Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO Merck Foundation appointing the First Lady of The Gambia; Fatoumatta Bah Barrow as an ambassador of ‘Merck More Than a Mother’ in the Gambia

• Merck Foundation(MF) in partnership with the First Lady of The Gambia through her foundation; Fatoumatta Bah Barrow (FaBB) Foundation launched ‘Merck More Than a Mother’ campaign in the Gambia
• Merck Foundation provides oncology fellowship program to develop the first medical oncologists in The Gambia  
• MF appoints H.E. Fatoumatta Bah Barrow, The First Lady of The Gambia as the ambassador of ‘Merck More Than a Mother’ campaign in The Gambia 

• Facebook: Merck Foundation
• Twitter: @Merckfoundation 
• YouTube: MerckFoundation

• Excessive bleeding after childbirth (postpartum haemorrhage or PPH) is the leading direct cause of maternal mortality worldwide¹
• The CHAMPION trial is assessing the effectiveness and safety of heat-stable carbetocin vs. oxytocin, the current standard of care, for preventing PPH after vaginal birth^2,3​

Ferring Pharmaceuticals and MSD, known as Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., U.S.A., through its MSD for Mothers initiative, today announced the completion of CHAMPION (Carbetocin Haemorrhage Prevention), a global clinical trial conducted by the Human Reproduction Program (HRP) at the World Health Organization (WHO). CHAMPION is investigating whether Ferring’s proprietary and heat-stable carbetocin could offer a new solution to prevent excessive bleeding after childbirth (postpartum haemorrhage or PPH).^2,3 Involving nearly 30,000 women in 10 countries, it is the largest clinical trial ever conducted in PPH.^2,3

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Each year, 14 million mothers are affected by PPH.⁴ As the leading direct cause of maternal mortality, 480,000 mothers died from PPH between 2003-09.¹ Even when women survive, PPH can result in the need for serious medical interventions, including surgical removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) as well as blood transfusions to address severe anaemia.⁵ By preventing PPH from ever occurring, heat-stable carbetocin has the potential to both save lives and avoid severe, dangerous and costly long-term side effects.

“Despite progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goal of reducing maternal mortality, every single day women across the world are dying unnecessarily from childbirth complications such as PPH. Timely administration of effective medicines can avoid the maternal deaths that occur due to excessive bleeding after childbirth,”⁶ said Mariana Widmer, Technical Officer, Maternal and Perinatal Health, WHO. “If the results of the trial for heat-stable carbetocin are favourable, this collaboration between private life sciences and the global public health community could help save women’s lives worldwide.”

The CHAMPION trial compares the effectiveness and safety of Ferring’s heat-stable carbetocin versus the current standard of care, oxytocin, for preventing PPH after vaginal birth.^2,3 Heat-stable carbetocin could address a significant limitation associated with oxytocin – the need for refrigeration during shipping and storage to prevent degradation in temperatures above 8°C.^3,7 Heat-stable carbetocin may remain active long-term in hot and humid climates,³ and could potentially reduce the incidence of PPH in areas where cold storage is difficult to achieve and maintain,^3,4 and where 99% of maternal deaths due to PPH currently occur.⁴

“Using our established expertise in Reproductive Medicine and Women’s Health, we strive to find innovative treatments that will help to dramatically reduce the number of mothers dying as a result of childbirth,” said Professor Klaus Dugi, Chief Medical Officer, Ferring Pharmaceuticals. “Our heat-stable carbetocin is just one example of this research effort and forms part of our ongoing commitment to safeguarding the health of families worldwide. We are looking forward to seeing the results from the CHAMPION trial and hope that the learnings will usher in a new era in the prevention of PPH.”

If the results of the CHAMPION trial are favourable, Ferring will seek registration of heat-stable carbetocin on a broad basis around the world. If approved, Ferring would manufacture the product and it would be provided to the public sector of low- and lower-middle-income countries at an affordable and sustainable access price. Results from the trial are expected to be presented and published during the second half of 2018.

“The CHAMPION trial has the potential to change the paradigm in how we save more mothers from dying during childbirth,” said Julie L. Gerberding, M.D., M.P.H. Executive Vice President & Chief Patient Officer, Strategic Communications, Global Public Policy and Population Health at MSD. “Along with our partners, we recognised that heat-stable carbetocin could be a transformative solution to preventing PPH, which is the number one cause of maternal mortality. Through MSD for Mothers, we provided our company’s scientific expertise and financial resources to prove the concept and ultimately make a sustainable impact on the health of mothers, families and communities.”

