Latest news with #Mediclinic
The Citizen
03-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Mediclinic's employees' data compromised. Investigations underway
The information reportedly includes employees' salaries, disciplinary hearings, and others. Prominent hospital group Mediclinic is investigating a cyberattack that exposed the personal information of its employees. The information reportedly includes employees' salaries, disciplinary hearings, and others. Mediclinic currently operates 50 hospitals, 15 day clinics, five sub-acute and six mental health facilities throughout South Africa, as well as three private hospitals in Namibia, with more than 8 945 beds. Mediclinic Investigates The private hospital group confirmed to The Citizen that its third-party IT service provider experienced a cybersecurity incident. 'Upon learning of this incident, Mediclinic engaged the third-party IT service provider, who reported that it immediately took steps to ensure the containment of the incident, including immediately isolating the affected system, resetting access credentials, and working with external specialists in an incident response investigation.' After following certain procedures, it was determined that the data impacted is limited to employment-related data. The hospital has taken appropriate steps to contact those whose data they believe may have been impacted by the incident, in accordance with data protection guidelines. ALSO READ: Cybersecurity breach costs Astral R20 million in profit No patient data stolen at Mediclinic Mediclinic stated that it is confident no patient data has been compromised, and it did not experience any disruption to its business operations. 'Since the incident, we have and continue to implement further measures to enhance security safeguards in relation to our third-party vendors. 'Mediclinic reported the incident to the appropriate regulators in each of our operating markets, and we continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities as needed.' Other cyberattacks MyBroadband reported that the group responsible for the cyberattack is Everest Group. The group has launched cyberattacks in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and North America. It reportedly launched a cyberattack against Coca-Cola, during which it stole records associated with hundreds of employees, including their personally identifiable information (PII), such as names and addresses, salary records, and scans of passports and visas. NOW READ: AI job takeover begins: Mediclinic replaces admin staff to save R2 billion
Khaleej Times
22-05-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
Mediclinic expands precision medicine portfolio with gut microbiome wellness package
People can optimise health via advanced genetic sequencing, AI-driven nutrition planning In line with its commitment to advancing personalised healthcare and supporting the UAE's vision for a healthier nation, Mediclinic Middle East, one of the region's leading private healthcare providers, has introduced a direct-to-consumer gut microbiome test package. This innovative new service is designed to help individuals optimise their health and improve well-being through personalised dietary insights. Mediclinic's precision medicine service, delivered through Mediclinic Precise, covers the whole of the UAE. It already features a host of tests including genetic testing for reproductive health, cancer and cardiovascular disease risk, alongside tests for patients with symptoms of genetic disorders as well as those related to the gut microbiome. Genetic testing services are available across all Mediclinic facilities and are serviced by its state-of-the-art laboratories. Personalised approach Gut microbiome testing empowers people to understand the status of their gut health in order to create a personalised approach to improve general well-being. A richer and more diverse gut microbiome can help in lowering risk of chronic diseases as well as providing several other health benefits. The human microbiome, a complex ecosystem of microorganisms in the body, plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and well-being. By harnessing the latest scientific advancements, Mediclinic seeks to enable clients to leverage their microbiome to address a range of health conditions, including digestive disorders, immune deficiencies and chronic diseases. Making it more accessible 'Mediclinic's precision medicine service, with testing that happens locally within the UAE, is already providing our patients with fast and accurate information related to their genetic make-up, which empowers them to make informed decisions about their health,' said Dr Jacques Kobersy, chief medical officer at Mediclinic. 'With our new direct-to-consumer gut microbiome testing initiative, we are making this advanced science more accessible to our clients than ever before, representing a significant step forward in personalised medicine.' The new gut microbiome test and follow-up use genetic sequencing and AI-driven meal planning to optimise digestive health, immune function, weight management and more. Available across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al Ain, the package includes virtual and in-person consultations, with seamless pick-up and drop-off services for testing kits. To learn more about Mediclinic's gut microbiome testing, visit or call 800 2033.
