With financial support from the United Kingdom and the United Nations COVID-19 Response and Recovery Multi-Partner Trust Fund, WHO delivered over 4 tonnes of medical supplies to Kyrgyzstan to support the Government’s COVID-19 response. The delivery included essential medicines and devices, such as blood glucose meters and machines to regulate air pressure during the use of breathing support.
The supplies will be distributed to all hospitals across the country, in line with priorities and needs. All the materials meet WHO quality and safety standards to keep frontline health care workers and patients safe, while preventing the spread of COVID-19. The cargo was shipped from the WHO regional logistics hub in Dubai, at a cost of more than US$ 260 000.
During the handover ceremony, Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Health Alymkadyr Beishenaliev expressed his gratitude to the United Nations representatives and to the British Ambassador for supporting and strengthening the country’s COVID-19 response. The British Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Charles Garrett noted that the pandemic demonstrated effective cooperation between the United Kingdom and the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Kyrgyz Republic and other national partners involved in the response to COVID-19.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan Ozonnia Ojielo and WHO Representative to Kyrgyzstan Nazira Artykova emphasized that the United Nations remains committed to supporting the Government’s efforts to strengthen its preparedness for and response to COVID-19 and beyond.
The Democracy Forum and Lord Bruce will be hosting a live webinar entitled: ’Tibet: an environmental crisis in waiting’ – Book Publishing Industry Today – EIN Presswire
Doctors, nurses and paramedics from Germany, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland have been arriving in Armenia since the summer of 2020 to join hands with their peers and curb the spread of COVID-19. Armenia has recently faced challenges from both the pandemic and the armed conflict and is in heightened need of hands-on support to strengthen its COVID-19 response.
Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) are groups of health professionals who deploy rapidly from one country to another to treat patients affected by an emergency or disaster. The WHO initiative also helps to build local capacity and strengthen health systems through international exchange.
Dr Naira Stepanyan is an infectious disease doctor and the deputy director of the National Center of Infectious Disease in Armenia. She treated the first COVID-19-infected patient in Armenia, registered on 1 March 2020. Dr Stepanyan told us that, even though her family has always been her primary source of motivation, during the pandemic, health care workers inspired her to overcome the difficulties she faced.
EMT support was also a source of encouragement for her, since she could discuss the practices used in other COVID-19 responses in the WHO European Region. “I became more self-confident as a result of working with the EMTs,” she said. “When you learn that high-level professionals from other countries use the same methods as you do, or they appreciate the work done locally, it gives additional motivation to continue doing your job and to improve it.”
Such missions are beneficial for both hosting countries and for the members of EMTs, since the exchange during a health emergency provides an opportunity to learn and share experiences with fellow health care colleagues. This is critical to advancing COVID-19 response knowledge across borders. “This is a two-way process,” stated Paul Ransom, an EMT member from the United Kingdom. “We share our knowledge with the Armenian medical workers and learn from their experience as well. There are some methods that are better in the United Kingdom and other methods that are better implemented in Armenia.”
Life-saving equipment
WHO has also supported Armenia by delivering life-saving equipment, such as oxygen concentrators, electrocardiographs, polymerase chain reaction tests and ultrasound examination machines. They were purchased with the financial assistance of the European Union, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other WHO partners.
Dr Naira Stepanyan noted the importance of oxygen concentrators, which their medical center received as a result of this joint initiative, saying that they “help patients even psychologically”. Egor Zaitsev, WHO Representative in Armenia, underlined that from the very beginning of the pandemic, the goal of WHO was to ensure that health care workers received the necessary support. Technical advice and practical assistance were provided based on the country’s major needs. “2020 was a hard year, and the Armenian health care system overcame many challenges, becoming stronger and better prepared for the future. WHO in Armenia will stand strong with the country to ensure their success,” he said.
About Emergency Medical Teams
EMTs, a WHO initiative, are a global network of pre-qualified teams of doctors, nurses and paramedics skilled to provide medical assistance during emergencies. WHO classification means that the team has been accredited as compliant with international WHO standards for being proficient in the direct treatment of patients. The arrival of EMTs to Armenia was organized in cooperation with the European Union and the governments of its respective countries.
What religion was President Thomas Jefferson, the author of The Declaration of Independence, the Virginia Statute of Religious Liberty and a major figure in our separation of church and state? Historians listed him as either a Deist or “no specific denomination.”