About the CHAMPION* trial^2,3

CHAMPION (Carbetocin Haemorrhage Prevention), the world’s largest clinical trial in postpartum haemorrhage, is being undertaken to compare the effectiveness and safety of heat-stable carbetocin to oxytocin in the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage after vaginal births. The trial conducted by the Human Reproduction Program (HRP) at the World Health Organization enrolled nearly 30,000 women in 10 countries including Argentina, Egypt, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Uganda and the UK. Heat-stable carbetocin was researched and developed by Ferring Pharmaceuticals and the CHAMPION trial was funded by MSD for Mothers.

About Ferring Pharmaceuticals:

Ferring Pharmaceuticals is a research-driven, specialty biopharmaceutical group committed to helping people around the world build families and live better lives. Headquartered in Saint-Prex, Switzerland, Ferring is a leader in reproductive medicine and women’s health, and in specialty areas within gastroenterology and urology. Ferring has been developing treatments for mothers and babies for over 50 years. Today, over one third of the company’s research and development investment goes towards finding innovative and personalised healthcare solutions to help mothers and babies, from conception to birth. Founded in 1950, Ferring now employs approximately 6,500 people worldwide, has its own operating subsidiaries in nearly 60 countries and markets its products in 110 countries.

Learn more at www.ferring.com and @Ferring, or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About MSD for Mothers

Every day, approximately 830 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth.⁸ MSD for Mothers is a 10-year, $500 million initiative to create a world where no woman dies from complications of pregnancy and childbirth. Drawing on the company’s history of discovering innovative, life-saving medicines and vaccines, MSD for Mothers is applying the company’s scientific and business expertise – as well as its financial and human resources – to reduce maternal mortality around the world. Learn more at http://www.msdformothers.com/and @MSDforMothers.

About MSD

For more than a century, MSD, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world's most challenging diseases. MSD is a trade name of Merck & Co., Inc., with headquarters in Kenilworth, N.J., U.S.A. Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies and animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to health care through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. Today, MSD continues to be at the forefront of research to advance the prevention and treatment of diseases that threaten people and communities around the world - including cancer, cardio-metabolic diseases, emerging animal diseases, Alzheimer's disease and infectious diseases including HIV and Ebola. For more information, visit http://www.msd.com/ and connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co. Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA

This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA (the “company”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. There can be no guarantees with respect to pipeline products that the products will receive the necessary regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be commercially successful. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company’s ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company’s patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.

The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov)

References

¹ Say L. et al. Global causes of maternal death: a WHO systematic analysis. Lancet Glob Health. 2014 Jun;2(6):e323-33.
² Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry. Available at: https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=366743 Last accessed: January 2018.
³ Widmer M. et al. Room temperature stable carbetocin for the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage during the third stage of labour in women delivering vaginally: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2016;17(1):143. doi: 10.1186/s13063-016-1271-y.
⁴ World Health Organization. Priority diseases and reasons for inclusion. Postpartum haemorrhage. Available at: http://www.who.int/medicines/areas/priority_medicines/Ch6_16PPH.pdf Last accessed: January 2018.
⁵ El-Refaey H. and Rodeck C. Post-partum haemorrhage: definitions, medical and surgical management. A time for change. British Medical Bulletin. 2003;67:205–217.
⁶ Every Woman Every Child. The global strategy for women's, children's and adolescent's health (2016-2030) 2015. Available from: http://www.who.int/life-course/partners/global-strategy/ewec-globalstrategyreport-200915.pdf?ua=1 Last accessed: January 2018.
⁷ Torloni MR. et al. Quality of Oxytocin Available in Low and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review of the Literature (Systematic Review on Quality of Oxytocin). BJOG. 2016;123(13):2076-2086.
⁸ World Health Organization. Maternal Mortality Fact Sheet. Available at: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs348/en/ Last accessed: January 2018.

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New mother Deahna Visscher was feeling hopeful. Although her son Grant had been born with a heart defect, he was doing very well after surgery. Just 11-days old, doctors felt he could soon leave the hospital. But that didn’t happen. A nurse incorrectly inserted a feeding tube piercing the little infant’s trachea and filling his lungs with fluid. “The nurse asked me to go out into the hall and ask for help,” recalls Deahna. “I told them my son was turning blue and I watched as 20 staff members tried to resuscitate him. “ Grant was pronounced dead at 9:10 p.m.

