership, the government’s historic continual third term after six decades focuses on growth and innovation. It will be interesting for you these initiatives will concern all of you. They broaden your basket of opportunities. They will ignite your talent, expertise, and potential, and fructify your aspirations, these include creating 12 industrial zones, industrial zone itself is a huge step. To boost manufacturing, we are prioritising skill development, improving logistics and this is not just one  it’s a jump in sync with other institutions stakeholders. Everything is converging to these developments, and therefore, results will be seen. Mr. Mittal referred to the Green Hydrogen Mission. I am so thrilled by it. ₹19,000 crores were allocated by the Government of India for the Green Hydrogen Mission. We are among the few countries with a single-digit focus on it. I know it will have to be negotiated through tough terrain. There will be headwinds, but the commitment is there. by 2030, we will have an investment of ₹6 lakh crores and an equal number of jobs. Who will provide these jobs? Your leadership will. You will be somewhere in the entire system to ensure the success of this Quantum Computing Commission. ₹6,000 crores were allocated, we are getting more into it. 

    A technology that is close to your heart—6G. It will be implemented in two phases, with commercialisation expected between 2025 and 2030. For a layman like me, it may not mean much for him and you, it will open enormous vistas of contribution, opportunities, and changes to the landscape of this country. These are the issues, all these can get cutting edge only with leadership. Without leadership, nothing happens. If you look into our ancient history, if a leader collapses white flag comes up. A leader is all-important. And a leader does not only mean the leader of a country. It means leadership in every walk of life. It could be in a small office, a branch office, a regional office, the head office everywhere, even on the board.

    India’s engagement with world nations is crucial, offering expanded markets and reliable supply chains. Our cooperation in green energy, urbanisation, and emerging technology, including AI, was reflected upon by Mr.Mittal. Electric mobility and semiconductors benefit global progress and strengthen collaboration but to fructify these collaborations, to generate synergetic strength, a leader has to be well-informed, a leader must know about it. 

    I had the occasion on on of the conclave where six vice presidents from Africa were present. Our interest in that continent, in agriculture, mining, and technology, can create wonders. Only our leaders need to measure up to those requirements. You are the future leaders, you are leaders in the making, your role and responsibilities will be very different once you take the leap and carry the tag of ISB. It is not that we are celebrating India’s century merely because India is going to be a force to reckon with but we are, and will be, a force for good in the world. That is fundamental.

    India stand for what? Our civilisational ethos essence. What was the motto of G20? “One world, one family, one future.”  vasudhaiva kutumbakam, that is our belief. Therefore, India’s rise in the world would mean global peace, global stability, and global harmony. You are as leaders in making principal stakeholders to generate this ecosystem. Now, what do you need in a scenario which was not there when Honourable Governor was a young man or Mr. Mittal was a young man or the dean was or I was? I shouldn’t forget Dr. Sudesh Dhankhar when she was. What we faced? There was no equality of opportunity. There was no equality before the law. Meritocracy was in the backseat. And what has happened now? A great transformation has shaped, everyone is now equal before the law. No one is above the law. No one is immune from the law. 

    The stranglehold of the law is reaching them, they are feeling the heat. The privileged pedigree is now no longer in existence that is the greatest boon to the young minds, to the boys and girls before me. You don’t need favour, you don’t need patronage. You are always concern would by case be handicapped because someone less meritorious has a contact. there can be patronage in favour of someone. Gone are those days. That’s a great gain for you.

    The second issue, which you painfully suffered from, was corruption. What could we do? A contract, a job, was available only through means where one had to grease the palm of someone. But boys and girls, fortunately for you, we were not so fortunate. The power corridors have been duly sanitised of corrupt elements and liaison elements  Mr. Mittal rose by virtue of being an industry leader, there were people who extra-legally influenced decision-making, where the industry had no option but to bend. That doesn’t happen now. Our governance is dictated only by principles of transparency and accountability. You are in that area now. What does this mean to you? It means that you have an ecosystem where you can fully exploit your talent and energy, realising your dreams and aspirations because nothing holds you back in a systemic manner. A great thing for you. 

    Let me remind you of something I saw myself as Governor-General of West Bengal. COVID. It was a challenge to humanity, a non-discriminatory challenge, and it was really difficult then for a population of more than 1.3 billion but the Prime Minister visualised a mechanism to involve the people at large. We had our own vaccines, but we hand-held hundred other countries by providing vaccines at that time. The handling by India of COVID pandemic earned laurels for us, for our health workers, and for our health warriors but some were uncomfortable. The class is small, but they are uncomfortable with anything good that happens in this country. Your leadership will need to neutralise these forces as well. Scientists have been talking about climate change since the 1970s. One thing I never forget is the year 1979. You may wonder why, I was married in 1979 to Dr. Sudesh Dhakhar. In that very year, I became a lawyer, and you will come to easily once you google. But that year,  there was a film Mad Max, It was a global sensation as it talked about the end of the world due to climate change. No one was bothered despite years of conversation, no one thought of harnessing solar energy. India’s visionary leadership came to the rescue of the world in relation to solar alliance in Gurugram more than 122 countries have already joined part with it. And our landscape all over the country is dotted by harnessing of solar energy. It was left to India. India did it.

    I have many reasons to say that India’s century will prove to be a global good. Think what we have done with governance solutions. We developed various technological solutions for digital identity management.  World’s largest and fastest financial inclusion, as I said earlier. 500 million Indian bank accounts when I wanted to become a lawyer, I needed a library, and I needed ₹6,000. A man like me throughout a gold medallist  had difficulty getting a loan of ₹6,000. I still vividly remember the face of the manager who said, “I’ll give you ₹6,000 without a guarantee.” I had none. That changed my life. And look what has happened, you people have everything at your door.

    You only have to look around avail the opportunity grab the opportunity serve yourself serve your family serve society and serve the nation. We made them open source for the world to use through our India stack programme. Now any developing country can use these solutions free of charge. Not only, the kind of products India has visualised are available to the world without any charge. As a matter of fact this has graduated to our soft diplomacy taking a new height. More than intellectual property we are concerned how can we shorten the path of good governance for the countries of the global south. And we are contributing hugely in several countries. Friends the more we rise the more stability it will provide to the world order. The world knows it. Some misguided souls in our country do not share it. Either they fail to come up to the requirements of this great nation and its citizenship or they are dictating their actions by narrow partisan interests self interest in some cases survival interests. This is India’s century friends that is not desirous of hegemony or domination but global public good.

    India is the only country in the world and it has a history of 5000 years. That has never engaged in expansion. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on record warning to the entire world we are not living in an era of expansion and that global disputes must resolutely be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy. Our journey, friends, is not over, we have so many things to assert. Economic upsurge, the third largest global economy at the moment, third largest global purchasing power, on the way to becoming the third largest economy ahead of Japan and Germany. All that. But we must realise that to be a developed nation, our per capita income has to go eightfold. 

    This is achievable because we have human resources in your shape that will bring it about. You are capable of it. And when you do it, you are opening a new basket of opportunities for employment, for entrepreneurship, and for growth. Our journey of progress is a work in progress nothing is given to expedite this journey. India needs next generation leaders who can drive innovation and change. 

    I am reminded of a Greek philosopher, Pre-Socrates Heraclitus, Heraclitus reflected and is highly quoted. The only constant is the change. Change is the only constant. He buttressed it. The same person cannot enter the same river twice. Neither the person is the same, nor the river is the same. So we are in the process of change. But we don’t have to be captive of change. We have to bring about the change which we need and this happens to be more relevant when it comes to disruptive technologies, Artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, machine learning, blockchain. These at the time were just words for me but I was enormously enlightened when I had a presentation by the senior ministry officials. And I know we are in for a big change. These disruptive technologies, as going by their name, are both challenges and opportunities. 

    In the world of finance, the RBI governor has hinted only a day or two before, we have to keep things in check for artificial intelligence. You as leaders will be creating opportunities out of these challenges. You are those who will be actual players when it comes to execution and implementation. Whatever be your role in the hierarchy, your mindset has to be ahead of times. I have no doubt with your commitment, direction and dedication, India will exploit its potential and make available leaders for global conglomerates and international organisations. Our footfalls have already increased, I remember there was a time when we could never imagine someone from this country would be CEO of an outfit in Silicon Valley and now they say, jokingly, can we have a CEO who is not of Indian origin? That’s where we have come. All this because our DNA on this point is very strong. 

    I must caution you. Don’t look at leadership in a my pick way, Leadership is not with respect to your balance sheet in the corporate entity. Leadership is not limited to the role of your sector. Like suppose you are in the telecom or metro sector, You might look beyond your company, but you normally don’t look beyond the sector and it is there that might appeal to you. Business and leadership schools, the one like yours, have additional responsibility towards public and good governance.

    You have to give something back to the society. And you have to give back to the society something in a structured manner which is not individually specific. Imagine the benefit for a government department that receives policy solution inputs based on innovation and leadership training at schools. 

    In this country, there is a long and successful programme of public-private partnership in infrastructure. We need public-private partnership in leadership and innovation also. I have long nurtured an idea. It has not taken wings. When the Vice-Chancellor of Punjab University invited me for a convocation, in my capacity as Chancellor, I made one fervent appeal and she has taken various steps in that direction. Alumni of institutions have great experience, great exposure, great expertise. Individually, they are talent. As a group, they are powerhouse, why not use that for the nation? And I therefore noted an idea. There must be confederation of alumni associations. They can well suggest to the government in the field of policy making, they can give direction to our economy because framing those policies needs all the inputs. They are not all-in-all. Sometimes a small suggestion can work wonders. I am sure some step will be taken. 

    I will make one appeal to Mr. Mittal and to the Dean, we have leadership now constitutionally structured at Village level because India is the only country that has constitutionally structured democracy at village level and Municipal level. Most nations have legislatures at State and Central level. Now a Sarpanch plays a key role, a Pradhan plays a key role, a zila Pramukh plays a key role. Their funds are at their disposal. If they do not come up to the leadership expectations, the political head and the executive head will not be able to work in togetherness or in tandem. To generate that awareness, to generate that expertise, an outfit of your stature can certainly create a module, a training module that will go a long way in helping them. Once some people come to know about the usefulness of it, it will be replicated on its own but a beginning has to be made because majority of Indians or Bharat is in villages. If their optimal utilisation of funds can take place, if good trends can set in there, the economy of the nation will also get a big leap. 

