The commitment to health by country governments in the developing world has grown dramatically over the last two decades, according to a new study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington and Harvard Medical School.
Overall domestic government spending on health doubled in low-income countries over 12 years to reach $18 billion in 2006, the study shows. That is three times as much as the amount of development assistance for health the governments received.
"The fact that governments are committing more of their own resources to health is crucial," said Dr. Christopher Murray, IHME director and co-author of the study. "Aid from outside donors plays an important role but can fluctuate from year to year. Governments ultimately have to sustain themselves." Murray is a UW professor of global health.
The study, "Public financing of health in developing countries: a cross-national systematic analysis," appears in the April 9 online-first issue of the Lancet. Researchers analyzed spending data from developing countries and health aid data from agencies, multilateral institutions, such as the World Health Organization and the International Monetary Fund, and hundreds of nonprofit groups and charities.
They found that data on government health spending are often missing entire years of information and can be difficult to reconcile. After overcoming the data challenges, researchers were able to identify two distinct trends. First, in sub-Saharan Africa where many governments receive significant health aid directly, the aid appears to be in part replacing domestic health spending instead of fully supplementing it. The researchers found, in those countries, that for every $1 spent in health aid, governments shifted between 43 cents and $1.14 of their own funds to other priorities. Conversely, in countries where nongovernmental organizations receive most of the aid and then apply it to projects inside the country, government health spending appears to have increased. Both trends merit further research, the authors say.
"Right now, we don't know where all the money is going because the documentation is so poor," said Dr. Dean Jamison, one of the paper's co-authors. He is a UW professor of global health and co-leader of the Disease Priorities Network at the IHME. "Some governments may be channeling parts of their health budgets toward better sanitation or education. All we know is that it isn't going directly into the health budget."
To strengthen the effectiveness of the health aid system, the researchers make five recommendations:
adoption of a clear set of reporting standards for government health spending as source and spending in other health-related sectors
establishment of collaborative targets to maintain or increase the share of government expenditures going to health
investment in developing countries' capacity to effectively receive and spend health aid
careful assessment of the risks and benefits of expanded health aid to non-governmental sectors
study of the use of global price subsidies or product transfers as mechanisms for health aid
The study was written by lead author Dr. Chunling Lu, a Harvard Medical School instructor, and five IHME researchers. It will be unveiled April 9 at a roundtable meeting of representatives from aid organizations, governments, development banks, and research institutions at Imperial College in London.
"We are hoping that the lessons learned from countries that are investing more of their own money in their health systems can be applied where domestic health spending is declining," said Dr. Julio Frenk, IHME board chairman and dean of the faculty, Harvard University School of Public Health. "The worst outcome would be for people to lose faith in health aid, especially now when, as we can see in places such as Haiti, countries need extra help to make a tangible difference in people's lives."
IHME will further explore domestic health spending, track development assistance for health contributions, and forecast international spending on health aid in IHME's upcoming report, Financing Global Health 2010, to be published this summer.
Source:
William Heisel
University of Washington
вторник, 21 июня 2011 г.
понедельник, 20 июня 2011 г.
Saving Children From The Tragedy Of Landmines
Ridding the world of landmines and other explosive remnants of war could be accomplished in years instead of decades, saving thousands of children from devastating injuries and death, UNICEF said today on the first International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
The agency said explosive remnants of war, including landmines and unexploded ordnance, pose a huge threat to children and their communities in more than 80 countries, most of which are no longer in conflict. At least 20 per cent of the estimated 15,000-20,000 people who are killed or disabled each year by these deadly weapons of war are children.
But UNICEF said recent progress has renewed hope that the threat of explosive devices can be eliminated sooner than previously thought. The number of new victims has been decreasing over the last decade, due largely to increasing efforts by governments and NGOs to destroy and clear mines and to educate communities about their dangers. UNICEF said the continued support of donors and the public is vital to these initiatives.
"Wars are not truly over until children can play safely and walk to school without fear of landmines and other explosive remnants of war," UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman said in New York. "We cannot afford to reverse the gains that have brought us closer to making the battle against landmines a success story."
Landmines are designed to disable, immobilize or kill people travelling by foot or in motor vehicles. Other explosive remnants of war include unexploded ordnance - weapons such as grenades and cluster bombs that did not explode on impact but can still detonate - and weapons that are discarded in civilian areas by combatants, known as abandoned ordnance. These munitions outlast the conflicts during which they were planted and become hazards for innocent civilians, particularly for unsuspecting children who often make the fatal mistake of playing with the unfamiliar objects.
Children face the daily threat of explosion in every region of the world. Landmines are buried in nearly half of all villages in Cambodia, and in Lao PDR nearly one-quarter of all villages are contaminated with explosive remnants of war. Other countries that are among the most contaminated include Colombia, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Russian Federation (Chechnya), Iraq, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Children suffer debilitating physical injuries from mine explosions, often losing fingers, toes and limbs. Some are left blind or deaf. An estimated 85 per cent of child victims die before they can get medical attention. Many disabled victims lose opportunities to go to school, and often cannot afford rehabilitative care. The persisting threat of mines takes its toll on entire societies, perpetuating poverty and underdevelopment.
Progress in the battle against mines
More than three-quarters of the world's nations have ratified the Mine Ban Treaty since it came into force in 1999, outlawing the production, stockpiling and use of antipersonnel landmines. According to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, the number of countries thought to be producing, stockpiling and using landmines has dropped significantly over the last decade.
Antivehicle mines, unexploded ordnance and other types of explosive remnants of war are addressed in a new protocol to the Convention on Conventional Weapons. Approved three years ago, Protocol V on Explosive Remnants of War is the first international agreement obligating parties to conflict to clear explosive munitions that threaten civilians after war has ended. The Protocol will enter into force once it has been ratified by four more countries.
According to UNICEF, an increasing number of mine-affected countries have been involved in mine action over the last decade, which includes a range of efforts to find and destroy explosive remnants of war, assist victims, and raise awareness about their dangers.
UNICEF supports and implements mine action activities in over 30 countries, and believes that mine-risk education is key to preventing the death and disabling of children. Through programmes brought to their schools and communities, children are taught how to live safely in areas contaminated with landmines and other explosive remnants of war.
"The tragedy of children being wounded or killed in landmine explosions is preventable," Veneman said. "We must work together to help ensure that children do not face these horrors in the future."
For 60 years UNICEF has been the world's leader for children, working on the ground in 155 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
Note to Broadcasters: B-roll on landmines is available at thenewsmarket/unicef.
Note to editors: The International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action was declared by the UN General Assembly to help raise awareness about landmines and efforts to eradicate them. UNICEF is one of 14 UN entities working together on mine action services. Activities to commemorate the day are happening in 29 mine-affected countries. In New York, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Danny Glover will join UN experts and mine activists for a panel discussion on landmines and UXO. Find out more at mineaction
unicef
The agency said explosive remnants of war, including landmines and unexploded ordnance, pose a huge threat to children and their communities in more than 80 countries, most of which are no longer in conflict. At least 20 per cent of the estimated 15,000-20,000 people who are killed or disabled each year by these deadly weapons of war are children.
But UNICEF said recent progress has renewed hope that the threat of explosive devices can be eliminated sooner than previously thought. The number of new victims has been decreasing over the last decade, due largely to increasing efforts by governments and NGOs to destroy and clear mines and to educate communities about their dangers. UNICEF said the continued support of donors and the public is vital to these initiatives.
"Wars are not truly over until children can play safely and walk to school without fear of landmines and other explosive remnants of war," UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman said in New York. "We cannot afford to reverse the gains that have brought us closer to making the battle against landmines a success story."
Landmines are designed to disable, immobilize or kill people travelling by foot or in motor vehicles. Other explosive remnants of war include unexploded ordnance - weapons such as grenades and cluster bombs that did not explode on impact but can still detonate - and weapons that are discarded in civilian areas by combatants, known as abandoned ordnance. These munitions outlast the conflicts during which they were planted and become hazards for innocent civilians, particularly for unsuspecting children who often make the fatal mistake of playing with the unfamiliar objects.
Children face the daily threat of explosion in every region of the world. Landmines are buried in nearly half of all villages in Cambodia, and in Lao PDR nearly one-quarter of all villages are contaminated with explosive remnants of war. Other countries that are among the most contaminated include Colombia, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Russian Federation (Chechnya), Iraq, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Children suffer debilitating physical injuries from mine explosions, often losing fingers, toes and limbs. Some are left blind or deaf. An estimated 85 per cent of child victims die before they can get medical attention. Many disabled victims lose opportunities to go to school, and often cannot afford rehabilitative care. The persisting threat of mines takes its toll on entire societies, perpetuating poverty and underdevelopment.
Progress in the battle against mines
More than three-quarters of the world's nations have ratified the Mine Ban Treaty since it came into force in 1999, outlawing the production, stockpiling and use of antipersonnel landmines. According to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, the number of countries thought to be producing, stockpiling and using landmines has dropped significantly over the last decade.
Antivehicle mines, unexploded ordnance and other types of explosive remnants of war are addressed in a new protocol to the Convention on Conventional Weapons. Approved three years ago, Protocol V on Explosive Remnants of War is the first international agreement obligating parties to conflict to clear explosive munitions that threaten civilians after war has ended. The Protocol will enter into force once it has been ratified by four more countries.
According to UNICEF, an increasing number of mine-affected countries have been involved in mine action over the last decade, which includes a range of efforts to find and destroy explosive remnants of war, assist victims, and raise awareness about their dangers.
UNICEF supports and implements mine action activities in over 30 countries, and believes that mine-risk education is key to preventing the death and disabling of children. Through programmes brought to their schools and communities, children are taught how to live safely in areas contaminated with landmines and other explosive remnants of war.
"The tragedy of children being wounded or killed in landmine explosions is preventable," Veneman said. "We must work together to help ensure that children do not face these horrors in the future."
For 60 years UNICEF has been the world's leader for children, working on the ground in 155 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
Note to Broadcasters: B-roll on landmines is available at thenewsmarket/unicef.
Note to editors: The International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action was declared by the UN General Assembly to help raise awareness about landmines and efforts to eradicate them. UNICEF is one of 14 UN entities working together on mine action services. Activities to commemorate the day are happening in 29 mine-affected countries. In New York, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Danny Glover will join UN experts and mine activists for a panel discussion on landmines and UXO. Find out more at mineaction
unicef
воскресенье, 19 июня 2011 г.
American Red Cross Steps Up Relief For Survivors Of Myanmar Cyclone
The American Red Cross will receive a contribution of $1 million from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to assist the people affected by Cyclone Nargis. This brings the American Red Cross commitment to this international disaster response to $1.25 million.
"Our hearts go out to the families who have been impacted by this crisis," said David Meltzer, senior vice president, International Services of the American Red Cross. "Through this collaboration with USAID, we will be able to strengthen our relief efforts and provide urgently needed supplies to those in the affected area."
Since the storm struck, volunteers from the Myanmar Red Cross have been distributing relief items such as tarps, insecticide-treated mosquito nets, drinking water and water-purification tablets to survivors. Teams from the Myanmar Red Cross have also been surveying some of hardest-hit communities along the Irrawaddy delta, assessing the damage and funneling aid to those in need.
"USAID is pleased to work with the American Red Cross to provide assistance to the Burmese people," said USAID Administrator Henrietta H. Fore. "Many have suffered a great deal during and in the aftermath of the storm, and we offer our support and assistance in their time of need."
The American Red Cross is working with its partners in the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to facilitate the shipment of supplies-such as tarps, hygiene kits and insecticide-treated bed nets- from a warehouse in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. An initial shipment, including shelter kits, is expected to arrive in country tomorrow.
There has been extensive damage to infrastructure and roads, and access through air and sea ports has been disrupted. As access opens, the American Red Cross will continue to work with its partners to expedite the relief supplies and determine additional means of supporting the ongoing relief efforts.
You can help those affected by countless crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. Call 1-800-RED CROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the International Response Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting redcross. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit redcross or join our blog at redcrosschat.
American Red Cross
"Our hearts go out to the families who have been impacted by this crisis," said David Meltzer, senior vice president, International Services of the American Red Cross. "Through this collaboration with USAID, we will be able to strengthen our relief efforts and provide urgently needed supplies to those in the affected area."
Since the storm struck, volunteers from the Myanmar Red Cross have been distributing relief items such as tarps, insecticide-treated mosquito nets, drinking water and water-purification tablets to survivors. Teams from the Myanmar Red Cross have also been surveying some of hardest-hit communities along the Irrawaddy delta, assessing the damage and funneling aid to those in need.
"USAID is pleased to work with the American Red Cross to provide assistance to the Burmese people," said USAID Administrator Henrietta H. Fore. "Many have suffered a great deal during and in the aftermath of the storm, and we offer our support and assistance in their time of need."
The American Red Cross is working with its partners in the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to facilitate the shipment of supplies-such as tarps, hygiene kits and insecticide-treated bed nets- from a warehouse in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. An initial shipment, including shelter kits, is expected to arrive in country tomorrow.
There has been extensive damage to infrastructure and roads, and access through air and sea ports has been disrupted. As access opens, the American Red Cross will continue to work with its partners to expedite the relief supplies and determine additional means of supporting the ongoing relief efforts.
You can help those affected by countless crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. Call 1-800-RED CROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the International Response Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting redcross. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit redcross or join our blog at redcrosschat.
American Red Cross
суббота, 18 июня 2011 г.
Zimbabwean Antiretroviral Drug Manufacturers Seeking WHO Certification To Receive U.N. Funding
Zimbabwean antiretroviral drug manufacturers are seeking certification from the World Health Organization to receive U.N. and other multilateral agency funding to produce more affordable antiretroviral drugs, Amon Mpofu, evaluation and monitoring manager for the country's National AIDS Council, said last week at the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists' annual meeting, the Herald/AllAfrica reports (Herald/AllAfrica, 9/12). According to Mpofu, 600,000 HIV-positive people in Zimbabwe need treatment. He added that the country's antiretroviral program at the end of 2005 was able to provide treatment for 32,000 people, instead of 60,000 as planned, partly because of the shortage of foreign currency. Mpofu also announced that Zimbabwe's AIDS levy, which aims to raise money for HIV/AIDS programs, has yielded roughly $1.7 million since NAC was created in 1999. Zimbabwe was the first country in southern Africa to implement a levy for HIV/AIDS funding (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 9/12). The capacity of local drug manufacturers to produce antiretrovirals is "limited because raw materials [needed to produce the drugs] require foreign currency," Mpofu said, adding that local manufacturers "are not getting funding from NAC because they are not WHO-certified, something that is a requirement for a company to get funding from United Nations agencies." According to Mpofu, some local companies have been certified by WHO but still need to be reviewed by the United Nations to receive funding (Herald/AllAfrica, 9/12).
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
пятница, 17 июня 2011 г.
American Academy Of Ophthalmology Responds To The Haiti Earthquake
Reports from Haitian ophthalmologists tell of practices destroyed, a shortage of supplies and equipment, and an increased demand for ophthalmic care. To respond to the urgent and ongoing need for quality eye care in Haiti and to coordinate ophthalmic recovery efforts, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (Academy) has formed the Task Force on Haiti Recovery.
The task force is led by former Academy president Michael W. Brennan, MD, a military veteran with unique humanitarian experience in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is comprised of Academy members and will be in close collaboration with the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology (PAAO), the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and the Association of Haitian Physicians Abroad. All of the task force members have direct connections and experience in Haiti or with strategic partners in humanitarian relief.
In the coming months, the task force will work closely with Haitian leadership - the Haitian Society of Ophthalmology and the University of Haiti Eye Hospital - in a cooperative effort to facilitate the recovery of ophthalmic practice and delivery of eye care.