Jefferson grew up Anglican but from early adulthood professed faith in a Creator uninvolved in the affairs of this world. He was a product of his time – the Age of Enlightenment – everything in life, including religion, had to have a scientific explanation. Jefferson advised a nephew, “Fix reason firmly in her seat and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion.
Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because, if there be one, he must approve the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear.” Thomas Jefferson’s religious views did not become a major public issue until he ran for president in 1800 against incumbent Federalist John Adams. The Federalist, eager to retain control over the presidency, unleashed a frenzied personal attack upon Jefferson. They charged him as “an unbeliever who was unworthy to serve as chief magistrate of a Christian nation.” A Jefferson victory, the Federalist declared, would arouse the wrath of God, “destroy religion, introduce immorality…loosen all bonds of society and undermine the standing of the United States among the nations of the world.”
Eugene R. Sheridan, a leading authority on Jefferson’s religious beliefs, states that Jefferson believed in God but not organized religion. He revered Jesus as the greatest moral teacher in history but did not believe that he was the son of God. He rejected the Bible as a source of divine revelation and regarded it as a mere human history. He dismissed the possibility of miracles and the dogma of the Trinity as contrary to human reason and the laws of nature. What most concerned Jefferson was not the religious beliefs of people, but “how men acted in society.” “If acceptance of orthodox Christian doctrines produced virtuous lives, he welcomed the result without supporting the cause.” As much as he criticized orthodox Christianity in private, he rarely did so publicly, “not only out of a sense of political prudence, but also because of his deep commitment to religious freedom which led him to respect the right of others to hold religious opinions different from his.”
Jefferson steadfastly refused to reply in the election to the wave of criticism concerning his religious beliefs, believing that he was accountable to God alone for his convictions.
Jefferson swept to victory, however, the charge that he was an enemy of Christianity continued to plague him. The public disagreed. Jefferson was re-elected president in 1804 in a landslide victory, receiving 162 out of 176 electoral votes.
Sources: The Jefferson Monticello, courtesy of the Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia.
“Jefferson’s Religious Beliefs,”: Wikipedia, “Religious views of Thomas Jefferson,”: Thomas Jefferson (Notes on Virginia, 1782), “Thomas Jefferson on Christianity & Religion,”: Virginia Museum of History & Culture, “Thomas Jefferson and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom.”
In Taipei, Taiwan, Scientologist and interior designer Ping Ting helps his clients grasp exactly what it will be like to live in one of the homes he designs. He also encourages them to contribute to the designing process by giving them access to his work as he goes along.
Using a virtual reality headset, clients can see exactly how it will be to walk into the new home Ping designs.
And when they tour their future homes, his clients can experience every detail before its construction begins. Ping Ting makes this possible by having them wear VR headsets, so they can be certain that the design is exactly what they want. Communication is an essential element in his creative process, which results in greater affinity and reality, as covered the book Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought by L. Ron Hubbard. Watch Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought book on film on the Scientology Network.
Also covered in Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought is the central role creativity plays in every aspect of existence, something Ildikó Debreczeni of Szolnok, Hungary, incorporates into her work.
Hungarian Scientologist and designer Ildikó Debreczeni puts performers at ease by designing comfortable costumes.
She owns a company that creates intricate custom-designed costumes for opera, ballet and theatrical productions. Ildikó demonstrates the extra care she takes in designing what she refers to as “work clothes” for performers. This allows them to be comfortable and at ease in their apparel.
A vivacious photographer shares her love of nature with the images she captures.
Creativity also informs the work of Stefania, a photographer from Padova, Italy, whose beautiful photographs feature nature at its best. She shares her passion with a selection of delightful photographs.
Scientologists@home is an original series featured on the Scientology Network. Created at the start of the pandemic as a worldwide platform for Scientologists to connect and share how they’re staying safe and making the most of their time at home during the lockdown, Scientologists @home gradually added stories of people getting back to work, and now going back to church. The videos are also available on the Scientology website at Scientology.org/daily-connect.
Since launching on the Scientology Network and the Daily Connect website, the Scientologists@home series has exploded in popularity, with people from over 400 cities and 50 countries around the world, ages 5 to 85, submitting their videos.
The upbeat and optimistic tone to each video is punctuated with Scientologists sharing how they’ve been studying and applying LRH Technology from a number of books and courses, at home or at work, to improve their lives.