    My young friends, I will be adverting to another important aspect and that aspect is, I want to turn to a matter of national importance, and that is nationalism. The academia, the industry, leaders and students ponder here over the issue of leadership. I suggest you ponder over facets of leadership with Indian characteristics. Indian nation has to be kept at the centre. Whatever we may do in any part of the globe, our heart and soul reside in India and therefore, I urge that leadership should be deeply wedded to nationalism. Without this undergirding, without this split, no amount of leadership skills will serve the greater good of the nation. Such individuals can be successful. They can be known but they will never be able to in that group which earns respect to the nation. 

    Therefore, I urge everyone, serve your nation optimally, serve your nation with full dedication and this is uniform ordinance for all of us. It is not optional, it is the only way. You all are tomorrow’s leaders. You will have an occasion to make decisions, key commercial decisions. and therefore, imagine if you think of economic nationalism while making decisions. If that spirit is there in you, you will immediately find great gain to the nation. I firmly believe no fiscal gain, howsoever great, howsoever quantum in economic terms, can be a justification, reason or a compromise for nationalism. 

    A fiscal gain should never be a consideration when it comes to economic nationalism. Economic nationalism is fundamental to our growth. It has been indicated, be vocal for local or Swadeshi. But I leave it with you and find out, once I am gone, how much foreign exchange is drained out in avoidable imports. Billions of US dollars every year are being drained out for the import of shoes, socks, trousers, undergarments, coats, curtains, flooring, toys, kites, electronic goods, furniture. 

    All that can happen in this country. I am not advocating parochial protectionism. Mr. Mittal has been to global forums. He knows that this policy cannot be propagated. The World Trade Organisation is there but then it has to emanate from every soul in this country. Once you do that, not only will you save foreign exchange in billions of US dollars, you will create jobs for millions of people in this country. There will be blossoming of entrepreneurship and all these aspects are next to none so you young leaders, just after a few months or years, be ambassadors of economic nationalism for the nation. It will be your lasting contribution to the economy of this nation. 

    Friends, Mr. Mittal emphasised on manufacturing. It is critical, it is not only about manufacturing in India, but the idea is to research in India, innovate in India, design in India. The growth engine of the nation is fuelled by research and development. You know it. The nations that are ahead in research and development march ahead. This makes focus on research and development of paramount importance. I don’t want to say more, but industry has to do a lot in that direction. I need to find a corporate of our country to be amongst top 20 global entities to be in that field when it comes to research and development but I am urging industry and stakeholders and corporates to invest in research and development, hand-hold stakeholders, in unleashing their potential and provide impetus to holistic growth of the nation but I am worried on another aspect. Manufacturing is fine, sir. 

    But what a painful scenario to face, our raw materials leave our shores in shiploads. Look at iron ore being shipped from Paradigm. Look at our precious products going outside without value addition. I appeal to young leaders to reflect what is writing on the wall. We are sending raw material because we are not capable of converting it to value-added products. We are capable, but someone who has ownership of that raw material in a cosy room finds it expedient to make a buck fast, sacrificing economic nationalism. 

    In the process, he is coming in the way of your employment, your innovation, your skill development. It is here that trade organisations, commercial organisations, industry organisations must be on the same page. We must develop economic ethics that we will not export our raw material without value addition. Then we find another global way of finding. Minimum value addition. Once we do it, the economic scenario will show a big change.

    Well, I must reflect on a tribe to which I belong, to which the Honourable Governor belongs. Now we are constitutional functionaries. The politician, The leader in the politician must also be fired by the zeal of nationalism. He or she should keep national interest above partisan or self-interest. In a democracy partisan stance is unavoidable. People have to take partisan interest, partisan stance, partisan viewpoint, nothing wrong with that. But on some issues, issues of national security, issues of foreign policy, issues of diplomacy, issues of nationalism, there is no room for politics. We all as Indians are ambassadors of our nation and once we leave the source of this country, we are its representatives. Our political hat has to be kept behind. But what I find, people take journey outside, took to destinations, just to find public space, to target taint and demean our progress and institutions. Young leaders have full capacity to neutralise these forces. These sinister forces, they are being activated by interests that are inimical to Bharat. It is surfacing. I had the occasion to reflect this morning on National Human Rights Day. 

    They say, India, there can be hunger crisis. What are they talking? Since April 1, 2020, till now and for five more years to come, 850 million people of this country will be fed free meal. Rice and wheat and pulses are given to them. You know it, I know it. What are they talking about? Because some of us do not rise for the nation, but raise the flag only for political interest. We need to be that, discord and voices for parties and political purposes and gains is a matter of deep concern. I’m sure you youngsters will know it. Their strategy to begin with is very soothing. They make inroads after having made inroads, they try to create disruptions, divisiveness in a nation like ours. You have to be extremely alert.

    It is here in such kind of challenging situations that leadership trade are called inaction, be prepared for that. Let me talk something about economy. There was a gentleman who occupied a prominent position in the Reserve Bank of India not long ago. Now this gentleman made a partisan assertion. I quote the assertion, “India will be lucky if it can have 5% growth rate”. During that contemporaneous time, India had 7.5% growth rate to a layman like me, 5% and 7.5% make some meaning but for the dean and Mr. Mittal, even 0.01 matters. How wrong he was but go to the background, why did he make that statement? Why did he act in a manner only to bring down the healthy mood of the nation? And why were there no regrets? Or any justification for having made that statement? In such situations, leadership collective must be proactive. And call these people to the bar. Call to the bar for a lawyer is a normal term, therefore I used it.

    Just imagine, how sickening you will find and how frightening it is that a member of parliament holding a constitutional position will troop to foreign universities and then, in a small corner, of which the university members will be aware, and a small group will try to set afloat a narrative that is dangerous to our unity, our institutions, our national interest. A handful of people. This is a large gathering, well represented, It means a lot to me. Not in a fraction of it and such people we need to hand hold, counsel, and suggest in whatever form we can and that has to emanate from young minds. 

    Social media has given power to brilliant young impressionable minds to express themselves. Your silence on such kind of situations will ever resonate in your ears. A couple of years later you will feel, why did I not voice my concern? If I had voiced my concern, then things would have been slightly better and therefore, do it. If this mindset of placing narrow partisan interests over national interests persists, it will give space to whom? It will give space to those who are our enemies. Enemies to our interests. Do we want it? Certainly not. Friends, we are at a leadership summit.

    Think how over the years leadership programmes have used to indoctrinate young minds of the country by the deep state. I’ll focus on it at some length. I come across several people, including parliamentarians. I have been invited by young leadership forum in the US, some ministry has invited in that category, it is a sense of elation, a sense of joy.

    Be aware, be cautious. Those who have been there earlier, where are they now? It’s a subtle method of indoctrination. It is giving hard sugar to a diabetic patient, it is creating enemies of the nation from outside only by making their life affordable. I can give instances of many number of young minds today. You may be envying their life, but they are parasitical when it comes to financial situations. They are greedy and they act like robots. You have to be extremely careful about such leadership programmes which are all over the place.

    Through institutional mechanisms, they do it. Fellowships, they do it, visiting programmes, university affiliations, by this they groom them. They are brainwashed, indoctrinated. They themselves have not seen India. They are painted as if we are crumbling far from it. But an individual committed to nationalism will be able to thwart these moves. Even by being a part of it, he will be able to stand on his own spinally and thereby neutralise such forces. 

    Friends, as you move forward with many leadership initiatives through this institution, I want to leave you with two thoughts.

    First, I said earlier, nationalism as a part of leadership curriculum is the foremost curriculum as a matter of fact. Groom leaders who place the nation above all else, 

    Second, create leaders who will find Indian solutions for Indian and global problems. Bring this talent into the service of governance, create solutions, create partnerships to resolve challenges of everyday Indians, we are here to work for the average Indian, the average Indian who has to be handheld and helped. 

    My young friends, the nation needs you, it is India’s century. The world needs you but you will make this movement in history successful if you are deeply wedded to these values in this endeavour. My very best wishes to you. I leave this place with full optimism and confidence. 

    Thank you so much. 

    ****

    JK/RC/SM

    (Release ID: 2066248) Visitor Counter : 78

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Mpox is spreading across Victoria

    Source: Government of Victoria 3

    Key messages

    • Cases of mpox continue to increase in Victoria and other Australian jurisdictions. This outbreak is now the biggest in Victoria since the first case was reported in May 2022.
    • Mpox has mostly impacted gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), although anyone can be affected. There have now been several cases in females in Victoria and heterosexual transmission has been reported.
    • All sexually active people with compatible symptoms should be tested, regardless of sexual orientation, vaccination status or travel history.
    • Remain aware of the possibility of mpox infection amongst other groups.
    • Mpox testing can be done in any primary care service (general practitioner) or sexual health clinic.
    • Vaccination should be promoted to all eligible people at risk of mpox, including second doses.
    • Free mpox vaccine is widely available for eligible people through sexual health clinics, hospitals, general practitioners, Aboriginal health services, councils and pharmacies.
    • People at risk of mpox should be aware of the current outbreak and take measures to protect themselves and others.

    What is the issue?

    Cases of mpox are continuing to increase across Victoria and other Australian jurisdictions. In August 2024, Australia recorded the second highest number of confirmed cases of mpox in the world. The mpox outbreak in 2024 is now much larger than the 2022 outbreak. As of 17 October, 330 mpox cases have been notified in Victoria since April 2024 and there have been 27 hospitalisations.

    In Victoria, mpox has mostly affected gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), however, it can affect anyone. There have now been several cases in females in Victoria and heterosexual transmission has been reported.

