Philips brings clarity to every moment of cancer care with new patient-centered innovations at ASTRO 2021

October 21, 2021

  • Multimodality RT Simulation Workspace provides a single space for multimodality image fusion and contouring
  • New imaging platforms MR – Ingenia RT XD – and Spectral CT 7500 support precise treatment planning
  • Deepened cross-portfolio collaboration with Elekta utilizes complementary capabilities to further enhance patient care

Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Chicago, USA – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, today announced new innovations that will help improve cancer care across the patient journey at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting (Chicago, USA, 24-27 October). During the event, Philips will debut its Multimodality RT Simulation Workspace, a new precision medicine application that provides a vendor-agnostic single space for simulation, multimodality image fusion and contouring. New MR and CT imaging systems tailored for the needs of radiation therapy will also be showcased, delivering breakthroughs in imaging and treatment planning. Philips will also highlight its deepened strategic partnership with Elekta to support the ambition of providing clear care pathways and predictable outcomes for every cancer patient.

Today, cancer care is a long, complex journey through various stages, settings, and providers, putting a significant burden on both patients and clinicians. The number of new cancer cases is expected to rise by about 70% over the next two decades [1]. At the same time, oncology care is transforming, driven by an increasingly precise diagnosis of each tumor, and a continuously expanding range of therapy options. To fully capitalize on these challenges and opportunities, healthcare providers require integrated solutions throughout the entire cancer care pathway, from diagnosis to treatment and follow-up.

“Enhanced through strategic partnerships, our end-to-end oncology solutions span the patient pathway and the multidisciplinary specialties, integrating data and enabling collaboration, all with the aim of improving patient and staff satisfaction and outcomes,” said Ardie Ermers, General Manager Oncology Solutions at Philips. “At this year’s ASTRO meeting we’re highlighting how we’re connecting clinical and operational teams with the information they need to optimize and personalize cancer care.”

Bringing clarity in therapy planning closer to the point of care with Multimodality RT Simulation Workspace
With images and data often siloed in different systems, the complexity of image fusion and contouring can lengthen patient time to treatment. Integrating seamlessly into the simulation workflow, Multimodality RT Simulation Workspace, a new precision medicine application, is designed to help physicians define tumor volume and surrounding organs-at-risk through a versatile multimodality image platform which connects to both Philips and non-Philips imaging devices or a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) to access image datasets such as CT, MR, PET, Spectral CT and Cone Beam CT. These capabilities provide better access to a task-centered, vendor neutral solution that efficiently utilizes all available images and data in one central location.

Innovations in MR and CT simulation deliver advances in imaging and treatment planning
With the company’s strong track record of bringing continuous innovations to expand the role of MRI in radiation therapy, the next-generation Philips MR – Ingenia RT XD ­– MR simulation platform has been designed around the needs of radiation oncology, combining ease-of-use, streamlined integration and versatility. The platform can be easily adapted for different procedures, including external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), proton therapy and brachytherapy planning. The new Couch Top RT XD with Unity indexing further extends the compatibility between the Philips MR – Ingenia RT XD – and Elekta Unity, supporting greater consistency in both image quality and imaging and positioning workflows that enhance reproducibility, help accelerate learning curves and drive continuity across the care path.

The recently-introduced Spectral CT 7500 system delivers high quality spectral images for every patient on every scan 100% of the time to help improve disease characterization, and reduce rescans and follow-ups, all at the same dose levels as conventional scans. Unlocking the clinical value of dual-energy CT for radiation oncology applications, Spectral CT allows for optimization of lesions that may represent cancer. By capturing additional information such as electron density and effective atomic number, Spectral CT enables physicians to quantify physiological processes such as perfusion and ventilation, enhancing treatment planning.

Philips is collaborating with MIM Software to integrate its Contour ProtégéAI next-generation deep learning segmentation on its CT – Big Bore RT – platform, providing automatically segmented ‘Organ at Risk’ segmentation immediately after the simulation exam [2].

