Latest news with #PinkBook
Barnama
21-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Top News Headlines In Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam: May 21, 2025
Twenty-seven years after Indonesia emerged from the shadow of authoritarian rule, the nation now stands at a crossroads, as it reaches what some pro-democracy advocates describe as 'the end of political reform', marked by the dismantling of democratic institutions and the return of authoritarian tendencies. President Prabowo Subianto has appointed two new top officials to lead tax and customs agencies amid a sharp decline in state revenue during the first four months of 2025. Bimo Wijayanto, a senior bureaucrat at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, will replace Suryo Utomo as Director General of Taxes. Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Djaka Budi Utama, currently serving as secretary of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), has been tapped to lead the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, replacing Askolani. The Health Ministry on Monday launched vaccination education tools based on the country's 'Pink Book' to raise awareness of immunisation and improve understanding of vaccines among low-literacy and diverse ethnic communities. 2. NEW LAO-THAI BRIDGE TO RAISE TRADE -- VIENTIANE TIMES A 1,350-metre bridge linking Bolikhamxay province in Laos and Bueng Kan province in Thailand across the Mekong River will be opened at the end of 2025. It will boost travel and deepen trade between the two neighbours in the Greater Mekong Subregion. MYANMAR 1. SAC READY TO TRANSFER POWER TO NEW GOVERNMENT -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR State Administration Council (SAC) Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said the current government will hand over the state responsibilities to the party that wins the elections. The administration is planning to hold a nationwide elections later this year. SINGAPORE 1. SQ321 INCIDENT: ONE YEAR ON, PASSENGERS RECALL HOW EXTREME TURBULENCE UPENDED THEIR LIVES -- THE STRAITS TIMES It has been six months since giving birth to her second child in November 2024, but Ms Saw Rong still cannot carry the baby girl. 2. SINGAPORE CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE, RESUMPTION OF AID AS GAZA VIOLENCE ESCALATES -- CNA Singapore on Tuesday (May 20) called for an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of humanitarian aid into Gaza, as Israel intensified attacks across the territory. THAILAND 1. THAI BUSINESS LEADERS URGE POLITICAL STABILITY AND STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS TO REVIVE ECONOMY -- THE NATION The Thai business sector is increasingly concerned about the nation's political instability, fearing it could erode investor confidence and further weaken the already fragile economy. 2. PM BACKS HOLD ON HANDOUT -- BANGKOK POST Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has defended the government's decision to postpone the third phase of the 10,000-baht handout programme, saying uncontrollable circumstances made it impossible to implement it. VIETNAM 1. MACRON'S VIETNAM VISIT WILL ELEVATE BILATERAL TIES -- VIETNAM NEWS French President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse will visit Vietnam from May 25-27 which is expected to further deepen their 50-year-old bilateral ties. Macron is visiting on the invitation of State President Luong Cuong. 2. UNIFORM E-TICKETING SYSTEM TO IMPROVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT -- VIETNAMPLUS Hanoi will implement an integrated e-ticket system on September 2 that will eliminate the current fragmented automated ticketing system across various transport models. This will promote non-cash transactions, transparent and friendly public transport. -- BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @ @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
Hindustan Times
12-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Nursing the nation: Policy must be in sync with practice
International Nurses Day is a timely reminder to celebrate nurses and push for structural reforms that empower the profession. In the spirit of the Prime Minister's call for women-led development, India's nursing workforce stands out as a living example of how a single profession can drive gender equity, economic advancement, and social progress—all at once. The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has aptly chosen the 2025 theme: Our nurses. Our future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies. This theme underscores a growing global consensus—when we invest in nurses, we not only secure the health of our people but also stimulate economic resilience and gender parity. With over 70% of India's nurses being women, nursing remains one of the largest conduits for women's participation in the formal workforce. India currently has approx. 