Latest news with #HSP
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
SCALED to mobilize sustainable private investment in emerging markets, developing economies
BATHINDA: The members of the Hamburg Sustainability Platform (HSP) rechristened as Scaling Capital for Sustainable Development (SCALED), an initiative of public and private institutions is laying the foundation for scaling private investment for sustainable development in emerging markets and developing countries. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Signing a joint declaration of intent at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference 2025, on Monday, the HSP reaffirmed their joint commitment to remove structural obstacles that so far stood in the way of mobilizing large-scale investments. Being a joint effort between several public and private institutions, the initiative sends a strong signal towards better coordination. SCALED is putting standardization into practice by preparing the launch of a company dedicated to mobilizing private capital for sustainable development projects more easily, quickly, and efficiently. The new company is expected to commence operations at the end of 2025 and immediately begin to work on investment vehicles, for example to support projects with sustainable impact such as solar farms or entrepreneurship support. As a service provider for the whole market, the company aims at bringing together investors with common interests, set up standardized financial vehicles, such as funds, and find suitable international and local asset managers to implement the investments. Private and public investors can use these vehicles to make their investments in a straightforward manner according to a recurring pattern. As such, the company is foreseen to significantly contribute to closing the existing financing gaps in emerging markets and developing countries. Depending on funding commitments from public and private sources, the company could facilitate several billion USD of private investments in various sectors and regions over the next years to achieve sustainable impact. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD, and the Inter-American Development Bank, IDB, support SCALED as knowledge partners.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
‘It shouldn't have to be this way': Congressman's mother-in-law testifies for physician-assisted death in RI
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — For generations, Jennifer McDowell says, her family has been living with an incurable genetic disease. Now she's asking Rhode Island leaders to let her die with dignity. 'I deserve the right to a peaceful death, preferably at home, surrounded by family and those who love me,' she said in her testimony before the Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee last week. McDowell, who is Congressman Seth Magaziner's mother-in-law, was one of several Rhode Islanders sharing their personal stories in support of physician-assisted death as lawmakers consider a bill that would let terminally ill patients ask their doctors to prescribe medication to end their lives. McDowell said she is starting to show signs of a disease that she believes goes back as far as her ancestor, Stephen Hopkins, who signed the Declaration of Independence on behalf of Rhode Islanders. 'They characterized him as the only drunk in the room. I beg to differ,' she said. 'I think it was hereditary spastic paraplegia.' She said that the disease has continued through her family. 'We are dead within five years,' McDowell said. 'There are no cures. I've lost an aunt, a first cousin, my father, and my beloved brother to HSP. And I can barely sign my name now.' Currently, 11 states and the District of Columbia allow physician-assisted death. But some people believe this legislation puts people with disabilities and the elderly at risk. 'Instead of fighting for appropriate care at the end of the line, we're introducing legislation that pushes people towards ending their own life,' said Jessica Rodgers, the coalition director of the Patients' Rights Action Fund, a national organization dedicated to fighting bills like the legislation proposed in Rhode Island. But state Senator Meghan Kallman of Pawtucket and Providence said the legislation she proposed is designed to prevent abuse. She said the bill would only be available to terminally ill adults who ask for physician-assisted death twice and are still able to consent. 'There are requirements,' Kallman explained. She says her bill requires two different doctors to verify that a patient's illness has 'six months or less as a prognosis.' No formal date has been set for the Judiciary Committee to vote on the legislation, but Senate President Val Lawson expressed interest on Tuesday. 'I will be reviewing the committee testimony and speaking to Chairman Matthew LaMountain regarding the details of the legislation. Personally, I am in support of the bill,' she wrote. Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call, text or chat 988BH Link: Rhode Islanders can call 401-414-LINK (5465)Kids' Link RI: Parents can call 1-855-543-5465 Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Malaysian Reserve
27-05-2025
- Health
- Malaysian Reserve
Perkeso elevating prevention, rehab and job reintegration as Malaysia ages