Further expansion of precision medicine application portfolio
Also being introduced at ASTRO, Multidisciplinary Team Orchestrator virtually connects and securely integrates multi-disciplinary teams and data across the patient cancer journey. Together with Multimodality RT Simulation Workspace, applications already available from Philips that advance precision oncology through integrated care, pathway orchestration, and clinical decision support, include:

  • Lung Cancer Orchestrator, a proactive patient management system for lung cancer screening and incidental findings and the orchestration of lung cancer care
  • Oncology Pathways that are created by oncologists for oncologists, covering both medical and the newly-introduced radiation oncology pathways. Customers become collaborators, providing input into the ever-evolving pathways
  • Genomics Workspace, bringing genomic data alongside disease histology and patient phenotype for a comprehensive biomarker-informed diagnostic and therapeutic picture

Partnering to benefit patients throughout the care pathway
In June, Philips and Elekta announced that the two healthcare leaders would deepen their strategic partnership in precise and individualized oncology care. The strengthened strategic partnership intends to further deliver an excellent experience in diagnosis and adaptive, personalized treatments for clinicians, shorter treatment times and precise therapy for patients, and lowered costs of care for healthcare providers. As part of the partnership, Philips will develop seamless integration between its precision medicine applications and Elekta’s MOSAIQ Plaza integrated radiotherapy software suite, enhancing end-to-end decision making and treatment implementation.

For more information about Philips’ presence at ASTRO 2021 follow @PhilipsLiveFrom for updates throughout the event.

[1] WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer https://gco.iarc.fr/today/data/factsheets/cancers/39-All-cancers-fact-sheet.pdf
[2] Big Bore RT with Contour ProtégéAI is only available in the USA
Multimodality RT Simulation Workspace is a new feature of the TumorLoc module, part of Pinnacle RTPS. Both TumorLoc and Pinnacle are FDA cleared

For further information, please contact:

Kathy O’Reilly
Philips Global Press Office
Tel.: +1 978 221 8919
E-mail: kathy.oreilly@philips.com

Mark Groves
Philips Global Press Office
Tel.: +31 631 639 916
Email: mark.groves@philips.com

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people’s health and well-being, and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum – from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips generated 2020 sales of EUR 17.3 billion and employs approximately 78,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.

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Webtel.Mobi’s Global Social Responsibility Initiatives – Promoting Global Equality of Opportunity and Community Support

Global Telephony Provider Webtel.mobi – the company that has created the world’s first globally operational and multicurrency Digital Currency and established a Global Clearing System – details its Global Social Responsibility programs for Global Community Support

Webtel.mobi carries out its Global Social Responsibility initiatives to all countries where its Members are located

Webtel.mobi carries out its Global Social Responsibility initiatives to all countries where its Members are located

ST PETER PORT, Guernsey and NEW YORK, Oct. 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — By virtue of its First-Mover and potential Sector-Influencer position in multiple of the world’s largest value markets, Webtel.mobi (“WM”) has an open gate to one of the highest revenue-generation operations available. This article describes WM’s view on what a market-leading position such as this mandates in terms of Global Social Responsibility.

Providing a Solution for Unbanked People Globally
The markets that WM now provides full access to – to a global client base – are the largest markets in the world in terms of value and volume. The primary markets to which it has access, have volumes in the USD multi-Trillions per day. Its secondary and tertiary markets include virtually every transaction type that exists.

Moreover, WM does this from a base where it has zero debt, an extremely low cost-base and no requirement to establish premises or appoint personnel globally – because this role is carried out by its VSMP Affiliates at zero cost to WM. Consequently, the majority of WM’s revenues are net.

Furthermore, the markets referred to above are all digital. They comprise digital transfers of funds, digital funds clearing, digital FX conversions, etc., all of which are executed by persons or entities with bank accounts. These markets are so large that the total Global Remittances Market is insignificant in comparison.

Moreover, although the global Cash market – a different market to the Unbanked Persons’ market – is the largest market in the world, entry into it brings with it many additional security, KYC, AML, and other Anti Money Laundering requirements – not required if only the Digital Money markets are attended to.

