Latest news with #InternationalSOS
News18
28-07-2025
- Health
- News18
Hepatitis And The Working Woman: Barriers To Early Detection And Care
Last Updated: Hepatitis infections, especially hepatitis B and C can remain asymptomatic for years In the landscape of global health, viral hepatitis continues to be a big challenge, with over a million deaths being attributed to Hepatitis B and C annually. The silent nature of these infections allows them to go undetected for years, especially among working women, an underserved and frequently overlooked group in health matters. As we observe World Hepatitis Day, it is vital to highlight the unique barriers working women face in the early detection and care of hepatitis. Dr Vikram Vora, Medical Director, International SOS shares all you need to know: Hepatitis infections, especially hepatitis B and C can remain asymptomatic for years. Without targeted screening, many individuals especially women juggling multiple roles, who are unable to focus on their own health and wellbeing, do not realize that they are infected until the disease has progressed and caused serious liver damage, including fibrosis, cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. This culturally ingrained self-neglect means symptoms, when they appear, may be brushed aside or misattributed to stress or hormonal changes. In working women, this can be even more pronounced due to the complex interplay of occupational, social, and biological factors. Working women often operate under significant time pressure, regardless of whether they work in formal or informal sectors. Between managing household responsibilities and professional demands, preventive health checkups end up being deprioritized. Although corporate wellness programs have started to focus on non-communicable diseases (like diabetes and hypertension), rarely do they include hepatitis screening. Further, clinics often operate during standard working hours, and relatively few employers offer on-site testing or flexible leave for preventive health services. This creates a vicious cycle of low awareness, low testing and consequently, late diagnosis. Hepatitis is also compounded by social stigma, largely due to its association with sexual transmission or drug use. Even educated women may feel hesitant to seek testing or disclose their status for fear of being misunderstood, judged, or discriminated against in the workplace. Despite the availability of effective hepatitis B vaccines and curative treatments for hepatitis C, awareness remains low. Many women are unaware of their vaccination status or the need for screening, especially if they were born before hepatitis B vaccination was included in national immunization programs. Additionally, hepatitis education is often absent from workplace wellness communications. Without targeted information campaigns, the average working woman remains unaware of the long-term risks of chronic hepatitis or the ease of getting screened with a simple blood test. To bridge this gap, we need comprehensive and gender-sensitive workplace health and wellness policies that provide the following: Awareness – constant availability of health information from credible and medically validated sources. Screening and Education – ensuring workplace testing or the provision of access to external screening. Destigmatization – an open culture where discussions around health conditions are free and frank without prejudice Engagement – using digital enablement and fostering a sense of community. Hepatitis is silent but should not be invisible. By recognizing the barriers working women face in detection and treatment and taking targeted steps to overcome them, we can protect this vital segment of the workforce from a preventable, treatable, and often curable disease. view comments First Published: July 28, 2025, 14:18 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India.com
24-07-2025
- Health
- India.com
Monsoon Health Hazards: Simple Steps Employees Can Take To Stay Safe
While the monsoon season brings a welcome drop in temperature, it also increases the risk of infections and seasonal illnesses. For employees managing busy schedules, the onset of the rains requires extra caution to avoid falling sick and missing workdays. The combination of high humidity, waterlogging, and contamination makes this season particularly challenging from a health perspective. Dr. Vikram Vora, Medical Director and Chief Health Officer (Indian Subcontinent), International SOS shares simple steps employees can take to stay safe. Monsoon Illnesses You Should Know About The warm, damp conditions during the rains are ideal for the growth and spread of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This results in a spike in multiple types of diseases—some inconvenient, others quite serious. Waterborne illnesses are among the most common. These include diarrheal diseases, cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis A and E. The primary cause is the consumption of contaminated water or food. Stagnant water and poor sanitation further contribute to their spread. Mosquito-borne infections like dengue, malaria, chikungunya, and Japanese encephalitis are also on the rise during this season. Accumulated rainwater in coolers, flower pots, garbage bins, and clogged drains provides mosquitoes with ideal breeding grounds, often right inside or around residential and office areas. Airborne diseases are more prevalent due to increased humidity and poor ventilation. This promotes the growth of fungi and mold, which can worsen asthma, allergies, and respiratory infections such as the common cold and flu. Skin infections also surge. Constant exposure to wet clothing and sweaty feet creates the perfect setup