    To help prevent further transmission in Victoria, clinicians are requested to increase testing for mpox and promote vaccination in at-risk groups.

    There is an outbreak of a more severe strain of the monkeypox virus (Clade Ib) in parts of central Africa. This strain has not been found in Australia so far, but there is a risk of importation through international travel.

    For further information on mpox, see the Department of Health page on mpox.

    Who is at risk?

    In Victoria at present, GBMSM (including those who identify as heterosexual) and their sexual partners are most at risk. Venues or events where close intimate or sexual contact occurs carry a higher risk of mpox transmission, particularly where casual or group sex occurs.

    However, anyone can become infected, and anyone who has been in close and usually prolonged intimate contact with someone with mpox is at risk. While vaccination decreases the risk of mpox, those who are vaccinated, particularly if not fully vaccinated, may still become infected.

    Symptoms and transmission

    Symptoms may include lesions or rashes anywhere on the body, including the anogenital area. Other symptoms may include pain on urination (urethritis) or rectal pain, bloody stools and/or diarrhoea (proctitis). General symptoms include fever, chills, tiredness, headache, sore throat, muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes. Most people experience mild illness and recover within a few weeks, but severe illness can occur.

    Mpox can spread from person-to-person through close (skin-to-skin) or prolonged contact, for example during sexual contact, as well as contact with contaminated items or surfaces, and respiratory droplets. Symptoms can occur up to 21 days after being exposed to mpox.

    Recommendations

    For GPs and other clinicians

    Who to test

    • Test all sexually active people with compatible symptoms, regardless of sexual orientation, vaccination status or travel history. If testing for herpes simplex virus, test for mpox.
    • Remain aware of the possibility of mpox infection in any patient.
    • Be alert to the possibility of atypical and attenuated presentations in people who are fully and partially vaccinated. Some patients have had multiple presentations to healthcare prior to diagnosis.

    How to test

    • Most testing occurs in primary care settings and can be easily and safely done. The risk to healthcare workers is very low and can be further reduced with use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). This includes gloves, eye protection, gown and surgical mask. See the Public Health Laboratory Network (PHLN) guidanceExternal Link for further advice on PPE.
    • Request mpox PCR on suitable swabs (e.g. rash/lesion, anorectal, pharyngeal) and send to VIDRL via your routine pathology provider. See the PHLN guidanceExternal Link for further advice on testing.

    Advice and notification

    • Advise patients to cover lesions and abstain from sexual activity while awaiting the result. Advise to wear a mask if oral, throat or respiratory symptoms.
    • Recommendations for case and contact management have recently changed. See mpox factsheetExternal Link for updates to patients who are tested for mpox. If positive, the Local Public Health Unit will provide further advice.
    • Any suspected or confirmed mpox cases should be urgently notified to the Local Public Health Unit by calling 1300 651 160.
    • If mpox is suspected in a returned traveller or someone who has had contact with a returned traveller from affected countries in Africa, contact your Local Public Health Unit immediately.

    Vaccinate

    For more information, see:

    Mpox update – Information for GP’s and clinicians

    docx 72.56 KB | Updated: 16 October 2024

    For people at increased risk of mpox

    • Take measures to protect yourself and others. Avoid sexual activity if you have any symptoms of mpox, consider limiting sexual partners, and keep contact details of new partners.
    • Mpox vaccine is free for eligible groups. Two doses of mpox are required for optimal protection. If you haven’t had your second dose, get it now. See Mpox immunisation providers listExternal Link to find a provider of mpox vaccine.
    • If you develop symptoms, restrict contact with others and get tested at your GP or sexual health clinic. Make sure to wear a mask, cover any exposed lesions and call ahead.
    • For more information on measures to prevent the spread of mpox, see:

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mpox vaccine is safe and generates a robust antibody response in adolescents

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 2

    News Release

    Wednesday, October 16, 2024

    NIH clinical trial addresses knowledge gap on vaccine use in adolescent populations

    WHAT:

    A National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded clinical trial of an mpox vaccine in adolescents found it was safe and generated an antibody response equivalent to that seen in adults, according to a planned interim analysis of study data. Adolescents are among the population groups affected by mpox in the current Clade I mpox outbreak. The interim results of this trial were presented at the IDWeek2024 conference in Los Angeles.

    The first human case of mpox was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Two types of the virus that causes mpox have been identified. Clade I is endemic in Central Africa and can cause severe illness. Clade II, endemic in West Africa, caused the global mpox outbreak that began in 2022 and tends to result in milder illness. People with compromised immune systems, children, and those who are pregnant are especially vulnerable to severe mpox regardless of the virus clade. A large proportion of people affected in the current Clade I outbreak in the DRC and other African countries are adolescents and children. The modified vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN) vaccine is approved in several countries for the prevention of mpox and smallpox in adults, but insufficient data are available to support licensure for people younger than 18 years.

    NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is sponsoring a mid-stage study in the United States to evaluate the safety and immune response generated by two doses of MVA-BN in adolescents aged 12-17 years, comparing outcomes to those in adults aged 18-50 years. In a planned interim analysis, study investigators measured antibody levels two weeks after the second dose (study day 43) and monitored safety through 180 days after the second dose (study day 210). The analysis showed that the MVA-BN vaccine generated antibody levels in adolescents equivalent to those observed in adults at day 43 and found that the vaccine was well tolerated through study day 210. The overall frequency of adverse events was comparable between the study groups. Reports of dizziness were more common in adolescents than adults, but similar to the frequency of dizziness reported when other vaccines are administered in adolescents.

    According to the study team, the interim data support the safety and quality of the immune response generated by the MVA-BN vaccine in adolescents, findings relevant to the United States and other areas where mpox cases have occurred. The authors underscored the need to evaluate the MVA-BN vaccine in younger children to extend the evidence base to all people affected by mpox.

    NIH is grateful to the research sites and volunteers who participate in studies to improve the mpox response.

    For more information about this study, please visit ClinicalTrials.gov and use the identifier NCT05512949.

    NIAID conducts and supports research—at NIH, throughout the United States, and worldwide—to study the causes of infectious and immune-mediated diseases, and to develop better means of preventing, diagnosing and treating these illnesses. News releases, fact sheets and other NIAID-related materials are available on the NIAID website.

    About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit http://www.nih.gov.

    NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health®

    Reference

    CM Healy et al. Safety and Immunogenicity of Mpox Vaccination in Adolescents. IDWeek2024. Saturday, October 19, 2024.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Pupils become Flu Fighters as vaccinations continue in schools

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    This year, all children from Reception to Year 11, including those who are home educated, are eligible for the vaccination. For the majority of children, the vaccine will be given via a nasal spray. For children who require a pork gelatine free alternative, or who are unable to have the nasal spray for medical reasons, an injectable vaccination is available on request.

    Parents are urged to return their child’s consent forms as soon as possible to ensure they don’t miss out. Consent can be given online at Flu Immunisation 2024/25. Verbal consent can be given by calling Vaccination UK on 01902 200077. Requests for the injectable vaccination can be made when giving consent.

    Vaccinations are scheduled to take place throughout the autumn term and each school will be visited twice by Vaccination UK, giving children who may have been off the first time the chance to have their vaccination.

    Any child who misses their free vaccine in school will be able to get it at catch up clinics which will be arranged in the coming weeks, or by contacting their GP.

    John Denley, Wolverhampton’s Director of Public Health, said: “The flu vaccination campaign is well underway in local schools and it’s vital that you ensure your child doesn’t miss out.

    “Flu can be deadly and easily spread by children and adults. The vaccine is the best way to protect your children and other family members from becoming ill with the flu, particularly more vulnerable relatives like grandparents or those with underlying health conditions.

    “I would urge parents to return their consent forms as soon as they receive them so that their children can have their free vaccine and become a Flu Fighter!”

    Children aged 2 and 3, and children with some long term health conditions, are also eligible for the nasal spray, with their vaccinations given at their local GP surgery. Parents or guardians who have not yet received a letter or text from their GP inviting them for a vaccination are encouraged to contact their surgery to arrange an appointment.

    To find out more about the flu vaccine for children, read the answers to frequently asked questions and enjoy the 4 exciting Flu Fighters stories for children, Flu Fighters Versus Chilly, Achy and Snotty, Flu Fighters in The Battle of Planet Bogey, Flu Fighters in Close Encounters of the Germed Kind and Flu Fighters on a Vacc-tastic Voyage, please visit Bugbusters.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NCDHHS Announces First Flu Death of 2024-2025 Season, Encourages Residents to Get Annual Vaccines and Use Other Preventive Measures

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: NCDHHS Announces First Flu Death of 2024-2025 Season, Encourages Residents to Get Annual Vaccines and Use Other Preventive Measures

    NCDHHS Announces First Flu Death of 2024-2025 Season, Encourages Residents to Get Annual Vaccines and Use Other Preventive Measures
    hejones1

    The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reporting the first flu-related death of the 2024-25 flu season. An adult in the Charlotte metropolitan area died due to complications of influenza during the second week of October. To protect the privacy of the family, additional information will not be released.

    “This is a sad reminder that influenza can be a very serious illness,” said State Epidemiologist Zack Moore, M.D., MPH. “Taking preventative measures against flu and other respiratory illnesses like getting vaccinated, regularly washing hands, covering your cough and staying home when sick are important to help protect you and your family.”

    Influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are expected to increase over the coming weeks. Vaccinations are the best way to prevent serious illness, hospitalization and death from these infections. Vaccinations are especially important for those at higher risk of severe viral respiratory disease, including people 65 years and older, children younger than 5, pregnant women, those with a weakened immune system and those with certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease and obesity.

    The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends all people aged 6 months and older receive a seasonal flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine. RSV vaccinations are also recommended to protect older adults 75 years and older, adults 60-74 years who are at increased risk of severe RSV and pregnant women during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy to protect infants. Parents should talk with their health care provider about other options to protect infants from severe RSV disease.

    Flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccinations are available at pharmacies, private medical offices, some federally qualified health care centers and local health departments. These vaccines can be administered at the same visit. To find a vaccine near you, visit http://www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines.

