Latest news with #HTA
Qatar Tribune
17 hours ago
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
MoPH boosts health tech assessment in Qatar
Tribune News Network Doha The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) recently organised a high-level workshop to enhance national capacities in Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and health policy in collaboration with the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and Hoffmann-La Roche. The workshop formed part of the ministry's ongoing efforts to entrench evidence-based decision-making across healthcare sectors and to promote long-term sustainability and resilience within Qatar's health system. The workshop aimed to strengthen national capabilities in HTA and health policy. Establishing a dedicated national unit in this field and developing a comprehensive assessment framework with clear standards are part of the twelfth outcome, 'Excellence in Health Research, Development, and Innovation,' under the third priority, 'Efficiency and Resilience of the Health System,' in the National Health Strategy 2024–2030. The workshop reflected the ministry's commitment to ensuring the effective and equitable allocation of health resources, supporting innovation through effective governance of emerging technologies, and enhancing the overall resilience and sustainability of the health system. It also underscored the importance of multi-sectoral partnerships in achieving national health priorities. These efforts align with the goals of the Human Development Pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030 and the priorities of the National Health Strategy, particularly in building a high-performing, efficient, person-centred, data-driven health system that is responsive to current and future health needs. The workshop was opened by Dr Anas Hamad, head of the National Health Technology Assessment Unit Project within the National Health Strategy at the Ministry of Public Health, who emphasised the importance of concerted efforts to achieve the ministry's objectives under its 2024–2030 strategy, improve health system outcomes, and build specialised national capacities in this field. He said, 'The project to establish a national Health Technology Assessment (HTA) unit is based on the third priority of the National Health Strategy, which focuses on efficiency and resilience, and is part of the twelfth outcome relating to excellence in research, development, and innovation. The HTA project is a pivotal initiative to develop an integrated and reliable framework to support transparent, evidence-based decision-making within Qatar's health system. 'Through systematic evaluation of the clinical, economic, and social impacts of modern health technologies, we aim to ensure the best health value for citizens and residents, and to enhance the sustainability of Qatar's health system. This workshop is a foundational step for this project, which will contribute to achieving a sustainable, high-quality, efficient, patient-centred, and prudent health system that meets the needs of current and future generations.' Dr Ahmed Tawfiq, general manager of Hoffmann-La Roche in the Gulf region, stressed the importance of unifying efforts between the public and private sectors to develop sustainability frameworks aligned with shared objectives. He said, 'Today, we are working with our partners at the Ministry of Public Health and the London School of Economics and Political Science to achieve a shared goal of improving healthcare in Qatar, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. By building capacity in health technology assessment, we ensure that the right treatments reach the right patients at the right time, relying on the latest scientific evidence and modern technologies.' Professor Elias Mossialos, chair in Health Policy and director of the LSE Health Centre at the London School of Economics and Political Science, said: 'The LSE is proud to deliver an intensive two-day training programme for the Ministry of Public Health in Qatar, focusing on key trends in healthcare, disease prevention and early diagnosis, and economic evaluation in healthcare as an essential tool for improving system performance and decision-making, in addition to HTA programmes and value-based frameworks introduced by health innovations.' Through lectures and discussions over two days, delivered and moderated by Professor Elias Mossialos, Dr Panos Kanavos, and Dr Alex Carter, the workshop provided participants with a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the frameworks, capabilities, and key factors required to build an effective HTA structure. The focus was on applying real-world evidence to inform policy and investment decisions, and laying the foundation for the systematic and organised use of economic evaluation within Qatar's health policy framework.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Choy sues Hawai‘i Tourism Authority for ‘retaliation,' seeks reinstatement
Isaac Choy, who remains on unpaid leave from the Hawai 'i Tourism Authority, has sued named and unnamed HTA officials alleging they retaliated against him for reporting what he called HTA procurement, spending and other violations. The lawsuit filed Thursday in Circuit Court by Choy—who was HTA's vice president of finance and acting chief administrative officer—represents the latest drama at HTA, which has the key responsibility for organizing state and private tourism entities and marketing Hawaii as a travel destination. HTA interim President and CEO Caroline Anderson, whom Choy names as a defendant in his lawsuit, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. HTA Chair Todd Apo declined to comment on the lawsuit. The Attorney General's office had not been served with Choy's lawsuit by the end of Friday and said it generally does not comment on pending litigation. Choy's lawsuit seeks penalties up to $5, 000 against Anderson and anyone else at HTA for each alleged violation of 'the Hawaii Whistleblowers Protection Act ' in what he calls retaliation for reporting violations. He also wants to be reinstated with back pay, in addition to payment of his attorneys' fees. Choy, Hawaii's former tax director, had worked at HTA since April 2023 and had responsibility for 'fiscal supervision of the funds appropriated to the HTA in a manner consistent with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles standards, State budget fiscal requirements, and any regulatory requirement, ' among other duties. Beginning in March 2024, Choy said he began reporting HTA violations to state and HTA officials that continued into February. In one instance, according to the lawsuit, the state Procurement Office in January 2024 'confirmed that the then-program manager, Caroline Anderson, violated state procurement laws by failing to conduct a proper contract extension and then verbally extending the contract without going through the proper procurement process.' 'Mr. Choy reported his concerns about HTA's failure to timely and consistently comply with laws, rules, regulations and contracts to the State Legislative Auditor, the State Attorney General, and State legislators, who were conducting investigations or inquiry as part of their legislative duties, ' according to the lawsuit. After Choy alleged improper use of Hawai 'i Convention Center space by then-HTA CEO Mufi Hannemann, Choy's lawsuit said the Attorney General's office confirmed in writing that Choy mentioned Hawaii's whistleblower law in September 'as a protection against retaliation for himself and other HTA staff members.' Then allegations emerged that Choy had made racist and sexist remarks on the job, prompting the Attorney General's office and the Department of Human Resources on May 9 to direct that he be placed on unpaid leave. In his lawsuit, Choy said that Anderson on May 9 'delivered a letter to Mr. Choy, stating that Mr. Choy was being placed on administrative leave without pay, and was barred from coming to the HTA offices.' 'At Ms. Anderson's direction, Mr. Choy was immediately escorted from the HTA offices, on a 'perp walk' in front of all HTA employees as if Mr. Choy had been charged with a crime, in an attempt to humiliate Mr. Choy and intimidate other HTA staff members.' The reasons that Anderson cited in her May 9 letter for placing him on leave 'were false, misrepresented and /or grossly overstated, based on hearsay and unsubstantiated allegations, ' according to the lawsuit. 'The reasons stated in Ms. Anderson's May 9, 2025 letter were an obvious pretext, to silence Mr. Choy, and to retaliate against Mr. Choy for reporting numerous, serious violations of State laws, rules, regulations, and contracts, including the procurement violations by Ms. Anderson that Mr. Choy had reported. Placing Mr. Choy on leave without pay, without any legitimate basis under State law, was a transparent attempt by HTA and Ms. Anderson to harm Mr. Choy financially and unlawfully coerce him into resigning his position from HTA, to prevent him from providing additional details about the violations of State laws, rules, regulations, and contracts Mr. Choy had reported or was about to report.' On May 15, Choy sent a letter to Anderson, demanding that 'your retaliatory actions cease immediately and that my employment status be restored immediately.' In the letter, Choy told Anderson that 'Your false and reckless statements and retaliatory behavior have not only significantly damaged my reputation and income but also profoundly affected my family.' Choy served five terms in the House representing Manoa from 2008 through 2018.