for fungal infections such as athlete's foot and ringworm. Even small cuts or wounds take longer to heal and are more likely to get infected. Another serious concern is leptospirosis, which is caused by exposure to floodwaters contaminated with the urine of infected animals. Walking barefoot or wading through such waters significantly raises the risk. Prevention Tips for the Monsoon Season Preventing these illnesses is possible with a few consistent and mindful precautions: ● Always drink boiled or filtered water. Avoid consuming juices or ice from street vendors. ● Stick to freshly prepared, home-cooked meals. Avoid raw salads, chutneys, or street food. ● Use mosquito repellents, wear full-sleeved clothing, and ensure no water stagnation in and around your home or workplace. ● Bathe daily, keep feet dry, and choose breathable footwear. Don't walk barefoot in wet areas. ● Carry rain gear when commuting and change out of wet clothes immediately to avoid chills or viral infections. Do's and Don'ts for a Healthy Monsoon Do's Wash your hands often with soap. Keep nails clean and trimmed. Disinfect floors and frequently touched surfaces. Stay hydrated with clean water. Use mosquito nets or repellents at night. Don'ts Don't allow water to stagnate in containers or trash. Don't consume open or uncovered fruits sold outside. Avoid walking through floodwater unless absolutely necessary. Don't ignore persistent fever, diarrhea, or unexplained aches. Never self-medicate; always consult a doctor. By prioritizing hygiene, clean eating, and quick medical attention, employees can stay healthy throughout the rainy season. A little vigilance goes a long way because prevention is always better than a cure.
AsiaOne
11-07-2025
- Climate
- AsiaOne
List of missing in Texas floods adds uncertainty to search for survivors, World News
KERRVILLE, Texas — Six days after flash floods swept through parts of Texas Hill Country and killed at least 120, authorities say there are still more than 160 people unaccounted for, as thousands of searchers combed through piles of mud-covered debris for survivors on Thursday (July 10). But that figure may not reflect the true number of missing people, according to disaster response experts. The number of people reported missing in the aftermath of a natural disaster often turns out to be far greater than the eventual death toll. Worried members of the public, unable to reach a relative or friend, report the name to local authorities and to crowd-sourced online databases, and it gets added to a list that can grow distressingly long. In the first days after the devastating wildfire in the California mountain town of Paradise in 2018, the number of people missing briefly exceeded 1,200. It took two weeks for local officials to recover all the victims, and many months more for them to account for every person reported missing. In total, the fire killed 85 people, still the deadliest wildfire in the state's history. More than two weeks after a wildfire destroyed Lahaina on the Hawaiian island of Maui in 2023, the FBI said there were still more than 1,000 names on its list of the missing. The following summer, officials put the final death toll at 102. Josh Dozor, a former deputy assistant administrator at the Federal Emergency Management Agency and now an executive at the disaster response company International SOS, said the list of missing people could still change significantly. "There could be people listed as missing who don't even know they're on the list," he said. "There are power issues, someone might not have a cell phone charged. People are at shelters. It could take time to reassemble with loved ones." Kerr County, home to the vast majority of victims and missing people, is a sprawling, rural county with areas that have spotty cell phone service. More than 2,100 first responders were continuing a painstaking, mile-by-mile search across the country, hoping against long odds to find survivors six days after torrential rains sent a wall of water raging down the Guadalupe River in the predawn hours of July 4. Authorities have not found anyone alive since the day of the floods. At least 96 people, including 36 children, died in Kerr County, officials said at a briefing on Thursday morning. The death toll includes 27 campers and staff members from Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer retreat on the banks of the river. Five girls and one counselor from the camp remain missing, officials said. "The length of time to find someone still alive after a summertime flash flood is a lot longer than, say, a winter storm or an earthquake, but the chances here are diminishing," Dozor said on Thursday. 'Flash flood alley' Kerr County sits at the heart of what is known as Flash Flood Alley in central Texas, a region where some of the country's deadliest floods have occurred. More than a foot of rain fell in less than an hour early on July 4. Flood gauges showed the river's height rose from about a foot to 34 feet (10.4 meters) in a matter of hours, cascading over the river's banks and sweeping away trees and structures in its path. Hundreds of community members gathered at a worship service at Tivy High School in Kerrville on Wednesday to remember the victims. Students and adults prayed and sang, with some hugging and holding back their tears during the memorial. The school's football coach, Reece Zunker, and his wife, Paula, a former teacher there, were among the victims. Their two children were missing as of Sunday, according to the school district. "Zunker was a really tough guy," said art teacher Marti Garcia, who attended Wednesday's event. "I just had faith that he was going to pull it out." Authorities in Kerr County have faced questions about