    Early testing and treatment with an antiviral drug can help prevent respiratory infections from becoming more serious. Treatments work best if started soon after symptoms begin. If you begin to feel sick, contact your doctor right away to see if you need treatment with a prescription antiviral drug. Treatment is especially important for those who are hospitalized, people with severe illness and those who at high risk of serious complications based on their age or medical conditions.

    In addition to vaccines and treatment, the following precautions should be taken to protect against the spread of respiratory viruses:

    • Regularly wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based cleaner or sanitizer to prevent the spread of viruses to others
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
    • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects that may be contaminated
    • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then discard the tissue promptly
    • Stay home when sick, except to seek medical care or testing, and take steps to avoid spreading infection to others in your home, including:
      • Staying in a separate room from other household members, if possible
      • Using a separate bathroom, if possible
      • Avoiding contact with other members of the household and pets
      • Not sharing personal household items, like cups, towels and utensils
      • Wearing a mask when around other people

    For more information on respiratory viruses, including how to access vaccines, testing and treatment in your community, visit http://www.vaccines.gov/en/, flu.ncdhhs.gov or covid19.ncdhhs.gov.

    A respiratory virus surveillance summary that includes information on flu, COVID-19 and RSV-related activity across North Carolina is updated weekly at covid19.ncdhhs.gov/dashboard.

    El Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte reporta la primera muerte relacionada con la gripe (influenza) de la temporada 2024-2025. Un adulto en el área metropolitana de Charlotte murió debido a complicaciones de la gripe (influenza) durante la segunda semana de octubre. Para proteger la privacidad de la familia, no se divulgará información adicional.

    “Este es un triste recordatorio de que la influenza puede ser una enfermedad muy grave”, dijo el epidemiólogo estatal Zack Moore, M.D., MPH. “Tomar medidas preventivas contra la gripe (influenza) y otras enfermedades respiratorias como vacunarse, lavarse las manos regularmente, cubrirse al toser y quedarse en casa cuando está enfermo son importantes para ayudar a protegerlo a usted y a su familia”.

    Se espera que la gripe (influenza), el COVID-19 y el virus respiratorio sincitial (VSR, por sus siglas en inglés) aumenten en las próximas semanas. Las vacunas son la mejor manera de prevenir enfermedades graves, hospitalizaciones y muertes por estas infecciones. Las vacunas son especialmente importantes para las personas con mayor riesgo de enfermedad respiratoria viral grave, incluidas las personas de 65 años o más, los niños menores de 5 años, las mujeres embarazadas, las personas con un sistema inmunológico comprometido y las personas con ciertas condiciones médicas como el asma, la diabetes, las enfermedades cardíacas y la obesidad.

    Los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades recomiendan que todas las personas mayores de 6 meses reciban una vacuna contra la gripe estacional y la vacuna contra el COVID-19. También se recomiendan las vacunas contra el VSR para proteger a los adultos mayores de 75 años o más, a los adultos de 60 a 74 años que tienen un mayor riesgo de VSR grave y a las mujeres embarazadas durante las semanas 32 a 36 del embarazo para proteger a los bebés. Los padres deben hablar con su proveedor de atención médica sobre otras opciones para proteger a los bebés de la enfermedad grave por el VSR.

    Las vacunas contra la gripe (influenza), el COVID-19 y el VSR están disponibles en farmacias, consultorios médicos privados, algunos centros de atención médica calificados a nivel federal y departamentos de salud locales. Estas vacunas se pueden administrar en la misma visita. Para encontrar una vacuna cerca de usted, visite http://www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines.

    Las pruebas y el tratamiento tempranos con un medicamento antiviral pueden ayudar a prevenir que las infecciones respiratorias se vuelvan más graves. Los tratamientos funcionan mejor si se inician poco después de que comiencen los síntomas. Si comienza a sentirse enfermo, comuníquese con su médico de inmediato para ver si necesita tratamiento con un medicamento antiviral recetado. El tratamiento es especialmente importante para aquellos que están hospitalizados, personas con enfermedades graves y aquellos con alto riesgo de complicaciones graves en función de su edad o condiciones médicas.

    Además de las vacunas y el tratamiento, se deben tomar las siguientes precauciones para proteger contra la propagación de virus respiratorios:

    • Lávese las manos regularmente con agua y jabón, o use un limpiador o desinfectante a base de alcohol para evitar la propagación de virus a otras personas.
    • Evite tocarse los ojos, la nariz y la boca.
    • Limpie y desinfecte las superficies y los objetos que podrían estar contaminados.
    • Cúbrase la tos y los estornudos con un pañuelo de papel y luego deseche el pañuelo de papel rápidamente.
    • Quédese en casa cuando esté enfermo, excepto para buscar atención médica o pruebas, y tome medidas para evitar transmitir la infección a otras personas en su hogar, que incluyen:
      • Alojarse en una habitación separada de otros miembros del hogar, si es posible.
      • Usar un baño separado, si es posible.
      • Evitar el contacto con otros miembros del hogar y mascotas.
      • No compartir artículos personales para el hogar, como tazas, toallas y utensilios.
      • Usar una mascarilla cuando esté cerca de otras personas.

    Para obtener más información sobre los virus respiratorios, incluido cómo acceder a las vacunas, las pruebas y el tratamiento en su comunidad, visite http://www.vaccines.gov/es/, flu.ncdhhs.gov o covid19.ncdhhs.gov.

    Un resumen de la vigilancia del virus respiratorio que incluye información sobre la gripe, el COVID-19 y la actividad relacionada con el VSR en Carolina del Norte se actualiza semanalmente en covid19.ncdhhs.gov/dashboard.

    Oct 16, 2024

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK bolsters support to tackle mpox and Marburg in central Africa

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The UK has announced a package of measures to tackle the outbreaks of mpox and Marburg in central Africa

    • Support to bolster partners’ efforts to tackle mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda and other affected countries.
    • UK Public Health Rapid Support Team sent to the region will also provide technical expertise on mpox to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
    • The UK is separately working with Rwanda to deliver its response plan to the Marburg virus outbreak and reduce the virus’ spread.

    The UK has announced a package of measures to tackle the outbreak of mpox in central Africa, including up to £9m in support and the deployment of UK-based experts to provide technical expertise in the region.

    The financial package, unlocked from the existing Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget, will bolster the national response to mpox in DRC, the epicentre of the outbreak, and across the wider affected region. This includes additional funds to strengthen the UK’s existing partnership with UNICEF in DRC.

    Funds will assist partners to strengthen surveillance systems, reinforce health services and work with communities to raise awareness of risks and personal protective measures, in line with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organisation (WHO)’s Continental Preparedness and Response Plan.

    The Minister for Development, Anneliese Dodds said:

    Across the DRC, dedicated healthcare workers and communities are doing all they can to prevent the spread of mpox. But the reality is they cannot do it alone.

    The UK is working in partnership with others to bolster the national and wider regional response. This vital support will help stem the spread of this deadly disease, protecting communities in DRC, the wider Africa region, and at home in the UK.

    To support the leadership and coordination of the African continent’s response to mpox, the UK has deployed experts from the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST), an innovative partnership between the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), to DRC to support the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, who is jointly leading the continental response with the WHO.

    These two experts – a field epidemiologist and an Infection Prevention and Control specialist – will use their technical expertise to assist the joint WHO Africa-CDC continental incident management team.

    Dr Ed Newman, UK-PHRST Director said:

    The UK Public Health Rapid Support team ensures that our expertise in tackling infectious disease outbreaks is rapidly available to support countries who are responding to public health emergencies.

    Our staff will provide specialist support to colleagues at Africa-CDC and the joint continental incident management team as they work to manage the ongoing mpox epidemic, as well as using this learning to further strengthen UK preparedness.

    The UK is also supporting Rwanda to deliver its response plan to the Marburg virus outbreak, including through mobilising £1.9m from existing ODA budgets to provide UK expertise and outbreak response.

    UK experts in viral haemorrhagic fevers and researchers leading therapeutic trials have already arrived in Kigali to support the response in coordination with the WHO and Rwandan Ministry of Health.

    Through a continued close partnership, the UK and Rwanda are working together to save lives and reduce the Marburg virus’ spread.

    Africa CDC Director General, H.E Dr. Jean Kaseya said:

    Africa is facing significant public health challenges with the mpox and Marburg virus outbreaks. The UK’s vital support—through both financial assistance and technical expertise—comes at a crucial moment.

    This partnership will bolster our efforts to contain these outbreaks, enhance disease surveillance, and strengthen healthcare systems in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and beyond.

    Together, we are not just responding to immediate threats, but building stronger, more resilient systems to safeguard the health of millions across the continent.

    UNICEF DRC Representative, Grant Leaity said:

    Children affected by mpox in DRC are facing other serious challenges including measles, cholera and other infectious diseases, acute malnutrition, and lack of access to essential services.

    The generous UK funds will help in reducing the spread of mpox, providing comprehensive treatment to these vulnerable children and reinforcing the health system over the longer term, especially at community level.

    Background:

    • The announcement of further support to tackle mpox follows the declaration of mpox as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security by Africa-CDC and a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the WHO in August.

    • A recent report from the WHO estimated that there have been more than 30,000 suspected cases of mpox in Africa since the beginning of 2024, resulting in more than 800 deaths.

    • In August, the Minister for Africa, Lord Collins, announced £3.1m in UK funding for a new partnership with UNICEF in DRC to tackle mpox and cholera outbreaks. The UK’s partnership with UNICEF will benefit over 4.4 million people in affected communities and prevent the further spread of mpox to neighbouring countries.

    • As the largest flexible donor to the WHO globally (£340m 2020-2024), the UK supports the WHO to prepare for health emergencies and respond to them quickly, directing funding to where it’s most needed.

    • The UK is also one of the largest donors to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance – providing £1.65bn over the 2021-2025 period. Gavi is critical to ensuring a sustainable and effective vaccine response to mpox. Gavi has unlocked $2.9m to support the DRC’s vaccination efforts and has secured 500,000 doses of MVA-BN vaccine for Africa.

