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Qatar Tribune
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Qatar Tribune
Voices of victory: Filipino talent soars high in Qatar's KaSingBahay singing contest
Darlene Regis The stage blazed with colour, passion, and powerhouse vocals as the KaSingBahay Singing Contest Grand Finals 2025 took center stage on August 8, 2025 at Al Jasra Cultural & Sports Club, Souq Waqif — honoring the artistry and resilience of Filipino household workers in Qatar. Household Workers Turn Headliners From its humble beginnings with 22 dreamers, the competition narrowed to the Top 10 grand finalists, each bringing their own style, story, and passion for music. The night became a showcase of pure talent, heartfelt performances, and unwavering community spirit. After a series of powerful renditions that deeply moved both judges and audience alike, the Grand Champion title was proudly awarded to Jessa Cavales, whose performance captivated everyone in the hall. Grace Flores emerged as First Runner-Up and also bagged the People's Choice Award, while Marvy Masicampo secured the Second Runner-Up spot. The KaSingBahay Grand Finalists included Eva Joy Tupas, known as 'Ang Tinig Na May Puso Ng Bulacan,' Evangeline Abais dubbed 'Ang Reyna Ng Videoke Ng Bulacan,' Josa Besana recognized as 'Ang Diva sa Kusina Ng Iloilo City,' Grace Flores as 'Ang Malikhaing Biriterang Kikay Ng Cebu City,' Rubylyn Elie known as 'Ang Rakista Ng Mga Uragon Sorsogon City,' Marvy Masicampo titled 'Ang Soul Queen Ng Entablado Ng Tubod Lanao Del Norte,' Yvonne Labitad as 'Ang Haranista Ng Tahanan Ng Makilala North Cotabato,' Merilyn Quirante called 'Ang Munting Superstar Ng Tahanan Ng Kidapawan City,' Arlyn Cahanap as 'Ang Boses Na Galing Sa Hirap Ng Malaybalay City Bukidnon,' and Jessa Cavales hailed as 'Ang Artistic Diva Ng Bacolod City.' Talent, Culture & Community The event was more than a singing competition. It was a heartfelt celebration of culture, friendship, and unity within the Filipino community in Qatar. The cheers, applause, and touching moments that filled the evening echoed the deep pride and love for our fellow Filipinos, honoring their invaluable contributions as modern-day heroes. Songs, Stories, and Spirit The KaSingBahay Singing Contest honors the artistry and resilience of Filipino household workers while inspiring the community. Proudly presented by Alyaqout Flower Trade & Events, Pinoy Heart Radio (PHR), and Al Khobar Sinag Eastern Ladies Eagles Group, the event was organized by Imelda Torres of Alyaqout Flower, Romeo Villegas Jr. of PHR, and Joy Ving Alfonso of Pilipinas Sambisig Iron Lady Eagles Club. 'No words can express the joy and pride we feel in witnessing the talent and dedication of each participant. This is just the beginning – see you next time in Season 2,' they said. The Board of Judges consisted of Demy Solitario, Dexter De Lara Tumang, Joy Ving Alfonso, Shirley Del Rosario, and Hayde Lyn Marcellana. As the curtain closed, music, laughter, and inspiration filled the air – a fitting finale showcasing the remarkable talent and unbreakable spirit of Filipinos in Qatar.