whether more could have been done in the early hours of July 4 to alert residents about the rising floodwaters and get some of them to higher ground. The state legislature will convene in a special session later this month to investigate the flooding and provide disaster-relief funding. Meanwhile, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham told reporters on Thursday that after talks with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, federal authorities had pledged US$15 million (S$19.2 million) in disaster relief for the mountain village of Ruidoso, where flash flooding on Tuesday killed three people, including two children, and damaged hundreds of homes. Some $12 million of the federal disaster funding is money previously pledged, but never paid, to build levees to protect the community from flash floods after wildfires last year, Lujan Grisham said. [[nid:720038]]
Otago Daily Times
10-07-2025
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
More than 160 still unaccounted for after floods
Six days after flash floods swept through parts of Texas Hill Country and killed at least 120, authorities say there are still more than 160 people unaccounted for. Thousands of searchers combed through piles of mud-covered debris for survivors today. But that figure may not reflect the true number of missing people, according to disaster response experts. The number of people reported missing in the aftermath of a natural disaster often turns out to be far greater than the eventual death toll. Worried members of the public, unable to reach a relative or friend, report the name to local authorities and to crowd-sourced online databases, and it gets added to a list that can grow distressingly long. In the first days after the devastating wildfire in the California mountain town of Paradise in 2018, the number of people missing briefly exceeded 1200. It took two weeks for local officials to recover all the victims, and many months more for them to account for every person reported missing. In total, the fire killed 85 people, still the deadliest wildfire in the state's history. More than two weeks after a wildfire destroyed Lahaina on the Hawaiian island of Maui in 2023, the FBI said there were still more than 1000 names on its list of the missing. The following summer, officials put the final death toll at 102. Josh Dozor, a former deputy assistant administrator at the Federal Emergency Management Agency and now an executive at the disaster response company International SOS, said the list of missing people could still change significantly. "There could be people listed as missing who don't even know they're on the list," he said. "There are power issues, someone might not have a cell phone charged. People are at shelters. It could take time to reassemble with loved ones." Kerr County, home to the vast majority of victims and missing people, is a sprawling, rural county with areas that have spotty cell phone service. More than 2100 first responders were continuing a painstaking, mile-by-mile search across the country, hoping against long odds to find survivors six days after torrential rains sent a wall of water raging down the Guadalupe River in the predawn hours of July 4. Authorities have not found anyone alive since the day of the floods. At least 96 people, including 36 children, died in Kerr County, officials said at a briefing on Thursday morning (local time). The death toll includes 27 campers and staff members from Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer retreat on the banks of the river. Five girls and one counselor from the camp remain missing, officials said. "The length of time to find someone still alive after a summertime flash flood is a lot longer than, say, a winter storm or an earthquake, but the chances here are diminishing," Dozor said on Thursday. 'FLASH FLOOD ALLEY' Kerr County sits at the heart of what is known as Flash Flood Alley in central Texas, a region where some of the country's deadliest floods have occurred. More than a foot of rain fell in less than an hour early on July 4. Flood gauges showed the river's height rose from about a foot to 10.4m in a matter of hours, cascading over the river's banks and sweeping away trees and structures in its path. Hundreds of community members gathered at a worship service at Tivy High School in Kerrville on Wednesday to remember the victims. Students and adults prayed and sang, with some hugging and holding back their tears during the memorial. The school's soccer coach, Reece Zunker, and his wife, Paula, a former teacher there, were among the victims. Their two children were missing as of Sunday, according to the school district. "Zunker was a really tough guy," said art teacher Marti Garcia, who attended Wednesday's event. "I just had faith that he was going to pull it out." Authorities in Kerr County have faced questions about whether more could have been done in the early hours of July 4 to alert residents about the rising floodwaters and get some of them to higher ground. The state legislature will convene in a special session later this month to investigate the flooding and provide disaster-relief funding. Meanwhile, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham told reporters on Thursday that after talks with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, federal authorities had pledged $15 million in disaster relief for the mountain village of Ruidoso, where flash flooding on Tuesday killed three people, including two children, and damaged hundreds of homes. Some $12 million of the federal disaster funding is money previously pledged, but never paid, to build levees to protect the community from flash floods after wildfires last year, Lujan Grisham said.