The Scientology Network was launched by Mr. David Miscavige, ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, on March 12, 2018. Since launching, it has been viewed in 240 countries and territories in 17 languages. Satisfying the curiosity of people about Scientology, the network takes viewers across six continents, spotlighting the everyday lives of Scientologists, showing the Church as a global organization, and presenting its social betterment programs that have touched the lives of millions worldwide. The network also showcases documentaries by independent filmmakers who represent a cross-section of cultures and faiths, but share a common purpose of uplifting communities.
Broadcast from Scientology Media Productions, the Church’s global media center in Los Angeles, the Scientology Network is available on DIRECTV Channel 320 and can be streamed at scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.
State budget healthcare institution of Omsk region “City hospital No 3”
To fight breast cancer effectively, Ukraine chose to implement the early diagnosis programme
International Women’s Day (IWD), 8 March is an opportunity to highlight a health issue that affects women alone – an inspiring story of Ukraine’s search for the best tool to fight breast cancer. The country’s authorities used WHO/Europe’s expertise and advice to change their initial plans for nationwide mammography screening and started developing a more promising early diagnosis programme. The move will save Ukraine thousands of lives and millions of euros in loans.
A recent study conducted by IARC and EURO has shown that in Ukraine, more than 1 out of 4 breast cancers are diagnosed at late stage making cure out of reach, even with the best treatments. To break this worrying trend, Dr Arman Kacharian, the lead for cancer control at the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, reached out to WHO/Europe for their expertise in this field.
In 2019-2020 he discussed effective breast cancer prevention policies at the IARC/WHO workshop on cancer screening and the large WHO/Europe screening conferences, where he came to conclusion that a large scale mammography screening program would not be the best option for Ukraine to improve its situation with breast cancer.
According to the latest WHO guidelines, nationwide mammography cancer screening programmes tend to be expensive and only demonstrate positive results in countries where health systems get vast economic and human resources. Health systems of many countries of the WHO European Region are unable to test large numbers of healthy women and ensure rapid and accurate diagnosis and follow up for those tested positive.
After consultation with WHO/Europe experts, Ukraine’s authorities became interested in another WHO-recommended cancer prevention strategy – the early diagnosis programme. It is based on the rapid identification of cancer in patients who have symptoms of the disease and rapid full diagnosis follow up. Given the major improvements in breast cancer treatment in the past decades, in cases when breast cancer is diagnosed at early palpable stage, the rates of secure cure are very high.
Early diagnosis programme: what are the benefits?
Cancer, when identified early, is more likely to respond to effective treatment, resulting in a greater probability of surviving as well as less heavy and expensive treatment. The value of detecting cancer early is clear, and significant improvements can be made in the lives of cancer patients.
“In comparison to mammography screening programme, centralization of advanced centers providing high-quality early diagnosis of breast cancer is more efficient, economical and sustainable in a setting with limited resources ”, said Dr Olga Trusova, a leading Belarusian mammography expert who took part in the BELMED project aimed at implementation of breast cancer screening in Belarus. BELMED was funded by the EU and implemented by WHO/Europe and IARC since 2016.
WHO/Europe organized a series of online consultations between Dr Kacharian and Dr Trusova to share views and expertise on cancer prevention policies.
The early diagnosis approach for breast cancer was recognized as more appropriate for Ukraine than mammography screening. It is less resource intensive and allows Ukrainian health system to better prepare for future screening measures if needed.
Saving Ukraine’s resources
WHO/Europe has also helped Ukraine to assess its resources. The country has been collaborating with France on breast cancer prevention projects. In early 2020 France proposed a soft loan of 24 million euros to Ukraine to buy mammography machines for screening.
Following advice of WHO/Europe experts, Ukraine performed a rapid mapping of the mammographic facilities available in the country matching them with the national data on breast cancer detection stratified by regions, including the data from the Ukrainian breast cancer screening pilot programme.
It turned out the country had sufficient mammographic equipment to start an efficient early diagnosis breast cancer programme. It was only needed to ensure the existing mammography units worked in full capacity, dealing with more than 4 to 8 women a day as some does presently.
“The help from WHO saved a lot of money for Ukraine”, said Dr Kacharian, “The soft loan was intended for purchase of mammography units. If we don’t need this equipment, we won’t have to reimburse the loan. We`ll renew mammography equipment in oncological specialized hospitals for organizing one day diagnostic program”. WHO/Europe is involved in the discussions where Ukraine is now negotiating with France to see how to invest more efficiently in breast cancer control.