However, WM took the view that as there was an opportunity to create a working and practical solution to bring Unbanked Persons into a 21st Century Global Economy – and reduce or remove the excessive costs and other negative consequences of their being Unbanked, it would do so. This required many alterations to WM’s Platform 2 to allow for acquisition of its TUV Digital Currency using cash, including:

  • Structuring process-flows that cut off the cash at WM’s VSMPs and Agents (WM itself only accepts Stored Credit loads by inward transfer from regulated Bank Accounts, eWallets or Cards).
  • Adding multiple, additional Anti Money Laundering and KYC processes to monitor not just Members who loaded their accounts via cash, but also the VSMPs and Agents accepting the cash payments.
  • Structuring a “Redemption” process for Unbanked Peoples’ family members to redeem TUVs transferred to them at VSMPs or Agents – with again many additional AML and KYC processes applied.
  • Build an entirely stand-alone centrally-managed Cash Kiosk system (the “SCRM” system) for withdrawals of TUV funds by family members who had been transferred TUVs.

This required a significant amount of structuring, effort, and time to implement. Moreover, as the volume and value for the entire Annual Global Remittances Market is fractionally smaller than just one day’s volumes and values in one of the 10+ Primary Markets that WM already has a command lead in (in terms of cost + speed + security), this was done for Global Social Responsibility reasons – not for commercial reasons.

This solution to give Unbanked Persons worldwide access to the 21st Century Digital Economy was, however, completed, and is now fully operational worldwide.

Providing Equality of Opportunity for Self-Motivated People
In the telephony sector, similar structures (but not as sophisticated or wide-ranging as WM’s VSMPs) are called Mobile Virtual Network Operator (“MVNO”) systems. To obtain one is very expensive (up to USD millions or tens-of-millions), and the quarterly or annual running costs and minimum payment to the entity providing it are similarly extremely high. Failure to meet these payment terms results in bankruptcy. These are unavailable to any persons or entities other than those with very significant finance.

In contrast, WM’s Virtual Specialized Mobile Provider (“VSMP”) Affiliate Program and its Independent Agent (“Agent”) program were structured specifically to allow all people – whether in a social or economically weak or strong position – to acquire a fully-functioning and sophisticated business of their own at zero cost. Furthermore, they are able to run it at zero cost, and have zero requirement to pay any fees at all to WM for acquiring or retaining a VSMP.

The VSMP Platforms that WM provides to Eligible Entities that want to acquire one, are very sophisticated. They are full replicas of WM’s own system (although all transactions and management flow through WM to render it a centrally-controlled and Closed-Loop Members-Only System). They have far more capacity than standard MVNOs, and enable commercial operations in literally hundreds of market sub-sectors.

Not only are Eligible Entities and Agents provided with their own sophisticated VSMPs at zero cost, WM carries out all Technical Support itself, and the persons or entities acquiring the VSMP’s only responsibility is to send out WM’s marketing material to their existing members / clients / customers / other when they receive it. Furthermore, they are advised not to incur costs when doing do, and only to include the marketing material in what they already use to communicate with their clients / customer / other base – be it flyers, the back of till receipts, blogs, emails, letters, or anything else. This is why the range of Eligible Entities that have WM VSMPs is very wide. They range between extremely large multinational companies down to one-person businesses – each of which addresses its own market.

Similarly, with WM Agents – whose Primary Role is to make Eligible Entities aware of WM’s VSMP opportunity. The only requirement for them to acquire their own Agent VSMP – and act as an Agent – is the will to do so, and self-motivation. WM’s VSMP and Agent Programs are great levelers. They are total equality of opportunity vehicles for any people to acquire, and, once acquired, their success (or lack thereof) is directly attributable to their own application of personal excellence, energy, focus and the will to succeed. All other artificial impediments based upon financial or socio-economic restraints have been removed.

This way, whether an entity is acquired by a large multinational corporation, a struggling single parent or a person born into poverty but with the personal excellence and will to succeed – if they have the drive and the will to succeed – they will, with no artificial impediment to their progress and all the support they could ever need.