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Deahna Visscher will share her personal experience of losing her 11-day old son to a medical error. (Photo: Business Wire)

Since that tragic night in 2008, Deahna Visscher has become a fierce patient advocate. The Patient Safety Movement Foundation (PSMF) is happy to announce her participation in a compelling panel on Nasogastric Feeding and Draining Tube Placement and Verification at the 6^th Annual World Patient Safety, Science & Technology Summit on Saturday, February 24, 2018. Feeding and draining tubes are used routinely in hospitals and a recent study showed that 59% of nasogastric feeding tubes are misplaced in newborn children less than four weeks old, causing serious harm and in some cases death.¹

Since Grant’s tragic death, Children’s Hospital Colorado has crafted procedures to ensure that such errors are not repeated. Their procedures and those of a multi-disciplinary experts were utilized in creating a new “Actionable Patient Safety Solutions” (APSS) developed by the PSMF which will be released publicly during the summit.

What is Nasogastric Feeding and Draining Tube Placement and Verification and why is it critical to patient safety? Nasogastric tubes (NGTs) are a commonly used in clinical practice for decompression or for administering nutrition, fluids and medications.

Studies of adult patients report NGT misplacement with serious harm to patients in 1.3 to 3.2% of tube placements (Gilbertson 2011, Bourgault 2009). A 2009 study of tube placements in neonates (infants less than four weeks old) showed that 59% of NGTs are misplaced the majority of these in the esophagus (October 2009).

The 6^th Annual World Patient Safety panelists are:

Moderator Frances Healey, PhD, RN, Deputy Director of Patient Safety, National Health Service Improvement – Dr. Healey’s role includes leading the National Patient Safety Alerting System and clinical review teams of all nationally reported death and severe harm incidents.

Panelists include:

• Beth Lyman, MSN, RN, CNSC, Senior Program Coordinator, Children’s Mercy Kansas City - Ms. Lyman is a member of the board of directors of the American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. She worked with the board to develop the New Opportunities for Verification of Enteral tube Location (NOVEL) project which is an inter-organization, inter-disciplinary and international effort to promote best practice for NG tube placement verification.
• Deahna Visscher, Patient Advocate – Since the death of her son in 2008, Ms. Visscher has been on a mission to prevent further deaths from misplaced feeding tubes. She sits on the Patient Safety and Reliability Committee at Children’s Hospital Colorado and the New Opportunities for Verification of Enteral tube Location (NOVEL) project.
• Christine Peyton, RN, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Children’s Hospital Colorado – Ms. Peytonpromotes, develops and implements evidence-based best practices for pediatric nursing. She’s a clinical expert on revision and development of policies and guidelines for pediatric cardiology and critical care.
• David Kershenobich, MD, Director General, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubiran – Former member of the Board of Governors of the National University of Mexico (UNAM) (2005-2012), Dr. Kershenobich served as Mexico’s Surgeon General from October 2011 to June 2012 and is Past President of the International Association for the Study of the Liver and the National Academy of Medicine of Mexico. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, England.

For more information, please visit the Patient Safety Movement Foundation website. Members of the media may request a press pass by visiting http://bit.ly/2mCeyay or by contacting Tanya Lyon – phone (949) 351-2858 or email tanya.lyon@patientsafetymovement.org.

¹ AM Bourgault, MA Halm. Feeding tube placement in adults: safe verification method for blindly inserted tubes.. Am J Crit Care 18, 73-6 (2009).

About Patient Safety Movement Foundation:

More than 200,000 U.S. patients and three million worldwide die each year from preventable causes. The Patient Safety Movement Foundation (PSMF) was established through the support of the Masimo Foundation for Ethics, Innovation, and Competition in Healthcare to reduce that number of preventable deaths to zero by 2020 (0X2020). Improving patient safety requires a collaborative effort from all stakeholders, including patients, healthcare providers, medical technology companies, government, employers, and private payers. The PSMF works with all stakeholders to address problems with actionable solutions. The Foundation also convenes the World Patient Safety, Science and Technology Summit bringing together some of the world’s best minds for thought-provoking discussions and new ideas that challenge the status quo. By presenting specific, high-impact solutions to meet patient safety challenges, called Actionable Patient Safety Solutions, encouraging medical technology companies to share the data their products are purchased for, and asking hospitals to make commitments to implement Actionable Patient Safety Solutions, the Patient Safety Movement Foundation is working toward zero preventable deaths by 2020. Visit http://patientsafetymovement.org/.

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The 6^th Annual World Patient Safety, Science & Technology Summit kicked off with an important announcement about the progress being made to save lives in hospital settings. Nearly 4,600 hospitals in 44 countries have committed to adopting patient safety processes that are proven to eliminate preventable deaths in hospitals.