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Valadao Supports Legislation to Prioritize Valley Fever Vaccine Development

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G. Valadao (California)

    WASHINGTON – Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) recently joined Congressman John Duarte (CA-13) to introduce the Valley Fever Awareness and Vaccine Development and Manufacturing Act. The legislation aims to address the pressing need for a human vaccine for Valley Fever by supporting the development, approval, licensing, and initial manufacturing of a vaccine.

    “Valley Fever has a huge impact on communities throughout the Central Valley and leaves thousands of people sick every year,” said Congressman Valadao. “I’m proud to support Congressman Duarte’s legislation to prioritize the development of a Valley Fever vaccine to combat the spread of this disease and save lives. As a member of the Valley Fever Task Force, I’ll continue working toward solutions to keep Central Valley families safe and healthy.”

    “Valley Fever is a growing public health threat in our communities, and this bill is a critical step toward developing the first human vaccine to protect those most at risk,” said Congressman Duarte. “I’m proud to lead this effort and work with local and national partners to tackle this disease head-on and bring much-needed relief to the Central Valley and other affected regions.”

    Background:

    Congressman Valadao is a member of the Valley Fever Task Force, which was founded in 2013. The Task Force is committed to raising awareness and advancing policies to combat Valley Fever. Congressman Valadao has been a member since its founding. Last year, Congressman Valadao participated in a Valley Fever Roundtable hosted by the Task Force to discuss ongoing treatment and vaccine developments. The roundtable included medical experts, researchers, and advocates focused on combatting Valley Fever. He’s also a co-sponsor of the FORWARD Act, which supports various research and development programs with the goal of developing new drugs, treatments, and vaccines to combat Valley Fever.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FDA Roundup: October 15, 2024

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    For Immediate Release:

    Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is providing an at-a-glance summary of news from around the agency: 

    • Today, the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) released the 2024 Accelerating Rare disease Cures (ARC) Program Annual Report. Since its launch in 2022, CDER’s ARC Program has become a key resource for the rare disease community and a driver of innovation in rare disease drug treatments. Having built a strong foundation, the ARC Program is enthusiastic about the upcoming year as it continues to strengthen collaboration to accomplish even more progress in rare disease drug development. 

      To learn more about the ARC Program, its accomplishments in 2024, and the future outlook of the program, please visit Accelerating Rare disease Cures (ARC) Program Annual Report: Driving Innovation through Scientific and Regulatory Advancement. 

    • Today, the FDA reminded consumers in It’s a Good Time to Get Your Flu Vaccine that getting vaccinated in the fall can lower your chances of getting the flu. The Flu is a serious disease, caused by influenza viruses, that can lead to hospitalization and even death. Haven’t had your flu shot yet? It’s not too late. Every flu season is different. Your best defense against the flu is to get a vaccine every year.
    • On Friday, the FDA announced a free public webinar, Informed Consent – More than Just Another Document to Sign?, that will be held from 2-3 p.m. ET on Friday, November 8, 2024. During this webinar, FDA speakers will discuss expectations around informed consent and how informed consent materials can be improved so that they are more understandable. Registration is required, and registrants can submit questions upon registration and during the event.

    Related Information

    Related Information

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    Boilerplate

    The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, radiation-emitting electronic products, and for regulating tobacco products.

    Inquiries

    Consumer:
    888-INFO-FDA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Eligible Leeds residents urged to protect themselves against viruses with free winter jabs

    Source: City of Leeds

    Leeds’s public health boss has issued a plea for all those eligible to take up the offer of a free flu vaccine this winter after worrying uptake levels last year.

    Leeds City Council’s director of public health has urged people to take the chance to protect themselves against both the flu and Covid 19, with both viruses spreading more easily in winter as people spend increasing amounts of time indoors together.  

    The winter vaccine programme focuses on those at greatest risk of getting seriously ill – including people with long-term health conditions, people aged over 65 and pregnant women – yet last year Leeds saw lower uptakes of the free annual jabs among some of these cohorts.

    While uptake in older people remained high (79.5 per cent of over 65s), less than four in 10 (39 per cent) of people deemed ‘at risk’ received the flu vaccine, with similarly low levels seen among pregnant women (38 per cent) and two- to three-year-olds (37 per cent).

    It comes as national figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show that over the past two winters at least 18,000 deaths across the UK were associated with flu, despite last winter being a relatively mild flu season.

    For the first time this year, pregnant women and older people aged 75 to 79 are also eligible for the RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) vaccination, with the maternal vaccine providing strong protection for newborns in their first few months, when they are most at risk of severe illness from RSV. Pregnant women should speak to their GP or maternity team for more information.

    Leeds City Council’s director of public health Victoria Eaton said: “After clean water, immunisation is the most effective public health intervention in the world for saving lives and promoting good health.

    “Over the winter period, even if you have had a vaccine or been ill with flu, Covid 19 or RSV before, it’s vital that you top up your protection as immunity fades over time and these viruses can change each year.

    “It is therefore extremely important that anyone eligible to receive their winter vaccinations takes up the potentially life-saving opportunity. The national mortality figures are a stark reminder of how deadly these viruses can be to those at risk.

    “Receiving the vaccinations means that if you do catch any of these viruses, you are likely to have milder symptoms and recover faster, cutting your risk of being hospitalised.

    “I’m urging all those eligible to join the millions of others across the UK in taking up their free vaccine offer to ensure they stay winter strong.”

    Councillor Fiona Venner, Leeds City Council’s executive member for equality, health and wellbeing, said: “We want to protect our city’s most vulnerable from these respiratory viruses which spread more easily in winter and usually reach their peak over the festive and new year period.

    “Nobody wants to miss out on festive celebrations with their families and friends and these vaccines provide the best possible protection.

    “Our city’s GPs and community pharmacies stand ready to provide these free jabs to all those eligible – please book your appointment today and arm yourself against the risk of severe illness.”

    Over 65s, those under 65 in clinical risk groups and pregnant women should contact their GP surgery or community pharmacy (for those aged 18 or over) to book their vaccinations.

    Parents of children who are aged two or three (on or before August 31, 2024) should contact their GP surgery to book their child’s flu vaccination.

    School-aged children (from reception to year 11) will mainly be offered their flu vaccines at school and for most this is a nasal spray, not an injection. A flu vaccine injection is available that does not contain gelatine. Parents who do not want their child to have the nasal spray vaccine should speak to the person vaccinating the child or ask for the injection on the school consent form.  

    For full details, to check eligibility and to book online, visit at http://www.nhs.uk/wintervaccinations.

    ENDS

    For media enquiries please contact:

    Leeds City Council communications and marketing,

    Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk

    Tel: 0113 378 6007

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Chancellor announces new plans to secure UK investment

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Chancellor closes the International Investment Summit promising the government is bringing investment and jobs back to Britain.

    In a speech to some of the world’s biggest businesses and investors, Rachel Reeves revealed that restoring fiscal stability will be at the centre of her first Budget on 30 October. She made the case that it is the only way to ensure government and business can invest with confidence. 

    The Chancellor went on to set out how two new bodies will drive long-term investment in Britain as the government works hand in hand with business to create new high skilled jobs right across the UK, helping make people better off. 

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, MP said: 

    When we said we would end instability, make growth our national mission and enter a true partnership with business we meant it.  

    The decisions which lie ahead of us will not always be easy. But by taking the right choices to grow our economy and drive investment we will create good jobs and new opportunities across every part of the country. That is the Britain we are building. 

    The first announcement from the Chancellor was that from today the UK Infrastructure Bank will operate as the National Wealth Fund (NWF), with its headquarters in Leeds. 

    The National Wealth Fund will catalyse tens of billions of pounds of private investment into in the UK’s clean energy and growth industries, including green hydrogen, carbon capture and gigafactories.

    Building on UKIB’s leadership and expertise, the NWF will go further, able to make investments that maximise the mobilisation of private investment. This will include the ability to trial new blended finance solutions with government departments that take on additional risk to facilitate higher impact in individual deals and performance guarantees. 

    The National Wealth Fund will have a total of £27.8 billion and will work with key industry partners, including mayors, to support delivery of their investment plans. 

    The Government will also bring forward legislation to give the NWF a broader mandate than just infrastructure, ensuring it is a permanent part of government’s investment offer. 

    John Flint, CEO, at the National Wealth Fund said: 

    It is a huge privilege to be entrusted with the responsibility of leading the National Wealth Fund. Building on the strong foundations we have laid as UKIB, we will hit the ground running, using sector insight and investment expertise that the market knows and trusts to unlock billions of pounds of private finance for projects across the UK.

    With additional capital to deploy against a bigger mandate, we stand ready to help the market invest with confidence, in support of the Government’s growth ambitions.

    Alongside this the Chancellor, together with Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds, announced a new British Growth Partnership as part of the British Business Bank (BBB). 

    The BBB already supports the UK’s fastest growing, most innovative companies deploying £3.5bn to support over 23,000 businesses last year. 

    The British Growth Partnership will allow it to do more by creating a new way for the British Business Bank and institutional investors to invest in innovative companies together.

    Leveraging the British Business Bank’s market expertise, these long-term investments will be made independently of government on a fully commercial basis. In the coming months, the British Business Bank will seek to raise hundreds of millions of pounds of investment for this fund, with the aim of making investments by the end of 2025.

    Additionally, the government will implement a set of reforms to the British Business Bank’s financial framework that will increase its impact and increase its ability to respond flexibly to the market, including by putting the British Business Bank’s £7.9bn set of commercial programmes on a permanent footing.

    Louis Taylor, CEO, British Business Bank said:

    Today’s announcement is a strong endorsement of the British Business Bank’s 10-year track record, market access and capabilities. By establishing the British Growth Partnership, the Bank will encourage more UK pension fund investment into the UK’s fastest growing, most innovative companies. 

    In addition, reforms to the Bank’s financial framework, putting our £7.9bn commercial programmes on a permanent footing, means we can flexibly re-invest our investment returns over the long term to increase growth and prosperity across the UK.