Scoop
01-08-2025
- Health
- Scoop
515 Medical Records + 657 Health Workers Reveal 'Systematic, Deliberate, Ongoing" Reproductive Violence In Ethiopia
July 31, 2025 Combatants in Ethiopia have perpetrated widespread, systematic, and deliberate acts of conflict-related sexual and reproductive violence, according to a new report published today by Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) and the Organization for Justice and Accountability in the Horn of Africa (OJAH). The new report ('You Will Never Be Able to Give Birth': Conflict-Related Sexual and Reproductive Violence in Ethiopia) is the most comprehensive study to date utilising medical evidence to understand the intent of perpetrators in the Tigray region – documenting how Ethiopian and Eritrean armed forces aimed to prevent future Tigrayan births and exterminate the ethnic group – and how impunity for sexual and reproductive violence is enabling further attacks in Amhara and Afar. PHR and OJAH call on all parties to the conflict to adhere to international law and facilitate rehabilitation of survivors of conflict-related sexual and reproductive violence. The international community must ensure credible, independent documentation of crimes in Ethiopia and advance full accountability for perpetrators. Researchers analysed an unprecedented scale of data from across the Afar, Amhara, and Tigray regions of Ethiopia, including 515 medical records of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence; 602 survey responses from health workers who have treated survivors; and 40 in-depth interviews with health workers and four focus groups with professionals who provided care to survivors. 'After triangulating medical records with survey data and interviews of health professionals, we have documented the intent that perpetrators expressed to survivors, including the Ethiopian and Eritrean militaries, to eradicate the Tigrayan ethnic group. The ongoing impunity for years of conflict-related sexual violence in Tigray – enabled by the Ethiopian government and the inaction of United Nations member states – has contributed to conflict-related sexual violence spreading to other regions of the country, including Afar and Amhara,' said Lindsey Green, report co-author and deputy director of research at PHR. 'The crimes we've documented are harrowing and demand accountability: Perpetrators raping women and holding them in captivity until giving birth; rape by a median of three perpetrators at a time; foreign objects – including stones, nails, hand-written letters – inserted inside of survivors' vaginas.' 'In the absence of any meaningful forms of justice and accountability, impunity for conflict-related sexual violence is fueling a vicious cycle of lawlessness and recurring conflict in Ethiopia. When perpetrators face no consequences, violence is normalised, survivors are silenced, and peace remains fragile. With conflict currently escalating in Amhara and tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea rising, breaking this cycle is vital not only for survivors, but for the future of Ethiopia and sustainable peace in the Horn of Africa,' said a report co-author at OJAH (identity not disclosed due to security threats). Key findings include: Intent to destroy reproductive capacity: 73 percent of surveyed health care workers in Tigray treated survivors who reported that perpetrators used language expressing intent to destroy their ability to reproduce or have children. Multiple-perpetrator rape: In Tigray: 91 percent of surveyed health workers reported seeing patients who had experienced multiple perpetrator rape; medical records showed a median of three perpetrators per incident. In Amhara: 47 percent of health care workers surveyed reported treating survivors who had experienced sexual violence committed by multiple perpetrators. Unwanted pregnancies from CRSV: 90 percent of surveyed health workers in Tigray saw at least a few patients with unwanted pregnancy from conflict-related sexual violence. One survivor had a contraceptive implant forcibly removed before sexual violence with the intent to impregnate. Foreign objects and CRSV: Medical records and interviews reveal that perpetrators in Tigray inserted objects – stones, nails, hand-written letters with revenge plans citing previous wars – inside of survivors' vaginas. Perpetrator identification: In Tigray: 84 percent of health workers surveyed indicated survivors identified members of Eritrean military as perpetrators. 73 percent of health workers surveyed indicated survivors identified members of Ethiopian military as perpetrators; 51 percent indicated Amhara militias and Fano. In Amhara: 79 percent of health care workers who were surveyed indicated survivors identified Tigray Forces as perpetrators. 35 percent indicated Ethiopian military and 24 percent indicated Amhara Special Forces. In Afar: 33 percent of health care workers who were surveyed indicated survivors identified Tigray Forces as perpetrators; 9.5 percent indicated Eritrean militias. Transmission of sexually transmitted infections: Within the medical records reviewed in Tigray, 50 percent of patients tested were positive for STIs and 17 percent were positive for HIV, while the national HIV prevalence rate in Ethiopia is 0.09 percent. The conflict in Tigray, Ethiopia started in November 2020 between the government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), with involvement from Eritrean military forces who were called in to support Ethiopian armed forces, and numerous ethno-regional militia groups notably from the Amhara and Afar regions of Ethiopia. The conflict was marked by widespread and severe forms of conflict-related sexual and reproductive violence as well as other human rights violations by all parties, some of which amount to crimes under international law. Following the signature of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in November 2022 by the government of Ethiopia and the TPLF, violence continued, including widespread and severe sexual and reproductive violence along ethnic-political lines across regions by military actors. As the conflict unfolded, both the United Nations and the African Union established independent investigative mechanisms to document atrocities and preserve evidence for future justice and accountability processes. However, both mechanisms were prematurely shuttered in October 2024, without investigators even being allowed into the country, after successful lobbying by the Ethiopian government to defer to national mechanisms, including the transitional justice process outlined in the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. The governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea failed to respond to letters sharing the findings of the report and seeking further information about the governments' efforts to ensure justice and accountability. The report confirms that impunity for conflict-related sexual and reproductive violence in Tigray has contributed to further violence in Amhara and Afar, where the data shows such acts constitute war crimes, breaches of international humanitarian law, and human rights violations. Survivors identified perpetrators from military groups including the TPLF, who expressed intent when committing sexual and reproductive violence related to revenge for Amhara and Afar forces actions in the conflict in Tigray. 'Buckling to pressure from the Ethiopian government, the UN decision to prematurely shut down its justice mechanism emboldened perpetrators to act with impunity – and allowed conflict-related sexual violence to continue and spread across Ethiopia,' said Payal Shah, JD, report co-author and director of research, legal, and advocacy for PHR. 'Ethiopians are facing a crisis: A health system still in tatters from war; threats of conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea; federal government crackdowns on civil society; U.S. aid cuts exacerbating public health crises. Survivors of sexual and reproductive violence and the brave clinicians who care for them have been sidelined and neglected. All parties to the conflict and UN member states must finally prioritize healing, accountability, and justice for sexual violence and forced pregnancy before impunity turns to violence yet again.'