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England’s Health and Social Care Secretary, Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hunt, launches groundbreaking new measures on Day One of the 6th Annual World Patient Safety, Science & Technology held in London (Photo: Business Wire)

The Patient Safety Movement Foundation has taken on an inspiring and ambitious goal of reducing preventable patient deaths in hospitals to ZERO by 2020. The annual Summit in central London plays a major role in taking on that challenge with the participation of 300 global leaders, medical experts, medical technology CEOs, and patient advocates.

“If I am standing here in 2020 and we have not reached zero preventable deaths, then we at least better have implemented all of the known processes for saving lives,” says Joe Kiani, Patient Safety Movement Foundation Founder and Chairman. “That we can do and we must do.”

The latest advances in patient safety, called Actionable Patient Safety Solutions or (APSS), were announced, including:

• Standardizing and Safeguarding Medication Administration
• Person and Family Engagement
• Reducing Unnecessary C-Sections
• Nasogastric Feeding and Draining Tube Placement and Verification
• Unplanned Extubation
• Early Detection & Treatment of Sepsis, for Low- and Middle-income Countries
• Air Embolism

SUMMIT KEYNOTE SPEAKER REVEALS THE TRUE COST OF MEDICATION ERRORS

Health and Social Care Secretary Jeremy Hunt launched groundbreaking new measures to improve patient safety in the National Health Service (NHS) during his keynote speech on Day One of the Summit.

The Secretary took action in response to a scathing report published on Friday, which shows the shocking toll that medication errors take on patients and the NHS system. The research – some of the first of its kind in the world– shows that errors ranging from delivering a prescription an hour late to a patient being given the wrong medication, may cause approximately 1,700 deaths and are a contributing factor in 22,000 more. The NHS estimates its losses at £1.6 billion.

As a result, Secretary Hunt set out to reduce patient harm and improve safety. These measures include:

• Creating new systems linking prescribing data in primary care to hospital admissions
• Evaluate prosecutorial response only should a pharmacist make an accidental medication errors due to gross negligence or malice
• Accelerating the introduction of electronic-prescribing systems across more NHS hospitals this year.

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION DIRECTOR-GENERAL OUTLINES FIVE BUILDING BLOCKS OF PATIENT SAFETY

“The needless suffering of patients and their families is bad enough. But each adverse event erodes the most precious resource in health care, and that’s trust. When people aren’t sure whether it is safe to seek care, they will cease to seek care,” said Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization.

No one should be harmed while seeking care. But the reality is that every year, millions of patients die or are injured because of unsafe and poor quality health care. Two-thirds of all adverse events occur in low- and middle-income countries. In his address, Dr. Tedros outlined five building blocks for creating a patient safety culture: strong leadership; clear policies; data-driven improvements; competent and compassionate health professionals; and people-centered care. Every instance of patient harm is a tragedy, but it is a double-tragedy if we do not learn from it and take steps to ensure the same thing never happens again.

For more information, please visit the Patient Safety Movement Foundation website.

About Patient Safety Movement Foundation:

More than 200,000 U.S. patients and three million worldwide die each year from preventable causes. The Patient Safety Movement Foundation (PSMF) was established through the support of the Masimo Foundation for Ethics, Innovation, and Competition in Healthcare to reduce that number of preventable deaths to zero by 2020 (0X2020). Improving patient safety requires a collaborative effort from all stakeholders, including patients, healthcare providers, medical technology companies, government, employers, and private payers. The PSMF works with all stakeholders to address problems with actionable solutions. The Foundation also convenes the World Patient Safety, Science and Technology Summit bringing together some of the world’s best minds for thought-provoking discussions and new ideas that challenge the status quo. By presenting specific, high-impact solutions to meet patient safety challenges, called Actionable Patient Safety Solutions, encouraging medical technology companies to share the data their products are purchased for, and asking hospitals to make commitments to implement Actionable Patient Safety Solutions, the Patient Safety Movement Foundation is working toward zero preventable deaths by 2020. Visit http://patientsafetymovement.org/.

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The Renewables Academy AG (RENAC)’s project Green Banking - Capacity Building on Green Energy and Climate Finance has been awarded the Innovationspreis für Klima und Umwelt (IKU) by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) and the Federation of German Industries (BDI). The IKU Award honors innovative ideas that protect the climate and the environment while making important contributions to improve the living conditions in different areas.