    Today’s measures follow the Government announcing more than £24 billion of private investment for pioneering energy projects and thousands of jobs in the green industries secured ahead of International Investment Summit.

    This adds to the announcement last week that up to 500 UK manufacturing jobs are set to be supported as bus operator Go Ahead confirms a major £500 million investment to decarbonise its fleet. This includes creating a new dedicated manufacturing line and partnership with Northern Ireland-based UK bus manufacturer Wrightbus.    

    And it also builds on the Government confirming funding to launch the UK’s first carbon capture sites in Teesside and Merseyside. Two new carbon capture and CCUS enabled hydrogen projects will create 4,000 new jobs, in a boost for the economy and British industry, helping remove over 8.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year – the equivalent of taking around 4 million cars off the road.    

    Further quotes:

    Dame Julia Hoggett, CEO, London Stock Exchange Plc said:

    It is critically important for the growth of the UK economy that home grown companies are able to access the investment they need to grow, scale and stay in the UK. 

    Access to meaningful UK capital at the scaling phase has been a long-recognised challenge and so we are delighted that British Growth Partnership is being established to help address this problem. This will also facilitate more investment by UK pension schemes into scaling UK companies, providing greater returns for their savers and giving UK investors a greater stake in the UK economy.

    Sir Nicholas Lyons, Group Chair, Phoenix said:

    The UK needs scale and skills to convert our brilliant science and technology start-ups and university spinouts into the successful and sustainable companies of tomorrow.  British Growth Partnership will complement the private sector DC pension industry’s undertakings under the Mansion House Compact to expedite this, directing investment to deliver the best returns for our pension savers.

    Professor Sir John Bell, President, Ellison Institute of Technology said:

    Making sure the best innovative British companies can access the capital they need to scale and stay in the UK is critical for the future of the economy. The Chancellor’s announcement today of the new British Growth Partnership, in addition to confirming £7.9bn of permanent capital for the British Business Bank, are both very welcome and significant steps forward in solving this problem

    Sir Jonathan Symonds CBE, Non-Executive Chair, GSK said:

    This is a welcome step; encouraging institutional investment into the UK’s high-growth-potential companies can provide a real boost to the economy and generate better returns for individuals’ pension investments

    Brent Hoberman, Chairman and Co-Founder, Founders Forum Group, Founders Factory, firstminute capital said:

    It’s great to see the new government taking concrete steps to amplify the Mansion House reforms.   This new British Growth Partnership should help UK startups access further scale up capital to create more world leaders.

    Saul Klein, Co-founder, Phoenix Court and Member of the Council for Science and Technology said:

    The UK has more than 750 venture backed companies generating more than $25m in revenue – this is more than France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands combined. These companies have created over 200,000 new jobs and continue to grow but the UK still has $35bn less scale up capital to support these companies than the United States’ Bay Area alone.

    The government’s continued support for the British Business Bank and its focus on addressing this scale up opportunity will be very much welcomed by these 750 companies as well as the cohorts coming behind them.

    Peter Harrison, Group Chief Executive, Schroders plc said:

    These are further helpful initiatives in creating an environment where risk capital can flow into strategically important industries. Every step is welcome in supporting future economic growth.

    Edward Braham, Chairman, M&G said:

    We welcome the creation of the British Growth Partnership which should unlock much needed investment into the UK’s high growth innovative businesses.

    The combination of private and public sector partnerships, underpinned by long term patient capital, is essential to create the conditions for sustainable growth. 

    As a leading international investor, M&G has a proud history of supporting the progress of businesses and communities across the UK, investing in new innovative companies and private assets such as housing, hospitals and transport.

    Steve Bates OBE, CEO of the BioIndustry Association, said:

    Our world-leading, innovative life sciences and biotech sector is a unique competitive advantage for economic growth. The sector attracts expert global investors but a lack of investment from UK-based institutional investors means the economic and social returns are too often lost overseas.

    The British Growth Partnership will help turbo-charge innovative businesses with fresh UK-based capital, enabling them to scale in the UK and deliver more returns to the British economy, and to ordinary people saving for their retirement. This is a win-win-win for UK life science businesses, for UK pension savers and for the forward-thinking financial services sector.

    Kate Bingham, Managing Partner, SV Health and Former Chair UK Vaccine Taskforce welcomed the announcements saying:

    The UK has the potential to be a global leader and hub for healthcare breakthroughs with its strong entrepreneurial and academic base, together with our expertise and innovation in data science and artificial intelligence.

    Making the British Business Bank independent of government as well as launching the British Growth Partnership enables the Bank to catalyse institutional investment, including from pension funds, into brilliant UK companies that are supercharging the development of revolutionary medical treatments including smarter medicines for cancer, Alzheimer’s and blindness.

    Dom Hallas, Executive Director, Startup Coalition said:

    Tech startups and scaleups need a stable and improving funding environment to compete globally. The British Business Bank’s role in helping create that landscape is critical and today’s announcement will help the UK continue to build VC-backed tech companies across the country that are ready to compete with the very best.

    Michael Moore, Chief Executive, BVCA said:

    It is extremely welcome that the Government and the British Business Bank have brought this hugely significant programme forwards so quickly.

    The prize is to get significant new capital into the growth equity and venture capital funds that are creating new industries and backing innovative businesses that will be the backbone of the British economy of tomorrow. The British Business Bank has a vital role catalysing institutional investment into fast growing British businesses and this announcement will boost that work substantially.

    Just 3% of the pensions investment into UK led growth equity and venture capital funds is from UK pension funds. Alongside the Government’s pensions review this major new vehicle can be the start of a major shift that sees UK pensions savers get the improved retirement income that can come from backing funds which deliver active ownership and long-term investment in business.

    Kerry Baldwin, Co-Founder, Managing Partner, IQ Capital said:

    The launch of the British Growth Partnership and the confirmation of a permanent capital allocation for the British Business Bank are two crucial steps forward in solving the lack of access to domestic capital for the UK’s most promising growth companies.

    I very much welcome the Chancellor’s announcement today, she has been hugely engaged with the venture capital and technology sector, and champions the incredible societal impact that our sector enables through investments into innovative technologies across the UK.

    The British Business Bank has been at the heart of powering the next generation of UK venture and growth funds and the launch of the new fund is welcome as part of the pension reforms.  This fund will enable access to world-leading science and innovative investments which increase productivity by transforming legacy industries through the adoption of novel technologies and also by providing growth capital to the next generation of globally leading frontier technologies which are solving pressing critical global issues from climate change to energy transition.

    Dr Andrew Williamson, Managing Partner, Cambridge Innovation Capital, and member of BVCA Council said:

    Since its formation in 2018, British Patient Capital has played a central role in the growth of the UK’s knowledge-intensive innovation ecosystem.  It has built a world leading team and investment platform with a strong track record of investing in UK deeptech and life sciences companies and the venture capital funds that support these companies. 

    The British Growth Partnership will make the Bank’s extensive expertise available to a broader range of institutional investors, providing attractive returns for those investors and increasing the capital available for leading UK start-up and scale-up businesses.

    Duncan Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, Northern Gritstone said:

    We at Northern Gritstone believe that skilled partnerships that channel patient investment into long-term growth and innovation are more important than ever for the UK. 

    By establishing the British Growth Partnership, the British Business Bank is creating a pathway for pension funds and institutional investors to support the future today. Through investment we can create and scale the world class businesses of tomorrow in the UK which is the platform for growth for our economy over the decades to come.

    Irene Graham OBE, CEO, ScaleUp Institute said:

    The ScaleUp Institute has long evidenced the important role of development banks and Sovereign Wealth Funds to global scaleup economies.  The Government’s  placement of the British Business Bank commercial initiatives into permanency, with greater  flexibility, alongside the creation of the great British Growth Partnership are very much welcome and represent significant milestones for the UK economy. 

    Alongside a National Wealth Fund these entities and commitments should further address structural, regional and sectoral disparities and ensure our innovative scaling businesses across the country are better connected, at all stages of growth, to the vital patient capital and institutional funds to enable their global scale and continue to foster our international competitiveness.

    Lisa Quest, Managing Partner UK and Ireland, Oliver Wyman:

    Today’s announcement is a significant milestone for the UK economy. The National Wealth Fund will increase investment across key sectors and accelerate the UK’s clean energy transition. I look forward to the many contributions this initiative will unlock for years to come.

    Dr Rhian-Mari Thomas, Chair of the Taskforce and CEO of the Green Finance Institute said:

    The NWF creates an opportunity for simplification and scale. The challenge now is to ensure it delivers private capital at the pace we need, through innovative risk-sharing transactions in new technologies.

    On top of today’s announcements, the government expects both successful bidders of the Long-Term Investment for Technology and Science (LIFTS) competition, Schroders and ICG, to begin making investments via their new funds in late 2024. Supported by pensions capital from Phoenix Group, the aim is to generate over a billion pounds of investment into UK science and technology companies.

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Lessons for the next pandemic: where did Australia go right and wrong in responding to COVID?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Esterman, Professor of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of South Australia

    Igor Corovic/Shutterstock

    With COVID still classified as an ongoing pandemic, it’s difficult to contemplate the next one. But we need to be prepared. We’ve seen several pandemics in recent decades and it’s fair to expect we’ll see more.

    For the final part in a series of articles on the next pandemic, we’ve asked a range of experts what Australia got right and wrong it its response to COVID. Here they share their thoughts on the country’s COVID response – and what we can learn for the next pandemic.

    Quarantine

    The federal government mandated 14 days of quarantine for all international arrivals between March 2020 and November 2021. During that period, 452,550 people passed through the system.

    The states and Northern Territory were given just 48 hours to set up their quarantine systems. The states chose hotel quarantine, while the Northern Territory repurposed an old miner’s camp, Howard Springs, which had individual cabins with outdoor verandas. The ACT had very few international arrivals, while Tasmania only had hotel quarantine for domestic travellers.