77 000 prêts, des financements en monnaie locale et des investissements à plus long terme vont être débloqués
4 millions d’euros de financements ciblent les femmes
Le concours de la BEI à l’appui de Vital Finance Bénin contribuera à combler le «chaînon manquant» entre les institutions de microfinance et les banques
Premier partenariat au Bénin au titre du programme de microfinance de 50 millions d’euros mis en place par la BEI pour l’Afrique de l’Ouest
Le tout premier prêt de la Banque européenne d’investissement (BEI) octroyé à Vital Finance Bénin, favorisera l’investissement des petites entreprises et permettra de soutenir des milliers d’emplois au Bénin. Le nouveau programme de financement annoncé aujourd’hui ciblera particulièrement l’appui aux femmes dans le pays. Les femmes devraient représenter 70 % des bénéficiaires finaux.
Il s’agit de la toute première coopération entre la BEI, qui est la principale banque publique internationale au monde détenue par les 27 États membres de l’Union européenne, et Vital Finance Bénin, Institution de Microfinance, le troisième plus grand fournisseur de micro-financements dans ce pays d’Afrique de l’Ouest.
« Vital Finance Bénin comprend les priorités des entreprises de notre pays en matière d’investissement et les difficultés financières auxquelles elles sont confrontées. La nouvelle coopération avec la Banque européenne d’investissement permettra à Vital Finance de continuer à se développer et à aider les entreprises du pays à créer des emplois. Avec l’ensemble de nos collaborateurs, nous espérons nous appuyer sur notre nouvelle relation avec la BEI pour améliorer l’accès aux financements au Bénin et aider les promoteurs de petites entreprises à renforcer leurs compétences professionnelles essentielles à leur réussite », a déclaré Mr Wakil ADJIBI, PDG de Vital Finance Bénin.
« Il est essentiel de garantir que les entreprises peuvent se développer, créer des emplois. La Banque européenne d’investissement s’engage à soutenir les entreprises privées en Afrique et nous nous réjouissons d’avoir conclu notre première opération avec Vital Finance Bénin, une institution de microfinance de premier rang. Le premier engagement de la BEI au Bénin dans le cadre de notre mécanisme de microfinance pour l’Afrique de l’Ouest appuiera des milliers de prêts, engendrera des investissements en monnaie locale et aidera à remédier au chaînon manquant en matière d’investissement entre les banques et les institutions de microfinance en apportant des prêts de taille intermédiaire », a déclaré Ambroise Fayolle, vice-président de la Banque Européenne d’Investissement.
« L’Union européenne s’engage à soutenir les investissements du secteur privé, vecteurs de transformation, qui consolident le développement durable au Bénin. Cette première coopération entre la BEI, qui est la banque de l’UE, et Vital Finance témoigne de l’engagement renforcé de l’équipe d’Europe (Team Europe) à faire en sorte que les partenaires africains puissent mieux relever les défis du développement durable sur le continent. Améliorer l’accès au financement des petites entreprises offrira de nouvelles possibilités aux femmes entrepreneurs et aux jeunes dans tout le pays », a indiqué Sylvia Hartleif, cheffe de la délégation de l’Union européenne à Cotonou.
Atténuation de l’impact économique et social du COVID-19 au Bénin
La nouvelle coopération de la BEI avec Vital Finance Bénin contribuera à améliorer l’accès au financement des entreprises les plus exposées aux impacts de la pandémie de COVID-19 et permettra la poursuite des prêts aux microentreprises.
Au Bénin et dans toute l’Afrique, les entreprises ont souffert de la fermeture des frontières, de la restriction des importations et de difficultés soudaines rencontrées par les marchés d’exportation.
Des investissements renforcés grâce à un financement en monnaie locale sans risques de change
Le nouvel appui de la BEI à Vital Finance Bénin sera octroyé entièrement en monnaie locale, soit un montant équivalent à 4 millions d’euros en francs CFA, et bénéficiera du soutien du programme de la BEI dédié à l’investissement d’impact.
Solution intermédiaire entre les institutions de microfinance et les banques en matière de financements
Ce nouveau partenariat permettra à Vital Finance Bénin d’octroyer des prêts d’un montant supérieur à ceux généralement mis à disposition par les institutions de microfinance et inférieur à ceux des banques locales. Il fera office de solution intermédiaire en matière d’investissement, la mésofinance, un « chaînon manquant » qui freine l’expansion des petites entreprises.