Green Banking is a three-year scholarship programme that provides capacity building on renewable energy and energy efficiency finance in India, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Professionals from private and public institutions involved or interested in financing green energy projects gain specific knowledge in technologies, financial schemes, risk evaluation, mitigation measures and access to international Climate Funds. Green Banking is implemented by RENAC within the German International Climate Initiative (IKI) with the support of the BMUB.

The call for applications to participate in the upcoming Green Banking activities in 2018 is open until 31^st March 2018. These include a Delegation Tour with Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings in Germany, a Train-the-Trainer seminar at RENAC’s Training Centre in Berlin, as well as the Green Finance Specialist (GFS) programme. GFS delivers in-depth knowledge on green finance topics through a combination of a 20-week online training and a 3-day face-to-face training. The programme achieved accreditation by the renowned Finance Accreditation Agency in December 2017.

The IKU jury is composed by 13 high-profile actors coming from the industry, media, political organisations and research institutions. Their final decision has been based on the profound scientific analysis of the applications conducted by the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI. Some organisations the jury works for include the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, ZDF, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology and the Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland, among others.

RENAC, based in Berlin, Germany, is a leading international provider for training and capacity building in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

For further information, please visit Green Banking’s website.

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The GSMA and the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) today announced the launch of ‘Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation’ (M4H), a programme designed to accelerate the delivery and impact of digital humanitarian assistance. Through M4H, the public and private sectors will leverage new technologies to create durable solutions that improve access to and use of mobile-enabled services, enhancing emergency preparedness, response and recovery.

“Technology and innovation have a huge role to play in improving the lives of millions of people in the developing world,” said Penny Mordaunt, International Development Secretary, DFID. “I want to harness the UK’s renowned entrepreneurial spirit and use new technology to deliver smart solutions around the world on everything from health care to natural disasters. I welcome DFID’s partnership with GSMA and our joint push to use mobile technology to boost our global humanitarian efforts.”

“The GSMA is pleased to further its partnership with DFID to accelerate the delivery and impact of sustainable digital humanitarian assistance,” said Mats Granryd, Director General, GSMA. “The scale and reach of mobile networks make them uniquely place to help meet the challenges faced by humanitarian responders and affected populations. Together with DFID, we will build bridges between the mobile industry, other private sector partners and the humanitarian community to catalyse innovation and demonstrate the impact of digital humanitarian assistance.”

According to the United Nations, in 2018, more than 135 million people across the world will need humanitarian assistance and protection. The scale of response required in these situations is placing increasing pressure on the humanitarian sector to find new approaches and partnerships to meet these challenges. However, there is optimism that digital solutions and the ubiquity and continued growth of mobile technology will enable more efficient, effective and dignified aid. This is underscored by the fact that, by 2025, there will be 9 billion mobile connections globally, with 75 per cent of connections being on a smartphone.

Access to mobile connectivity can have a transformative impact on the way humanitarian assistance is delivered and can help empower crisis-affected populations through access to information, services and connection to families. The new M4H programme will unite mobile operators, the private and public sectors and the humanitarian community to progress the development of a digital humanitarian future.

The programme will help foster innovative solutions and build partnerships in areas such as digital identity, mobile money, mobile-enabled energy, climate resilience and food security. It will also provide innovation funding to partnerships that demonstrate the impact of digital solutions in humanitarian contexts. The programme is managed by DFID’s Research and Evidence Division and implemented by the GSMA Mobile for Development Foundation.

Granryd concluded, “We have spent the past few researching and working to highlight and demonstrate the opportunities and impact of mobile solutions in humanitarian contexts, including through our Humanitarian Connectivity Charter. Individuals impacted by humanitarian crises are among the most vulnerable in the world. Mobile connectivity can be a lifeline. Together, DFID and the GSMA will expand on this work and undertake collaborative research, facilitate partnerships and support innovations that address the needs of crisis-affected people. Through M4H, the private and public sectors are giving dignity and empowerment to these people and helping them overcome barriers to accessing technology because of displacement, poverty and humanitarian crisis.”

For more information on M4H please go to: www.gsma.com/m4h

-ENDS-

About the GSMA

The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting nearly 800 operators with more than 300 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress, Mobile World Congress Shanghai, Mobile World Congress Americas and the Mobile 360 Series of conferences.

For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA.