Its strategic shift from compensation-based support to prevention and rehabilitation marks a significant evolution in its mandate by AKMAR ANNUAR THE Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) is expanding its role beyond traditional social protection to address the complex needs of older Malaysians as the country prepares to enter aged nation status by 2030. With rising life expectancy and a growing elderly population, Perkeso's strategic shift from compensation-based support to prevention and rehabilitation marks a significant evolution in its mandate. CEO Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed firmly believes that prevention should come before rehabilitation, and rehabilitation should come before compensation. 'The organisation is committed to building an inclusive, future-ready protection system that evolves with the country's demographic realities,' he told The Malaysian Reserve (TMR). Malaysia is expected to become an aged nation in just five years, with 14% of its population aged 65 and above. The looming 'silver tsunami' has long been anticipated, prompting Perkeso to roll out targeted initiatives over the past decade. The organisation is committed to building an inclusive, future-ready protection system, says Dr Mohammed Azman (pic: MEDIA MULIA) Early Detection One of its earliest measures was the Health Screening Programme (HSP), launched in 2013 to detect chronic illnesses early among insured persons aged 40 and above. The HSP includes physical examinations, blood and urine tests, pap smears and mammograms for women, and mental health screening. As of April 19 this year, 883,521 individuals had benefitted from the programme. Dr Mohammed Azman said the initiative helps lower long-term healthcare costs and reduces disability risks by ensuring timely treatment and promoting healthy ageing. Private sector workers under 60 are statutorily covered under the Employment Injury Scheme and the Invalidity Pension Scheme, as provided by the Employees' Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4). Those who continue working after 60 are still required to contribute to the Employ- ment Injury Scheme, with employers contributing 1.25% of monthly wages. As of March 2025, there were 342,887 active contributors aged 60 and above under Act 4. Meanwhile, self-employed and informal sector workers are covered under the Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017 (Act 789). This includes gig workers such as e-hailing drivers, delivery riders and, since January this year, hawkers and petty traders. Self-employed workers, including hawkers and petty traders, are covered under Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017 (Act 789) (pic: TMRpic) A total of 103,833 self-employed persons aged 60 and above are now actively covered under Act 789. Perkeso also supports job-matching and reintegration through its MyFutureJobs portal, which offers career fairs, placement programmes and upskilling opportunities. To date, 15,553 older workers from this group have been successfully placed into employment. Recent figures also show a steady increase in payouts to older contributors, reflecting rising demand for support. Under Act 4, a total of 11,437 beneficiaries aged 60 and above were recorded in 2023, followed by 9,951 in 2024 and 2,376 in the first quarter of 2025. Under Act 789, Perkeso registered 511 beneficiaries in 2023; 767 in 2024 and 237 in the first quarter of this year. Dr Mohammed Azman elaborated that Perkeso's actuarial models now account for age-specific incidence of illness, injury and disability to better estimate future liabilities. He explained that the agency is reviewing eligibility conditions, contribution rules and benefit scope to reflect the realities of a greying workforce. To manage costs, Perkeso now operates 5 of its own dialysis centres, reducing reliance on over 800 third-party providers Managing Cost One of Perkeso's biggest sustainability concerns is rising medical inflation, especially as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) increase. In 2023, 29,310 insured persons were diagnosed with NCDs, a 26.5% increase from 23,174 in 2022. Perkeso has also borne the full cost of dialysis for insured individuals with end-stage kidney failure since 1999. What began as an RM1.12 million expenditure has grown to RM350 million annually. To manage costs, Perkeso now operates five of its own dialysis centres — in Klang and Shah Alam, Selangor; Kluang and Batu Pahat, Johor; and Kuala Lumpur (KL) — reducing reliance on over 800 third-party providers. Dr Mohammed Azman noted that gradual policy shifts are being considered to ensure social protection remains financially viable while meeting the health needs of a longer-living population. He added that protecting income alone is no longer sufficient — the goal is income sustainability and re-employment where possible. Perkeso Return-to-Work (RTW) programme continues to play a critical role in rehabilitating injured and disabled workers. Since 2020, 3,214 workers aged 60 and above have been referred to the programme. Of that total, 1,957 (61%) have successfully rejoined the workforce. A majority (78%) were reinstated into their pre-injury roles, while 15% started microenterprises supported by Perkeso's