Business Wire
07-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
International SOS Calls for Innovation in Crisis Management
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- International SOS, the leading global security and health risk management company, has unveiled a comprehensive global guide to help organisations navigate the complexities of modern crises. The paper, Building a Responsive and Effective Crisis Management Programme and accompanying webcast emphasises the importance of moving beyond traditional crisis response to adopt innovative strategies. Crises, though inherently disruptive, serve as powerful crucibles for greater resilience and innovation. They expose latent vulnerabilities, sharpen decision making and compel organisations to think about agility. Giles Hill, Global Head of Security Services at International SOS, comments:"Crises, though inherently disruptive, serve as powerful crucibles for greater resilience and innovation. They expose latent vulnerabilities, sharpen decision making and compel organisations to think about agility – an essential capability in a volatile world. They are a brutally honest appraisal of an organisation's strategy and culture. Leaders and organisations that embrace crisis as a catalyst – not just as a threat – emerge stronger, with more agile systems, clearer priorities and greater competitive advantage, ensuring their organisations not only survive but thrive in the face of adversity." Using real-world scenarios and events, the paper demonstrates how, through informed, pragmatic, and adaptable crisis management, organisations can sustain operations and flourish, and how visionary leaders can transform their organisations into resilient entities capable of facing even the most unforeseen challenges. Based on International SOS' unique 40 years of experience supporting clients and their employees through crises, the paper provides practical insights into all key aspects of best practice in dealing with today's crises – from pre-crisis planning and post-crisis demobilisation to the critical roles of perception, strategic communication, and innovation. Gautier Porot, Group Crisis Management Practice Leader at International SOS, emphasised the importance of adoption of best practices across the workforce: 'We have seen from recent escalations particularly how imperative it is to have robust crisis management and to encompass all eventualities. This paper is not just a source of information but a real call to action for all organisations, their leaders and each employee. Only by collaborating and preparing actively can crises be turned into opportunities and ensure sustainability and success.' Key Highlights of the White Paper i: Pre-crisis planning: Identifying systemic risks, organising resources, and training teams to minimise potential impacts. This includes creating ad hoc teams with specific and complementary skills and developing key documents such as crisis management policies, plans, communication strategies, and guides. Crisis Response Mobilising teams, controlling the situation, and resolving issues through rapid decision-making and clear communication. The paper outlines the importance of modular and agile response teams tailored to each crisis's specificities. Post-Crisis Demobilisation Supporting teams, analysing the new ecosystem, and adapting strategies to better cope with future crises. This involves a structured approach to problem-solving, including identifying the desired end state, breaking it down into workstreams, prioritising them, and developing strategic intent and action plans. About the International SOS Group of Companies; 40 years of saving lives The International SOS Group of Companies is in the business of protecting and saving lives. Wherever you are, we deliver customised security risk management, health and wellbeing solutions to fuel your growth and productivity. In the event of a security incident, epidemic, extreme weather or any other business-disrupting event, we provide an immediate response, giving you and your workforce peace of mind. We uniquely combine industry-leading technology with expertise in security, medical and logistics to deliver prevention programmes that offer real-time, actionable insights and on-the-ground support. Founded in 1985, the International SOS Group has been saving lives for 40 years. Headquartered in London and Singapore, we are trusted by over 9,000 organisations. This includes the majority of the Fortune Global 500, as well as mid-size enterprises, governments, educational institutions, and NGOs. Nearly 13,000 global experts stand with you to provide support and assistance from over 1,200 locations in 90 countries, over 110 languages, 24/7, 365 days a year. We help protect your people and your organisation, as well as support your compliance reporting needs. By partnering with us, your organisation can fulfil its Duty of Care responsibilities and fortify its business continuity. To strengthen your resilience, we are at your fingertips;