    During the first 15 months of the program, at least 22 breaches occurred in five states (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia). An inquiry into Victoria’s hotel quarantine found the lack of warning and planning to set up the complex system resulted in breaches that caused Victoria’s second COVID wave of 2020, leading to almost 800 deaths. A breach at Sydney airport led to the introduction of the Delta variant into Australia.

    In the next pandemic, mistakes from COVID need to be avoided. They included failure to protect hotel residents and staff from airborne transmission through ventilation and mask usage. Protocols need to be consistent across the country, such as the type of security staff used, N95 masks for staff and testing frequency.

    These protocols need to be included in a national pandemic preparedness plan, which is frequently reviewed and tested through simulations. This did not occur with the pre-COVID preparedness plan.

    Dedicated quarantine centres like Howard Springs already exist in Victoria and Queensland. Ideally, they should be constructed in every jurisdiction.

    Michael Toole

    Treatments

    Scientists had to move quickly after COVID was discovered to find effective treatments.

    Many COVID treatments involved repurposing existing drugs designed for other viruses. For example, the HIV drug ritonavir is a key element of the antiviral Paxlovid, while remdesivir was originally developed to treat hepatitis C.

    At the outset of the pandemic, there was a lot of uncertainty about COVID treatment among Australian health professionals. To keep up with the rapidly developing science, the National Clinical Evidence Taskforce was established in March 2020. We were involved in its COVID response with more than 250 clinicians, consumers and researchers.

    Unusually for evidence-based guidelines, which are often updated only every five years or so, the taskforce’s guidelines were designed to be “living” – updated as new research became available. In April 2020 we released the first guidelines for care of people with COVID, and over the next three years these were updated more than 100 times.

    While health-care professionals always had access to up-to-date guidance on COVID treatments, this same information was not as accessible for the public. This may partly explain why many people turned to unproven treatments. The taskforce’s benefits could have been increased with funding to help the community understand COVID treatments.

    COVID drugs faced other obstacles too. For example, changes to the virus itself meant some treatments became less effective as new variants emerged. Meanwhile, provision of antiviral treatments has not been equitable across the country.

    COVID drugs have had important, though not game-changing, impacts. Ultimately, effective vaccines played a much greater role in shifting the course of the pandemic. But we might not be so fortunate next time.

    In any future pandemic it will be crucial to have a clear pathway for rapid, reliable methods to develop and evaluate new treatments, disseminate that research to clinicians, policymakers and the public, and ensure all Australians can access the treatments they need.

    Steven McGloughlin and Tari Turner, Monash University

    Vaccine rollout

    COVID vaccines were developed in record time, but rolling them out quickly and seamlessly proved to be a challenge. In Australia, there were several missteps along the way.

    First, there was poor preparation and execution. Detailed planning was not finalised until after the rollout had begun.

    Then the federal government had overly ambitious targets. For example, the goal of vaccinating four million people by the end of March 2021 fell drastically short, with less than one-fifth of that number actually vaccinated by that time.

    There were also supply issues, with the European Union blocking some deliveries to Australia.

    Unfortunately, the government was heavily reliant on the AstraZeneca vaccine, which was found, in rare cases, to lead to blood clots in younger people.

    Despite all this, Australia ultimately achieved high vaccination rates. By the end of December 2021, more than 94% of the population aged 16 and over had received at least one dose.

    This was a significant public health achievement and saved thousands of lives.

    But over the past couple of years, Australia’s initially strong vaccine uptake has been waning.

    The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation recommends booster doses for vulnerable groups annually or twice annually. However, only 30% of people aged 75 and over (for whom a booster is recommended every six months) have had a booster dose in the past six months.

    There are several lessons to be learned from the COVID vaccine rollout for any future pandemic, though it’s not entirely clear whether they are being heeded.

    For example, several manufacturers have developed updated COVID vaccines based on the JN.1 subvariant. But reports indicate the government will only be purchasing the Pfizer JN.1 booster. This doesn’t seem like the best approach to shore up vaccine supply.

    Adrian Esterman, University of South Australia

    Mode of transmission

    Nearly five years since SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID) first emerged, we now know airborne transmission plays a far greater role than we originally thought.

    In contrast, the risk of SARS-CoV-2 being transmitted via surfaces is likely to be low, and perhaps effectively non-existent in many situations.

    Early in the pandemic, the role contaminated surfaces and inanimate objects played in COVID transmission was overestimated. The main reason we got this wrong, at least initially, was that in the absence of any direct experience with SARS-CoV-2, we extrapolated what we believed to be true for other respiratory viruses. This was understandable, but it proved to be inadequate for predicting how SARS-CoV-2 would behave.

    One of the main consequences of overestimating the role of surface transmission was that it resulted in a lot of unnecessary anxiety and the adoption of what can only be viewed in retrospect as over-the-top cleaning practices. Remember the teams of people who walked the streets wiping down traffic light poles? How about the concern over reusable coffee cups?

    Considerable resources that could have been better invested elsewhere were directed towards disinfecting surfaces. This also potentially distracted our focus from other preventive measures that were likely to have been more effective, such as wearing masks.

    We now understand COVID spreads predominantly through the air.
    Kate Trifo/Pexels

    The focus on surface transmission was amplified by a number of studies published early in the pandemic that documented the survival of SARS-CoV-2 for long periods on surfaces. However, these were conducted in the lab with little similarity to real-world conditions. In particular, the amounts of virus placed on surfaces were greater than what people would likely encounter outside the lab. This inflated viral survival times and therefore the perception of risk.

    The emphasis on surface transmission early in the pandemic ultimately proved to be a miscalculation. It highlights the challenges in understanding how a new virus spreads.

    Hassan Vally, Deakin University

    National unity

    Initially, Commonwealth, state and territory leaders were relatively united in their response to the COVID pandemic. The establishment of the National Cabinet in March 2020 indicated a commitment to consensus-based public health policy. Meanwhile, different jurisdictions came together to deliver a range of measures aimed at supporting businesses and workers affected by COVID restrictions.

    But as the pandemic continued, tensions gave way to deeper ideological fractures between jurisdictions and individuals. The issues of vaccine mandates, border closures and lockdowns all created fragmentation between governments, and among experts.

    The blame game began between and within jurisdictions. For example, the politicisation of quarantine regulations on cruise ships revealed disunity. School closures, on which the Commonwealth and state and territory governments took different positions, also generated controversy.

    These and other instances of polarisation undermined the intent of the newly established National Cabinet.

    The COVID pandemic showed us that disunity across the country threatens the collective work needed for an effective response in the face of emergencies.

    The COVID response inquiry, due to release its results soon, will hopefully help us work toward national uniform legislation that may benefit Australia in the event of any future pandemics.

    This doesn’t necessarily mean identical legislation across the country – this won’t always be appropriate. But a cohesive, long-term approach is crucial to ensure the best outcomes for the Australian federation in its entirety.

    Guzyal Hill and Kim M Caudwell, Charles Darwin University

    This article is part of a series on the next pandemic.

    Adrian Esterman receives funding from the NHMRC, MRFF and ARC.

    Michael Toole receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council.

    Steven McGloughlin works with the Australian Living Evidence Collaboration and is a consultant for the World Health Organisation Health Emergencies Program.

    Tari Turner receives funding from MRFF; NHMRC; the Victorian, WA and Commonwealth governments; and philanthropy.

    Guzyal Hill, Hassan Vally, and Kim M Caudwell do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Lessons for the next pandemic: where did Australia go right and wrong in responding to COVID? – https://theconversation.com/lessons-for-the-next-pandemic-where-did-australia-go-right-and-wrong-in-responding-to-covid-239819

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Rwanda: EIB Global Backs Akagera Vaccine Development

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • €2 million support unlocks early-stage development of vaccine manufacturing.
    • Investment to accelerate development of vaccines against tuberculosis, HIV, Ebola and other diseases

    Early-stage vaccine development in Rwanda by Akagera Medicines Africa Limited will be supported by €2 million financing from the European Investment Bank (EIB Global). The new backing will accelerate research and development as well as manufacturing of new vaccines to treat infectious diseases including tuberculosis, HIV, Lassa fever, and Ebola.

    The new financing will also be used to strengthen technical skills and expertise of Rwanda based teams to support home-grown discovery, manufacturing, and development of vaccine delivery systems within Rwanda.

    The latest health financing from the EIB Global is part of the wider EU Global Gateway initiative for Africa and is designed to unlock crucial investment to improve access to public healthcare. EIB Global supports high impact investment to enhance healthcare and pharmaceutical manufacturing across Africa, strengthen health resilience on the continent, and support equitable access to healthcare in Africa.

    Africa bears the highest disease burden globally and more home-grown or continent based solutions need to be supported. Vaccination is a critical activity to ensure and guide investments in universal health and has a crucial role to play in achieving 14 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

    Akagera Medicines, Africa was established in Rwanda in July 2022 to develop the pharmaceutical sector in Rwanda and elsewhere in Africa. The company is majority-owned by the Republic of Rwanda through the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB).

    Speaking at the World Health Summit in Berlin, Germany, where the financing announcement was made, Michael Fairbanks, Chief Executive Officer of Akagera Medicines said: “We are a public private partnership and enjoy the support of Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) in Norway, the Gates Foundation, and the National Institute of Health in Washington. With the significant support of the European Investment Bank, we are now a clinical company and moving faster to build human capacity and specialized infrastructure in Africa to support vaccine development. “

    RSSB CEO, Regis Rugemanshuro said: “European Investment Bank’s financial support to Akagera Medicines represents an important contribution to the realization of Rwanda’s vision to become a biotech hub, and to the vision of Africa becoming self-reliant in vaccine and medicine manufacturing. RSSB is looking forward to deepening partnerships with EIB and other international institutions to build resilient healthcare ecosystems in Rwanda and in Africa.”

    EIB Vice President, Thomas Ostros said: “The partnership with Akagera demonstrates the European Investment Bank’s close cooperation with public and private partners to accelerate development of innovative solutions for combating deadly diseases and scaling up healthcare financing and delivery. The EIB is committed to further strengthening our partnership with local and international players, to scale up investment and support innovative technology together.”