capital grants and advisory services. Industries with the highest RTW placements among older workers include manufacturing (21%), wholesale and retail (18%), and transport and storage (11%). In terms of job retention, 92% of cases successfully remained employed at their workplaces for a period of three months or above. To improve outcomes, Perkeso has introduced geriatric-informed case management. These plans incorporate physical, cognitive and psychological assessments and are administered by trained Disability Management Officers. Wellness modules and preventive screenings are also embedded in the rehabilitation journey. Additionally, Perkeso is formalising flexible reintegration pathways, allowing elderly workers to return on a part-time or phased basis in collaboration with employers. The agency offers mini-grants, ergonomic audits, workplace modifications and job coaching to support these transitions. It works with age-friendly employers and Human Resource Development Corp (HRDCorp) to develop training in digital literacy, modified-duty skills and entrepreneurship. To monitor the results of these reintegration and shape future policies, a centralised outcomes dashboard is being built. Despite these efforts, awareness and participation among informal and elderly workers remain low. Many senior citizens are still working in sectors such as agriculture but are not aware of their eligibility to be protected Lack of Awareness Universiti Malaya Social Wellbeing Research Centre director Prof Emer Datuk Norma Mansor said that only 26% of the estimated 1.1 million informal workers are contributing to Perkeso. 'The lack of awareness and the voluntary nature of these schemes are major hurdles,' she told TMR. She said a recent survey conducted by her centre found that 30% of Malaysians aged between 60 and 69 are still working, along with 16% of those aged between 70 and 79 and 4.5% of those over 80. Many of them are in agriculture, forestry and informal services. Yet, she said, they are not aware of their eligibility to be protected. Norma acknowledged Perkeso's outreach efforts, including public expos and campaigns, but noted that awareness gaps persist even among community leaders. 'Some community heads I spoke to did not even know elderly informal workers could enrol, and that is a problem,' she disclosed. She said while Malaysia's universal healthcare system is praiseworthy, public long-term care services remain minimal. 'Most long-term care is family-provided. We have very little institutional support or public spending in this space,' she added. Norma said Malaysia also lacks insurance options for long-term care, which leaves the elderly exposed. She explained that most private insurance policies either become void or require prohibitively high premiums once individuals reach a certain age, effectively leaving low-income elderly people without any form of financial protection. She proposed a mandatory contribution model for all working Malaysians into a national social protection fund. 'It could be small contributions — perhaps subsidised or paid by family members — but everyone should be included,' she said. Norma proposes a mandatory contribution model for all working Malaysians into a national social protection fund Norma warned that as Malaysia ages, the country could face intergenerational poverty and a shrinking workforce if ageing needs are not addressed. She said if the social protection system fails to support older individuals, their adult children may have to leave the workforce to become full-time caregivers, which would result in a significant loss to the economy. Norma called for stronger collaboration between Perkeso and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) to create a more sustainable model. 'Perkeso should handle protection against illness and injury, while EPF ensures retirement income. Together, they can build a more comprehensive net,' she said. Norma also emphasised that Malaysia should benchmark against countries like Australia and New Zealand, where ageing citizens benefit from more structured social and eldercare systems. Malaysia needs a long-term care strategy that combines public funding, community-based care and viable insurance models. 'Currently, it is left to chance. We need a national approach that considers longer lifespans, delayed retirement and chronic care needs,' she said. During the Movement Control Order (MCO), Perkeso stepped in with temporary assistance schemes for retrenched individuals. 'It was during MCO that I truly saw what Perkeso can do. It kept many afloat,' she said. She also highlighted the gap in coverage for informal workers who lack access to the Employment Insurance System (EIS). These workers are highly vulnerable and that it is time to make social protection universal, not segmented. Ageing is also not only a healthcare or welfare issue but one that cuts across economic development and social justice. 'We can no longer afford to think of ageing as a marginal issue. It is now mainstream,' she said. Beneficiaries Retirees and workers interviewed by TMR highlighted the value of Perkeso's schemes. A Komlah, a 49-year-old widow, receives RM2,673 monthly under the Dependant's Benefit scheme after her husband died in a factory accident. Perkeso also covered funeral costs and helped her daughter secure employment via MyFutureJobs. Ahmad Nasrin, a 59-year-old construction worker, was retrained and rehired as a safety supervisor after a spinal injury while former port manager Vijay Nadarajah re-entered the job market after being forcibly retired at 60. 