Straits Times
5 days ago
- General
- Straits Times
Tweed's youthful makeover resurrects symbol of Scottish heritage
Harris Tweed stoles displayed at the Isle of Harris Tweed shop in Tarbert, Isle of Harris, in the Outer Hebrides, northern Scotland in April. PHOTO: AFP Isle of Scalpay, United Kingdom – 'When you see tweed on the runway, you don't expect it to come from here,' jokes former banker Alexander MacLeod as he sets up his loom in a converted barn on the shores of a Scottish loch. Mr MacLeod, 38, became a weaver two years ago, joining residents on the islands of Lewis and Harris, off Scotland's north-west coast, in helping to rejuvenate the tweed industry after a significant period of decline. 'It's a good thing to keep the tradition going,' he says. Tweed is a symbol of Scottish heritage and has 'always been part of the culture' on the Outer Hebrides, adds Mr MacLeod, who hails from the island of Scalpay, which is connected to Harris by a bridge. It is now 'an attractive sector to be in', he says. Tweed weaver Alexander MacLeod on his loom in his atelier at his home on the Isle of Scalpay in the Outer Hebrides, northern Scotland. PHOTO: AFP He left the Hebrides for seven years to work in banking, but the pull of his roots proved too strong. Now, during the day, Mr MacLeod works for a small local cosmetics company. In the evening, he puts on a podcast, usually about espionage, and patiently begins to weave. Only the steady hum of his machine disturbs the calm of the old stone barn. Harris tweed, traditionally made from 100 per cent wool, is the only fabric protected by a 1993 Act of Parliament. It must be 'handwoven by the islanders at their homes in the Outer Hebrides, finished in the Outer Hebrides, and made from pure virgin wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides'. Blackface sheep and lambs, whose wool is used in Harris Tweed production, at the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides. Harris Tweed, traditionally made from 100 per cent wool, is the only fabric protected by a 1993 Act of Parliament. PHOTO: AFP The weaver speaks of his 'satisfaction' once the tweed is finished. The fabric, once associated with the British aristocracy, then goes to the spinning mill for a quality control check, where the slightest flaw is flagged. Finally, it receives the precious 'Harris Tweed' stamp – a globe topped with a cross – certifying the fabric's provenance and authenticity, issued by the Harris Tweed Authority (HTA). The tweed then leaves the island to be purchased by discerning companies abroad, including luxury brands such as Christian Dior, Chanel and Gucci. Several sneaker brands such as Nike, New Balance and Converse have also used it for limited-edition products. A weaving loom at work at the atelier of weaver Alexander MacLeod. PHOTO: AFP The traditional staples are jackets, caps and bags, but the fabric can also be used for furniture. There are 140 weavers, according to the HTA, which launched a recruitment campaign in 2023 and offered workshops to learn the trade following a wave of retirements. This know-how, often passed down from generation to generation, is now being nurtured by a different profile of weaver. Harris Tweed Authority's operations director Kelly MacDonald behind a weaving loom at her office in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, northern Scotland. PHOTO: AFP 'It's nice to see younger people coming in,' says Ms Kelly MacDonald, director of operations at the HTA. 'When I joined the industry 22 years ago, there was a severe period of decline. I was wondering, 'Is there going to be an industry any more?'' But the industry is now enjoying a resurgence and significant growth, with more than 580,000m of tweed produced in 2024. 'We are always looking at new markets,' she says, and tweed is now exported to South Korea, Japan, Germany and France, among other countries. It is no longer dependent on the American market, as it once was, and should be largely shielded from the tariffs imposed by United States President Donald Trump. A staff member at Carloway Mill processing and preparing the wool for the weaving of Harris Tweed in Carloway on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, northern Scotland. PHOTO: AFP Tweed has 'modernised', says Mr Cameron MacArthur, who works at Carloway Mill, one of the three spinning mills in the west of the Isle of Lewis. He is only 29, but has already worked there for 12 years. The mill, with its large machines, looks as if it has not changed for decades. But Mr MacArthur has seen it evolve to embrace a younger workforce and newer fabrics, meaning it is no longer just the ultra-classic Prince of Wales chequered pattern or dark colours that are on offer. Harris Tweed stoles displayed at the Isle of Harris Tweed shop in Tarbert, Isle of Harris, in the Outer Hebrides, northern Scotland. The fabric has modernised, and no longer features just the ultra-classic Prince of Wales chequered pattern or dark colours. PHOTO: AFP Coloured wool used for Harris Tweed at Carloway Mill. PHOTO: AFP 'Nowadays, we're allowed to make up our own colours... and we're just doing different things with it, modernising it, making it brighter,' he says, showing off rolls of turquoise blue and fuchsia pink. 'We're so busy... it never used to be like that,' he says, adding that he is 'proud' to be working with the local product. The 'Harris Tweed' stamp – a globe topped with a cross – that certifies the fabric's provenance and authenticity, issued by the Harris Tweed Authority. PHOTO: AFP Ms MacDonald says tweed is an antidote to environment-unfriendly 'fast fashion'. 'How nice to own a product where you can actually look on a map to a tiny island and say, 'That's where my jacket was made.' That's so rare now, and I think people really engaged with that. 'Every stage of the production has to happen here, but from start to finish, it is a really long process. We are the epitome of slow fashion.' AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Travel Weekly
06-06-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Inside the $6 million marketing campaign aimed at Maui's tourism recovery
Christine Hitt With Maui's visitor arrivals still 21% below prepandemic levels, the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) and the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) released details about a new $6 million marketing campaign aimed at supporting Maui's tourism recovery. The campaign features a national wholesaler program, an initiative that prioritizes selling Maui vacation packages, and doing so through partnerships with ALG/Apple Vacations, Classic Vacations, Costco Travel, Pleasant Holidays, Delta Vacations and Expedia. The wholesaler program requires exclusive consumer offers of a minimum 20% in value (such as fifth night free) to incentivize bookings. Wholesalers need to provide a 1:1 match of the HTA's investment, meaning they essentially double their marketing budget with the HTA's support. Marketing efforts include targeted campaigns showcasing Maui to specific destinations through media, social media and PR efforts. Additionally, the HVCB will be "amplifying its Hawaii Special Offers Program with conversion-focused paid and owned media and supporting the Maui Nui Kakou Multi-Market initiative," which includes a "Maui Week" campaign airing across 15 key markets. The "Maui Week" campaign is a takeover of lifestyle morning shows across the continental U.S. that spotlights five Maui properties over five days. Some of the key markets include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York and Portland. "It is indeed a privilege to lead this effort alongside our government partners, the visitor industry, and community voices," HVCB CEO Aaron Sala said in a news release. "With urgency and clear intention, we are working to deliver meaningful results for Maui's families and local businesses. This campaign is an important initial step in addressing an immediate need. Our larger journey continues — shaping the way we welcome people into relationship with Hawaii in ways that honor both community and place." The campaign was funded by the $6.3 million released by Gov. Josh Green in February for the purpose of boosting Maui's recovery efforts and increasing the number of visitors to the state overall.
Express Tribune
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Nadir, Naba clinch tennis titles in style
Brilliant Naba Bhatti, who won the Ladies Singles title, is seen with honorable guest Dr Sabiha Essa and Rehana Bhatti after the finals at Hyderabad Gymkhana. PHOTO: STA Talented Nadir Bachani outplayed Bilal Khan 8 -3 in the final to bag the mens singles title while Naba Bhatti easily beat Sanam Baloch 8-1 to win the ladies singles title in the 12th Dr. Essa Lab Ranking Tennis Championship which concluded at Hyderabad Gymkhana. Nadir, displaying superb range and skills, proved much superior to Bilal who could not match his opponent's speed and fell to defeat. In the ladies contest, the prolific Naba Bhatti dominated throughout with her rival Sanam Baloch proving no match for her. Zainul Abideen Memon, DC Hyderabad was the chief guest at the closing ceremony. Prof Dr. Farhan Essa, Dr. Sabiha Essa, Ahmed Ali Rajpoot, Dr Agha Taj Muhammad, Khalid Rehmani and Dr. Saad Baloch addressed the sizeable gathering of fans and several top officials of various sports including Sana Ali from archery, Shakil Sheikh of body building, Seeda Iftikhar of badminton, Rehana Bhatti of HTA among others. In the Juniors Under-17 Singles final, Ali Bachani edged past Junaid Mahar 8-5 in a nail-biting contest. In the Under-13 Singles final Muhammad Ali outclassed Majid Bachani 4--1, 4-0. In the 40-plus Doubles final, the talented pair of Rafi Derbari and Arif overcame a stiff challenge from Jawed Riar and Abdul Majeed Bachani to win 8-6. In the Men's Doubles final, the brilliant duo of Saad Baloch and Anas Khan prevailed over Nadir Bachani and Muzammil Bhand to win 8-3. In his speech, Dr Farhan Essa thanked Hyderabad Gymkhana president Taj and Secretary Tariq Bajari for their all out support for the prestigious tournament. He also praised Muhammad Khalid Rehmani of STA and entire Hyderabad Tennis Association headed by dynamic president Jawed Riar for successfully organizing the tournament. He also announced to continue sponsoring 13th Addition of Dr Essa Lab Tennis in 2026 as well. Dr Agha Taj and Jawed Riar also announced to hold two tennis tournaments later this year. Later, International Rashid Bachani of Hyderabad was also decorated with gifts, trophy and cash awards for outstanding International victories over India at Colombo last week by Prof Essa Jawed Riar.