The Citizen
12-05-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY: The light must keep on burning
INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY: The light must keep on burning VANDERBIJLPARK – As the world pauses to honour the real heroes in scrubs, Ster took a trip to Johan Heyns to chat with two angels [nurses] who keep the light of healthcare burning. Every year on May 12, International Nurses Day commemorates the birth of Florence Nightingale, the pioneer who revolutionised healthcare. But in the heart of Vanderbijlpark, her legacy lives on in the hearts of local nurses like Malerato Mosikare and Rebecca Phasha. With more than 20 years in the profession, Mosikare is no stranger to the hustle of hospital life as she has experienced both public and private sectors. Sounding calm, passionate, and accomplished, the 54-year-old recalled the moment she fell head over heels for nursing. 'Nursing has always been a calling. Even growing up, I always showed signs of caring for others. I wanted to be a tutor in nursing, and that dream remains in the pipeline,' she said. Having worked at Care Cure, Mediclinic, Baragwanath, and Johan Heyns, serving in different departments, Mosikare now focuses more on mothers and their children. 'The love of assisting clueless mothers in their journey until they carry their products in their arms led me to this department,' she added. While Mosikare continues to enjoy her passion, she claims it's not all rosy in the health sector. Sharing challenges she faces in her career, she admits that the job comes with sacrifices and dispiriting flaws. 'This profession is no longer the same and leaves some nurses demotivated. Nurses are losing themselves. Nursing used to be a profession of high dignity, but now it's no longer like that. But we have to keep the light burning,' she said. In a different interview, Rebecca Phasha (30), a fresh face in the field with a fire for healing and a family tree rooted in nursing, also shared how she ended up as a nurse. 'I've always been drawn to compassion and helping people.' Armed with a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing and courage, Phasa painted a picture of modern nursing challenges. 'We're fighting on two fronts – patient care and personal survival. This industry is demanding. We have an immense staff shortage, and the population we are treating is growing. We are burnt-out, however, we strive to provide quality care,' she said. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Arab News
08-05-2025
- Health
- Arab News
UAE-based nurse nominated for Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2025 with $250,000 prize
DUBAI: A UAE nurse shortlisted for the Aster Guardian Global Nursing Award 2025 has said that he will not spend a cent of the $250,000 prize money on himself, but instead on pediatric cancer research. Fitz Gerald Dalina Camacho has been shortlisted for the award, which includes the quarter-of-a-million dollar prize. The 10 shortlisted for the prize were selected from a record-breaking 100,000 applicants from 199 countries. The only candidate working in the UAE and wider Arab world, Camacho is listed with nine other nurses in the running for the annual award, which celebrates their dedication and skill. The Filipino nurse learned about the nomination during a shift at work. 'I was shocked when my parents and friends sent me the links on social media. I did not expect to be nominated,' Camacho said. Despite his modesty, Camacho has an extremely decorated career. After starting his pediatrics training in the Philippines, he moved to the Gulf, first in Saudi Arabia. 'It was quite a transition for me moving to Saudi,' Camacho said. 'But it is a very good foundational place where the learning is very (well) supported.' He has been stationed in the UAE for 11 years and is currently a duty manager at Mediclinic City Hospital in Dubai. Since starting this post, Camacho has taken it on himself to upskill his nursing colleagues in areas where they might lack experience; especially in different age groups. 'I started an initiative of upskilling our nurses, and training them in terms of rehabilitation and intensive care,' he explained. 'If they were an adult nurse, I have skilled them to pediatric and if they were pediatric, I have skilled them to adult.' But Camacho said that he wants to make a move in his career from education to research so he could pursue one of his passions — pediatric care. 'I've seen how patients with cancer struggle,' Camacho said, 'So if I were chosen as the winner, then I would use the money for pediatric cancer patients back home in the Philippines.' The final round of the award will include interviews from a distinguished grand jury. After voting, the winner will be announced at a gala event in Dubai on May 26.
The Citizen
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
AI in newsrooms is fast but lacks a moral compass
Embracing AI in journalism requires clear ethical standards and a commitment to human oversight. We have the newsroom of our future. Robots are writing articles, filing news reports and opinion pieces without a journalist lifting their eyes, and bots tweeting breaking news before humans can even blink their fingers. Although automation and AI are highly regarded for their efficiency, journalism as a profession and practice face significant ethical challenges. AI technologies can now generate news content at incredibly speeds. However, there are still pressing issues to be resolved. The ability to analyse vast datasets, generate arbitrary reports, and mimic the writing style of journalists is made possible by algorithms. ALSO READ: Hidden dangers of increasingly advanced AI assistants Automated reporting of corporate earnings or sports recaps is one way in which The Associated Press frees up time for reporters to focus on more comprehensive stories, thanks to AI. The frightening reality is such systems too often rely on algorithms premised on a limited number of data inputs. This privileging of some sources threatens biased news agendas, marginalising underreported groups. Automation could reinforce existing media biases and produce content that does not exhibit diversity or can be interpreted critically. The use of AI technologies raises doubts about its potential to violate ethical standards. Journalists must adhere to the professional standards of fairness, accuracy and inclusivity, which involve human judgment and editorial supervision. ALSO READ: Why your phone camera could derail justice The lack of transparency or accountability in using automated tools can lead to a failure to maintain these values and, ultimately, undermine public trust. Despite its efficiency benefits, automated stories must be ethically integrated to ensure journalism are not compromised. This raises ethical concerns regarding the media's adherence to the principles of fairness, proportion, and harm reduction. Does the existence of a machine have the ability to perceive the long-term social consequences of publishing sensitive stories? Would the cost of naming someone as guilty before due process exceed the potential suffering caused by this action? ALSO READ: AI job takeover begins: Mediclinic replaces admin staff to save R2 billion Although AI technologies create content, its primary limitations are its inability to interpret meaning, or reflect ethical responsibility. The core of journalism lies in its ability to convey facts and ensuring that those in positions of power are held accountable. Once algorithms take over, we may lose the ability to serve these essential purposes. Are we witnessing a gradual demise of real journalism? Not yet. But we are at a crossroads. If we play catch up, while surrendering too much to AI technologies, we will awaken to a world where news is quick, cheap, and dangerously hollow. ALSO READ: The rise of AI tools and their impact on smartphone use The future of journalism is not what AI is capable of doing, but what we choose to let it.