Through financial and equipment donations and in conjunction with PAAO, the Academy is undertaking a campaign to provide five portable eye units to ophthalmologists in Haiti. Portable eye units can be carried by an individual ophthalmologist and will facilitate microscopic evaluations of the eye, treatment of lacerations, removal of foreign bodies, injections and other severe eye conditions, outside of a clinic or university setting.
Mildred Olivier, MD, is a Haitian-American ophthalmologist and task force member currently assisting in relief efforts in Haiti. "We have met with our Haitian colleagues and are working to rebuild their capability to practice," reports Dr. Olivier. "Many of their clinics have been destroyed. They need a way to bring the care to the patient."
To support the campaign, the Foundation of the Academy has established a Disaster Relief Fund to provide ophthalmic resources and facilitate much-needed patient care. All of the funds collected will be used for Haitian recovery efforts. In addition, the Academy will be working to coordinate the deployment of ophthalmologists interested in volunteering with federal and private sector organizations responding to the earthquake. Volunteer information will be found on the Haiti Earthquake Relief section of the Academy's website, along with relevant relief efforts and firsthand member reports from the field.
"As a result of the disaster, many ophthalmologists currently lack the equipment and structure to provide quality patient care," said David W. Parke II, MD, executive vice president and CEO of the Academy. "By working closely with our colleagues in Haiti, we hope to ease the difficulty in providing eye care and support the rebuilding of ophthalmic education in the future."
Source
American Academy of Ophthalmology
The task force is led by former Academy president Michael W. Brennan, MD, a military veteran with unique humanitarian experience in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is comprised of Academy members and will be in close collaboration with the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology (PAAO), the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and the Association of Haitian Physicians Abroad. All of the task force members have direct connections and experience in Haiti or with strategic partners in humanitarian relief.
In the coming months, the task force will work closely with Haitian leadership - the Haitian Society of Ophthalmology and the University of Haiti Eye Hospital - in a cooperative effort to facilitate the recovery of ophthalmic practice and delivery of eye care.
Through financial and equipment donations and in conjunction with PAAO, the Academy is undertaking a campaign to provide five portable eye units to ophthalmologists in Haiti. Portable eye units can be carried by an individual ophthalmologist and will facilitate microscopic evaluations of the eye, treatment of lacerations, removal of foreign bodies, injections and other severe eye conditions, outside of a clinic or university setting.
Mildred Olivier, MD, is a Haitian-American ophthalmologist and task force member currently assisting in relief efforts in Haiti. "We have met with our Haitian colleagues and are working to rebuild their capability to practice," reports Dr. Olivier. "Many of their clinics have been destroyed. They need a way to bring the care to the patient."
To support the campaign, the Foundation of the Academy has established a Disaster Relief Fund to provide ophthalmic resources and facilitate much-needed patient care. All of the funds collected will be used for Haitian recovery efforts. In addition, the Academy will be working to coordinate the deployment of ophthalmologists interested in volunteering with federal and private sector organizations responding to the earthquake. Volunteer information will be found on the Haiti Earthquake Relief section of the Academy's website, along with relevant relief efforts and firsthand member reports from the field.
"As a result of the disaster, many ophthalmologists currently lack the equipment and structure to provide quality patient care," said David W. Parke II, MD, executive vice president and CEO of the Academy. "By working closely with our colleagues in Haiti, we hope to ease the difficulty in providing eye care and support the rebuilding of ophthalmic education in the future."
Source
American Academy of Ophthalmology
четверг, 16 июня 2011 г.
Health Experts Come Together To Address Pandemic, Avian Influenza, Outline The Outlook Of Infectious Diseases Threats And Strategies For Containment
An update on the
government's avian and pandemic influenza preparedness efforts was given
today by leading infectious disease experts from around the country at a
news conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The news
conference, sponsored by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
(NFID), addressed key issues and developments in the control and prevention
of emerging infectious diseases, as well as highlighted global health risks
of foodborne and water-related illnesses and the threat of multi-drug
resistant tuberculosis.
"Emerging, and in some cases re-emerging, infectious diseases, notably
avian and pandemic influenza, pose a very serious threat to the nation's
public health," said Susan J. Rehm, MD, NFID Medical Director and Vice
Chair, Department of Infectious Disease, at the Cleveland Clinic. "As
health care professionals, we need to continue to identify these threats
and take the necessary steps to respond quickly and effectively."
Addressing the prospect of an influenza pandemic, Carole A. Heilman,
PhD, director, division of microbiology and infectious diseases, at the
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National
Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health and Human Services
discussed how NIAID is leading efforts to help bolster the nation's
pandemic influenza preparedness, including activities exploring cell-based
vaccines; expanding the domestic capacity for influenza vaccines;
developing point-of-care diagnostics; supporting influenza antivirals; and
advancing surge capacity for producing H5N1 vaccines. "NIAID is exploring
all avenues to ensure that the infrastructure is in place to act on an
influenza pandemic in this country," stated Dr. Heilman. NIAID is the lead
NIH institute for pandemic influenza preparedness efforts.
Additional topics discussed at the 12th Richard J. Duma/NFID Annual
News Conference and Symposium on Infectious Diseases included:
-- New Therapeutic Regimens in the Fight Against Multi-drug Resistant
Tuberculosis: Michael D. Iseman, MD, professor of medicine, National
Jewish Medical Center and Research Center in Denver, Colorado,
discussed the threat of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis and new
therapeutic strategies to help address the growing need to control
tuberculosis and reduce barriers to accessing these regimens.
"Since the introduction of the fluorquinolones in the 1980's there have
been no significant advances in the treatment of tuberculosis," stated Dr.
Iseman. "With the emergence of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, this is a
critical juncture in our efforts to control this disease."
-- Vaccine Financing Issues: Jerome O. Klein, MD, professor of pediatrics
at Boston University School of Medicine, discussed the rising costs of
vaccines in this country and concerns regarding continued access to
safe and effective vaccines.
-- Foodborne and Water-related Diseases: A National and Global Update:
James M. Hughes, MD, professor of medicine and public health, Rollins
School of Public Health at Emory University, the director of the Emory
Program in Global Infectious Diseases and the Emory Center for Global
Safe Water, provided an overview of the increasing prevalence and
public health risks of foodborne illnesses caused by a variety of
bacteria, viruses and parasites, and water-related diseases associated
with drinking water, water not intended for drinking, and recreational
water.
About the News Conference and Symposium
The 12th Richard J. Duma/NFID Annual News Conference and Symposium on
Infectious Diseases was supported, in part, by unrestricted educational
grants to NFID from the Biotechnology Industry Organization,
GlaxoSmithKline, sanofi pasteur, and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. This event is
named for former NFID president and executive director Richard J. Duma, MD,
PhD, currently director of infectious diseases at Halifax Medical Center in
Daytona Beach, FL.
About the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is a non-profit,
tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1973 and dedicated to
educating the public and healthcare professionals about the causes,
treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. For more information,
please visit nfid.
National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
nfid
government's avian and pandemic influenza preparedness efforts was given
today by leading infectious disease experts from around the country at a
news conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The news
conference, sponsored by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
(NFID), addressed key issues and developments in the control and prevention
of emerging infectious diseases, as well as highlighted global health risks
of foodborne and water-related illnesses and the threat of multi-drug
resistant tuberculosis.
"Emerging, and in some cases re-emerging, infectious diseases, notably
avian and pandemic influenza, pose a very serious threat to the nation's
public health," said Susan J. Rehm, MD, NFID Medical Director and Vice
Chair, Department of Infectious Disease, at the Cleveland Clinic. "As
health care professionals, we need to continue to identify these threats
and take the necessary steps to respond quickly and effectively."
Addressing the prospect of an influenza pandemic, Carole A. Heilman,
PhD, director, division of microbiology and infectious diseases, at the
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National
Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health and Human Services
discussed how NIAID is leading efforts to help bolster the nation's
pandemic influenza preparedness, including activities exploring cell-based
vaccines; expanding the domestic capacity for influenza vaccines;
developing point-of-care diagnostics; supporting influenza antivirals; and
advancing surge capacity for producing H5N1 vaccines. "NIAID is exploring
all avenues to ensure that the infrastructure is in place to act on an
influenza pandemic in this country," stated Dr. Heilman. NIAID is the lead
NIH institute for pandemic influenza preparedness efforts.
Additional topics discussed at the 12th Richard J. Duma/NFID Annual
News Conference and Symposium on Infectious Diseases included:
-- New Therapeutic Regimens in the Fight Against Multi-drug Resistant
Tuberculosis: Michael D. Iseman, MD, professor of medicine, National
Jewish Medical Center and Research Center in Denver, Colorado,
discussed the threat of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis and new
therapeutic strategies to help address the growing need to control
tuberculosis and reduce barriers to accessing these regimens.
"Since the introduction of the fluorquinolones in the 1980's there have
been no significant advances in the treatment of tuberculosis," stated Dr.
Iseman. "With the emergence of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, this is a
critical juncture in our efforts to control this disease."
-- Vaccine Financing Issues: Jerome O. Klein, MD, professor of pediatrics
at Boston University School of Medicine, discussed the rising costs of
vaccines in this country and concerns regarding continued access to
safe and effective vaccines.
-- Foodborne and Water-related Diseases: A National and Global Update:
James M. Hughes, MD, professor of medicine and public health, Rollins
School of Public Health at Emory University, the director of the Emory
Program in Global Infectious Diseases and the Emory Center for Global
Safe Water, provided an overview of the increasing prevalence and
public health risks of foodborne illnesses caused by a variety of
bacteria, viruses and parasites, and water-related diseases associated
with drinking water, water not intended for drinking, and recreational
water.
About the News Conference and Symposium
The 12th Richard J. Duma/NFID Annual News Conference and Symposium on
Infectious Diseases was supported, in part, by unrestricted educational
grants to NFID from the Biotechnology Industry Organization,
GlaxoSmithKline, sanofi pasteur, and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. This event is
named for former NFID president and executive director Richard J. Duma, MD,
PhD, currently director of infectious diseases at Halifax Medical Center in
Daytona Beach, FL.
About the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is a non-profit,
tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1973 and dedicated to
educating the public and healthcare professionals about the causes,
treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. For more information,
please visit nfid.
National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
nfid
среда, 15 июня 2011 г.
Creating A Nationwide Capability To Share And Standardize Life-saving Emergency Data In Real Time
Natural disasters - like toddlers with crayons - leave a mess all over the map, spilling across federal, state, and local lines. To clean up, different agencies and jurisdictions must come together and share what they know.
But far too often, critical information goes unseen by those who need it most: our emergency responders.
In the past, there were incidents where deficiencies in communication caused problems for the emergency response community. In one case, while the National Guard was dispatching hundreds of trucks to a hurricane-ravaged area in the Southeast, drivers were unaware of a key road closure. In another instance, a neighboring state did not receive notification that planned evacuation routes were jammed with fleeing motorists. And at times, responders hurrying to aid residents outside their jurisdictions had limited information on what local resources were available.
Even though many authorities track incident management data, these records typically are walled off from one another by incompatible computer systems, proprietary technological platforms, or simply a culture of reluctance to share information.
Recognizing this urgent predicament, the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) is working on a solution. Led by Dr. David Boyd, director of the Command, Control, and Interoperability Division (CCI) within S&T, and patterned after the state of Alabama's Virtual Alabama program, the project has been dubbed "Virtual USA" (vUSA). Its goal: to create a nationwide capability to share and standardize life-saving emergency data in real time.
A collaboration among CCI, first responders, and state governments, vUSA provides a 3-D platform of interactive maps that displays the location and status of critical assets - helicopter landing sites, evacuation routes, shelters, gas supplies, water lines, power grids, and everything in between. Whether you're a county firefighter on the scene, a state-based EMT en route, or a federal FEMA official at your desk, the system equips responders at all levels with the same richly detailed data.
This coordination makes information sharing more comprehensive and decision making more informed, which is why vUSA was included in the recently announced White House Open Government Initiative, which emphasizes transparency, participation, and collaboration.
But one of vUSA's most exciting attributes is platform agnosticism - the ability to integrate disparate data sources seamlessly (as long as the sources use the same standards). To a layman, this might not sound like a big deal. But to a first responder, who must contend with Alabama's preference for Google Earth, Virginia's need for ArcGIS, and X's comfort with Y, interoperability constitutes a revolution.
Most importantly, the price is right. Typically, when an IT department is told it needs a new software system, what it hears is a request for a large amount of money.
Since February, Virtual USA has been operating as a pilot program in eight southeastern states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. In September, CCI met with five northwestern states (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and Wyoming), followed by talks with six northeastern states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Vermont) earlier this month. The goal: to match the number of vUSA states with the number of stars on the American flag.
Yet, according to Boyd, standing up an interstate initiative rivals the difficulty of running it. "Just to socialize the concept of data-sharing - to get everyone communicating, to localize solutions - takes six months," he says. But that's not the end of the process. A plenary meeting for technical and governance matters comes next, after which a plan is designed. By this time, almost a year has passed.
Indeed, the chief challenge that vUSA faces isn't the lack of data. It's the lack of interoperable data. In order for data to be shared, you need to get people to share them. Put another way, mastering the software is the easy part. Getting human beings to collaborate is the hard part.
"Too many federal and state programs fall short of their potential because they're driven from the top-down without buy-in at the local level," Boyd continues. So in order to facilitate steadfast local participation, vUSA starts from a set of three principles:
You collect it; you own it. If, for example, a county funds and processes the collection of aerial photographs, then the county - not Washington - owns these data.
You own it; you control it. Decisions related to who the data is shared with - and when, how, and what to share - are at the discretion of the data's owner.
You control it; you make the rules. Instead of having to adapt your data to accommodate others, you can continue to use your existing software and do business your way.
Shaped by this bottom-up foundation, Virtual USA is helping responders across the country to communicate better, and to work together.
Source:
John Verrico
US Department of Homeland Security - Science and Technology
But far too often, critical information goes unseen by those who need it most: our emergency responders.
In the past, there were incidents where deficiencies in communication caused problems for the emergency response community. In one case, while the National Guard was dispatching hundreds of trucks to a hurricane-ravaged area in the Southeast, drivers were unaware of a key road closure. In another instance, a neighboring state did not receive notification that planned evacuation routes were jammed with fleeing motorists. And at times, responders hurrying to aid residents outside their jurisdictions had limited information on what local resources were available.
Even though many authorities track incident management data, these records typically are walled off from one another by incompatible computer systems, proprietary technological platforms, or simply a culture of reluctance to share information.
Recognizing this urgent predicament, the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) is working on a solution. Led by Dr. David Boyd, director of the Command, Control, and Interoperability Division (CCI) within S&T, and patterned after the state of Alabama's Virtual Alabama program, the project has been dubbed "Virtual USA" (vUSA). Its goal: to create a nationwide capability to share and standardize life-saving emergency data in real time.
A collaboration among CCI, first responders, and state governments, vUSA provides a 3-D platform of interactive maps that displays the location and status of critical assets - helicopter landing sites, evacuation routes, shelters, gas supplies, water lines, power grids, and everything in between. Whether you're a county firefighter on the scene, a state-based EMT en route, or a federal FEMA official at your desk, the system equips responders at all levels with the same richly detailed data.
This coordination makes information sharing more comprehensive and decision making more informed, which is why vUSA was included in the recently announced White House Open Government Initiative, which emphasizes transparency, participation, and collaboration.
But one of vUSA's most exciting attributes is platform agnosticism - the ability to integrate disparate data sources seamlessly (as long as the sources use the same standards). To a layman, this might not sound like a big deal. But to a first responder, who must contend with Alabama's preference for Google Earth, Virginia's need for ArcGIS, and X's comfort with Y, interoperability constitutes a revolution.
Most importantly, the price is right. Typically, when an IT department is told it needs a new software system, what it hears is a request for a large amount of money.