About The Department for International Development (DFID)

We lead the UK government’s work to end extreme poverty. Find out more at www.gov.uk/dfid

Contact our Press Office: 020 7023 0600 (Overseas +44 20 7023 0600)

Get our latest press releases, free-to-use photos, embeddable videos and case studies online. For breaking news, follow us on Twitter: @DFID_Press

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How would US President Clinton change healthcare if he were President of the United States today? That was one of many questions answered as the 42^nd President of the United States met with healthcare leaders at the 6^th Annual World Patient Safety, Science & Technology Summit, Co-Convened by European Society of Anaesthesiology. President Clinton’s captivating keynote and a special humanitarian award presented to UK Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, and VP of Nursing of Parish Medical, Edwin Loftin, were among the highlights at Day two of the World Patient Safety, Science & Technology Summit.

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President Bill Clinton sat down for a question and answer session with Joe Kiani on Day Two of the 6th Annual World Patient Safety, Science & Technology Summit, Co-Convened by European Society of Anaesthesiology. (Photo: Business Wire)

Medical experts, CEOs and patient advocates gathered to tackle the latest challenges in patient safety. Featured panels discussed reducing the growing number of unnecessary C-section births, eliminating infant deaths and how the future of healthcare technology certainly means interoperability of medical devices and information systems to prevent medical error.

PRESIDENT CLINTON DELIVERS KEYNOTE

Entering the room to a raucous standing ovation, President Clinton asked those assembled to focus on the sum of their collective efforts to eliminate preventable deaths in hospitals which could promise a better future for many generations.

“I’ve lived long enough to know that in every endeavor there are no permanent victories and no permanent defeats. All there is, is the permanent gift of choice and life,” President Clinton began.

He encouraged everyone in all aspects of the healthcare field, from CEOs to medical experts and patient advocates, to focus on the results of their efforts stating, “Everything we do gains more meaning when we give the simple gift of one more day to other people.”

Adding upon the messaging of the World Health Organization’s Director-General, Dr. Tedros, President Clinton encouraged attendees to continue the serious work of eliminating preventable harm and begin focusing on helping the movement spread into the developing world. Before ending his keynote, the President sat down for an onstage Question and Answer Session with Patient Safety Movement Foundation Founder, Joe Kiani. He discussed the state of the US Healthcare Industry, Insurance companies and even what he would do as President.

“I think the healthcare budget should be organized around the biggest problems and the biggest opportunities,” explained President Clinton. “We’ve made some progress in this but if we look at other healthcare budgets, Medicare, Medicaid and the VA, they are largely organized to serve the street population. On the surface, that’s good. But if you know you’re missing the larger opportunities, for example, in premature hospital deaths, then I think we should do that.”

ANAESTHESIOLOGY LEADS THE WAY

Summit co-convener, the European Society of Anaesthesiology, President Stefan de Hert opened day two with an examination of perioperative safety. The field of anaesthesiology has experienced radical increases in patient safety. Over the last 25 years, anaesthesia-related deaths have decreased from 1 per 5,000 to 1 per 300,000! Prof. De Hert underscored safety in the field and the critical role of anaesthesiologists in perioperative care.

To reach the highest safety standards, Prof. De Hert stressed the importance of customized care and the need for adequate financial and human resources in providing practical tools. Prof. De Hert used the ESA - EBA Helsinki Declaration on Patient Safety in Anaesthesiology as the shared European view of what is necessary to improve patient safety and recommended practical steps that all anaesthesiologists can include in their practice.

RT. HON. JEREMY HUNT AND EDWIN LOFTIN AWARDED PATIENT SAFETY’S HUMANITARIAN AWARDS

Day Two concluded with the presentation of the annual Humanitarian Awards given to those who have done the most recently in the area of patient safety. This year, the awards honored the memory of Beau Biden and Steven Moreau for their impact on and devotion to public service.

As Attorney General of Delaware and as a Member of the Army National Guard, Beau Biden devoted his life to public service. As Attorney General, Beau dedicated himself to the safety of others, especially children. In his honor, the first Beau Biden Humanitarian Award was presented to Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hunt. Secretary Hunt has proven that patient safety is at the center of his work. He has created patient safety laws that are leading the world in eliminating preventable deaths in NHS hospitals and has set an example to the world.

“Since 2013, Jeremy Hunt has worked tirelessly to improve patient safety and develop a culture of openness and transparency in the National Health Service. Under Secretary Hunt’s leadership - the NHS in England became the first healthcare system to report and publish the number of preventable deaths by individual hospitals on a quarterly basis - and then publish key learning and improvements made to eliminate preventable deaths on an annual basis. His work in implementing independent investigations of medical errors include elements of the CANDOR program as developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ) which has been proven to reduce serious patient safety events by about 65%,” said Joe Kiani, Founder and Chairman of the Patient Safety Movement Foundation.