    EU Ambassador to Rwanda Belen Calvo Uyarra, said: “Through Global Gateway, the EU is focused on advancing equitable access to health products and local manufacturing in Africa. This investment by EIB with Akagera Medicines marks another important milestone on this journey.”

    The financing to Akagera complements other EU initiatives in Rwanda and the region under the Global Gateway Flagship – Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines and Health Technologies (MAV+), which focus mainly on supporting the necessary ecosystem for vaccine manufacturing.

    This is supported by the EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund (EU-AITF), established to increase investment in infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa dedicated to projects in Africa with the aim of reducing poverty and fostering economic growth in the region.

    Background information

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals.

    EIB Global is the EIB Group’s specialised arm devoted to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance, and a key partner in Global Gateway. We aim to support €100 billion of investment by the end of 2027, around one third of the overall target of this EU initiative. With Team Europe, EIB Global fosters strong, focused partnerships, alongside fellow development finance institutions and civil society. EIB Global brings the Group closer to local people, companies and institutions through our offices around the world.

    About Akagera:

    Akagera Medicines develops novel liposomal formulations of drugs to treat tuberculosis, RSV, influenza, avian flu, and HIV. The clinical stage company was founded in 2018 in Kigali, Rwanda. It is well-funded, majority-owned by the people of Rwanda through the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), registered as a Delaware corporation, and has laboratories in Boston and San Francisco. Akagera registered a 100%-owned subsidiary in Kigali in 2022 to do manufacturing and clinical trials. Founding board members include Ambassador Dr. Albrecht Conze, Dr. Paul Farmer, and Dr. Donald Kaberuka. Dr. Daryl Drummond and Dr. Dimitri Kirpotin are cofounders who translate their successful delivery system from oncology to infectious diseases.

    EIB Global Backs Akagera Vaccine Development in Rwanda
    EIB Global Backs Akagera Vaccine Development in Rwanda
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    EIB Global Backs Akagera Vaccine Development in Rwanda
    EIB Global Backs Akagera Vaccine Development in Rwanda
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    EIB Global Backs Akagera Vaccine Development in Rwanda
    EIB Global Backs Akagera Vaccine Development in Rwanda
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    EIB Global Backs Akagera Vaccine Development in Rwanda
    EIB Global Backs Akagera Vaccine Development in Rwanda
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Publication of 2020 official development assistance figures by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (13 Apr. 2021)e publique au développement 2020 par le Comité d’aide au développement de l’OCDE (13.04.21)

    Source: Republic of France in English
    The Republic of France has issued the following statement:

    The Development Assistance Committee of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) today published preliminary data on global official development assistance (ODA) for 2020. With ODA at €12.4 billion, i.e. 0.53% of gross national income (GNI) – up by 10.9% in real terms compared to the previous year –, France remains in fifth place among international aid donors.

    In line with the French President’s commitment to increase France’s resources for protecting global public goods, French ODA rose for the sixth consecutive year (up €2.3 billion since the beginning of the five-year term).

    The increase in French ODA is mainly driven by bilateral assistance (up 20.8% in current euros compared to 2019). Bilateral funding in donations increased by 2%, in accordance with the targets set by the Interministerial Committee for International Cooperation and Development (CICID) in February 2018. Assistance for projects, enabling practical projects to be funded on the ground, tripled by comparison with 2019, particularly thanks to increased activity in non-C2D donations directly implemented by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and activity entrusted to the French Development Agency (AFD). Sub-Saharan Africa, which is central to France’s development policy, received a third of our bilateral ODA (€2.9 billion), up 40% compared to 2019. The bilateral ODA allocated by France to Least Developed Countries (LDCs) stands at €1.7 billion.

    France allocated €1.9 billion to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in developing countries in 2020 – more than the other European donors. In particular, through the AFD, it established a Health in Common Initiative worth €1.2 billion – €150 million of it in donations – which, among other things, improved care for patients and strengthened the capabilities of the Pasteur Institute’s reference laboratories in several sub-Saharan African countries.

    French ODA to international organizations and multilateral funds amounted to €4.4 billion (up 2.8%). Over half corresponded to France’s contribution to the ODA implemented by the European Union. This money also financed the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), Unitaid, Gavi The Vaccine Alliance’s Finance Facility and the Green Climate Fund. France stepped up its support to the least developed countries through its contribution to the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) and the African Development Fund (ADF).

    The programming bill on inclusive development and combating global inequalities, presented by the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs and adopted by the National Assembly on 2 March 2021, realizes France’s new ambition for development policy. Through increased resources and overhauled methods, it reflects the desire to ensure our action is effective on the ground, helping the most vulnerable people, and to mobilize our partners to take more robust action to protect global public goods (climate, health, education). The Senate is currently discussing the bill.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News Release – DOH Reports Additional Mpox Cases

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    News Release – DOH Reports Additional Mpox Cases

    Posted on Oct 11, 2024 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

    DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

    KA ʻOIHANA OLAKINO

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR

    KE KIA‘ĀINA

    KENNETH S. FINK, MD, MGA, MPH
    DIRECTOR

    KA LUNA HO‘OKELE

    DOH REPORTS ADDITIONAL MPOX CASES

    Mpox vaccination encouraged for anyone at risk

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    October 11, 2024                                                                                                    24-135

    HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) is reporting two additional cases of mpox diagnosed in Hawaiʻi. One case was associated with out-of-state exposure. In the other case, no out-of-state exposure or link to other prior cases was identified, suggesting the mpox infection was locally acquired.

    There have been seven mpox cases diagnosed in Hawai‘i in 2024. These additional cases bring the total number of cases reported to the Hawaiʻi DOH since June 3, 2022 to 53. Those at higher risk of mpox infection should consider being vaccinated with two doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine. JYNNEOS vaccination will be offered at this year’s Honolulu Pride Festival, Saturday Oct. 19 at the Waikīkī Shell.

    Health care providers in each county continue to vaccinate high-risk individuals. Additionally, retail pharmacy chains CVS and Walgreens now offer JYNNEOS vaccinations. Find a provider offering the vaccine here: https://health.hawaii.gov/mpox.

    Transmission

    The risk of mpox infection remains low for most Hawai‘i residents. Mpox is mainly spread through close, intimate contact with body fluids, lesion material or items used by someone with mpox. The infection may be spread through large respiratory droplets, which generally cannot travel more than a few feet, so prolonged contact is required.

    The current cases of clade II mpox, both nationally and in Hawai‘i, are primarily spreading among social networks of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. However, anyone who has close contact with someone with mpox is at risk of infection, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

    Ask new partners about their health, including recent rashes or sores. If you or your partner feel sick or have new or unexplained rashes or sores, avoid close contact with others until getting checked out by a health care provider. Don’t share bedding, clothing, or toothbrushes with people outside your household. If attending events with lots of direct, skin-to-skin contact, minimizing physical contact and partners can reduce risk.

    Symptoms, Testing and Treatment

    Individuals with mpox symptoms, including flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes, or new or unexplained rashes or sores, should immediately contact their health care provider. Testing and treatment are available. Persons without a health care provider can seek care at the STI/HIV Clinic at the Diamond Head Health Center.

    Public Health Monitoring for Clade I Mpox Virus

    On Aug. 14, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an ongoing clade I mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighboring countries a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). The clade I mpox has not been detected in the U.S. or Hawaiʻi and only few travel-associated cases have been identified to date outside the currently affected countries in central Africa.

    The Hawaiʻi Department of Health will continue to monitor for clade I mpox through investigation of all suspected mpox cases. Hawaiʻi residents traveling internationally are encouraged to review updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mpox vaccination recommendations and travel health notices.

    The JYNNEOS vaccine, which protects against clade II mpox, is also expected to protect against clade I mpox.

    Vaccination Recommendations

    The JYNNEOS vaccine is available statewide. For full protection, you should get two doses of JYNNEOS four weeks apart. Those at higher risk for mpox and who should consider being vaccinated include:

    • Individuals who meet both the following criteria:
      • Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, as well as transgender people who have sex with men; and
      • Have multiple or casual sex partners (such as through dating apps) or expect to have this mpox risk in the future.
    • People who have a sex partner in any of the categories described above;
    • Anyone with close contact in the last 14 days to a person with known or suspected mpox infection;
    • Travelers to a country with a clade I mpox outbreak who anticipate any of the following activities during travel, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation:
      • Sex with a new partner
      • Sex at a commercial sex venue (e.g., a sex club or bathhouse)
      • Sex in exchange for money, goods, drugs or other trade
      • Sex in association with a large public event (e.g., a rave, party, or festival)
    • Anyone in any of these categories who has received only one mpox vaccine dose.

    Vaccine Sites 

    Pharmacies 

    Vaccine Clinics 

    Oʻahu residents can contact:

    • Hawaiʻi Health & Harm Reduction Center (in Honolulu) at 808-521-2437
    • Kaiser Permanente, Māpunapuna Medical Office (in Honolulu) at 808-432-2000
    • Waikīkī Health at 808-922-4787

    Kauaʻi residents can contact:

    • Malama Pono Health Services (in Līhuʻe) at 808-246-9577

    Maui residents can contact:

    • Malama I Ke Ola Health Center (in Wailuku) at 808-871-7772

    Hawaiʻi Island residents can contact:

    • Hāmākua-Kohala Health Centers (in Honokaʻa) at 808-930-2751
    • Kumukahi Health + Wellness (in Hilo and Kona) at 808-982-8800

    On April 1, 2024, Bavarian Nordic commercially launched its JYNNEOS vaccine and opened ordering of the vaccine through commercial wholesalers. As a result, the JYNNEOS vaccine may potentially be accessed at other clinics and pharmacies. Those interested in getting mpox vaccination at other locations can call ahead to determine availability.

    Further information and updates can be found at health.hawaii.gov/mpox.

    # # #

    Media Contact:

    Kristen Wong

    Information Specialist

    Hawaiʻi State Department of Health

    808-586-4407

    [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News –