Since February, Virtual USA has been operating as a pilot program in eight southeastern states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. In September, CCI met with five northwestern states (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and Wyoming), followed by talks with six northeastern states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Vermont) earlier this month. The goal: to match the number of vUSA states with the number of stars on the American flag.
Yet, according to Boyd, standing up an interstate initiative rivals the difficulty of running it. "Just to socialize the concept of data-sharing - to get everyone communicating, to localize solutions - takes six months," he says. But that's not the end of the process. A plenary meeting for technical and governance matters comes next, after which a plan is designed. By this time, almost a year has passed.
Indeed, the chief challenge that vUSA faces isn't the lack of data. It's the lack of interoperable data. In order for data to be shared, you need to get people to share them. Put another way, mastering the software is the easy part. Getting human beings to collaborate is the hard part.
"Too many federal and state programs fall short of their potential because they're driven from the top-down without buy-in at the local level," Boyd continues. So in order to facilitate steadfast local participation, vUSA starts from a set of three principles:
You collect it; you own it. If, for example, a county funds and processes the collection of aerial photographs, then the county - not Washington - owns these data.
You own it; you control it. Decisions related to who the data is shared with - and when, how, and what to share - are at the discretion of the data's owner.
You control it; you make the rules. Instead of having to adapt your data to accommodate others, you can continue to use your existing software and do business your way.
Shaped by this bottom-up foundation, Virtual USA is helping responders across the country to communicate better, and to work together.
Source:
John Verrico
US Department of Homeland Security - Science and Technology
вторник, 14 июня 2011 г.
"Aid Snobbery" Hampering Projects In Developing Countries
Snobbery over aid projects is preventing charitable groups from working together in developing countries, warns a doctor in this week's BMJ.
Daniel Magnus, a senior house officer at Southmead Hospital in Bristol describes the Kenyan Orphan Project - a small group started by him and two friends that sends doctors, nurses and medical students to Kenya to help with health, education, and social welfare programmes. Their most recent trip was in July to run a series of free medical camps in one of the most impoverished areas in the country.
"We have observed in that time a persistent and insidious phenomenon which is essentially aid snobbery," he writes.
The problem is that aid and development work is big business, and in the arguments and snobbery and wrangling over who is more sensitive to the local culture or having the least negative effects on the local economy, all cooperation and collaboration is lost, he says.
"As we have seen worldwide, organisations end up repeating and overlapping their aid and development initiatives to the tune of millions of dollars."
"I appreciate that there is enormous potential for organisations to have damaging and destructive effects in developing countries, despite the best of intentions," he adds. "But in five years, I have seen very few to whom this applies, and yet the snobbery is ubiquitous."
This trip did not provide a sustainable or lasting solution to the disease and social and economic deprivation that have a stranglehold on thousands of people living in the province. But it is a step, and it is action, he writes. "In partnership with local organisations and by supporting health initiatives in the area, we can move forward, repeat the medical camps, and look at ways to build long term, viable health and community programmes."
Surely, charitable groups can best maximise their contribution to the causes in which they believe so fervently by working together to streamline their activities, increase their efficiency, ad minimise administration costs. This can only be done by accepting and respecting others' activities and approaches.
"The key is to stay focused on working for, and in the interests of, the people we are trying to help. And whether or not a world without poverty and suffering can ever truly exist, it is our continuing duty to try to build one," he concludes.
Click here to view full article: press.psprings/bmj/september/pv503.pdf
Click here to view full contents for this week's print journal:
press.psprings/bmj/september/contents.pdf
BMA House, Tavistock Sq
WC1H 9JP
United Kingdom
bmj
Daniel Magnus, a senior house officer at Southmead Hospital in Bristol describes the Kenyan Orphan Project - a small group started by him and two friends that sends doctors, nurses and medical students to Kenya to help with health, education, and social welfare programmes. Their most recent trip was in July to run a series of free medical camps in one of the most impoverished areas in the country.
"We have observed in that time a persistent and insidious phenomenon which is essentially aid snobbery," he writes.
The problem is that aid and development work is big business, and in the arguments and snobbery and wrangling over who is more sensitive to the local culture or having the least negative effects on the local economy, all cooperation and collaboration is lost, he says.
"As we have seen worldwide, organisations end up repeating and overlapping their aid and development initiatives to the tune of millions of dollars."
"I appreciate that there is enormous potential for organisations to have damaging and destructive effects in developing countries, despite the best of intentions," he adds. "But in five years, I have seen very few to whom this applies, and yet the snobbery is ubiquitous."
This trip did not provide a sustainable or lasting solution to the disease and social and economic deprivation that have a stranglehold on thousands of people living in the province. But it is a step, and it is action, he writes. "In partnership with local organisations and by supporting health initiatives in the area, we can move forward, repeat the medical camps, and look at ways to build long term, viable health and community programmes."
Surely, charitable groups can best maximise their contribution to the causes in which they believe so fervently by working together to streamline their activities, increase their efficiency, ad minimise administration costs. This can only be done by accepting and respecting others' activities and approaches.
"The key is to stay focused on working for, and in the interests of, the people we are trying to help. And whether or not a world without poverty and suffering can ever truly exist, it is our continuing duty to try to build one," he concludes.
Click here to view full article: press.psprings/bmj/september/pv503.pdf
Click here to view full contents for this week's print journal:
press.psprings/bmj/september/contents.pdf
BMA House, Tavistock Sq
WC1H 9JP
United Kingdom
bmj
понедельник, 13 июня 2011 г.
Study Shows Devastating Impact Of 2009 Israel Attack On Gaza Strip
The devastating impact of the 2009 Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip is detailed by one of the Abstracts published Online by The Lancet, written by Dr Niveen Abu-Rmeileh, Institute of Community and Public Health-Birzeit University, West Bank, occupied Palestinian territory, and colleagues.
The authors analysed health-related quality of life in terms of health before and after the invasion, and factors associated with poor quality of life; and the most urgent needs of a representative sample of adults living in the Gaza strip. They collected data using a randomly selected survey of oPt households, which consisted of questions in three sections about demographic, socioeconomic, and health information about all members of the household; housing characteristics, amenities, access to basic services, and events taking place during and after the attacks; and quality of life, distress, insecurities, and threats (with focus on adults ?‰?18 years). Some questions were specifically about the periods 6 months before the invasion, during the invasion, and 6 months after the invasion. The prevalence of all injuries and disabilities irrespective of the cause were extracted from different questions.
A representative sample of 3017 households (1% of total households within the Gaza Strip) were visited, with a response rate of 97%. Almost a third of the sample population was displaced during the war, while 39% of these 3017 homes were completely (1%) or partly (38%) destroyed. Three quarters of these homes had yet to be repaired at the end of the study (by August 29, 2009). 137 (0???7%) household members had injuries from various causes: Three-quarters of these were caused by the war (from the start of the attack until the time of the survey [July 14, to Aug 29, 2009]); and 4% of 321 disabilities were caused by the attack. More than seven in ten homes were reliant on food aid.
Quality of life was rated as less than good (out of five categories very good, good, neither good nor poor, poor, very poor) by half of respondents at the time of the survey compared with 39% during the period before the war. 52% of men rated quality of life as less than good versus 48% of women. Other factors also came into play in respondents' answers on quality of life. 69% of respondents with no one working at home rated quality of life as less than good versus 41% with one or more household members working full-time; 60% of respondents with damaged homes rated quality of life as less-than-good versus 43% of those with intact homes. Finally 57% of respondents whose families received food aid versus rated quality of life as less-than-good versus 30% of respondents whose families did not.
Furthermore, 85% of respondents had moderate or high levels of insecurities, fears, and threats, whereas half reported moderate or high levels of distress. Respondents were also assessed for their level of suffering in a number of categories on a scale of 0 to 10 where 10 was the worst. 92% of respondents rated their suffering as 8 or higher due to the siege at the time of the survey (Jul to Aug 2009); 90% rated their suffering as eight or higher due to the Israeli occupation, 85% as 8 or higher due to the latest war, and 83% rated their suffering as 8 or higher due to internal Palestinian fighting.
A number of crucial needs were identified by the survey: home repair was urgently needed by 58% of households with homes damaged during the war; a source of livelihood* by 2249 (75%); and utilities (water, electricity, cooking gas) were urgently needed by 56%.
The authors conclude: "The Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip has had a negative effect on the quality of life of adults in the general population, and has resulted in high levels of reported distress, human insecurity, and social suffering. The siege on this region continues to be the main obstacle for improvement of the living conditions and quality of life of the population, and is a priority for action."
Note: * The siege affected the economic development in the Gaza Strip and resulted in a reduction of cash liquidity. The term 'livelihood need' is a combination of different needs reported by the respondent and this include the need for liquidity, the need for work for cash, having main a source for income and work rehabilitation. This lack of work opportunities are the result of chronic siege.
Link to Lancet - Health in the Occupied Palestinian Territory 2010
Source
The Lancet
The authors analysed health-related quality of life in terms of health before and after the invasion, and factors associated with poor quality of life; and the most urgent needs of a representative sample of adults living in the Gaza strip. They collected data using a randomly selected survey of oPt households, which consisted of questions in three sections about demographic, socioeconomic, and health information about all members of the household; housing characteristics, amenities, access to basic services, and events taking place during and after the attacks; and quality of life, distress, insecurities, and threats (with focus on adults ?‰?18 years). Some questions were specifically about the periods 6 months before the invasion, during the invasion, and 6 months after the invasion. The prevalence of all injuries and disabilities irrespective of the cause were extracted from different questions.
A representative sample of 3017 households (1% of total households within the Gaza Strip) were visited, with a response rate of 97%. Almost a third of the sample population was displaced during the war, while 39% of these 3017 homes were completely (1%) or partly (38%) destroyed. Three quarters of these homes had yet to be repaired at the end of the study (by August 29, 2009). 137 (0???7%) household members had injuries from various causes: Three-quarters of these were caused by the war (from the start of the attack until the time of the survey [July 14, to Aug 29, 2009]); and 4% of 321 disabilities were caused by the attack. More than seven in ten homes were reliant on food aid.
Quality of life was rated as less than good (out of five categories very good, good, neither good nor poor, poor, very poor) by half of respondents at the time of the survey compared with 39% during the period before the war. 52% of men rated quality of life as less than good versus 48% of women. Other factors also came into play in respondents' answers on quality of life. 69% of respondents with no one working at home rated quality of life as less than good versus 41% with one or more household members working full-time; 60% of respondents with damaged homes rated quality of life as less-than-good versus 43% of those with intact homes. Finally 57% of respondents whose families received food aid versus rated quality of life as less-than-good versus 30% of respondents whose families did not.
Furthermore, 85% of respondents had moderate or high levels of insecurities, fears, and threats, whereas half reported moderate or high levels of distress. Respondents were also assessed for their level of suffering in a number of categories on a scale of 0 to 10 where 10 was the worst. 92% of respondents rated their suffering as 8 or higher due to the siege at the time of the survey (Jul to Aug 2009); 90% rated their suffering as eight or higher due to the Israeli occupation, 85% as 8 or higher due to the latest war, and 83% rated their suffering as 8 or higher due to internal Palestinian fighting.
A number of crucial needs were identified by the survey: home repair was urgently needed by 58% of households with homes damaged during the war; a source of livelihood* by 2249 (75%); and utilities (water, electricity, cooking gas) were urgently needed by 56%.
The authors conclude: "The Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip has had a negative effect on the quality of life of adults in the general population, and has resulted in high levels of reported distress, human insecurity, and social suffering. The siege on this region continues to be the main obstacle for improvement of the living conditions and quality of life of the population, and is a priority for action."
Note: * The siege affected the economic development in the Gaza Strip and resulted in a reduction of cash liquidity. The term 'livelihood need' is a combination of different needs reported by the respondent and this include the need for liquidity, the need for work for cash, having main a source for income and work rehabilitation. This lack of work opportunities are the result of chronic siege.
Link to Lancet - Health in the Occupied Palestinian Territory 2010
Source
The Lancet
воскресенье, 12 июня 2011 г.
Gulf Coast Area Children Who Lived In Trailer Units At Risk For Long-Term Illnesses, Experts Say
Tens of thousands of Gulf Coast area children who lived in trailer units provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 might have increased risk for long-term health problems, according to physicians and federal health officials, the AP/Denver Post reports.
CDC in February announced that a study of the air quality in the trailer units found toxic levels of formaldehyde, which can cause respiratory and other health problems. FEMA and CDC did not begin efforts to relocate residents of the trailer units until after the release of the study, and federal lawmakers and health officials maintain that the "agencies' delay in recognizing the danger is being compounded by studies that will be virtually useless and the lack of a plan to treat children as they grow," according to the AP/Post.
In 2009, CDC plans to begin a five-year study that will expand on a smaller study released earlier this month. The new study, which will include as many as 5,000 children from Alabama, Mississippi and Texas who lived in the trailer units, will seek to determine whether a link exists between the units and their health problems.
However, some federal lawmakers and health officials maintain that the five-year study is inadequate because some health problems, such as cancer, can take 10 years or longer to develop. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), who has introduced a bill that would require FEMA and CDC to provide health screenings for Gulf Coast residents who lived in the trailer units, said, "Monitoring the health of a few thousand children over the course of a few years is a step in the right direction, but we need commitment."
Christopher De Rosa, assistant director for toxicology and risk assessment with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry at CDC, said, "It's tragic that when people most need the protection, they are actually going from one disaster to a health disaster that might be considered worse," adding, "Given the longer-term implications of exposure that went on for a significant period of time, people should be followed through time for possible effects" (Moreno Gonzalez, AP/Denver Post, 5/28).
CDC in February announced that a study of the air quality in the trailer units found toxic levels of formaldehyde, which can cause respiratory and other health problems. FEMA and CDC did not begin efforts to relocate residents of the trailer units until after the release of the study, and federal lawmakers and health officials maintain that the "agencies' delay in recognizing the danger is being compounded by studies that will be virtually useless and the lack of a plan to treat children as they grow," according to the AP/Post.
In 2009, CDC plans to begin a five-year study that will expand on a smaller study released earlier this month. The new study, which will include as many as 5,000 children from Alabama, Mississippi and Texas who lived in the trailer units, will seek to determine whether a link exists between the units and their health problems.
However, some federal lawmakers and health officials maintain that the five-year study is inadequate because some health problems, such as cancer, can take 10 years or longer to develop. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), who has introduced a bill that would require FEMA and CDC to provide health screenings for Gulf Coast residents who lived in the trailer units, said, "Monitoring the health of a few thousand children over the course of a few years is a step in the right direction, but we need commitment."
Christopher De Rosa, assistant director for toxicology and risk assessment with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry at CDC, said, "It's tragic that when people most need the protection, they are actually going from one disaster to a health disaster that might be considered worse," adding, "Given the longer-term implications of exposure that went on for a significant period of time, people should be followed through time for possible effects" (Moreno Gonzalez, AP/Denver Post, 5/28).
Health Problems Related to Trailer Units Examined
The Washington Post on Sunday examined how ineffective "government contracting, sloppy private construction, a surge of low-quality wood imports from China and inconsistent regulation all contributed" to the health problems of Gulf Coast residents who lived in the trailer units. According to the Post, "Each of the key players has pointed fingers at others" for the health problems, a "chain of blame with a cost that will not be known for years."
FEMA spent about $2.7 billion to purchase trailer units manufactured based on a one-page, 25-line list of standards that did not adequately address the safety of residents. Manufacturers produced the trailer units "with unusual speed," and, within months, "some residents began complaining about unusual sickness; breathing problems; burning eyes, noses and throats; even deaths," the Post reports.
FEMA attributed the health problems of the residents of the trailer units to the manufacturers because, in an effort to meet demand, they used low-quality, low-cost wood products that led to increased emissions of formaldehyde. However, the manufacturers maintain that FEMA did not provide consistent standards for the trailer units and that they relied on their suppliers to provide quality wood products. Meanwhile, the wood product suppliers "blame cheap, high-formaldehyde-emitting plywood imports that flooded the U.S. market during the recent housing boom," according to the Post (Hsu, Washington Post, 5/25).