Voluntary Community-Support Donations in Lieu of Tax
WM is located in Guernsey because it is (in WM’s assessment) one of the best “Third Country” jurisdictions in the world. A “Third Country” jurisdiction in one that is not a member of any other political or other unions or agreements between countries. In order to provide a service worldwide at the same costs and term without having to open subsidiaries in other countries, one has to be located in a Third Country jurisdiction. Other than being a Third Country jurisdiction, Guernsey is also a zero-tax jurisdiction.

However, WM considers it a requirement to remit payment in lieu of tax as a measure of correct business practice. As such, WM has taken the mean average of global top-rate corporate tax, and will remit that amount of its profits to a list of charitable and community-support organizations worldwide. Moreover, it will remit these amounts pro-rata to the countries from which it originated – because the current system of companies remitting tax (or payments in lieu of tax such as WM) to one jurisdiction when it is derived from multiple jurisdictions is – in WM’s view – not best or proper practice.

Keeping Costs to Members either Ultra-Low or at Zero
The most important part of WM’s community-support and Global Social Responsibility relates to the costs levied on its members. WM’s running costs – and therefore its costs – are extremely low, and most of its revenues therefore comprise net revenue. It is therefore able to provide its services at low rates that would nevertheless still have astronomical mark-ups in terms of percentages.

However, WM does not, and will not do this. It passes on the benefit of its 21st Century efficient structuring onto its members, by providing the services that it does charge for at ultra-low rates, and by providing many of its services at zero cost. WM takes the view that the best interests of a (Global) Community trump the best interests of a (corporate or person) individual – and it puts that view into practice.

It does not, and will not, engage in predatory or ruthless actions towards its Members. After all – although some sections of business regard ruthlessness as a sign of business prowess, any predator or scavenger is also able to be ruthless. The choice, therefore, is whether to act as a member of a society, or as a predator upon the society – and WM’s choice is to act as a member of a society. Naturally, WM is very robust in its actions with regard to unfriendly potential competitors, or persons or entities that try to abuse these situations, but those are different situations.

The saving of large amounts of money will represent different things to different people. For large and wealthy entities, it will represent a significant boost to profits. For the most vulnerable in society, it represents the capacity to buy perhaps two bags of rice for the family instead of only one, or having the funds left over to send a child to school where otherwise this would not be possible. It is for the most vulnerable societies and vulnerable people in societies that WM primarily does this for, because it regards this aspects as the most important single aspects of any company’s Global Social Responsibility.

Resources:

Media Contact:
Nick Lambert: wm@thoburns.com

WM’S Global Social Responsibility Page:
https://webtel.mobi/pc/info/global-social-responsibility/

WM’s Impending SCRM Program:
https://webtel.mobi/pc/info/coming-soon/#SCRMs

WM’S VSMP Program:
https://webtel.mobi/pc/info/tmg-global-alliance/
https://webtel.mobi/pc/info/how-to-apply-to-be-a-wm-affiliate/
https://webtel.mobi/media/info/telmobi-group-vsmp-handbook.pdf

Research Reports on the Capacities of the WM System:

Additional Research Papers on Webtel.mobi’s Global Clearing System and TUV:
https://webtel.mobi/pc/info/research/

Video on the Capacities of the WM System:
https://youtu.be/XYBrCikUhn8

Characteristics of WM’s TUV Digital Currency:
https://webtel.mobi/info/tuv-characteristics

WM’s urls:
https://webtel.mobi/pc (Tablets / Laptops / Desktops)
https://webtel.mobi (Smart Phones)
https://webtel.mobi/wap (Pre-Smart Mobile Phones)

When Making Excess Profit was Immoral:
https://review.chicagobooth.edu/economics/2017/article/when-making-profit-was-immoral

Adam Smith’s “Wealth of Nations” (See Book 1, Chapter IX, Paragraph 24)
https://web.archive.org/web/20200922120218/https://www.ibiblio.org/ml/libri/s/SmithA_WealthNations_p.pdf

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ffbd9f98-5d9e-4f6e-a904-819250fcc402

The photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress.