New Indian Express
01-08-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
NGOs report 'systematic' sexual violence during and after Tigray war
The 88-page report released Thursday by Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) and Organization for Justice and Accountability in the Horn of Africa (OJAH) includes interviews with 500 healthcare and case workers revealing a picture of "widespread, systematic and deliberate" conflict-related sexual and reproductive violence. "Such acts constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity of sexual violence, forced pregnancy, sexual enslavement and persecution on the intersection of ethnic, gender, age and political grounds," it said. "Perpetrators have operated with impunity, victims have been silenced," Lindsey Green, PHR deputy director of research, told AFP. The organisations called for further investigations to determine whether "crimes of genocide" were committed. "On the term of genocide, we do not have the data to make that determination, but there was clear intention expressed by perpetrators to decimate the Tigrayan ethnic group and physical injuries consistent with this," said Green. Break you The violence was "often perpetrated by individuals who spoke languages or wore uniforms indicating affiliation with the Eritrean military", the report said. Other perpetrators included members of the Ethiopian army, as well as other groups supporting the government, including armed groups from the neighbouring Amhara region. Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Ghebremeskel declined to comment on the report when asked by AFP. An Ethiopian federal army spokesperson and Amhara authorities did not respond to queries. The report emphasises that women and girls were targeted "specifically because of their ethnic identity as Tigrayan". It found that 73 percent of healthcare workers had treated patients who said their attackers "had used language indicating intent to destroy their ability to have children", while nearly half said assaults were intended to cause unwanted pregnancies. Almost 60 percent said they had treated women whose attackers had deliberately attempted to infect them with sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. "The perpetrators were not motivated by sexual desire but rather by a desire to inflict pain and suffering," a reproductive health coordinator in Tigray told researchers.
Scoop
28-07-2025
- Health
- Scoop
U.S. Aid Cuts Lead To Preventable Deaths, Medicine Shortages, Health Worker Layoffs In Kenya And The DRC
July 24, 2025 The abrupt and sweeping cuts to U.S. global health support has led to preventable deaths, shortages of medicines, and reduced access to services for vulnerable communities in both Kenya and Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to two new research briefs published today by Physicians for Human Rights (PHR). 'Sexual violence survivors unable to access post-rape care. Stockouts and shortages of life-saving HIV, TB, and malaria medications. Uterine ruptures and maternal deaths. The emerging impacts of the Trump administration's global health cuts are both devastating and wholly preventable,' said Thomas McHale, SM, director of public health at Physicians for Human Rights (PHR). 'With its sudden cuts, the United States pulled the rug out from under some of the most vulnerable children and adults in the world. National governments, health workers, and other donors did not have a chance to plan or make alternative arrangements. We are now seeing the deadly consequences of the Trump administration's cruelty.' PHR calls on the United States to reverse the cuts and on the national governments of Kenya and DRC to prioritize health services. Other donor governments should also scale up assistance. PHR's new evidence on the aid cuts impacts in Kenya and DRC, and a recently published research brief on Ethiopia, comes as the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit considers AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition v. U.S. Department of State, a lawsuit brought by global health NGOs against the U.S. government. The NGOs argue that the Trump administration did not have the authority to cut nearly all congressionally approved foreign aid and dismantle USAID. While the United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) was excluded from the recissions package, Congress must monitor that previously authorized funding is spent in advance of PEPFAR renewal in the fall. PHR's new Kenya research brief ('The System is Folding in on Itself': The Impact of U.S. Global