Health Problems Among Homeless New Orleans Residents Examined
The New York Times on Wednesday examined the health problems and other social issues among residents of New Orleans left homeless since Hurricane Katrina. A survey of New Orleans residents at a city encampment conducted in February by the Unity of Greater New Orleans found that 80% of respondents had at least one physical disability, 58% had some form of addiction, 40% had a mental illness and 19% had all three problems.
The group has asked Congress to include $76 million in a supplemental war appropriations bill to help fund rent subsidies and services for 3,000 homeless New Orleans residents with disabilities (Dewan, New York Times, 5/28).
Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
© 2008 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
суббота, 11 июня 2011 г.
WFP Killed During Ambush In Southern Sudan
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said
today that it is deeply saddened and shocked by the killing of one of its
employees during an ambush in southern Sudan on Wednesday, January 10.
The WFP employee, Emmanuel Chaku Joseph, was 28 years old. He is the first
WFP staff member to have been murdered in Sudan in years.
"WFP deplores the cold-blooded and senseless killing of a man who was
working to help his country after many years of war," said WFP Executive
Director, James Morris. "The thoughts and prayers of WFP staff are with Mr.
Joseph's family at this time," he added.
"Mr. Joseph's death marks a set back to all those who value peace and
prosperity in southern Sudan, and is yet another example of daily outbreaks
of violence which threaten the future stability of the region," said WFP
Sudan representative, Kenro Oshidari.
Mr. Joseph was a Sudanese national employed by WFP as a driver. He was
assigned to drive for a WFP engineer who oversees a section of road being
built by a German development organization, GTZ, under a WFP contract. WFP
is building close to 3,000 kilometers of roads in southern Sudan at a cost
of more than $200 million and contracts work out to organizations including
GTZ to help carry out the project.
The ambush occurred when Mr. Joseph was travelling in a pickup truck on the
road between Juba, the capital of southern Sudan, and the town of Torit,
where GTZ has a roadside camp.
Southern Sudan is classified as Phase 3 under the United Nations security
system, which means UN staff are required to adhere to strict security
procedure.
In accordance with that procedure, Mr. Joseph was travelling with an armed
escort provided by the southern Sudanese army, the Sudan People's
Liberation Army (SPLA).
Mr. Joseph, who was not driving the car at the time of the ambush, was
travelling in the pickup with three GTZ employees and the SPLA soldiers..
One of the GTZ employees and two of the soldiers were wounded during the
attack.
The pickup left Juba at approximately 10am on Wednesday. At approximately
11.30am, the pickup was ambushed by a number of unknown gunmen who fired
automatic weapons at the car. The body of Mr. Joseph was returned to Juba
later in the day.
WFP employs 420 people in southern Sudan, most of whom are Sudanese
nationals. In 2007 WFP will feed approximately two million people in
southern Sudan.
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency: each year, we give food to
an average of 90 million poor people to meet their nutritional needs,
including 58 million hungry children, in at least 80 of the world's poorest
countries. WFP - We Feed People.
WFP Global School Feeding Campaign - For just 19 US cents a day, you can
help WFP give children in poor countries a healthy meal at school - a gift
of hope for a brighter future.
wfp
today that it is deeply saddened and shocked by the killing of one of its
employees during an ambush in southern Sudan on Wednesday, January 10.
The WFP employee, Emmanuel Chaku Joseph, was 28 years old. He is the first
WFP staff member to have been murdered in Sudan in years.
"WFP deplores the cold-blooded and senseless killing of a man who was
working to help his country after many years of war," said WFP Executive
Director, James Morris. "The thoughts and prayers of WFP staff are with Mr.
Joseph's family at this time," he added.
"Mr. Joseph's death marks a set back to all those who value peace and
prosperity in southern Sudan, and is yet another example of daily outbreaks
of violence which threaten the future stability of the region," said WFP
Sudan representative, Kenro Oshidari.
Mr. Joseph was a Sudanese national employed by WFP as a driver. He was
assigned to drive for a WFP engineer who oversees a section of road being
built by a German development organization, GTZ, under a WFP contract. WFP
is building close to 3,000 kilometers of roads in southern Sudan at a cost
of more than $200 million and contracts work out to organizations including
GTZ to help carry out the project.
The ambush occurred when Mr. Joseph was travelling in a pickup truck on the
road between Juba, the capital of southern Sudan, and the town of Torit,
where GTZ has a roadside camp.
Southern Sudan is classified as Phase 3 under the United Nations security
system, which means UN staff are required to adhere to strict security
procedure.
In accordance with that procedure, Mr. Joseph was travelling with an armed
escort provided by the southern Sudanese army, the Sudan People's
Liberation Army (SPLA).
Mr. Joseph, who was not driving the car at the time of the ambush, was
travelling in the pickup with three GTZ employees and the SPLA soldiers..
One of the GTZ employees and two of the soldiers were wounded during the
attack.
The pickup left Juba at approximately 10am on Wednesday. At approximately
11.30am, the pickup was ambushed by a number of unknown gunmen who fired
automatic weapons at the car. The body of Mr. Joseph was returned to Juba
later in the day.
WFP employs 420 people in southern Sudan, most of whom are Sudanese
nationals. In 2007 WFP will feed approximately two million people in
southern Sudan.
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency: each year, we give food to
an average of 90 million poor people to meet their nutritional needs,
including 58 million hungry children, in at least 80 of the world's poorest
countries. WFP - We Feed People.
WFP Global School Feeding Campaign - For just 19 US cents a day, you can
help WFP give children in poor countries a healthy meal at school - a gift
of hope for a brighter future.
wfp
пятница, 10 июня 2011 г.
UNICEF Responds To Immediate Needs Of Displaced Children And Women In Georgia
UNICEF and its partners have distributed hygiene kits and bottled water to 3,600 displaced women and children in and around the Georgian capital, Tbilisi.
UNICEF, and other international humanitarian agencies, are currently conducting rapid assessments to identify the scale of problems and the most pressing needs of affected people, including children.
Most of the displaced persons in Georgia have been accommodated in 170 temporary facilities such as kindergartens, schools, public and governmental buildings. However, most of the facilities lack basic conditions such as toilets, potable water and electricity.
"The building is under renovation, however, we had no other place to go. There is no electricity here, no potable water, no food. We have no beds to sleep on. Most of us are in despair, we are really lost," says Eka Gogiashvili, a 34-year-old mother of three children, who is currently living in a former clinic building in Tbilisi.
Yesterday, the Georgian Government started the registration of displaced people in Georgia . However, the process is proceeding slowly and has resulted in the appearance of long queues of affected people.
UNICEF, in coordination with other humanitarian agencies, is currently concentrating its efforts on delivering nutritional supplies for children and hygiene items as well as is trying to provide affected populations with drinking water and access to sanitary facilities. One hundred tarpaulins, five hundred hygiene kits and supplies of blankets and other items are now being distributed.
In addition, 500 school-in-a-box kits, 500 recreational kits, 600 basic family water kits, 3,000 emergency drinking water kits, 5,000 packs of water purification tablets, 30 water tanks for 10,000, 5,000 and 1,500 litres, 1,250 jerrycans and 18 water distribution ramps are en route to Tbilisi from UNICEF Supply Division in Copenhagen. The aid will be sufficient to satisfy the short term needs of approximately 6,000 affected families.
"We need to resume normal childhood activities for children and to ensure that protection mechanisms and health standards are in place for them," said Benjamin Perks, Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Georgia.
UNICEF is also planning to support psycho-social services for internally displaced children and to ensure that children have access to education when schools re-open in September.
So far, the estimated total number of persons displaced throughout the region as a result of the conflict totals nearly 100,000 people, according to UNHCR. This figure includes 60,000 children and women.
About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
unicef
UNICEF, and other international humanitarian agencies, are currently conducting rapid assessments to identify the scale of problems and the most pressing needs of affected people, including children.
Most of the displaced persons in Georgia have been accommodated in 170 temporary facilities such as kindergartens, schools, public and governmental buildings. However, most of the facilities lack basic conditions such as toilets, potable water and electricity.
"The building is under renovation, however, we had no other place to go. There is no electricity here, no potable water, no food. We have no beds to sleep on. Most of us are in despair, we are really lost," says Eka Gogiashvili, a 34-year-old mother of three children, who is currently living in a former clinic building in Tbilisi.
Yesterday, the Georgian Government started the registration of displaced people in Georgia . However, the process is proceeding slowly and has resulted in the appearance of long queues of affected people.
UNICEF, in coordination with other humanitarian agencies, is currently concentrating its efforts on delivering nutritional supplies for children and hygiene items as well as is trying to provide affected populations with drinking water and access to sanitary facilities. One hundred tarpaulins, five hundred hygiene kits and supplies of blankets and other items are now being distributed.
In addition, 500 school-in-a-box kits, 500 recreational kits, 600 basic family water kits, 3,000 emergency drinking water kits, 5,000 packs of water purification tablets, 30 water tanks for 10,000, 5,000 and 1,500 litres, 1,250 jerrycans and 18 water distribution ramps are en route to Tbilisi from UNICEF Supply Division in Copenhagen. The aid will be sufficient to satisfy the short term needs of approximately 6,000 affected families.
"We need to resume normal childhood activities for children and to ensure that protection mechanisms and health standards are in place for them," said Benjamin Perks, Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Georgia.
UNICEF is also planning to support psycho-social services for internally displaced children and to ensure that children have access to education when schools re-open in September.
So far, the estimated total number of persons displaced throughout the region as a result of the conflict totals nearly 100,000 people, according to UNHCR. This figure includes 60,000 children and women.
About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
unicef
четверг, 9 июня 2011 г.
American Nurses Association Continues Earthquake Relief Efforts
The American Nurses Association (ANA), the largest nursing organization in the US, continues to recruit nurses who are interested in becoming emergency first responders. Nurses can access the online form for ANA's database at nursingworld/haitirelief. Response efforts are now being coordinated through a multi-national cluster system, ANA has reached out to organizations working with the health cluster to offer support and nursing staff.
ANA has started to receive firsthand accounts from members on the ground in Haiti. To read the accounts please become a fan of ANA on Facebook here. ANA would like to hear from any nurses who wish to share their experiences in Haiti with the nursing community. If you would like to tell your story please contact ANA's Communications staff.
Source
American Nurses Association
ANA has started to receive firsthand accounts from members on the ground in Haiti. To read the accounts please become a fan of ANA on Facebook here. ANA would like to hear from any nurses who wish to share their experiences in Haiti with the nursing community. If you would like to tell your story please contact ANA's Communications staff.
Source
American Nurses Association
среда, 8 июня 2011 г.
Aid Group, Islamic Relief, To Send 85 Tons Of Urgently Needed Humanitarian Aid To Lebanon; Airlift To Leave Salt Lake City Tonight
Islamic Relief is shipping
85 tons of urgently needed aid supplies to Lebanon to assist civilian
victims of the current humanitarian crisis. The planeload of aid is to
leave Salt Lake City International Airport early on Tuesday, August 1.
The cargo plane will be carrying essential aid items supplied by The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, such as medical supplies,
hygiene kits, powdered milk, baby formula, and hand soap. Once on the
ground, aid distribution will be overseen by Islamic Relief and the Hariri
Foundation, a Lebanese development and education organization.
Since the start of the recent conflict in Lebanon, over 800,000
citizens have been displaced and thousands of others seeking shelter and
aid in schools and government buildings. The critical humanitarian
situation has prompted the United Nations to make an appeal of $150 million
of emergency aid to assist the civilian population.
Since its establishment, Islamic Relief has responded to the
humanitarian needs of people regardless of their background. In Lebanon,
Islamic Relief has already distributed food packages, medicine, household
supplies, and other relief goods.
In addition to this 85 ton in-kind shipment, Islamic Relief has
allocated $1 million of immediate aid for the humanitarian crisis in
Lebanon and the Palestinian Territories. The organization has made an
international appeal to raise over $5 million for the Middle East
humanitarian crisis.
Islamic Relief has partnered with The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints many times in the past to provide humanitarian aid. The
two groups have worked together to send aid to victims of Hurricane
Katrina, the South Asia tsunami, the Pakistan earthquake, as well as the
most recent shipment of $1.6 million of aid for victims of the Java,
Indonesia earthquake.
Islamic Relief staff on the ground in Lebanon are available for
interviews. Media professionals may contact Islamic Relief for further
information on the airlift and the response to the current humanitarian
crisis.
For three years in a row, Islamic Relief USA has been recognized as a
4-star charity by Charity Navigator, its highest rating. Charity Navigator
is America's largest charity evaluator.
Islamic Relief
85 tons of urgently needed aid supplies to Lebanon to assist civilian
victims of the current humanitarian crisis. The planeload of aid is to
leave Salt Lake City International Airport early on Tuesday, August 1.
The cargo plane will be carrying essential aid items supplied by The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, such as medical supplies,
hygiene kits, powdered milk, baby formula, and hand soap. Once on the
ground, aid distribution will be overseen by Islamic Relief and the Hariri
Foundation, a Lebanese development and education organization.
Since the start of the recent conflict in Lebanon, over 800,000
citizens have been displaced and thousands of others seeking shelter and
aid in schools and government buildings. The critical humanitarian
situation has prompted the United Nations to make an appeal of $150 million
of emergency aid to assist the civilian population.
Since its establishment, Islamic Relief has responded to the
humanitarian needs of people regardless of their background. In Lebanon,
Islamic Relief has already distributed food packages, medicine, household
supplies, and other relief goods.
In addition to this 85 ton in-kind shipment, Islamic Relief has
allocated $1 million of immediate aid for the humanitarian crisis in
Lebanon and the Palestinian Territories. The organization has made an
international appeal to raise over $5 million for the Middle East
humanitarian crisis.
Islamic Relief has partnered with The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints many times in the past to provide humanitarian aid. The
two groups have worked together to send aid to victims of Hurricane
Katrina, the South Asia tsunami, the Pakistan earthquake, as well as the
most recent shipment of $1.6 million of aid for victims of the Java,
Indonesia earthquake.
Islamic Relief staff on the ground in Lebanon are available for
interviews. Media professionals may contact Islamic Relief for further
information on the airlift and the response to the current humanitarian
crisis.
For three years in a row, Islamic Relief USA has been recognized as a
4-star charity by Charity Navigator, its highest rating. Charity Navigator
is America's largest charity evaluator.
Islamic Relief
вторник, 7 июня 2011 г.
Gates Says 'Strong Voice' Is Needed To Ensure Impoverished People Worldwide Do Not Suffer From Financial Crisis
Bill Gates on Wednesday in New Delhi said that he is concerned the global financial crisis could last two to three years and prompt wealthy nations to reduce spending on health aid for developing countries, Reuters India reports. According to Gates, the world's most impoverished people will suffer most during the economic crisis and a "strong voice" is needed to ensure that they remain a priority. "We certainly are concerned that some of the rich world governments could either reduce their increase or even cut back the amount they spend on these issues," Gates said, adding, "We have to admit that getting that generosity gets even more challenging when there's tough economic times."
The U.S. likely will undergo a two-to-three year period of "economic contraction" because of the economic situation, Gates said. He added that he is optimistic about the efforts of President-Elect Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) to address global health, saying that Obama has "shown a lot of interest" and would "drive improvements in those areas." Gates is visiting India on behalf of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to focus on health issues such as HIV/AIDS and polio eradication (Williams, Reuters India, 11/5).
Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
© 2008 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation.? All rights reserved.
The U.S. likely will undergo a two-to-three year period of "economic contraction" because of the economic situation, Gates said. He added that he is optimistic about the efforts of President-Elect Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) to address global health, saying that Obama has "shown a lot of interest" and would "drive improvements in those areas." Gates is visiting India on behalf of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to focus on health issues such as HIV/AIDS and polio eradication (Williams, Reuters India, 11/5).
Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
© 2008 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation.? All rights reserved.
понедельник, 6 июня 2011 г.
Africa Action Releases New Report On International Failure To Protect Darfur
Half a year after the
passage of UN Security Council Resolution 1769 on July 31, 2007, Africa
Action releases new analysis detailing the failure of the international
community to deploy the peacekeeping force for Darfur authorized by this
resolution. Africa Action calls on the Bush administration to put its
words into action and move from rhetorical opposition to genocide to
proactive engagement with the United Nations to achieve the fully
resourced deployment of the complete "hybrid" UN-African Union force
(UNAMID) that the Security Council called for six months ago.
Over the past months, UN officials and humanitarian groups operating in
Sudan have warned that UNAMID is on the brink of collapse, and recent
estimates caution that it may take most of 2008 to deploy the complete
mission. For a chronology assessing the missed deadlines and analysis of
the current status of this operation, please see the latest Africa Action
report at africaaction.
"What the people of Darfur need now is less rhetoric and more sincerity
from the international community including the United States," said Gerald
LeMelle, Executive Director of Africa Action. "History will remember this
administration not for its statements of 'opposition to genocide in Sudan'
but for the concrete steps it took to put an effective peacekeeping
mission in place and the vigor of its diplomatic efforts. The U.S. must
provide international leadership to combine the expedited deployment of
this protective force with an inclusive political peace process for Darfur
as well as progress in implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement
between North and South Sudan."
Less than 1,500 of UNAMID's allocated 6,000 police officers and 7,000 out
of 20,000 troops are currently in Darfur. No country has yet to offer to
provide the two-dozen tactical and transport helicopters the mission
requires. The government of Sudan has yet to accept a UN Status of Forces
Agreement that would allow UNAMID personnel the operational freedoms, such
as freedom of movement and communications and the ability to conduct
flights after dark, that they need to fulfill their mandate.
"300,000 people were newly displaced by the violence in Darfur in 2007,"
said Marie Clarke Brill, Deputy Director of Africa Action. "The UN and aid
agencies report that the situation on the ground is the worst since
widespread hostilities broke out in 2004. Yet the new US special envoy for
Sudan announced earlier this week that he would indefinitely postpone his
visit to the country for unspecified reasons. After the premeditated
January 7 attacks on a clearly marked UN convoy by Sudanese military
forces, the U.S. and the international community can no longer hide from
the fact that Khartoum bears the primary responsibility for the suffering
of Darfur's civilians. It is unacceptable for the U.S. to prioritize 'War
on Terror' intelligence interests in Khartoum over the lives of Sudan's
people."
Africa Action has been working to stop genocide in Darfur since early
2004. For the latest analysis on the crisis in Darfur, please see
africaaction/darfur.
africaaction
passage of UN Security Council Resolution 1769 on July 31, 2007, Africa
Action releases new analysis detailing the failure of the international
community to deploy the peacekeeping force for Darfur authorized by this
resolution. Africa Action calls on the Bush administration to put its
words into action and move from rhetorical opposition to genocide to
proactive engagement with the United Nations to achieve the fully
resourced deployment of the complete "hybrid" UN-African Union force
(UNAMID) that the Security Council called for six months ago.
Over the past months, UN officials and humanitarian groups operating in
Sudan have warned that UNAMID is on the brink of collapse, and recent
estimates caution that it may take most of 2008 to deploy the complete
mission. For a chronology assessing the missed deadlines and analysis of
the current status of this operation, please see the latest Africa Action
report at africaaction.
"What the people of Darfur need now is less rhetoric and more sincerity
from the international community including the United States," said Gerald
LeMelle, Executive Director of Africa Action. "History will remember this
administration not for its statements of 'opposition to genocide in Sudan'
but for the concrete steps it took to put an effective peacekeeping
mission in place and the vigor of its diplomatic efforts. The U.S. must
provide international leadership to combine the expedited deployment of
this protective force with an inclusive political peace process for Darfur
as well as progress in implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement
between North and South Sudan."
Less than 1,500 of UNAMID's allocated 6,000 police officers and 7,000 out
of 20,000 troops are currently in Darfur. No country has yet to offer to
provide the two-dozen tactical and transport helicopters the mission
requires. The government of Sudan has yet to accept a UN Status of Forces
Agreement that would allow UNAMID personnel the operational freedoms, such
as freedom of movement and communications and the ability to conduct
flights after dark, that they need to fulfill their mandate.
"300,000 people were newly displaced by the violence in Darfur in 2007,"
said Marie Clarke Brill, Deputy Director of Africa Action. "The UN and aid
agencies report that the situation on the ground is the worst since
widespread hostilities broke out in 2004. Yet the new US special envoy for
Sudan announced earlier this week that he would indefinitely postpone his
visit to the country for unspecified reasons. After the premeditated
January 7 attacks on a clearly marked UN convoy by Sudanese military
forces, the U.S. and the international community can no longer hide from
the fact that Khartoum bears the primary responsibility for the suffering
of Darfur's civilians. It is unacceptable for the U.S. to prioritize 'War
on Terror' intelligence interests in Khartoum over the lives of Sudan's
people."
Africa Action has been working to stop genocide in Darfur since early
2004. For the latest analysis on the crisis in Darfur, please see
africaaction/darfur.
africaaction
воскресенье, 5 июня 2011 г.
UNICEF Provides Immediate Assistance To Children Affected By Tropical Storm Ondoy
UNICEF has provided $143,000 in supplies to address the urgent needs of affected children and their families in the wake of tropical storm Ondoy. Within 24 hours of the storm hitting Manila, UNICEF supplied food and non-food items, as well as temporary shelter to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for distribution to flood-stricken communities.
UNICEF expressed great concern over the growing number of children and families affected by storm Ondoy (international codename Ketsana) which dumped a month's worth of rain in 12 hours, flooding 25 per cent of Metro Manila and affecting more than 24 provinces around the country. The death toll has risen to 100, and is expected to still rise as relief and recovery efforts continue.
Data from the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) revealed that approximately over a million people were affected, with 226,000 people being relocated in around 200 evacuation centers. Some families are still trapped on upper levels or roofs of houses awaiting rescue.
"Our hearts go out to the thousands of children and families who have been affected by the storm, whether they are still trapped in their homes or living in evacuation centers. This is a very traumatic experience for any child, especially for those who have lost their loved ones," Vanessa Tobin, UNICEF Representative, said.
UNICEF is in constant coordination with the government and other humanitarian agencies to deliver much-needed goods and services to the displaced. They formed part of an assessment team composed of emergency specialists and have travelled to many sites today to find out how children are being affected by the massive flooding.
"I visited the flooded sites of Taguig, Mandaluyong and Quezon City today, and was shocked by the level of devastation in many communities. But what also struck me was the amazing co-operation and generosity of the people of the capital, who have opened up their homes to assist others less fortunate in their neighbourhoods," Tobin said.
"In the next 48 hours, we will be delivering more hygiene kits, essential medicines, water purification tablets, portable toilets and family kits containing blankets and soap to aid in relief efforts. We are also helping the government and other humanitarian agencies to address gaps in the delivery of aid to those affected," Tobin added.
As the relief and recovery efforts continue, UNICEF is concerned about the storm's long-term effects on children, including health risks posed by the widespread flooding, as well as the two tropical storms heading for the same area, and likely to hit land on Thursday or Friday.
Source
UNICEF
UNICEF expressed great concern over the growing number of children and families affected by storm Ondoy (international codename Ketsana) which dumped a month's worth of rain in 12 hours, flooding 25 per cent of Metro Manila and affecting more than 24 provinces around the country. The death toll has risen to 100, and is expected to still rise as relief and recovery efforts continue.
Data from the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) revealed that approximately over a million people were affected, with 226,000 people being relocated in around 200 evacuation centers. Some families are still trapped on upper levels or roofs of houses awaiting rescue.
"Our hearts go out to the thousands of children and families who have been affected by the storm, whether they are still trapped in their homes or living in evacuation centers. This is a very traumatic experience for any child, especially for those who have lost their loved ones," Vanessa Tobin, UNICEF Representative, said.
UNICEF is in constant coordination with the government and other humanitarian agencies to deliver much-needed goods and services to the displaced. They formed part of an assessment team composed of emergency specialists and have travelled to many sites today to find out how children are being affected by the massive flooding.
"I visited the flooded sites of Taguig, Mandaluyong and Quezon City today, and was shocked by the level of devastation in many communities. But what also struck me was the amazing co-operation and generosity of the people of the capital, who have opened up their homes to assist others less fortunate in their neighbourhoods," Tobin said.
"In the next 48 hours, we will be delivering more hygiene kits, essential medicines, water purification tablets, portable toilets and family kits containing blankets and soap to aid in relief efforts. We are also helping the government and other humanitarian agencies to address gaps in the delivery of aid to those affected," Tobin added.
As the relief and recovery efforts continue, UNICEF is concerned about the storm's long-term effects on children, including health risks posed by the widespread flooding, as well as the two tropical storms heading for the same area, and likely to hit land on Thursday or Friday.
Source
UNICEF
суббота, 4 июня 2011 г.
Center Unveils Unprecedented Investigation Into President Bush's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief Abroad
The Center for Public Integrity
(publicintegrity/default.aspx) today released "Divine Intervention," (publicintegrity/aids) a year-long
investigation into how President Bush's $15 billion initiative for care,
treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS abroad has failed countries struggling
with the pandemic.
The special report, the first of its kind to examine the policies,
politics and goals of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
(PEPFAR), looks at its effects on specific "focus countries," as well as
India and Thailand, where the sex-trade industry is driving high rates of
infection. Reporters affiliated with the Center's International Consortium
of Investigative Journalists (publicintegrity/icij) in
Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, South Africa, Haiti, India and Thailand
found that faith-based ideology -- including abstinence -- often trumps
science in the guise of federal rules, regulations and support of the
organizations receiving taxpayer money.
More than three years after PEPFAR's creation, about $8.3 billion has
been spent with less than $1 billion going to prevention in the 15 focus
countries. Meanwhile, the number of people with HIV continues to rise
internationally, with 75 percent infected through sexual intercourse. More
than 450 people contracted HIV each hour last year, resulting in more than
4 million new cases.
"The goals and directives established by PEPFAR have stifled HIV/AIDS
prevention efforts in countries such as Thailand and Uganda, formally
recognized as success stories, and disregarded countries such as Swaziland,
Lesotho and Zimbabwe," said Wendell Rawls, Center interim executive
director and Divine Intervention project manager. "Sadly, 'compassionate
conservatism' seems not to have been the most effective way to prevent the
spread of the disease."
Interviews with scores of activists, people living with HIV/AIDS,
physicians, health care workers, government officials and academics, and an
examination of thousands of pages of incomplete documents, also reveal a
pattern of contradictory, conflicting and confusing policies.
For Divine Intervention, CPI filed two dozen Freedom of Information
requests and lawsuits against the State Department, Department of Health
and Human Services and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to
access information about PEPAR, which is managed through the Office of the
Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC) at the State Department.
During their investigations, ICIJ reporters encountered PEPFAR
officials who couldn't answer basic questions about the programs they
oversaw, PEPFAR recipients who were reluctant to criticize their donor out
of fear of losing funding and Freedom of Information Act requests that were
stalled for months. Requests for interviews and information from OGAC's
Washington office were often ignored or canceled, dozens of phone calls and
emails never returned, and database information that was provided contained
errors.
The report also features extensive in-country interviews, profiles of
all 15 focus countries and a sampling of organizations that have received
funding, as well as a PEPFAR glossary.
Divine Intervention was made possible through grants from the
Popplestone Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. Core
support for the Center was provided by the John D. and Catherine T.
MacArthur Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the
Carnegie Foundation, the Annenberg Foundation, the Park Foundation and the
Schumann Center for Media and Democracy.
The Center for Public Integrity is a nonprofit, nonpartisan Washington,
D.C.-based organization that does investigative reporting and research on
significant public issues. Since 1990, the Center has released more than
300 investigative reports and 15 books. It has received the prestigious
George Polk Award and more than 20 other journalism awards and 16 finalist
nominations from national organizations, including PEN USA and
Investigative Reporters and Editors. In April 2006, the Society of
Professional Journalists recognized the Center with a national award for
excellence in online public service journalism for the fifth consecutive
year. In October 2006, the Center also was honored with the Online News
Association's coveted General Excellence award.
Center for Public Integrity
publicintegrity
(publicintegrity/default.aspx) today released "Divine Intervention," (publicintegrity/aids) a year-long
investigation into how President Bush's $15 billion initiative for care,
treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS abroad has failed countries struggling
with the pandemic.
The special report, the first of its kind to examine the policies,
politics and goals of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
(PEPFAR), looks at its effects on specific "focus countries," as well as
India and Thailand, where the sex-trade industry is driving high rates of
infection. Reporters affiliated with the Center's International Consortium
of Investigative Journalists (publicintegrity/icij) in
Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, South Africa, Haiti, India and Thailand
found that faith-based ideology -- including abstinence -- often trumps
science in the guise of federal rules, regulations and support of the
organizations receiving taxpayer money.
More than three years after PEPFAR's creation, about $8.3 billion has
been spent with less than $1 billion going to prevention in the 15 focus
countries. Meanwhile, the number of people with HIV continues to rise
internationally, with 75 percent infected through sexual intercourse. More
than 450 people contracted HIV each hour last year, resulting in more than
4 million new cases.
"The goals and directives established by PEPFAR have stifled HIV/AIDS
prevention efforts in countries such as Thailand and Uganda, formally
recognized as success stories, and disregarded countries such as Swaziland,
Lesotho and Zimbabwe," said Wendell Rawls, Center interim executive
director and Divine Intervention project manager. "Sadly, 'compassionate
conservatism' seems not to have been the most effective way to prevent the
spread of the disease."
Interviews with scores of activists, people living with HIV/AIDS,
physicians, health care workers, government officials and academics, and an
examination of thousands of pages of incomplete documents, also reveal a
pattern of contradictory, conflicting and confusing policies.
For Divine Intervention, CPI filed two dozen Freedom of Information
requests and lawsuits against the State Department, Department of Health
and Human Services and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to
access information about PEPAR, which is managed through the Office of the
Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC) at the State Department.
During their investigations, ICIJ reporters encountered PEPFAR
officials who couldn't answer basic questions about the programs they
oversaw, PEPFAR recipients who were reluctant to criticize their donor out
of fear of losing funding and Freedom of Information Act requests that were
stalled for months. Requests for interviews and information from OGAC's
Washington office were often ignored or canceled, dozens of phone calls and
emails never returned, and database information that was provided contained
errors.
The report also features extensive in-country interviews, profiles of
all 15 focus countries and a sampling of organizations that have received
funding, as well as a PEPFAR glossary.
Divine Intervention was made possible through grants from the
Popplestone Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. Core
support for the Center was provided by the John D. and Catherine T.
MacArthur Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the
Carnegie Foundation, the Annenberg Foundation, the Park Foundation and the
Schumann Center for Media and Democracy.
The Center for Public Integrity is a nonprofit, nonpartisan Washington,
D.C.-based organization that does investigative reporting and research on
significant public issues. Since 1990, the Center has released more than
300 investigative reports and 15 books. It has received the prestigious
George Polk Award and more than 20 other journalism awards and 16 finalist
nominations from national organizations, including PEN USA and
Investigative Reporters and Editors. In April 2006, the Society of
Professional Journalists recognized the Center with a national award for
excellence in online public service journalism for the fifth consecutive
year. In October 2006, the Center also was honored with the Online News
Association's coveted General Excellence award.
Center for Public Integrity
publicintegrity
пятница, 3 июня 2011 г.