'Sixty is the new 50. We are still capable, but there is little structured help for us,' he said. Currently, Perkeso's invalidity pension is only payable if a person becomes disabled before 60. After that, only employment-related injuries are covered, leaving gaps for age-related illnesses or disabilities post-retirement. Norma said this loophole must be addressed by evolving the legal framework to ensure continuous protection regardless of age. Perkeso has laid a strong foundation, but its role will need to be continuously expanded, reformed and strengthened to meet Malaysia's changing demographic landscape. 'Ageing with dignity means more than surviving. It means being seen, supported and secure,' Norma said. With nearly half a million older workers already under its care, Perkeso is well-positioned to anchor Malaysia's transition into an inclusive and compassionate ageing society. This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition
Boston Globe
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
As R.I. considers bill to legalize medical aid in dying, Magaziner's mother-in-law testifies in support
Opponents urged the committee to reject the bill, saying it aims to legalize a practice that Rhode Island's criminal code now calls 'assisted suicide.' McDowell, 72, of Little Compton, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee, saying she is a direct descendant of Stephen Hopkins, a governor of the Colony of Rhode Island who added his 'very wobbly signature' to the Declaration of Independence. Get Rhode Map A weekday briefing from veteran Rhode Island reporters, focused on the things that matter most in the Ocean State. Enter Email Sign Up She said the musical '1776″ portrayed Hopkins as 'the only drunk in the room,' but she believes he actually suffered hereditary spastic paraplegia, a large group of rare and progressive inherited disorders that cause weakness and stiffness of the legs. Advertisement 'I've lost an aunt, a first cousin, my father, and my beloved brother to HSP,' McDowell said, adding that she is showing signs of the disorder. 'I can barely sign my name now.' She said the strain that runs through her family affects people in their late 60s and early 70s. 'We are dead within five years,' she said. 'There are no cures.' Advertisement McDowell said she has three children and two grandchildren. 'That I may be passing this on to them is a heartbreak I just can't even describe,' she said. 'They will have to decide if they want to test for it or not, if an accurate test even exists.' People should be able to choose a 'well-planned death,' she said. 'Your death via a difficult, painful, and terrifying illness will be a difficult and painful experience for everybody who loves you. It should not have to be this way.' McDowell urged the committee to support the legislation, saying, 'I deserve the right to a peaceful death, preferably at home, surrounded by family and those who love me.' Related : The legislation drew opposition from Barth E. Bracy, executive director of the Rhode Island State Right to Life Committee. 'While proponents now prefer to call it by another name, Senate Bill 151 seeks to legalize a practice presently described in the Rhode Island Criminal Code as assisted suicide,' Bracy said in written testimony. 'Assisted suicide is not medicine. It is bad public policy that puts unsuspecting people at risk." Bracy warned that the legislation could result in 'abuse of the elderly and disabled' and 'exploitation of any one of us who may have an estate coveted by others or who may be regarded as a burden.' The safeguards included in the bill are 'porous,' Bracy said. Severely depressed or mentally ill person could receive a lethal prescription without having any counseling, he said, and the bill does not require consultation with a patient's primary care physician. The Senate Judiciary Committee held the bill for further study. Representative Edith H. Ajello, a Providence Democrat, has for years proposed companion Advertisement Kallman, a Pawtucket Democrat, noted the bill has bipartisan support, with cosponsors including Senator Minority Whip Gordon E. Rogers, a Foster Republican. And she noted the bill, titled The Lila Manfield Sapinsley Compassionate Care Act, is named for the late Senate Republican leader who died in 2014. Kallman said the legislation is personal for her. 'My grandfather was a farmer. He was a very staid guy. He did not talk about feelings,' he said. 'And he got cancer in his late 70s.' To prompt a conversation, he began 'littering the house' with pamphlets detailing the 'death with dignity' laws in Vermont and Oregon, Kallman said. 