Health Funding Cuts) is informed by 30 interviews with clinicians, nurses, peer educators, survivor advocates, and community-based organizations across 10 counties in Kenya, conducted in May-June 2025. The DRC research brief (Abandoned in Crisis: The Impact of U.S. Global Health Funding Cuts in Democratic Republic of the Congo) is informed by interviews with 15 medical professionals, humanitarian actors, and staff implementing projects in the conflict-affected North Kivu, South Kivu, and Kasaï regions of the DRC, conducted from May-July 2025. In Kenya, impacts of the U.S. funding cuts include: Widespread stockouts of essential medicines, with health workers across all 10 counties reporting frequent and prolonged shortages of critical items, including antiretrovirals (ARVs), HIV test kits, nevirapine for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission, early infant diagnostic kits, tuberculosis (TB) reagents, sexually transmitted infection medications, and routine childhood vaccines. Mass layoffs of health care personnel, with tens of thousands of workers furloughed and extreme pressure on remaining health workforce. Marginalization of vulnerable groups, as programs are cut that served LGBTQ+ individuals, children with disabilities, people living with HIV, and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. Reversing progress on HIV and TB, including increasing mother-to-child HIV transmission. 'We are seeing new cases among newborns – something we had virtually eliminated just a few years ago,' a nurse in Uasin Gishu County told PHR. TB programs include case-finding efforts have ground to a halt, risking unchecked spread of TB across borders. Childhood immunization programs are struggling, with 12 out of 47 counties in Kenya reporting complete stockouts of polio and measles vaccines. The brief finds that 'the health crisis unfolding in Kenya is not an isolated effect of global health aid cuts; it is emblematic of the widespread impacts and a warning sign of broader fragility that threatens to reverse decades of progress in public health. PHR's data show that that abrupt U.S. aid cuts have disrupted essential services, destabilized HIV programs, weakened disease surveillance, and left marginalized populations without the care they need.' In DRC, where conflict and displacement have affected the eastern part of the country for years, PHR's new brief finds that aid cuts are compounding health crises for the region's civilians: Clinicians report additional uterine ruptures, maternal deaths, and cervical cancer cases. Many patients must choose to pay for services out-of-pocket or leave health care facilities untreated, pushing a trend of delayed access to care. Previously free treatment for obstetric fistula patients, including surgical care and hygiene kits, has been halted. Medical and public health experts interviewed by PHR report increased threats from mpox, malaria, and tuberculosis due to the suspension of vaccination campaigns and the loss of free treatment. In a region that has seen a massive influx of conflict-related sexual violence, survivors are no longer able to access the full suite of care, including access to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) kits, which contain emergency contraception, HIV medication to prevent infection within 72 hours, testing kits, treatment for sexually transmitted infections, a forensic documentation form, and other items essential for caring for survivors of sexual violence. Many health clinics have run out of PEP kits. The research brief finds: 'Health care workers in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Kasaï have been left without the tools and resources they need to save lives. The cuts were not accompanied by meaningful transition plans to ensure continuity of services. The impacts of the funding cuts can already be seen in preventable deaths, untreated infections, and irreversible harm to survivors of sexual violence who are not able to access treatment for sexually transmitted infections and life-saving medicines to prevent HIV infection and pregnancy. 'By abruptly cutting global health funding, the United States has triggered a global human rights crisis that is harming the most vulnerable populations. DRC and Kenya must step-in to provide available, accessible, acceptable, and quality health services,' said McHale. 'Our new findings show that restoring global health funding is an ethical imperative and a life-saving necessity. The stakes could not be higher – millions of lives hang in the balance. It is not too late to save lives.'