USDA Rural Development Funds Available For Disaster Relief Efforts
Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas C. Dorr announced that funding is available to individuals, and organizations recently hit by natural disasters in several states in the Midwest. The funds will go to areas that have been designated as Presidentially-declared disaster areas due to the impact of floods and tornadoes.
"USDA is encouraging residents and business owners to immediately apply for funding to help them to begin their recovery from these devastating storms," Dorr said. "Rural Development has a number of programs that can be used by citizens to help them get back on their feet. These programs can literally assist in building a community from the ground up and we stand ready to help our fellow citizens in the affected states rebuild their communities and their lives."
USDA Rural Development has grant and loan funds available to rural communities to provide housing and shelter, public safety, health care and community facilities and business recovery assistance. Areas that have been declared by President Bush as federal disaster areas will receive priority consideration during the application process. Under Secretary Dorr has directed USDA Rural Development staff in the affected states to work with citizens and state and local and other federal officials to explain the type of Rural Development aid that is available for displaced residents.
Housing Assistance. For the Rural Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan program, Rural Development will expedite lender approval in the disaster areas and also expedite approval for access to the Guaranteed Underwriting Services, or GUS program. For the Direct Housing Loan program, USDA Rural Development will offer streamlined loan processing to assure timely loan decisions for families hit by the disaster. Existing Direct SFH borrowers can contact the Centralized Servicing Center (CSC) at 1-800-414-1226 to discuss their loans. Agency Real Estate Owned properties that are vacant and habitable can be made available for lease through FEMA or directly to disaster victims
Business Assistance. Under the Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) program grants are available for rural projects that finance and facilitate development of small and emerging rural businesses, help fund distance learning networks, and adult education and employment programs. Rural public entities (towns, communities, State agencies, and authorities), Indian tribes and rural private non-profit corporations are eligible to apply for funding.
Community Facilities and Infrastructure: Funds are also available for community assistance facilities such as rural schools, libraries, daycare centers, hospitals, fire and rescue and emergency centers, fire, and police stations, public buildings, medical and assisted living centers. Assistance is also available for community infrastructure such as water and waste water systems. All applications will be processed expeditiously as they are received in state Rural Development offices.
USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development has invested more than $90 billion since 2001 for equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. More than 1.7 million jobs have been created or saved through these investments. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at rurdev.usda.
usda
"USDA is encouraging residents and business owners to immediately apply for funding to help them to begin their recovery from these devastating storms," Dorr said. "Rural Development has a number of programs that can be used by citizens to help them get back on their feet. These programs can literally assist in building a community from the ground up and we stand ready to help our fellow citizens in the affected states rebuild their communities and their lives."
USDA Rural Development has grant and loan funds available to rural communities to provide housing and shelter, public safety, health care and community facilities and business recovery assistance. Areas that have been declared by President Bush as federal disaster areas will receive priority consideration during the application process. Under Secretary Dorr has directed USDA Rural Development staff in the affected states to work with citizens and state and local and other federal officials to explain the type of Rural Development aid that is available for displaced residents.
Housing Assistance. For the Rural Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan program, Rural Development will expedite lender approval in the disaster areas and also expedite approval for access to the Guaranteed Underwriting Services, or GUS program. For the Direct Housing Loan program, USDA Rural Development will offer streamlined loan processing to assure timely loan decisions for families hit by the disaster. Existing Direct SFH borrowers can contact the Centralized Servicing Center (CSC) at 1-800-414-1226 to discuss their loans. Agency Real Estate Owned properties that are vacant and habitable can be made available for lease through FEMA or directly to disaster victims
Business Assistance. Under the Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) program grants are available for rural projects that finance and facilitate development of small and emerging rural businesses, help fund distance learning networks, and adult education and employment programs. Rural public entities (towns, communities, State agencies, and authorities), Indian tribes and rural private non-profit corporations are eligible to apply for funding.
Community Facilities and Infrastructure: Funds are also available for community assistance facilities such as rural schools, libraries, daycare centers, hospitals, fire and rescue and emergency centers, fire, and police stations, public buildings, medical and assisted living centers. Assistance is also available for community infrastructure such as water and waste water systems. All applications will be processed expeditiously as they are received in state Rural Development offices.
USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development has invested more than $90 billion since 2001 for equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. More than 1.7 million jobs have been created or saved through these investments. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at rurdev.usda.
usda
четверг, 2 июня 2011 г.
WFP And UNICEF Call On Congress: Help End Child Hunger Now
The Executive Director of the UN World Food Program (WFP),
James Morris, has sounded a call to action to end child hunger, describing
the plight of hundreds of millions of poor, malnourished children who die,
or fail to develop properly, as "an affront to conscience".
Morris made the remarks before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on
Tuesday alongside Ann Veneman, UNICEF's Executive Director and core partner
in the Ending Child Hunger and Undernutrition Initiative. The two UN agency
heads are working to engage partners throughout the aid world -
humanitarian organizations, foundations and businesses, as well as
governments - to eliminate the extreme hunger that still threatens the
lives of an estimated 400 million children in the developing world today.
"Some 18,000 children will die of hunger and malnutrition today. That is
hard for people in the US or Europe to comprehend," Morris said. "But
within a month, we will lose more children to hunger than there are people
living here in Washington. Yet there are no headlines and no public outcry.
Instead, these poor, forgotten children die in silence in places like
Guatemala, Bangladesh and Zambia - far from our sight. This need not
happen: we have every tool we need to solve hunger."
The physical damage and ill health brought on by malnutrition have lasting
impact on children, Morris added. Poor nutrition affects every stage and
aspect of life, not only stunting bodies but slowing mental growth -
dropping IQ by 10, 15 points or more. In some countries, stunting rates
exceed 60 percent. "Imagine the impact on poor countries, seeking to
develop their economies," Morris said. "How can their workers compete? The
bottom line is that very little - not education and certainly not
development - can happen where hunger rules."
Morris said the initiative aimed to end child hunger and undernutrition
within a generation - starting by meeting the UN Millennium Goal of halving
the proportion of hunger by 2015. The initial push will focus on helping
developing countries to double the rate of reduction in the number of
underweight children under five years old. This would accompany a push to
improve the nutrition levels among pregnant and lactating women - vital to
early child survival and health.
"We must help these children early on in life," Morris said. "Once severe
malnutrition takes its toll, it cannot be reversed later on. There's no
such thing as retroactive nutrition."
Morris said a significant part of the child hunger initiative would promote
an "essential package" of health and nutrition interventions that would
address the immediate causes of hunger. Such a package would include the
basic daily health, hygiene and nutrition practices together with a set of
life-saving commodities - micronutrients, clean water, hand-washing with
soap and parasite control such as de-worming. All told, he said, the
package would cost an estimated $79 per family.
Although Morris acknowledged that the initiative was ambitious, he said it
was doable - not only from an economic standpoint, but a practical one,
since the population of undernourished children tends to be highly
concentrated. For example, in Africa, more than half of the underweight
children live in just 10 percent of administrative districts. This makes it
easier to target assistance, and support national and community efforts..
According to the plan, the estimated incremental cost of assisting 100
million families to protect their children from hunger and undernutrition
is estimated at roughly eight (B) billion dollars per year. Of this amount,
Morris said, approximately one (B) billion dollars of new international
resources could be effectively programmed immediately.
"This investment can change lives - even generations," Morris said. "And
the cost of action is but a tiny fraction of the enormous costs we will
shoulder by continuing to do 'business as usual.'"
To read the full statement by James Morris, please click on the link:
documents.wfp/stellent/groups/public/documents/newsroom/wfp106205.pdf
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency: each year, we give food to
an average of 90 million poor people to meet their nutritional needs,
including 58 million hungry children, in at least 80 of the world's poorest
countries.
For further information please go to:
World Food Program WFP - We Feed People
WFP Global School Feeding Campaign - For just 19 US cents a day, you can
help WFP give children in poor countries a healthy meal at school - a gift
of hope for a brighter future.
James Morris, has sounded a call to action to end child hunger, describing
the plight of hundreds of millions of poor, malnourished children who die,
or fail to develop properly, as "an affront to conscience".
Morris made the remarks before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on
Tuesday alongside Ann Veneman, UNICEF's Executive Director and core partner
in the Ending Child Hunger and Undernutrition Initiative. The two UN agency
heads are working to engage partners throughout the aid world -
humanitarian organizations, foundations and businesses, as well as
governments - to eliminate the extreme hunger that still threatens the
lives of an estimated 400 million children in the developing world today.
"Some 18,000 children will die of hunger and malnutrition today. That is
hard for people in the US or Europe to comprehend," Morris said. "But
within a month, we will lose more children to hunger than there are people
living here in Washington. Yet there are no headlines and no public outcry.
Instead, these poor, forgotten children die in silence in places like
Guatemala, Bangladesh and Zambia - far from our sight. This need not
happen: we have every tool we need to solve hunger."
The physical damage and ill health brought on by malnutrition have lasting
impact on children, Morris added. Poor nutrition affects every stage and
aspect of life, not only stunting bodies but slowing mental growth -
dropping IQ by 10, 15 points or more. In some countries, stunting rates
exceed 60 percent. "Imagine the impact on poor countries, seeking to
develop their economies," Morris said. "How can their workers compete? The
bottom line is that very little - not education and certainly not
development - can happen where hunger rules."
Morris said the initiative aimed to end child hunger and undernutrition
within a generation - starting by meeting the UN Millennium Goal of halving
the proportion of hunger by 2015. The initial push will focus on helping
developing countries to double the rate of reduction in the number of
underweight children under five years old. This would accompany a push to
improve the nutrition levels among pregnant and lactating women - vital to
early child survival and health.
"We must help these children early on in life," Morris said. "Once severe
malnutrition takes its toll, it cannot be reversed later on. There's no
such thing as retroactive nutrition."
Morris said a significant part of the child hunger initiative would promote
an "essential package" of health and nutrition interventions that would
address the immediate causes of hunger. Such a package would include the
basic daily health, hygiene and nutrition practices together with a set of
life-saving commodities - micronutrients, clean water, hand-washing with
soap and parasite control such as de-worming. All told, he said, the
package would cost an estimated $79 per family.
Although Morris acknowledged that the initiative was ambitious, he said it
was doable - not only from an economic standpoint, but a practical one,
since the population of undernourished children tends to be highly
concentrated. For example, in Africa, more than half of the underweight
children live in just 10 percent of administrative districts. This makes it
easier to target assistance, and support national and community efforts..
According to the plan, the estimated incremental cost of assisting 100
million families to protect their children from hunger and undernutrition
is estimated at roughly eight (B) billion dollars per year. Of this amount,
Morris said, approximately one (B) billion dollars of new international
resources could be effectively programmed immediately.
"This investment can change lives - even generations," Morris said. "And
the cost of action is but a tiny fraction of the enormous costs we will
shoulder by continuing to do 'business as usual.'"
To read the full statement by James Morris, please click on the link:
documents.wfp/stellent/groups/public/documents/newsroom/wfp106205.pdf
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency: each year, we give food to
an average of 90 million poor people to meet their nutritional needs,
including 58 million hungry children, in at least 80 of the world's poorest
countries.
For further information please go to:
World Food Program WFP - We Feed People
WFP Global School Feeding Campaign - For just 19 US cents a day, you can
help WFP give children in poor countries a healthy meal at school - a gift
of hope for a brighter future.
среда, 1 июня 2011 г.
One Heart World-Wide Partners With Qinghai University Hospital To Provide Maternal-Child Health Services In Earthquake-Devastated China
One Heart World-Wide (OHW) announced that it has partnered with the Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University to provide maternal and newborn care to Yushu in the Qinghai Province, which was devastated by the recent earthquake on April 14th. Working with the Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University in Xining, One Heart will strengthen capacity, mobilize resources and implement high-impact programs.
U.S. Ambassador to the People's Republic of China Jon Huntsman said he was pleased that One Heart whose program he had endorsed while Governor of Utah - would be working in China again. "We know One Heart had a successful ten-year program in Tibet," the Ambassador said. "By 2008, there were no reported maternal deaths in the two counties where One Heart was working. We expect One Heart's replicable and sustainable model to make an immediate and lasting impact in Qinghai Province."
Qinghai Province is one of the most underdeveloped in China, with remote villages scattered throughout. There is little access to transportation, medical facilities or trained health personnel to assist women with pregnancies and births. The Affiliated Hospital, which was able to provide on-site maternal care and some outreach to remote Tibetan communities for obstetrical emergencies before the earthquake, is now faced with severely damaged facilities, depleted resources and few uninjured medical personnel. In Tibet's Yushu Region, One Heart's programs will address core components of the local healthcare system that directly impact maternal and infant survival.
"For every 1,000 live births in Qinghai, there are 20 infant deaths. For every 100,000 women who survive childbirth, 100 die. The earthquake has so damaged their fragile health care system that we expect these statistics to get much worse," said Arlene Samen, One Heart World-Wide Founder and CEO. "Fortunately, because of our previous experience in Tibet, we are able to hit the ground running, raising money and providing a safer birthing experience for rural women."
Source
One Heart World-Wide
U.S. Ambassador to the People's Republic of China Jon Huntsman said he was pleased that One Heart whose program he had endorsed while Governor of Utah - would be working in China again. "We know One Heart had a successful ten-year program in Tibet," the Ambassador said. "By 2008, there were no reported maternal deaths in the two counties where One Heart was working. We expect One Heart's replicable and sustainable model to make an immediate and lasting impact in Qinghai Province."
Qinghai Province is one of the most underdeveloped in China, with remote villages scattered throughout. There is little access to transportation, medical facilities or trained health personnel to assist women with pregnancies and births. The Affiliated Hospital, which was able to provide on-site maternal care and some outreach to remote Tibetan communities for obstetrical emergencies before the earthquake, is now faced with severely damaged facilities, depleted resources and few uninjured medical personnel. In Tibet's Yushu Region, One Heart's programs will address core components of the local healthcare system that directly impact maternal and infant survival.
"For every 1,000 live births in Qinghai, there are 20 infant deaths. For every 100,000 women who survive childbirth, 100 die. The earthquake has so damaged their fragile health care system that we expect these statistics to get much worse," said Arlene Samen, One Heart World-Wide Founder and CEO. "Fortunately, because of our previous experience in Tibet, we are able to hit the ground running, raising money and providing a safer birthing experience for rural women."
Source
One Heart World-Wide
вторник, 31 мая 2011 г.
American Red Cross Responds To Solomon Islands Tsunami
The American Red Cross
is contributing $50,000 in response to the emergency appeal from the
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to assist
survivors of the tsunami that left an estimated 5,000 homeless in the
Solomon Islands, following Monday's powerful 8.2 magnitude earthquake in
the South Pacific.
The funds will be used to assist the Solomon Islands Red Cross (SIRC)
to help affected communities to have immediate access to safe drinking
water, medical care and emergency shelter.
According to Nan Buzard, Sr. Director of International Disaster
Response for the American Red Cross, "The main focus of the work of Red
Cross in the Solomon Islands now will focus on getting relief where it is
needed as quickly as possible." Reports from the area indicate that
aftershocks still continue. "We are concerned about the more remote areas,
which Red Cross workers are accessing by canoe where necessary," said
Buzard.
The local Red Cross responded immediately to the disaster, carrying out
early assessments and distributing relief goods including hurricane lamps,
blankets, tarps and cooking sets which were stored in a Red Cross warehouse
in Gizo.
The American Red Cross continues to assist victims of the tsunami that
hit the region in 2004.
You can help those affected by countless crises around the world each
year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International
Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support
through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in
need.. Contributions to the International Response Fund may be sent to your local American Red
Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross International Response Fund,
P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure
online contribution by visiting redcross. The American Red
Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a
specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation.
American Red Cross
redcross
is contributing $50,000 in response to the emergency appeal from the
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to assist
survivors of the tsunami that left an estimated 5,000 homeless in the
Solomon Islands, following Monday's powerful 8.2 magnitude earthquake in
the South Pacific.