Algernon Pharmaceuticals Announces Receipt of CAD$2M Cash Refund from Australian Research Program and Files Application to List its Common Shares on Nasdaq Capital Market

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CSE: AGN) (FRANKFURT: AGW) (OTCQB: AGNPF) (the “Company” or “Algernon”), a clinical stage pharmaceutical development company, is pleased to announce that it has recently received a CAD$2M cash payment from a refundable tax credit program from its clinical research work in Australia, which brings Algernon’s current working capital balance to approximately CAD$3.5M.

The Company also wishes to announce that it has submitted an application to have its common shares listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market. The listing of the Company’s common shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market remains subject to Nasdaq approval and the satisfaction of all applicable listing, governance and regulatory requirements. While the Company intends and believes it will be able to satisfy all of the applicable requirements, there is no assurance that it will be successful in satisfying the listing requirements or its application will be approved.

“Algernon has a unique drug development business model and multiple research programs that are currently in both pre-clinical and human trials,” said Christopher J. Moreau, CEO of Algernon Pharmaceuticals. “Moving the Company to a U.S. national stock exchange should help improve our valuation and is expected to provide the Company with access to new investors who specialize in and understand pharmaceutical development.”

About Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. 

Algernon is a drug re-purposing company that investigates safe, already approved drugs, and naturally occurring compounds, for new disease applications, moving them efficiently and safely into new human trials, developing new formulations and seeking new regulatory approvals in global markets. Algernon specifically investigates compounds that have never been approved in the U.S. or Europe to avoid off label prescription writing.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Christopher J. Moreau
CEO
Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc.
604.398.4175 ext 701
info@algernonpharmaceuticals.com
investors@algernonpharmaceuticals.com
www.algernonpharmaceuticals.com.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER STATEMENT: No Securities Exchange has reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to product development, licensing, commercialization and regulatory compliance issues and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “will”, “may”, “should”, “anticipate”, “expects” and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include the failure to satisfy the conditions of the relevant securities exchange(s) and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will only update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law.

50 Afghan refugees rally in Kupang, demand expedited resettlement

At least 50 Afghan refugees staged a rally in East Nusa Tenggara capital Kupang on Thursday, demanding the Law and Human Rights Ministry assist them in their efforts towards resettlement to a third country.

“We come here to appeal to the Indonesian government through the Law and Human Rights Ministry-East Nusa Tenggara Office to facilitate us to express our complaints to IOM (International Organization for Migration) and the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees),” the refugees’ representative, Kubra Hanasi, said.

As an alternative to expedited resettlement, the refugees want the Indonesian government to grant them Indonesian citizenship by considering the uncertainty over their resettlement to third countries, she said.

Hanasi, however, dismissed the possibility of her and other Afghan refugees staying in East Nusa Tenggara returning to their home country citing the Taliban’s takeover of power.

She said she and other Afghan refugees have repeatedly staged rallies to push for expedited resettlement or Indonesian citizenship status.

Hasani said she and her husband were stranded on Indonesia’s Rote Island in 2015. Since then, they have been staying in Kupang, but several refugees have lived in the city much longer, she informed.

ANTARA has earlier reported how Indonesia is often perceived as a transit country by those seeking asylum to a third country owing to the fact that it is not among the signatories to the 1951 refugee convention.

Though Afghan refugees have lived in Kupang for almost 7, 10, and 11 years but the UNHCR or IOM are yet to resettle them in a third country, Hasani said.

Therefore, she said the Afghan refugees have continued to appeal to the Indonesian government to grant them citizenship.

During the rally that was joined by teenage and adult refugees, some of whom carried toddlers, the Afghan refugees said they wanted to meet Marciana D Jone, head of the Law and Human Rights Ministry-East Nusa Tenggara Office, to convey their request.

According to Hasani, around 30 Afghan children staying in Kupang along with their parents are facing an uncertain future owing to the uncertainty over their citizenship status.

Regarding the Afghan refugees-related issues, Reuters recently quoted a spokesperson for the UNHCR as saying that “the situation in Afghanistan did not have any impact on the status of refugees in Indonesia or elsewhere and their resettlement programme was going on as usual”.