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Q1 Earnings Outperformers: Phreesia (NYSE:PHR) And The Rest Of The Healthcare Technology for Providers Stocks
Looking back on healthcare technology for providers stocks' Q1 earnings, we examine this quarter's best and worst performers, including Phreesia (NYSE:PHR) and its peers. The healthcare technology industry focuses on delivering software, data analytics, and workflow solutions to hospitals, clinics, and other care facilities. These companies enable providers to streamline operations, optimize patient outcomes, and transition to value-based care models. They boast subscription-based revenues or long-term contracts, providing financial stability and growth potential. However, they face challenges such as lengthy sales cycles, significant upfront investment in technology development, and reliance on providers' adoption of new tools, which can be hindered by budget constraints or resistance to change. Over the next few years, the sector is poised for growth as providers increasingly prioritize digital transformation and efficiency in response to rising healthcare costs and patient demand for seamless care. Tailwinds include the growing adoption of AI-driven tools for patient engagement and operational improvements, government incentives for digitization, and the expansion of telehealth and remote patient monitoring. However, headwinds such as tightening hospital budgets, cybersecurity threats, and the fragmented nature of healthcare systems could slow adoption. The 6 healthcare technology for providers stocks we track reported a mixed Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts' consensus estimates by 3.4% while next quarter's revenue guidance was 0.7% below. Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 8.7% since the latest earnings results. Founded in 2005 to streamline the traditionally paper-heavy patient check-in process, Phreesia (NYSE:PHR) provides software solutions that automate patient intake, registration, and payment processes for healthcare organizations while improving patient engagement in their care. Phreesia reported revenues of $115.9 million, up 14.5% year on year. This print exceeded analysts' expectations by 0.6%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts' EPS estimates and customer base in line with analysts' estimates. "Our fiscal year 2026 is off to a strong start. I am grateful to our team for their continued commitment to our mission, vision and values. I believe our performance is a reflection of our team truly living our values,' said CEO and Co-Founder Chaim Indig. The stock is down 2.2% since reporting and currently trades at $24.43. Is now the time to buy Phreesia? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it's free. Operating one of the largest healthcare group purchasing organizations in the United States with over 4,350 hospital members, Premier (NASDAQ:PINC) is a technology-driven healthcare improvement company that helps hospitals, health systems, and other providers reduce costs and improve clinical outcomes. Premier reported revenues of $261.4 million, down 8.9% year on year, outperforming analysts' expectations by 7.4%. The business had a very strong quarter with a solid beat of analysts' EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts' full-year EPS guidance estimates. Premier scored the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 10.8% since reporting. It currently trades at $22.75. Is now the time to buy Premier? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it's free. Formerly known as Apollo Medical Holdings until early 2024, Astrana Health (NASDAQ:ASTH) operates a technology-powered healthcare platform that enables physicians to deliver coordinated care while successfully participating in value-based payment models. Astrana Health reported revenues of $620.4 million, up 53.4% year on year, falling short of analysts' expectations by 2.5%. It was a slower quarter as it posted revenue guidance for next quarter meeting analysts' expectations and full-year EBITDA guidance slightly missing analysts' expectations. Astrana Health delivered the fastest revenue growth but had the weakest performance against analyst estimates and weakest full-year guidance update in the group. As expected, the stock is down 24% since the results and currently trades at $25.38. Read our full analysis of Astrana Health's results here. Driven by the vision of an "Autonomous Pharmacy" with zero medication errors, Omnicell (NASDAQ:OMCL) provides medication management automation and adherence tools that help healthcare systems and pharmacies reduce errors and improve efficiency. Omnicell reported revenues of $269.7 million, up 9.6% year on year. This number surpassed analysts' expectations by 3.7%. Taking a step back, it was a slower quarter as it recorded full-year EBITDA guidance missing analysts' expectations. The stock is down 2.2% since reporting and currently trades at $29.83. Read our full, actionable report on Omnicell here, it's free. Founded in 2011 to transform how healthcare is delivered to patients with complex needs, Evolent Health (NYSE:EVH) provides specialty care management services and technology solutions that help health plans and providers deliver better care for patients with complex conditions. Evolent Health reported revenues of $483.6 million, down 24.4% year on year. This print topped analysts' expectations by 4.9%. Aside from that, it was a mixed quarter as it also recorded full-year revenue guidance slightly topping analysts' expectations but a significant miss of analysts' EPS estimates. Evolent Health pulled off the highest full-year guidance raise but had the slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 31.5% since reporting and currently trades at $7.38. Read our full, actionable report on Evolent Health here, it's free. As a result of the Fed's rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has come down from frothy levels post-pandemic. The general rise in the price of goods and services is trending towards the Fed's 2% goal as of late, which is good news. The higher rates that fought inflation also didn't slow economic activity enough to catalyze a recession. So far, soft landing. This, combined with recent rate cuts (half a percent in September 2024 and a quarter percent in November 2024) have led to strong stock market performance in 2024. The icing on the cake for 2024 returns was Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. Presidential Election in early November, sending major indices to all-time highs in the week following the election. Still, debates around the health of the economy and the impact of potential tariffs and corporate tax cuts remain, leaving much uncertainty around 2025. Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 5 Growth Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