Partage d’expérience financière et renforcement des compétences professionnelles grâce à une assistance technique
Le nouvel appui de la BEI à la microfinance au Bénin s’accompagnera d’une assistance technique pour partager avec Vital Finance Bénin les meilleures pratiques de toute l’Afrique en matière de gestion des risques et de ressources humaines. Les entrepreneurs du Bénin profiteront également de formations spécifiques visant à améliorer leurs compétences professionnelles et leur planification financière.
Consolidation de l’appui de la BEI aux investissements du secteur privé en Afrique
L’année dernière, la BEI a fourni plus de 1,8 milliard d’EUR pour soutenir les investissements du secteur privé en Afrique, ce qui représente 60 % de son engagement global sur le continent.
Cette somme comprenait notamment un nouveau soutien de 500 millions d’euros destiné à aider les jeunes pousses africaines à se lancer dans les domaines du numérique, de l’agroalimentaire, de l’inclusion financière et des services de santé.
Les nouveaux partenariats établis par la BEI avec des entreprises, des banques et des organismes de microcrédit africains permettent d’offrir des financements spécialisés aux petits exploitants agricoles, de supprimer les coûts associés aux financements en monnaie locale qui freinent les investissements et d’aider les entreprises privées à investir dans l’adaptation aux effets des changements climatiques.
De nouveaux programmes de financement du secteur privé ont fait l’objet d’accords avec des banques et des partenaires du microcrédit locaux de premier plan. Ces programmes comprennent des dispositifs spécifiques destinés à réduire les inégalités entre les femmes et les hommes, à fournir des financements à long terme en monnaie locale et à offrir des produits financiers sur mesure pour le secteur de l’agroalimentaire.
VITAL FINANCE est une structure leader au Bénin, exerçant dans le domaine de la microfinance. Elle est une institution de financement direct des micro, petites et moyennes entreprises.
Créée en 1998, elle s’est constituée en 20 ans un réseau fort d’une vingtaine de points de services, opérant sur l’ensemble du territoire national.
Cette initiative de Monsieur Wakil Adjibi, promoteur et Administrateur Directeur Général est partie d’une étude qui a révélé l’énorme potentialité du marché et du secteur. Les besoins qui s’en exprimaient étaient en effet, loin d’être couverts par les structures qui opéraient déjà sur la place.
The International Women’s Day is a good occasion for recognition and respect for all women involved in the fight against Covid-19 and contributing to dealing with the effects of the pandemic. In this regard, from March 8 to 31, an exhibition entitled “Equality is Power” will be presented on the facade of the House of Europe in Sofia. It is organized by the Bureau of the European Parliament in Bulgaria, in partnership with the social impact studio Fine Acts.
The exhibition displays 20 posters created by artists from around the world dedicated to gender equality. The topics portrayed in the posters are being examined by the European Parliament and are related to the impact of the pandemic on women, measures to protect their rights and promote gender equality.
The Covid-19 crisis has affected women and men differently, highlighting these pressing issues even more. Therefore, the aim of the exhibition is to draw public attention to the strengthening and deepening of existing gender inequalities with the power of art.
LONDON: Councillor Dr James Shera, ex-mayor Rugby, has expressed concern over a recent request by some members of Punjab Bar Council to add a column of religious affiliation in the Punjab Bar Council enrolment form.
Dr Shera, in a press release, said: “We hope that bar council would reject this application and endorse integration, unity and dignity in society instead of dividing society on basis of religion, linguist and ethnicity.
“Any step in this direction would jeopardise the concept of equality, justice and freedom of individuals. The Founder of Pakistan, Mr Jinnah, reminded eloquently numerous times in his speeches that individuals are free to practice their religion; the state has no reason to interfere in their personal matters, and that everybody irrespective of their colour, caste and religion would work with integrity to build one nation.”
The press release said the statement was endorsed by UK Pakistani Christian leaders including: Dr Peter David, Dr Noshaba Khiljee, Councilor Morris Johns, Advocate Qamar Shams, Mr Michael Massey, Bishop Yousaf Nadeem Bhinder, Mr John Bosco, Mr Qamar Rafique, Ex-MPA Saleem Khokhar and Mr Tahier Solomon.