'It was not a conversation that we ever finished because he passed away of that cancer in 2016,' she said. Kallman noted that under the bill, anyone requesting end-of-life medication must be over 18, a Rhode Island resident, and diagnosed with a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less. They would have to make two verbal requests for the medication at least 15 days apart 'to protect against an impulsive request,' she said. They also would have to provide a written request to the doctor that's signed in front of two qualified adult witnesses 'to prevent coercion,' Kallman said. Two doctors would have to confirm the patient's diagnosis, prognosis, and ability to make medical decisions. Related : Brian Bennett, a mental health counselor from North Kingstown, spoke in opposition to the bill, saying he works with young people who are suffering and considering suicide. 'One of the protective factors against suicide is the belief — be it moral, ethical, religious, or civil — that suicide is wrong," he said. 'By legalizing assisted suicide under whatever name we choose to call it in this bill, we put that belief in doubt and remove one more barrier to suicide for some of the most vulnerable among us.' Advertisement Bennett said he fears the legislation could end up being expanded. " If you pass this bill, tomorrow you will have experts sitting in this seat asking you why assisted suicide ought to apply to physical illness and not to mental illness, and frankly, they'll have a point," he said. Clare Kearney, of Barrington, testified with an oxygen tube in her nose. She said she spent years as a nurse working on oncology units and respirator intensive care units. 'I am now a patient myself, going through the horror that I witnessed taking care of my patients,' she said. Kearney said she now has interstitial lung disease and end-stage emphysema, with 25 percent lung capacity. 'The doctors look at me as a miracle,' she said. 'The pain I suffer today is horrific. I have headaches that don't go away because I'm not getting oxygen to my brain. I have back and chest pain, chest tightness, nausea, diarrhea.' Kearney said it's 'an insult' for opponents to say the bill is about depression. 'This bill is about dignity in dying,' she said. 'This bill would help me decide, when the time comes — which will be in a year or two — for me to do to do it with compassion, with my family. If I can't, then I'll go to a hotel and I'll take some pills, and a poor maid will find my body." Advertisement Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at
Business Wire
19-05-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
VA Partners with Televeda to Expand Suicide Prevention Solution for Indigenous Veterans
PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Televeda, a community engagement platform dedicated to reducing social isolation and loneliness, has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pilot and expand its Hero's Story Project (HSP), a culturally tailored suicide prevention program designed specifically for American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) veterans. The Hero's Story Project is a comprehensive initiative that integrates elements of traditional healing practices such as Talking Circles and storytelling, with evidence-based peer support frameworks. By combining cultural knowledge with innovative delivery models such as virtual, in-person, and hybrid sessions, the Hero's Story Project fosters peer collaboration, strengthens trust, and improves social connectedness for at-risk veteran populations. Under this initiative, Televeda will pilot and scale its services across Arizona and New Mexico, focusing on American Indian and Alaska Native veterans in rural frontier communities. Special attention will be given to creating safe peer circles for women veterans and survivors of military sexual trauma (MST), ensuring their participation is supported with sensitivity and care to foster trust and healing. The project will include formalizing partnerships with additional tribal governments and veteran service organizations (VSOs), and expanding program evaluation to enhance delivery, effectiveness, and impact. 'We are deeply grateful to the VA, our tribal and community partners, and the veterans who have helped shape this important work,' said Mayank Mishra, Co-Founder of Televeda. 'We look forward to working side by side with these collaborators to strengthen existing efforts, expand culturally responsive resources, and ensure no veteran is left without access to the VA, which is a vital protective factor in suicide prevention.' About Hero's Story Project Launched through the VA's Mission Daybreak initiative, the Hero's Story Project is a novel reimagining of peer support services for minority veteran subpopulations. By designing 'resource journeys' that connect veterans to culturally aligned support systems, the project addresses upstream factors contributing to suicide, such as social isolation, historical mistrust, and lack of access points that are responsive to the cultural and community needs of minority veterans such as AIAN veterans. The Hero's Story Project aims to increase engagement, reduce risk factors, and promote resilience and healing by equipping veterans with culturally responsible tools to strengthen family, tribal, and community ties while connecting them with essential resources. About Televeda Founded in 2018, Televeda is a digital health platform focused on reducing social isolation and increasing digital inclusion for veterans, seniors, and underserved communities across the United States. For more information or partnership opportunities, visit:
