Latest news with #SHA
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Lewis: Regina hospital physician culture is both tragedy and farce
Life is short, and based on a lifetime of experience with the genre, I cannot recommend you spend much of it reading reports on health care. But should you find yourself awaiting a root canal, a phone scroll through the 2024-25 External Review of Regina Hospital Physician Culture might make you feel a bit better about your impending chair time. In a bracing 30 pages, including appendices, the report describes a litany of dysfunctions among physicians working in what is supposed to be the most professionally managed precinct of health care. It's not all bleak. There are no allegations of American-style billing for non-existent surgeries or fistfights in the doctors' lounge. But it is plenty bad enough. The highlights: Physicians in Regina have largely held themselves apart from the mission, vision and values adopted by the SHA (Saskatchewan Health Authority) since its formation in 2017. We heard examples of divisions and departments where it appears pursuit of financial compensation has overtaken the priority for high quality accessible care for patients. There is no functioning electronic health record, and no database that allows either effective wait list management or workforce planning. The Ministry of Health allows interests to plead their cases directly, undermining the SHA mandated to run the system. Whether rooted in illness, aging or personality factors, disruptive patterns of behaviour have often been in place for many years and not addressed in a decisive fashion. Very few physicians were able to describe how they monitor and improve quality in their services. Leaders who have identified problematic behaviours and acted appropriately to protect patients and teams should not be vilified or suffer retribution. In some cases, efforts to recruit have been thwarted by physicians to preserve their service volumes despite wait times. There are legacy contracts, deals and arrangements that create inequity and inconsistency in negotiating with physicians and groups. It is embarrassing to have to commission a review to make blindingly obvious recommendations. A report on a school system in similar disarray would recommend having principals who are actually in charge. The schools should teach the students to read and write. They should know what students' needs are and organize to meet them. There should be no side deals and special privileges for a few teachers. Records should be computerized and generate data to plan and assess performance. Evaluate your staff. Discipline teachers who throw tantrums and abuse their colleagues. Is it any wonder why people misbehave when bad behaviour is not only tolerated, but rewarded? The Regina physicians have told the SHA to park its mission, vision and values where the sun don't shine for eight years, with zero consequence. So much for a unified provincial system. Medical groups have frozen out new recruits to protect their incomes while wait lists ballooned. Physician leaders who tried to impose some order and civility were abused and left hung out to dry. Don't for a moment think these problems are unique to Regina. Do a quick search of conflict of interest in Alberta, or pediatric chaos in Kelowna. The only difference between Regina and dozens of other communities is that Regina's pathologies are now out in the open. Like all reports written by physicians about physicians, professional self-governance is assumed to be entirely in the public interest, fully compatible with fulfilling public and professional obligations found routinely unfulfilled, and despite acknowledgement that 'some physicians have lost the plot of why we are here.' And therein lies the problem. The report says as much: 'Physician autonomy is clashing with the broader social contract to ensure quality and safety.' Workers at Starbucks or Toyota can tell you how their work is organized and monitored to produce quality. Most physicians in Regina are tongue-tied. This is what you get when a profession is accountable to itself, and self-evaluation in a data-free environment is standard operating procedure. A cultural problem? Sounds so much more anthropological than negligence, cowardice, greed, and abdication of responsibility. As a wise physician friend told me years ago, what you permit, you promote. The rot has been called out. What next? Steven Lewis spent 45 years as a health policy analyst and health researcher in Saskatchewan. He can be reached at slewistoon1@ The Regina Leader-Post has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe. With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe.
Business Upturn
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
Vedanta faces fresh scrutiny over unapproved brand fees and potential breach of shareholder agreement with government: Report
Vedanta Limited (VEDL) and its subsidiary Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL) have come under fresh scrutiny following two detailed reports by Viceroy Research alleging corporate governance lapses, questionable brand fee arrangements, and alleged misuse of employee welfare funds for lobbying activities. Vedanta – Zinc Twice Before You Act$HZL's unapproved brand fees carry an undisclosed termination clause, and appear to trigger an event of default and a sovereign call/put per its SHA with the Government of India. $VEDL #thread 1/ — Viceroy (@viceroyresearch) July 17, 2025 In its latest report dated July 17, 2025, Viceroy Research raised concerns over an unapproved 'brand fee' imposed by Vedanta on HZL since October 2022. According to the report, the brand fee was introduced through a contract between HZL and Vedanta Resources Limited (VRL), allegedly without approval from the Government of India (GoI), which is a minority shareholder in HZL under a shareholder agreement (SHA). The report claims this arrangement not only violates the SHA but also includes undisclosed termination clauses that could trigger an 'event of default,' allowing the government to exercise sovereign call or put options on Vedanta's stake in HZL. These options would potentially allow the GoI to either purchase Vedanta's stake at a discount or force Vedanta to buy the government's stake at a premium, exposing Vedanta to significant losses. Viceroy also flagged that the brand fees are being used as rolling credit for VRL, secured against VRL's loans, and allegedly serve more as a financing mechanism than a legitimate payment for services. The report suggests these arrangements weaken HZL's financial position while benefiting the promoter-controlled VRL. Earlier, in another report dated July 15, 2025, Viceroy Research alleged that shareholder entities Bhadram Janhit Shalika Trust (BJST) and PTC Cables Pvt Ltd (PTCC) — which it describes as undisclosed, promoter-controlled entities — have been diverting substantial employee welfare funds into political lobbying rather than employee benefits. According to the July 15 report, since FY20, BJST and its subsidiary PTCC have collectively received over ₹1,499 crore in dividends from VEDL and HZL: FY25: ₹320.35 crore FY24: ₹373.30 crore FY23: ₹701.04 crore FY22: ₹3.80 crore FY21: ₹83.59 crore FY20: ₹166.61 crore The report claims these entities have acted as hidden shareholder vehicles under the Agarwal family's control, allegedly prioritizing lobbying and influence campaigns over the stated purpose of employee welfare. Responding to these allegations, Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal stated on July 10, 2025: 'As far as this report has come, we are so transparent. My fundamental value is very important to remain disclosure and the transparent, and this is our strength.' Both reports highlight what Viceroy Research calls 'habitual governance failures' and urge the Government of India to take remedial action, including reclaiming allegedly misused brand fee payments and reassessing dividend payouts to BJST and PTCC. The allegations have sparked fresh debate about transparency, related-party transactions, and corporate governance at Vedanta and its subsidiaries at a time when the group faces mounting scrutiny over its debt and cash flow position. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Hamilton Spectator
16-07-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
STARS suspends landings at Humboldt Hospital helipad
HUMBOLDT — STARS will no longer be landing at Humboldt Hospital. In a statement from STARS, 'On June 16, 2025, STARS notified the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) that, effective June 30, 2025, it would no longer land at the temporary helipad at Humboldt Hospital.' Officials with the City of Humboldt and the owner and operator of Humboldt Ambulance Services were also notified. Currently, when STARS transports a patient from Humboldt Hospital, the helicopter lands at the Humboldt Airport and the patient is transferred by ground ambulance. STARS has typically landed at the hospital site 10 to 12 times per year, said Doug Dahl, spokesperson for the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Dahl told , 'The SHA has held discussions with STARS, the City of Humboldt, Humboldt Hospital clinical leadership and the Humboldt and District Health Foundation about constructing a permanent helipad that meets Transport Canada requirements. These include a concrete pad, appropriate markings, fencing and a windsock. The proposed location is near the current temporary site.' 'Due to ongoing construction north of Humboldt Hospital, the temporary landing zone that has supported STARS operations in the community no longer meets the requirements under the Canadian Aviation Regulations,' said Blake Robert, spokesperson for STARS. 'As this location is not a certified heliport, we are unable to continue using it for patient transport.' 'While this change limits our ability to land directly at the hospital, STARS remains committed to serving the people of Humboldt and the surrounding area. We will continue to respond to critical care needs by flying into the Humboldt Airport for inter-facility transfers as needed,' Robert said. Robert added that STARS continues to work with health and community partners to explore long-term solutions that ensure rapid access to emergency medical transport for the region. STARS helicopters can be airborne within approximately 10 minutes of a call being accepted by dispatch. 'We remain committed to working with local administration and the health authority to provide the best critical care possible to the people of Saskatchewan,' Robert said. Robert added: 'We remain committed to working with local administration and the health authority to provide the best critical care possible to the people of Saskatchewan.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CBC
14-07-2025
- Health
- CBC
Saskatchewan didn't report a case of measles for 21 days. Here's why you should still care