1.96 nurses per 1,000 people, far below the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended ratio of 3. To meet rising healthcare needs, estimates suggest India requires over two million additional nurses. Nursing offers women more than just employment—it offers education, financial independence, and the dignity of purpose. It is a pathway to upward mobility, often in communities where opportunities for women are limited. The nurse's role today goes far beyond bedside care—she leads community outreach, advocates for patients, implements protocols, and navigates digital systems. These are the very qualities that define leadership. Nurses contribute significantly to India's health care indices—supporting maternal and child health, managing non-communicable diseases, and strengthening rural access. Their impact directly advances the country's commitments under SDG 3 (Good Health) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). With the health care sector projected to reach $ 372 billion by 2025, nurses form the operational backbone—improving patient outcomes, reducing systemic strain, and enabling economic productivity through healthier communities. While many nurses continue to face challenges like long hours, health risks, and unsafe workplaces, some institutions are setting new standards. Apollo Hospitals has implemented the Pink Book—a framework outlining tangible safety protocols such as panic buttons, staff-only zones, mental health support, and zero-tolerance harassment policies. These measures foster a workplace culture that prioritises dignity and protection. Apollo has also launched a large-scale initiative to upskill thousands of nurses, covering clinical specialisations, leadership, digital fluency, and career mentoring. To support clinical staff further, the group has begun deploying AI-powered tools that reduce administrative burden—automating documentation, improving triage, and freeing up nurses to focus on care. Together, these interventions show how institutional leadership can align with ICN's global agenda in a local context. While institutional best practices matter, structural transformation depends on robust policy backing. India's National Health Policy 2017 and Ayushman Bharat both acknowledge the need to strengthen the health workforce—yet bottlenecks remain. To close the shortfall of over two million nurses, India must significantly expand nursing education, including through public-private partnerships that improve training quality and reach. Nurse practitioner and midwifery-led models must be fast-tracked to build advanced capacity in community settings. Equally, the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Act (2023) must be implemented effectively across states, standardising accreditation and elevating clinical standards. India must also create career progression pathways that enable nurses to move into leadership roles—not only within hospitals, but also in public health administration, health education, and digital innovation. State governments can partner with leading academic institutions to offer advanced certifications in areas such as geriatric care, mental health, and oncology nursing. These specialised roles are becoming increasingly essential with India's ageing population and rising non-communicable disease burden. Moreover, investing in nurses' digital literacy is no longer optional. As health systems become increasingly tech-enabled, nurses must be equipped to use electronic health records, digital triage systems, and remote monitoring tools. With the right training, nurses can lead digital adoption at the last mile, particularly in rural and underserved regions where doctors are scarce but mobile networks are strong. Financial and professional incentives—such as rural retention bonuses, housing assistance, and leadership fellowships—will be key to attracting and retaining talent. Most importantly, nurses must have a voice in policymaking. Their representation in health governance at the district, state, and national levels is essential to ensure that real-world caregiving challenges inform decisions. India's health care goals—whether preventive care, universal access, or digital health—cannot be achieved without a strong nursing foundation. We must scale successful models, sustain investments, and ensure every nurse is equipped, protected, and respected. Imagine nurses leading innovation labs, drafting clinical protocols, and shaping public health strategy. This vision is not aspirational—it is within reach, if we choose to prioritise nursing as a national imperative. This article is authored by Dr Girdhar Gyani, director general, Association of Healthcare Providers (India).
New Indian Express
12-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Railway allots Rs 6.7K crore for Tamil Nadu this year; works stalled for 20 years to resume
CHENNAI: After facing severe backlash from both rail passengers and the ruling DMK government over inadequate funding for new lines and doubling projects last year, the Railways significantly enhanced its budget allocation for 2025-26. A total of Rs 612.8 crore has been earmarked for eight new line projects, compared to Rs 339 crore the previous year. Among these, the Nagari-Tindivanam new line project, for which 95% of land has already been acquired, received Rs 347 crore. A total of Rs 6,626 crore was allocated for Tamil Nadu for 2025-26. The funding details were obtained through an RTI request filed by TNIE and activist Dayanand Krishnan, as the Railways have stopped publishing the Pink Book, which traditionally disclosed the annual budget allocations. The Madurai-Thoothukudi (via Aruppukottai) project (143.5km), for which the land acquisition unit was dismantled last year for want of funds, has been allotted Rs 55.2 crore. Notably, the long-delayed Erode-Palani new line, which has existed only on paper for nearly 20 years, received Rs 50 crore. The Chennai-Cuddalore new line via Mahabalipuram was also granted Rs 52.1 crore. Allocation for doubling projects has also shown significant improvement.