The funds will be used to assist the Solomon Islands Red Cross (SIRC)
to help affected communities to have immediate access to safe drinking
water, medical care and emergency shelter.
According to Nan Buzard, Sr. Director of International Disaster
Response for the American Red Cross, "The main focus of the work of Red
Cross in the Solomon Islands now will focus on getting relief where it is
needed as quickly as possible." Reports from the area indicate that
aftershocks still continue. "We are concerned about the more remote areas,
which Red Cross workers are accessing by canoe where necessary," said
Buzard.
The local Red Cross responded immediately to the disaster, carrying out
early assessments and distributing relief goods including hurricane lamps,
blankets, tarps and cooking sets which were stored in a Red Cross warehouse
in Gizo.
The American Red Cross continues to assist victims of the tsunami that
hit the region in 2004.
You can help those affected by countless crises around the world each
year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International
Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support
through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in
need.. Contributions to the International Response Fund may be sent to your local American Red
Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross International Response Fund,
P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure
online contribution by visiting redcross. The American Red
Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a
specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation.
American Red Cross
redcross
понедельник, 30 мая 2011 г.
Novartis Delivers 4.7 Million Treatments Of Anti-malarial Medicine To Tanzania On Africa Malaria Day
Novartis has delivered 4.7 million treatments of its life-saving anti-malaria medicine, Coartem, to the United Republic of Tanzania, an African country where malaria is the leading cause of death in both children and adults. This delivery is part of a larger global effort to provide access to Coartem without profit to patients living in malaria-endemic countries.
Malaria affects between 300 million to 500 million people each year and kills more than one million people every year. The company urges governments, companies and other organizations to work together to broaden access and remove cultural or educational hindrances to treatment.
"Malaria claims the life of one child in Africa every 30 seconds - a staggering number. We have made the commitment to ensure that those who need treatment for malaria will have access to Coartem," said Dr. Daniel Vasella, Chairman and CEO of Novartis AG. "Our involvement in the fight against malaria is at the heart of our mission of caring and curing. With even greater collaboration by governments and private groups, many more lives could be saved."
Novartis delivered 62 million treatments of Coartem in 2006, without profit, to the public sector of malaria-endemic countries in Africa, a seven-fold increase from the previous year. These treatments contributed to saving an estimated 200 000 lives that would have otherwise been lost to malaria. In 2007, Novartis has the capacity to produce 100 million treatments if timely orders are received.
Coartem is the first pre-qualified, fixed-dose artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) with cure rates of up to 95%, even in areas of multi-drug resistance.
Tanzania designated Coartem as first-line therapy in its national malaria-control guidelines in 2004. During 2006 when the new treatment policy with Coartem was implemented in the country, Novartis delivered more than 8 million Coartem treatments to Tanzania. According to health authorities, malaria infects up to 18 million people in Tanzania every year. Novartis has partnered with the Tanzanian government and other organizations to expand access to this life-saving treatment.
Fighting malaria on the ground
The shipment of 4.7 million treatments of Coartem was loaded on eleven trucks and driven from Switzerland to Belgium, where it was flown to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This action is the latest example of the commitment of significant resources by Novartis for local anti-malaria projects across Africa.
Since 2003, Novartis has served as a convening partner inviting scientists, policy makers and implementers to address barriers to roll out ACT therapy. Most recently, the company implemented three best practice workshops, attended by heads of national malaria control programs of African countries that have adopted ACTs as first-line therapy, or are considering switching to ACTs from ineffective therapies. Patient and healthcare provider compliance programs are also emphasized which include pictorial manuals with step-by-step instructions on dosage.These manuals are available in English, French, Swahili, Portuguese, Spanish and dominant local languages.
In Tanzania, the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development and its partners have addressed additional access obstacles. In two Tanzanian districts, the Foundation has carried out malaria awareness programs to encourage patients to seek appropriate and timely treatment. The programs also aim to strengthen the proper diagnosis and treatment in public health facilities and support the geographic extension of accredited drug dispensing outlets. Novartis has agreed on a pilot basis to supply Coartem without profit to these outlets in order to improve access in remote rural areas.
Researching cures for the future
Novartis scientists also are working to discover the next generation of malaria medicines. In 2006, the company announced the Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases would initiate research on malaria, in addition to current programs with dengue and tuberculosis. Research will focus on the development of a one-dose cure for Plasmodium falciparum, the most deadly form of malaria, and a curative course of treatment for Plasmodium vivax, the most frequent and widely distributed form of malaria.
Novartis is also working with the Medicines for Malaria Venture, a nonprofit foundation based in Geneva, to develop a new pediatric formulation of Coartem. The new formulation is expected to be introduced in 2008.
Professor Klaus M. Leisinger, President of the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development, said exploring new cultural and organizational strategies also is critical: "While it is important to continue to develop new medicines, supply treatments without profit and provide medical education support, sometimes it is not enough. This is why the Novartis Foundation has initiated field research to overcome cultural, institutional and attitudinal obstacles that hinder access to malaria medicine. This comprehensive commitment makes Novartis an industry leader in the fight against malaria."
About Coartem
Coartem is the first WHO pre-qualified, fixed-dose ACT combining artemether, an artemisinin derivative, and lumefantrine. It is a highly effective and well-tolerated antimalarial that achieves cure rates of up to 95%, even in areas of multi-drug resistance. It is indicated for the treatment of acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria, the most dangerous form of malaria.
Artemisinin is a compound derived from the sweet wormwood plant and has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to treat fever. An ACT is a combination of two or more drugs (one of which is an artemisinin derivative) that have different modes of action and different targets. Studies have shown that using two or more drugs in combination has the potential to delay the development of resistance in areas of low transmission. ACTs in particular have been found to be highly effective in treating malaria and their potential to delay resistance in areas of intense transmission is under investigation.
Disclaimer
This release contains certain forward-looking statements that can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as "commitment", "will", "capacity", or similar expressions, or by express or implied discussions regarding Novartis' ability to satisfy Coartem production requirements in 2007 or the future, or regarding the development of potential future anti-malarial medications. Such forward looking statements reflect the current views of the Company regarding future events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. There can be no guarantee that Novartis will be able to achieve any particular level of Coartem production in the future. Nor can there be any guarantee that Novartis' efforts to develop the next generation of anti-malarial medicines will be successful. In particular, management's expectations could be affected by, among other things, uncertainties regarding the timeliness of the orders to be placed for Coartem by the ordering countries; uncertainties regarding the ability to obtain the necessary raw materials; uncertainties relating to the performance of our suppliers KPC and ZMC; uncertainties relating to regulatory actions or government regulation generally, including Good Manufacturing Practices Regulations; uncertainties involved in the development of new pharmaceutical products, including unexpected clinical trial results; as well as factors discussed in the Company's Form 20-F filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
About Novartis
Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) is a world leader in offering medicines to protect health, cure disease and improve well-being. Our goal is to discover, develop and successfully market innovative products to treat patients, ease suffering and enhance the quality of life. We are strengthening our medicine-based portfolio, which is focused on strategic growth platforms in innovation-driven pharmaceuticals, high-quality and low-cost generics, human vaccines and leading self-medication OTC brands. Novartis is the only company with leadership positions in these areas. In 2006, the Group's businesses achieved net sales of USD 37.0 billion and net income of USD 7.2 billion. Approximately USD 5.4 billion was invested in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 100,000 associates and operate in over 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit novartis.
Novartis was named in 2006 the Healthcare Sector Leader by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI). In 2006, 33.6 million patients around the world benefited from Novartis programs valued at USD 755 million. These initiatives range from drug donation and research programs to combat neglected diseases like malaria, tuberculosis and leprosy in developing nations to patient assistance programs that help cancer patients receive the most innovative and effective treatments available. For further information, please consult novartis.
View drug information on Coartem.
Malaria affects between 300 million to 500 million people each year and kills more than one million people every year. The company urges governments, companies and other organizations to work together to broaden access and remove cultural or educational hindrances to treatment.
"Malaria claims the life of one child in Africa every 30 seconds - a staggering number. We have made the commitment to ensure that those who need treatment for malaria will have access to Coartem," said Dr. Daniel Vasella, Chairman and CEO of Novartis AG. "Our involvement in the fight against malaria is at the heart of our mission of caring and curing. With even greater collaboration by governments and private groups, many more lives could be saved."
Novartis delivered 62 million treatments of Coartem in 2006, without profit, to the public sector of malaria-endemic countries in Africa, a seven-fold increase from the previous year. These treatments contributed to saving an estimated 200 000 lives that would have otherwise been lost to malaria. In 2007, Novartis has the capacity to produce 100 million treatments if timely orders are received.
Coartem is the first pre-qualified, fixed-dose artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) with cure rates of up to 95%, even in areas of multi-drug resistance.
Tanzania designated Coartem as first-line therapy in its national malaria-control guidelines in 2004. During 2006 when the new treatment policy with Coartem was implemented in the country, Novartis delivered more than 8 million Coartem treatments to Tanzania. According to health authorities, malaria infects up to 18 million people in Tanzania every year. Novartis has partnered with the Tanzanian government and other organizations to expand access to this life-saving treatment.
Fighting malaria on the ground
The shipment of 4.7 million treatments of Coartem was loaded on eleven trucks and driven from Switzerland to Belgium, where it was flown to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This action is the latest example of the commitment of significant resources by Novartis for local anti-malaria projects across Africa.
Since 2003, Novartis has served as a convening partner inviting scientists, policy makers and implementers to address barriers to roll out ACT therapy. Most recently, the company implemented three best practice workshops, attended by heads of national malaria control programs of African countries that have adopted ACTs as first-line therapy, or are considering switching to ACTs from ineffective therapies. Patient and healthcare provider compliance programs are also emphasized which include pictorial manuals with step-by-step instructions on dosage.These manuals are available in English, French, Swahili, Portuguese, Spanish and dominant local languages.
In Tanzania, the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development and its partners have addressed additional access obstacles. In two Tanzanian districts, the Foundation has carried out malaria awareness programs to encourage patients to seek appropriate and timely treatment. The programs also aim to strengthen the proper diagnosis and treatment in public health facilities and support the geographic extension of accredited drug dispensing outlets. Novartis has agreed on a pilot basis to supply Coartem without profit to these outlets in order to improve access in remote rural areas.
Researching cures for the future
Novartis scientists also are working to discover the next generation of malaria medicines. In 2006, the company announced the Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases would initiate research on malaria, in addition to current programs with dengue and tuberculosis. Research will focus on the development of a one-dose cure for Plasmodium falciparum, the most deadly form of malaria, and a curative course of treatment for Plasmodium vivax, the most frequent and widely distributed form of malaria.
Novartis is also working with the Medicines for Malaria Venture, a nonprofit foundation based in Geneva, to develop a new pediatric formulation of Coartem. The new formulation is expected to be introduced in 2008.
Professor Klaus M. Leisinger, President of the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development, said exploring new cultural and organizational strategies also is critical: "While it is important to continue to develop new medicines, supply treatments without profit and provide medical education support, sometimes it is not enough. This is why the Novartis Foundation has initiated field research to overcome cultural, institutional and attitudinal obstacles that hinder access to malaria medicine. This comprehensive commitment makes Novartis an industry leader in the fight against malaria."
About Coartem
Coartem is the first WHO pre-qualified, fixed-dose ACT combining artemether, an artemisinin derivative, and lumefantrine. It is a highly effective and well-tolerated antimalarial that achieves cure rates of up to 95%, even in areas of multi-drug resistance. It is indicated for the treatment of acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria, the most dangerous form of malaria.
Artemisinin is a compound derived from the sweet wormwood plant and has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to treat fever. An ACT is a combination of two or more drugs (one of which is an artemisinin derivative) that have different modes of action and different targets. Studies have shown that using two or more drugs in combination has the potential to delay the development of resistance in areas of low transmission. ACTs in particular have been found to be highly effective in treating malaria and their potential to delay resistance in areas of intense transmission is under investigation.
Disclaimer
This release contains certain forward-looking statements that can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as "commitment", "will", "capacity", or similar expressions, or by express or implied discussions regarding Novartis' ability to satisfy Coartem production requirements in 2007 or the future, or regarding the development of potential future anti-malarial medications. Such forward looking statements reflect the current views of the Company regarding future events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. There can be no guarantee that Novartis will be able to achieve any particular level of Coartem production in the future. Nor can there be any guarantee that Novartis' efforts to develop the next generation of anti-malarial medicines will be successful. In particular, management's expectations could be affected by, among other things, uncertainties regarding the timeliness of the orders to be placed for Coartem by the ordering countries; uncertainties regarding the ability to obtain the necessary raw materials; uncertainties relating to the performance of our suppliers KPC and ZMC; uncertainties relating to regulatory actions or government regulation generally, including Good Manufacturing Practices Regulations; uncertainties involved in the development of new pharmaceutical products, including unexpected clinical trial results; as well as factors discussed in the Company's Form 20-F filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
About Novartis
Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) is a world leader in offering medicines to protect health, cure disease and improve well-being. Our goal is to discover, develop and successfully market innovative products to treat patients, ease suffering and enhance the quality of life. We are strengthening our medicine-based portfolio, which is focused on strategic growth platforms in innovation-driven pharmaceuticals, high-quality and low-cost generics, human vaccines and leading self-medication OTC brands. Novartis is the only company with leadership positions in these areas. In 2006, the Group's businesses achieved net sales of USD 37.0 billion and net income of USD 7.2 billion. Approximately USD 5.4 billion was invested in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 100,000 associates and operate in over 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit novartis.
Novartis was named in 2006 the Healthcare Sector Leader by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI). In 2006, 33.6 million patients around the world benefited from Novartis programs valued at USD 755 million. These initiatives range from drug donation and research programs to combat neglected diseases like malaria, tuberculosis and leprosy in developing nations to patient assistance programs that help cancer patients receive the most innovative and effective treatments available. For further information, please consult novartis.
View drug information on Coartem.
воскресенье, 29 мая 2011 г.
USAID Provides Flood Assistance To Costa Rica
In response to the
effects of Tropical Storm Hanna, the U.S. government, through the U.S.
Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing an initial
$40,000 to the U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica, for air support to
transport relief commodities and personnel to affected communities.
On September 5, U.S. Ambassador Peter Cianchette issued a disaster
declaration in response to the flooding in Costa Rica. From September 2 -
5, the passage of Tropical Storm Hanna caused heavy rains and serious
flooding in the western part of the country. The flooding particularly
affected Guanacaste Province, including the communities of Carrillo, Santa
Cruz, Islona, Corralillo, Bolson, and La Guinea, as well as the cantons of
Montes de Oro and Puntarenas. According to the Government of Costa Rica's
(COCR) National Emergency Commission (CNE), the flooding affected an
estimated 38,000 people and caused 1,000 individuals to evacuate
residences. Flood-related landslides resulted in the closure of roads and
the destruction of the water system in Puntarenas Canton, according to the
GOCR Ministry of Public Works. The CNE requested air support to transport
medical supplies and personnel to flood-affected communities until flood
waters recede and roads re-open.
USAID will continue to monitor the situation and will provide
additional support as needed.
For more information about USAID's emergency humanitarian assistance
programs, please visit:
usaid/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/disaster_assistance.
The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International
Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide
for nearly 50 years.
U.S. Agency for International Development
usaid
effects of Tropical Storm Hanna, the U.S. government, through the U.S.
Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing an initial
$40,000 to the U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica, for air support to
transport relief commodities and personnel to affected communities.