Mr. Kiani continued, “In 2017, Secretary Hunt championed a bill which for the first time, established a fully independent investigations body that seeks to find answers in the event of a medical error instead of laying blame. His passion for patients and their families did not stop at the border of UK. Secretary Hunt created the Global Ministerial Summit on Patient Safety, where he invited all of his colleagues from around the world to learn and act, to fix the patient safety problems that are causing over 3,000,000 preventable deaths a year around the world. The third Global Ministerial Summit on Patient Safety will be held in Tokyo in middle of this April. On day one of the 2018 Summit, Secretary Hunt announced groundbreaking new measures to improve patient safety in the NHS which are projected to save 22,000 lives annually in the UK.”

The second humanitarian award given was given in the name of Steven Moreau, the late CEO of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Orange and a Board Member of the Patient Safety Movement Foundation. Steve dedicated himself to helping others whether it was through work or gifts of time. He was responsible for leading the development of their renowned centers of excellence in cancer, heart and vascular, orthopedics, and was an unrelenting advocate for eliminating preventable harm in hospitals. The first Steven Moreau Humanitarian Award was presented to Edwin Loftin, VP of Nursing at Parrish Medical Center in Florida.

“Edwin first became involved with the Patient Safety Movement in 2016, and when he did, he and Parrish Medical Center, joined with great enthusiasm. At the time, Parrish made so many commitments to implement processes that were proven to reduce medical error that our staff believed it was an error. However, when we spoke with Edwin, his response was “why wouldn’t we make all these commitments.”

Known for cultivating person and family-centered care in hospitals, Edwin led Parrish Medical Center’s efforts to become the first in the nation to implement all APSS. This year, Parrish Medical Center became the first hospital in the world to receive the five-star hospital rating from the Patient Safety Movement Foundation, due to their commitment to patient safety by implementing all of the PSMF processes known to prevent medical errors from becoming fatal. For more information, please visit www.patientsafetymovement.org.

About Patient Safety Movement Foundation:

More than 200,000 U.S. patients and three million worldwide die each year from preventable causes. The Patient Safety Movement Foundation (PSMF) was established through the support of the Masimo Foundation for Ethics, Innovation, and Competition in Healthcare to reduce that number of preventable deaths to zero by 2020 (0X2020). Improving patient safety requires a collaborative effort from all stakeholders, including patients, healthcare providers, medical technology companies, government, employers, and private payers. The PSMF works with all stakeholders to address problems with actionable solutions. The Foundation also convenes the World Patient Safety, Science and Technology Summit bringing together some of the world’s best minds for thought-provoking discussions and new ideas that challenge the status quo. By presenting specific, high-impact solutions to meet patient safety challenges, called Actionable Patient Safety Solutions, encouraging medical technology companies to share the data their products are purchased for, and asking hospitals to make commitments to implement Actionable Patient Safety Solutions, the Patient Safety Movement Foundation is working toward zero preventable deaths by 2020. Visit http://patientsafetymovement.org/

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Global leaders and representatives from the world’s leading international humanitarian organizations have united for the 1st Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum, in Saudi Arabia, now being held (26 – 27 February 2018) at the InterContinental Hotel, Riyadh. The four main discussion topics at the forum will be: Humanitarian Assistance, Humanitarian Financing and Capacities, Innovation and Reform in the Humanitarian Sector, and Localizing of Aid. The forum aims to address challenges faced by the international aid and relief community in meeting the world’s growing need for increasing amounts of humanitarian assistance.

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King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud officially opens the 1st Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum 26th February 2018 (Photo: AETOSWire)

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and patron of the King Salman Humanitarian Relief Centre (KSrelief) officially opened the first International Humanitarian Forum to take place in the Kingdom in Saudi Arabia and launched the first Saudi Aid Program in the region.

H.E. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of KSrelief in announcing the platform, said: “Today, KSrelief is honored to launch the Saudi Aid Platform, under the guidance and support of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The Platform is the first of its kind in the region to reflect the Kingdom's relief, humanitarian, and development efforts with other Saudi ministries and relevant entities, designed to the highest international standards.”

“Today, KSrelief also announces the launch of the inaugural electronic issue of KSrelief's new scientific publication, the International Humanitarian Journal, which is concerned with scientific, humanitarian aid relief research; its goal is to support areas in need of humanitarian and relief aid and to further the development of humanitarian action.”