Source: Antara News

PCR test report mandatory for air travelers entering Java-Bali

Air travelers entering and leaving Java-Bali islands as well as regions with Level 3 and 4 PPKM (public activity restrictions) are now required to carry a negative PCR test report, the COVID-19 Task Force has informed.

“Using PCR test results certainly has a higher accuracy than rapid antigen tests,” COVID-19 Handling Task Force spokesperson Wiku Adisasmito said at a press conference on “Domestic Travel Regulations Following The COVID-19 Case Decline” here on Thursday.

PCR tests must be taken within a maximum period of 2 x 24 hours before the flight, he added.

The testing requirement has been narrowed to just PCR because there is currently no implementation of seat distancing in airplanes, he explained.

According to him, the PCR test requirement is a part of the mobility easing trial to boost economic recovery in areas where COVID-19 has been controlled.

“PCR is a good standard of testing and is more sensitive than an antigen test in tracking positive cases,” he added.

Adisasmito also said that air travelers to and from Java-Bali islands and areas under Level 3 and 4 PPKM will also be required to show a vaccine certificate proof. They will need to show that they have at least obtained the first dose of vaccine, he added.

“For air transportation modes, it is mandatory to show two documents which are the vaccine certificate at least the first dose and a certificate of a negative PCR test result,” he reiterated.

To optimize COVID-19 prevention in air transportation, airlines are required to prepare three rows of vacant seats for instances when travelers show symptoms, he expounded.

The latest rules on domestic travel were made on cross-sector decisions that have considered the current case situation and the readiness of facilities and infrastructure supporting the health protocols on-field, Adisasmito said.

“This decision is stipulated in many policies, which are the circulars of Task Force No. 21 of 2021, Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs No. 53 and 54 of 2021, and circulars of the Ministry of Transportation No. 88 of 2021,” he explained.

Source: Antara News

Ambon city to get radio-based tsunami warning system

A new tsunami warning system will be installed soon in Waihaong village, Ambon City, Maluku province, Head of the Amnon Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Office (BMKG) Herlambang Huda informed on Thursday.

He said the old system could not be operated anymore as the warning systems have been changed to radio frequency-based.

The new system will be able to survive earthquakes that could trigger a tsunami, he added.

Hence, if a tsunami follows, there will be no communication problem between the officer assigned to activate the alarm and the one who is at the location of the tsunami, he explained.

“Still, the officer has to ensure that the information is verified,” Huda emphasized.

According to him, currently, there is only one tsunami warning alarm in Ambon city.

He said he expects that additional devices will be provided by the regional government in the near future so that the warning can reach as many people as possible.

In addition, currently, the agency is installing new disaster radiofrequency system equipment which can change text information to sound, he informed.

“The system will convey information from various sources to the public,” he added.

Ambon city is located at the subduction point of four major tectonic plates — Eurasian, Filipino, Pacific, and Indo-Australian – which makes the region vulnerable to earthquakes and tsunamis, he said.

The latest earthquake with high casualties in Ambon city happened on September 26, 2019 at 7:46 a.m. local time. It claimed 41 lives and left hundreds injured. The shallow earthquake was located at a depth of 10 kilometers and had a magnitude of 6.5, thus resulting in a tsunami alert.

Source: Antara News

State firms to focus CSR on education, environment, MSMEs: Thohir

The State-Owned Enterprises Ministry will expedite state companies’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in three sectors: education, environment, and MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises), according to State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Tohir during a webinar entitled ‘Road to COP26: Environmentally Friendly Clean Energy Transition’.

“We will change the CSR strategy of state-owned enterprises. Mainly in three things, those being education, the environment, and MSMEs. We can continue to make efficiency, even though (currently we are) affected by COVID-19,” the minister said in a statement released here on Thursday.

Thohir expressed optimism over the government’s ability to ensure the sustainability of the businesses should their business model be improved. The measure was considered so it could offer a maximum contribution to the country, he explained during the webinar held on October 8, 2021.

“This includes maintaining CSR because it is taken from the health (financial) of state-owned enterprises. If the enterprises are not healthy, there is no CSR,” he opined.