On September 5, U.S. Ambassador Peter Cianchette issued a disaster
declaration in response to the flooding in Costa Rica. From September 2 -
5, the passage of Tropical Storm Hanna caused heavy rains and serious
flooding in the western part of the country. The flooding particularly
affected Guanacaste Province, including the communities of Carrillo, Santa
Cruz, Islona, Corralillo, Bolson, and La Guinea, as well as the cantons of
Montes de Oro and Puntarenas. According to the Government of Costa Rica's
(COCR) National Emergency Commission (CNE), the flooding affected an
estimated 38,000 people and caused 1,000 individuals to evacuate
residences. Flood-related landslides resulted in the closure of roads and
the destruction of the water system in Puntarenas Canton, according to the
GOCR Ministry of Public Works. The CNE requested air support to transport
medical supplies and personnel to flood-affected communities until flood
waters recede and roads re-open.
USAID will continue to monitor the situation and will provide
additional support as needed.
For more information about USAID's emergency humanitarian assistance
programs, please visit:
usaid/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/disaster_assistance.
The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International
Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide
for nearly 50 years.
U.S. Agency for International Development
usaid
суббота, 28 мая 2011 г.
Zimbabwe Lifts Ban On Groups Providing HIV/AIDS, Food Services
Zimbabwe has lifted the suspension of field work for nongovernmental organizations involved in HIV/AIDS and supplementary feeding services, The Herald/AllAfrica reports. In a letter sent to the NGOs on Friday, Sydney Mhishi -- acting secretary for Public Service, Labor and Social Welfare -- said that the provision of antiretroviral drugs and food supplies is not affected by the recent suspension because such activities do not constitute community mobilization (The Herald/AllAfrica, 6/18).
The government earlier this month suspended all field work after accusing NGOs of siding with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change ahead of the election. Tsvangirai defeated President Robert Mugabe in the first round of the election. Zimbabwe's Social Welfare Minister Nicholas Goche said the government ordered NGOs to suspend their work because they were violating the terms of their agreement with the government. Zimbabwe's National Association of Nongovernmental Organizations said that the government's order would particularly endanger people living with HIV/AIDS (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 6/10).
"The suspension does not prohibit those on [antiretroviral] therapy and those benefiting from home-based care programs to continue accessing drugs and therapeutic feeding from clinics and hospitals," Mhishi said, adding, "Supplementary feeding is a community-based program which does not entail community mobilization by NGOs; hence, it falls outside those affected by the suspension."
The letter was sent after the government met with NGOs last Thursday to clarify the definition of field operations, as well as to discuss the reasons for and duration of the suspension (The Herald/AllAfrica, 6/18). Mugabe also met recently with United Nations officials to evaluate the political situation ahead of the run-off election (AFP/Google, 6/18). According to Mhishi, other suspended NGOs will be permitted to resume operations when investigations are completed.
NANGO Communications Manager Fambai Ngirande welcomed the announcement and said he hopes that the lifting of the suspension will be extended to all NGOs. More than 400 NGOs are involved in HIV/AIDS work in the country, according to The Herald/AllAfrica (The Herald/AllAfrica, 6/18).
Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
© 2008 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
The government earlier this month suspended all field work after accusing NGOs of siding with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change ahead of the election. Tsvangirai defeated President Robert Mugabe in the first round of the election. Zimbabwe's Social Welfare Minister Nicholas Goche said the government ordered NGOs to suspend their work because they were violating the terms of their agreement with the government. Zimbabwe's National Association of Nongovernmental Organizations said that the government's order would particularly endanger people living with HIV/AIDS (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 6/10).
"The suspension does not prohibit those on [antiretroviral] therapy and those benefiting from home-based care programs to continue accessing drugs and therapeutic feeding from clinics and hospitals," Mhishi said, adding, "Supplementary feeding is a community-based program which does not entail community mobilization by NGOs; hence, it falls outside those affected by the suspension."
The letter was sent after the government met with NGOs last Thursday to clarify the definition of field operations, as well as to discuss the reasons for and duration of the suspension (The Herald/AllAfrica, 6/18). Mugabe also met recently with United Nations officials to evaluate the political situation ahead of the run-off election (AFP/Google, 6/18). According to Mhishi, other suspended NGOs will be permitted to resume operations when investigations are completed.
NANGO Communications Manager Fambai Ngirande welcomed the announcement and said he hopes that the lifting of the suspension will be extended to all NGOs. More than 400 NGOs are involved in HIV/AIDS work in the country, according to The Herald/AllAfrica (The Herald/AllAfrica, 6/18).
Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
© 2008 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
пятница, 27 мая 2011 г.
Professional Quarterback Matt Leinart Teams Up With American Red Cross To Promote CPR/AED Awareness
Arizona Cardinals Quarterback and American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet Member, Matt Leinart, hosted a press conference Monday, March 10, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. PST, calling for the nation's attention to the importance of knowing how to perform CPR and use an AED (automated external defibrillator.)
During the press conference, held at the Silver Screen Theater located at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles, Leinart, along with members of the American Red Cross, gave a CPR/AED demonstration in order to illustrate how simple it is to perform CPR and use an AED. Nearly everyone is capable of learning to save a life.
"It's great to have this opportunity to educate the country on how important it is for all of us to know what to do in case of an emergency," said Leinart. "I have a very demanding schedule, yet I felt it was important for me to take the time to become trained and certified in CPR/AED in case my loved ones and others around me ever needed my help."
Each year approximately 325,000 Americans suffer a sudden cardiac arrest. Tragically, more than 95 percent of sudden cardiac victims die before reaching the hospital. Every minute counts. Each minute defibrillation is delayed reduces a person's chance of survival by about 10 percent.
In his role as a 2008 Celebrity Cabinet member, Leinart will volunteer his time with the Red Cross helping to bring attention to the number of lives that can be saved each year if more people become trained and certified in CPR/AED and other lifesaving skills.
Larry Paul, American Red Cross Board of Governors member in attendance, stated "The National Celebrity Cabinet plays a tremendous role in giving visibility and credibility to the lifesaving work of the Red Cross. We are proud to call upon them as volunteers."
The press conference is an important prelude of events the Red Cross is planning in recognition of the first "National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Awareness Week". During the first week of June, the Red Cross has set a goal to reach 250,000 people nationwide with lifesaving CPR and AED information and training.
The Red Cross recommends that at least one person in every household and office is trained in first aid and CPR/AED. Enrolling in a CPR/AED course provides the confidence to respond during an emergency situation with skills that can save a life.
For more information on CPR/AED and other safety training, contact your local Red Cross chapter or log on to redcross.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross provides relief to victims of disasters at home and abroad, collects and distributes nearly half of the nation's blood supply, teaches lifesaving skills, and supports military members and families. The American Red Cross, a charity and not a government agency, depends on voluntary contributions of time, money and blood to perform its humanitarian mission.
American Red Cross
During the press conference, held at the Silver Screen Theater located at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles, Leinart, along with members of the American Red Cross, gave a CPR/AED demonstration in order to illustrate how simple it is to perform CPR and use an AED. Nearly everyone is capable of learning to save a life.
"It's great to have this opportunity to educate the country on how important it is for all of us to know what to do in case of an emergency," said Leinart. "I have a very demanding schedule, yet I felt it was important for me to take the time to become trained and certified in CPR/AED in case my loved ones and others around me ever needed my help."
Each year approximately 325,000 Americans suffer a sudden cardiac arrest. Tragically, more than 95 percent of sudden cardiac victims die before reaching the hospital. Every minute counts. Each minute defibrillation is delayed reduces a person's chance of survival by about 10 percent.
In his role as a 2008 Celebrity Cabinet member, Leinart will volunteer his time with the Red Cross helping to bring attention to the number of lives that can be saved each year if more people become trained and certified in CPR/AED and other lifesaving skills.
Larry Paul, American Red Cross Board of Governors member in attendance, stated "The National Celebrity Cabinet plays a tremendous role in giving visibility and credibility to the lifesaving work of the Red Cross. We are proud to call upon them as volunteers."
The press conference is an important prelude of events the Red Cross is planning in recognition of the first "National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Awareness Week". During the first week of June, the Red Cross has set a goal to reach 250,000 people nationwide with lifesaving CPR and AED information and training.
The Red Cross recommends that at least one person in every household and office is trained in first aid and CPR/AED. Enrolling in a CPR/AED course provides the confidence to respond during an emergency situation with skills that can save a life.
For more information on CPR/AED and other safety training, contact your local Red Cross chapter or log on to redcross.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross provides relief to victims of disasters at home and abroad, collects and distributes nearly half of the nation's blood supply, teaches lifesaving skills, and supports military members and families. The American Red Cross, a charity and not a government agency, depends on voluntary contributions of time, money and blood to perform its humanitarian mission.
American Red Cross
четверг, 26 мая 2011 г.
Palestinian Health Ministry In Financial Crisis, WHO Warns
The Palestinian Health Ministry is facing a growing financial crisis as well as a humanitarian crisis, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned ahead of the Stockholm donor conference on the humanitarian situation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The health component of the revised UN humanitarian appeal for the territory is critically underfunded despite growing humanitarian needs, especially in Gaza.
The situation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip has been deteriorating due to a severe funding crisis and the recent escalation of violence, on top of five years of the Intifada. Military activity, restrictions on movement, a severe economic downturn and escalating unemployment have had an extremely negative impact on the health of the Palestinian people.
On Saturday, government employees in the West Bank, including health workers, began a strike to demand payment of their long-overdue salaries.
The funding crisis at the Ministry of Health has worsened since economic restrictions were imposed in March this year and now threatens the delivery of essential health services. The Ministry manages 60% of health services and all public health programmes in the territory. Should this crisis continue, the Palestinian health system will further deteriorate and services will be disrupted, with grave consequences for the health of the Palestinian people. An early sign of this disruption is the alternating shortages of essential drugs and supplies reported by the Ministry.
"There are urgent needs including essential medicines and supplies that have to be met as soon as possible," said Dr Ala Alwan, Representative of the WHO Director-General for Health Action in Crisis. "WHO is responding to some of the most urgent needs from its internal resources but the funds available are limited. We hope that the international community will generously respond to this appeal so that we can make difference in the life and health of the Palestinian people."
"We can't continue unless we get our salaries," said a senior director in the Ministry of Health in Nablus, standing with other striking employees outside the hospital. "We have been quiet six months and can't be quiet any longer."
On Monday, WHO staff visited hospitals and primary health care facilities in Ramallah and Bethlehem districts. They found that hospital admissions and surgical operations are only accepted in very critical cases, once approved by a technical medical committee and the local strike committee. On Thursday, the Minister of Health underlined his concern over the ongoing strike in West Bank and made a call to the international community to renew its commitments in support of the health of the Palestinian population.
On 12 June, WHO organized a meeting attended by the Ministry of Health of the Palestinian Authority, UNRWA, the World Bank, OCHA, other UN agencies and around 30 donors to review the current health situation and to discuss mechanisms to address the needs of the Palestinian population and avert a health crisis.
The international community formulated a plan of action - the Temporary International Mechanism, which started providing allowances to health workers and covering running costs including fuel for health institutions. Until this mechanism becomes completely operational, there is a need for financial bridges to avoid a collapse of the health care system and to ensure that critical health needs are addressed In the meantime WHO has been monitoring the health situation and accessibility to health care and will continue to provide periodic updates on the situation.
WHO requested for $30 million as part of the revised UN appeal. As at 31 August, only $1.4 million had been received.
who.int
The situation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip has been deteriorating due to a severe funding crisis and the recent escalation of violence, on top of five years of the Intifada. Military activity, restrictions on movement, a severe economic downturn and escalating unemployment have had an extremely negative impact on the health of the Palestinian people.
On Saturday, government employees in the West Bank, including health workers, began a strike to demand payment of their long-overdue salaries.
The funding crisis at the Ministry of Health has worsened since economic restrictions were imposed in March this year and now threatens the delivery of essential health services. The Ministry manages 60% of health services and all public health programmes in the territory. Should this crisis continue, the Palestinian health system will further deteriorate and services will be disrupted, with grave consequences for the health of the Palestinian people. An early sign of this disruption is the alternating shortages of essential drugs and supplies reported by the Ministry.
"There are urgent needs including essential medicines and supplies that have to be met as soon as possible," said Dr Ala Alwan, Representative of the WHO Director-General for Health Action in Crisis. "WHO is responding to some of the most urgent needs from its internal resources but the funds available are limited. We hope that the international community will generously respond to this appeal so that we can make difference in the life and health of the Palestinian people."
"We can't continue unless we get our salaries," said a senior director in the Ministry of Health in Nablus, standing with other striking employees outside the hospital. "We have been quiet six months and can't be quiet any longer."
On Monday, WHO staff visited hospitals and primary health care facilities in Ramallah and Bethlehem districts. They found that hospital admissions and surgical operations are only accepted in very critical cases, once approved by a technical medical committee and the local strike committee. On Thursday, the Minister of Health underlined his concern over the ongoing strike in West Bank and made a call to the international community to renew its commitments in support of the health of the Palestinian population.
On 12 June, WHO organized a meeting attended by the Ministry of Health of the Palestinian Authority, UNRWA, the World Bank, OCHA, other UN agencies and around 30 donors to review the current health situation and to discuss mechanisms to address the needs of the Palestinian population and avert a health crisis.
The international community formulated a plan of action - the Temporary International Mechanism, which started providing allowances to health workers and covering running costs including fuel for health institutions. Until this mechanism becomes completely operational, there is a need for financial bridges to avoid a collapse of the health care system and to ensure that critical health needs are addressed In the meantime WHO has been monitoring the health situation and accessibility to health care and will continue to provide periodic updates on the situation.
WHO requested for $30 million as part of the revised UN appeal. As at 31 August, only $1.4 million had been received.
who.int
среда, 25 мая 2011 г.
Free Air Transportation For Children With Life-Threatening Illnesses
The Hope Flight Foundation provides dependable, free air transportation for children who need critical medical treatment at facilities far from their homes. Flights to children's healthcare camps and 'make-a-wish' flights are also provided.
Hope Flight was founded and incorporated as a non-profit public benefit organization in California in October 2005, by Douglas Harding, a pilot and flight instructor. He saw a need for dependable free air transportation for children with life-threatening illnesses in need of medical treatment at facilities far from their homes. "I want to use the flight skills and knowledge I have acquired to help those in need of transport to critically needed medical care, and to enrich, inspire, empower, and transform peoples lives" says Douglas.
We have begun fundraising for our Aircraft Acquisition Fund to purchase a Cessna 421, or Beechcraft King Air. This twin-engine aircraft has the capacity to carry six passengers, a wheelchair, and luggage to the treating hospital. We need to raise $1,000,000 to purchase the Cessna 421, or a Beechcraft King Air, and prepare it for our mission. We will need an additional $400,000 for fuel, aircraft insurance, and maintenance each year for our flights of Hope and Healing. We are also interested in building an endowment fund to support our year to year operating expenses.
For more information on Hope Flight Foundation please call Douglas Harding at 510-427-3956 or visit our website hopeflightfoundation.
Hope Flight Foundation
Hope Flight was founded and incorporated as a non-profit public benefit organization in California in October 2005, by Douglas Harding, a pilot and flight instructor. He saw a need for dependable free air transportation for children with life-threatening illnesses in need of medical treatment at facilities far from their homes. "I want to use the flight skills and knowledge I have acquired to help those in need of transport to critically needed medical care, and to enrich, inspire, empower, and transform peoples lives" says Douglas.
We have begun fundraising for our Aircraft Acquisition Fund to purchase a Cessna 421, or Beechcraft King Air. This twin-engine aircraft has the capacity to carry six passengers, a wheelchair, and luggage to the treating hospital. We need to raise $1,000,000 to purchase the Cessna 421, or a Beechcraft King Air, and prepare it for our mission. We will need an additional $400,000 for fuel, aircraft insurance, and maintenance each year for our flights of Hope and Healing. We are also interested in building an endowment fund to support our year to year operating expenses.
For more information on Hope Flight Foundation please call Douglas Harding at 510-427-3956 or visit our website hopeflightfoundation.
Hope Flight Foundation
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