Social Sharing Medical experts say Saskatchewan residents should remain vigilant about the threat of measles. The news comes as Alberta reported on Monday it has confirmed 1,314 measles cases this year, which is higher than the number reported in the entire United States. In contrast, Saskatchewan has had just 60 confirmed cases this year — and as of July 9 there had not been a single case reported in the province in the preceding 21 days. From 2015 to 2024, there were a total of two cases recorded in Saskatchewan. Dr. Jasmine Hasselback, a medical health officer with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), acknowledged the province has had "a little bit of a respite" in the number of cases but added that more are expected, pointing to an exposure notice issued on Friday. "The reality is you really should be acting as if you've got potential for seeing measles in all sorts of places," Hasselback said. Joseph Blondeau, a clinical microbiologist at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, offered a similar assessment. Blondeau said that although the number of cases in Alberta is producing headlines, measles remains a threat in Saskatchewan. "We're likely still going to see cases in Saskatchewan going forward. I don't think that this problem is over yet," Blondeau said on Monday. Alberta's measles explosion As the number of measles cases in Alberta has ballooned, medical experts in the province have continued to monitor the spread of the disease. That includes Dr. Lynora Saxinger, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Alberta, "We haven't seen numbers like this in 25 years. As a matter of fact, right now we're well above the last 25 years' total for all of Canada in Alberta," Saxinger said. WATCH | Infectious diseases specialist calls measles outbreak in Alberta 'appalling situation': This infectious diseases specialist calls measles outbreak in Alberta an 'appalling situation' 4 days ago Duration 3:59 Craig Jenne, a professor in the department of microbiology, immunology and infectious diseases at the University of Calgary, said one of the reasons for the dramatic increase in the spread of the disease in Alberta is a drop in vaccination rates. Jenne said herd immunity requires a vaccination rate of 95 per cent or higher. In Alberta, the vaccination rate has dropped below 50 per cent. That means when a new measles case is introduced to a community, likely through travel, it can spread from person to person in the community. "Unfortunately, that's what we're seeing in Alberta, and vaccine rates are simply too low to stop that spread," said Jenne. Alberta an 'early-warning' It's not clear what the current vaccination rates are in Saskatchewan. The province's measles website does not provide data on measles vaccination rates in the province and the Ministry of Health did not respond to a request for those numbers. Another factor Saskatchewan needs to be aware of is the transmissibility of measles. "We think back to the days of COVID and all of the public health restrictions that were put in place in order to prevent transmission of COVID," said Blondeau. "The measles virus is on a magnitude very, very different than COVID. In terms of its transmissibility, it's much more highly transmissible." Saxinger said the transmissibility of measles is a concern in Alberta, especially with large events, such as the Calgary Stampede, just wrapping up. Only time will tell if that could produce even more cases, Saxinger said. Jenne said that Alberta is not unique and should serve as an "early warning" to other provinces.. "There is a a very narrow and fleeting window right now to raise those numbers and be able to get other jurisdictions protected before measles gains a foothold." The SHA is recommending everyone get fully vaccinated against measles. More information on that process in Saskatchewan is available on its website.
Syyaha
13-07-2025
- Health
- Syyaha
Novo Nordisk partners with Saudi Heart Association to improve cardiovascular health in Saudi Arabia
Novo Nordisk, a leading global healthcare company, is excited to announce a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Saudi Heart Association (SHA), aimed at improving cardiovascular care throughout Saudi Arabia. This strategic partnership will engage clinicians in a series of educational and research initiatives designed to provide optimal, multidisciplinary care for patients across the collaboration seeks to enhance patient outcomes nationwide by equipping healthcare professionals with vital knowledge and resources. This effort aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to address the clinical and economic challenges posed by cardiovascular diseases present a significant public health challenge in Saudi Arabia, with rising rates of related major risk factors, including obesity, diabetes, and inflammation. Besides traditional risk factors, systemic low-grade inflammation is nowadays recognized as a driving force of atherosclerotic disease progression and plaque destabilization. In 2016, approximately 201,300 Saudi nationals were affected by cardiovascular diseases, accounting for over 45% of fatalities in the country. This partnership is dedicated to tackling these pressing issues by fostering effective management strategies and enhancing clinical Nordisk and SHA are committed to establishing a comprehensive framework for early intervention, significantly improving the quality of care provided to patients. The partnership will leverage diverse communication channels to reach healthcare providers, delivering thorough education on the latest advancements in cardiovascular care.'At Novo Nordisk, we understand the critical importance of collaboration in advancing cardio care,' said Melvin D'Souza, General Manager at Novo Nordisk Saudi Arabia. 'Our partnership with the Saudi Heart Association marks a proactive step toward enhancing cardiovascular health practices and ultimately improving patient outcomes across the Kingdom.''We are thrilled about this collaboration with Novo Nordisk and its potential impact,' stated Dr. Waleed AlHabeeb, President of the Saudi Heart Association. 'By working together, we can empower healthcare providers with the essential knowledge and skills to effectively manage cardiovascular patients, contributing to a healthier future for our communities.' The post Novo Nordisk partners with Saudi Heart Association to improve cardiovascular health in Saudi Arabia appeared first on سياحة.