The minister encouraged state-owned enterprises to actively achieve important breakthroughs in order to aid efforts towards the achievement of the Indonesia Net Zero Emissions target by 2060.

“We encourage state-owned mining companies to make improvements to the environment and we will supervise directly,” Thohir said.

To support the ministry’s goal, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry has also launched a new program called Gerilya, or the Solar Power Initiative Movement, he noted.

The program is part of the Freedom of Learning of Independent Campus program, which was initiated by the Education, Culture, Research and Technology Ministry, he said.

This program is aimed specifically at exact science students in the fifth semester and above, who want to exchange their credits in one semester to learn and practice developing clean energy, particularly solar power, he added.

Of the 634 students who have registered, 52 students have been selected, he said. They will undergo six months of lectures in the Gerilya Program, comprising three months of courses and three months of team-based projects in collaboration with business entities, he informed.

The output of the Gerilya Program will also ensure that there is an increase in solar power generation capacity so that it will contribute to the achievement of the target of 23 percent of NRE by 2025, the minister said.

“The Gerilya Program will produce clean energy activists from the younger generation, who will also accelerate the use of solar rooftops and support the achievement of the renewable energy mix target of 23 percent by 2025,” Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Arifin said at the virtual launch of the Gerilya Program in August 2021.

He said he expected support from all stakeholders to make the program a success as it is a part of efforts to implement the energy transition and educate the nation.

“I also urge practitioners, lecturers, experts, and other young people to become teachers and mentors. Support from stakeholders (state-owned enterprises) is very important in the success of the Gerilya Program,” Arifin remarked.

He said that Indonesia aims to implement policies that encourage the transition to cleaner, low emission, and environmentally friendly energy. This is in line with Indonesia’s commitment to the Paris Agreement, namely reducing greenhouse gas emissions, he added.

To achieve this goal, the government is prioritizing the development of solar energy given the low investment costs and short implementation time, he informed.

“The energy sector is expected to play an important role through innovative steps and collaborative attitudes to be able to realize energy independence and security and support green economic growth,” the minister added.

Source: Antara News

Widodo urges local governments to speed up vaccinations

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has urged local governments in South Kalimantan to accelerate COVID-19 vaccinations for the community, saying the vaccine coverage in the province was still low.

“Earlier, I received a report from the Governor of South Kalimantan that in the province, districts, and cities in South Kalimantan Province (COVID-19 vaccinations have) only reached 33 percent,” he said during a dialogue with regional representatives in South Kalimantan, held via video conferencing from Moch. Ansari Saleh Hospital, Banjarmasin City, on Thursday.

Accelerating vaccines in all provinces, he explained, is important to encourage the achievement of the national target of inoculating 70 percent of the total population by the end of 2021.

Based on data from the Ministry of Health, vaccination coverage has reached just 34.37 percent for the first dose and 20.53 percent for the second dose in South Kalimantan as of October 21, 2021.

In addition to the COVID-19 vaccination drive in Banjarmasin, 12 other districts/cities in South Kalimantan also carried out vaccinations on Thursday.

During a dialogue with the President, one of the representatives from Tanah Laut district said that the achievement of vaccinations in the district was also still low.

“Our total vaccination achievement is still quite low, around 23.08 percent as of yesterday afternoon,” the representative said.

Representatives from Tapin district also revealed the low vaccination rate in the district.

According to the representatives, currently, vaccination coverage in Tapin district has only reached 25.8 percent. However, a number of district/city governments in South Kalimantan said they are optimistic that they can achieve the vaccination target by the end of this year.

“God willing, in November, it will be 70 percent, Mr. President,” said a representative from Banjarbaru city.

President Widodo also asked local government officials to cooperate with the police and the military to speed up COVID-19 vaccination.

“I have conveyed to the head of the Provincial Health Office. If the stock of vaccines runs out, the local government can convey it to the central government. We will send the vaccines according to the needs detailed by the South Kalimantan province,” the President said.

At the vaccination event, the President was accompanied by State Secretary Pratikno, State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir, and South Kalimantan Governor Sahbirin Noor.

Source: Antara News