“KSrelief has built strong partnerships with 120 United Nations agencies and national and international organizations, many of whom are in attendance at this first international humanitarian who will contribute to the aim of making the center an international resource for humanitarian research and studies and volunteer work. These partnerships are integral to promoting the value of humanitarian work and stressing the Kingdom's leading role in this regard, in alignment with the Kingdom's 2030 Vision.”

LINK TO FULL PRESS RELEASE

*Source: AETOSWire

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Swayantani Ghosh receiving award from Sanjay Muthal (Executive Director, INSIST Executive Search) and Dr. Sumit Sabharwal (Managing Director, OCS Group)

• TechnipFMC designed modular hydrogen plants
• Modular process plants and equipments using proprietary Process Technology and partnering with leading technology partners worldwide
• Fired heaters, reformers, ethylene furnaces: components and assemblies
• Proprietary special application burners and transfer line exchangers

• Education for all and sensitizing children to e-learning
• Skill Development initiative for employable youth in the community
• Affordable Healthcare for all by organizing free medical camps and the launch of Mobile Health Unit
• Building Swachh Bharat with construction of toilets in Suva village and improving the village infrastructure
• Encouraging Women Entrepreneurship

Mr. Shrikant Sinha, CEO, NASSCOM Foundation and Cvent’s Founder and Global CEO, Mr. Reggie Aggarwal signed a MoU with the NASSCOM Foundation, to create and launch the Cvent India Digital Literacy Training Programme

• Companies to sign an MoU to provide digital literacy training to 1000+ underserved people under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan - A part of the Digital India initiative
• Will renew the MoU on the employee enhancement programme signed in 2017 to train 200+ more people on employability driven skills

• 40% of the surveyed population do not take flu seriously, in spite of the increasing number of cases
• 58% of respondents were unaware on the virus strains causing influenza and swine flu
• 37% of pregnant females surveyed across the cities do not take a flu vaccine during pregnancy, in spite of doctor recommendation

1.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pregnant Women & Influenza (Flu). Available from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/pregnant.htm; accessed on 26^th February 2018 at 6:00 PM.
2. MacDonald NE et al. The benefits of influenza vaccine in pregnancy for the fetus and the infant younger than six months of age. Paediatr Child Health. 2014 Dec;19(10):e121-2.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Children, the Flu, and the Flu Vaccine. Available from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/children.htm; accessed on 26^th February 2018 at 6:10 PM.
4. Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, Seasonal Influenza (H1N1)– State/UT- wise, Year-wise number of cases and death from 2010 to 2017. Available from http://www.idsp.nic.in/showfile.php?lid=3908; accessed on 26^th February 2018 at 7:00 PM.

• Send an email to info@myeasyiso.com with a brief profile of your company, contact details, address and a write up of no more than 200 words highlighting why you shall receive this free subscription and license
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• Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn and their tools
• Content and social media
• Social media advertising
• Social media mistakes to watch out for
• Blogging

Sterling Media’s CEO Natasha Mudhar has also been invited to join the Advisory Board and as such to contribute to CWEIC’s ongoing activities

• Sterling Media selected as the Official Global PR & Communications Partner for the Commonwealth Business Forum 2018
• The Commonwealth Business Forum 2018 - a unique platform for dialogue, bringing together a range of industries and economies - will be organised alongside the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), set to take place in April 2018 in London, for the first time in 20 years 
• Over 800 senior business and Government leaders will convene in London, April 2018, to attend the CBF 
• The Commonwealth is the perfect network for business, with a combined population of 2.4 billion people and a combined GDP of US$14 trillion by 2020. 

(L-R) Prof. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of the Executive Board of E.Merck KG and the Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, Her Excellency, the First Lady of Niger, H.E. Mrs. Aissata Issoufou Mahamadou and Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation

• Merck Foundation, in partnership with the First Lady of Niger builds healthcare capacity in the country with special focus on Cancer, Diabetes and Infertility
• Merck Foundation appoints the First Lady of Niger, as an Ambassador of 'Merck More Than a Mother'
• Merck Foundation meets the President of Niger to discusses and underscore their long-term commitment to healthcare capacity building and empowering women and youth in Niger

1. Dr. Mamadou oumarou ramatou- Adult medical oncology
2. Dr. Mahamadou aichatou- Paediatric Oncology
3. Dr. Alhousseini alhassane laila- Radiation Oncology
4. Dr. Moussa soffo Issa- Radiation technician

1. Dr. Abdoulaye Maiga
2. Dr. Barkire Fatoumatou
3. Dr. Lawali Chekarao Mamadou.

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