| Communiqués |
Global Health Resources
October 13th 2003 | Volume 5, Issue 16
Communiqués is a twice monthly e-newsletter of Global Health Resources, the Internet service for international health care professionals from MCOL. Subscribe to Global Health Resources for just $7.50 per month and access the Subscriber Only web site plus get a series of valuable e-newsletters! http://www.globalhealthresources.com
IN THIS ISSUE:
1. Sponsor Message: Consumer Driven Care Training Kit
2. Global News Highlights: 23 International Items
3. Modern Health Care International
4. Domestic News from Modern Physician
5. Announcements
6. About Global Health Resources
1. **SPONSOR MESSAGE** Consumer Driven Care Training Kit
Finally, an all-in-one e-learning tool is here for professionals to grasp the complexities and the marketplace for consumer driven care!! The ideal training solution for organizations getting involved with or monitoring consumer driven care including health plans, hospitals, pharmaceuticals, medical groups, consultants, vendors and more.
The Consumer Driven Care Training Kit includes seven modules and provides detailed narrative text; executive presentations with graphs, charts and tables; video clips; a glossary and an interactive quiz.
Just $98! Site licenses also available.
For detailed information or to order, go to http://www.mcol.com/cdkit.htm or call 209.577.4888
*Australia* Gillard signals overhaul for health insurance
Labor has signalled that it is looking at an overhaul of the 30 per cent private health
insurance rebate, with health spokeswoman Julia Gillard saying yesterday it had "failed on
all counts" and needed "real reform".
Melbourne Age, October 8, 2003
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/10/08/1065601909832.html
*Canada* More health-care cash on the way to provinces, Manley signals
Provincial finance ministers left Ottawa with empty pockets but high spirits Friday,
reassured that the federal government seems motivated to give them more money for health
care.
Canadian Press, October 11, 2003
http://www.cp.org/english/online/full/National/031010/n101062A.html
*Ghana* Importers of Foreign Drugs Without Labelling in English to Be Sanctioned
Deputy Chief Executive in charge of drugs of the food and drugs board, Mr. B.K Botwe
has stated that the Ghana labeling regulation, LI 1541 requires that all products coming into
the country must be labeled in English or have an English translation thereof if the labeling is
in another language.
Ghanaian Chronicle (Accra), October 10, 2003
http://allafrica.com/stories/200310100582.html
*Guam* Ruling favors PacifiCare
A three-member arbitration panel relieved PacifiCare of any obligation to provide
health-insurance coverage to GovGuam employees, PacifiCare announced yesterday.
Guam Pacific Daily News, October 1, 2003
http://www.guampdn.com/news/stories/20031002/localnews/367535.html
*New Zealand* Seven new health organisations
Seven new Primary Health Organisations have opened across New Zealand, bringing the
total number to 53.
nZoom.com, October 1, 2003
http://onenews.nzoom.com/onenews_detail/0,1227,225376-1-6,00.html
*Nigeria* Assembly Laments Poor State of Hospitals
The Kano State House of Assembly Committee on health has noticed with displeasure the
deplorable condition of specialist hospitals and other health institutions in the state and has
called for their immediate rehabilitation.
Daily Trust (Abuja), October 10, 2003
http://allafrica.com/stories/200310100667.html
*South Africa* Let Go of Pens And Trust Machines
The health-care insurance industry is under substantial pressure. International trends show
health-care expenditure constantly rising, driven by several factors including longevity and
an ageing population; increasing consumer demands; higher utilisation of medical aid funds;
and more expensive pharmaceuticals. The increased burden this puts on medical insurers
and an accompanying increase in operating costs endanger the health of the industry.
Business Day (Johannesburg), October 13, 2003
http://allafrica.com/stories/200310130177.html
*South Africa* Medical Aid Costs Cut
Healthcare provider, Discovery Health has launched a series of new plans which allow
members comprehensive cover at significantly lower premiums.
Moneyweb (Johannesburg), October 10, 2003
http://allafrica.com/stories/200310130505.html
*South Africa* Doctors Up in Arms Over New Rules
The government has come in for renewed attack by the South African Medical Association
- this time over stringent rules for doctors setting up new private practices.
Cape Argus (Cape Town), October 10, 2003
http://allafrica.com/stories/200310100415.html
*Taiwan* Taiwanese get Java cards for health care
The Taiwan government has completed the distribution of 22 million Java-based ID cards to its citizens in one of Asia's largest deployments to
date.
Silicon.com, September 29, 2003
http://www.silicon.com/news/500022/1/6189.html
*Uganda* Army to Provide Protection for Measles Campaign in North
Plans are underway to go ahead with a mass measles immunisation campaign in northern
Uganda, despite continued security concerns over rebel activities in the region.
UN Integrated Regional Information Networks, October 13, 2003
http://allafrica.com/stories/200310130173.html
*Uganda* Country Launches Health Data Project
Health care providers will soon have instant access to medical data following the launching
of the Uganda Health Information Network (UHIN), last Wednesday.
The Monitor (Kampala), October 12, 2003
http://allafrica.com/stories/200310130189.html
*United Kingdom* Legal victory opens door to foreign health care
An arthritis sufferer who claimed the NHS must pay the cost of a hip replacement she had to have done in France because of UK waiting lists, won
her English High Court case "in principle" yesterday.
Scotsman Online, October 1, 2003
http://www.thescotsman.co.uk/uk.cfm?id=1088982003
*Zimbabwe* Health Sector in Intensive Care
Since her admission to Parirenyatwa Hospital, one of the country's largest referral hospitals
some two weeks ago, Joyce (9), has not been attended to by a medical doctor.
Zimbabwe Standard (Harare), October 12, 2003
http://allafrica.com/stories/200310130239.html
4. DOMESTIC NEWS FROM MODERN PHYSICIAN
http://www.modernphysician.com
Sign up for free registration to the Modern Physician Web site; daily
e-newsletter, MP Stat; and our daily news alerts, MP Point of Care
http://www.modernphysician.com/register.cms
Medicare beneficiaries often don't get preventive services: GAO
Physicians treating Medicare beneficiaries often do not give them the full range of recommended preventive services, according to a new report by the General Accounting Office released to the public on Thursday.
More physicians seeking advanced business degrees
More than 1,000 physicians are currently pursuing either a master's degree in medical management or a master's in business administration offered through the American College of Physician Executives and its partner universities, the Tampa-based college reports.
Survey: Physicians outpace other professionals on ethics
Physicians are more ethical and have higher moral standards than other types of professionals, according to a new poll of executives at major U.S. companies.
Juries awarding at least $1 million for brain damage suits
More than half of malpractice plaintiffs who won suits claiming moderate or severe brain damage since 1993 received jury awards of at least $1 million, according to a new report by Jury Verdict Research in Horsham, Penn.
Magellan poised to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Magellan Health Services says it has received court approval for its reorganization plan allowing it to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
GE Medical, Cerner make IT inroads in Europe
Two major U.S. healthcare information technology vendors gained significant footholds in Europe this week, as GE Medical Systems closed one acquisition and announced another, while Cerner Corp. won a major contract with the British government.
Shortages of specialists boost salaries, search firm reports
A shrinking pool of specialists in fields such as cardiology and hematology/oncology and growing demand for their services is pushing up salaries, according to Cejka Search, a physician search firm in St. Louis.
Encouraging an Entrepreneurial Spirit in Health Plans,
Hospitals and Ministries of Health. Miami December 7-10, 2003 http://www.ihsummit.com
See what over 40 other countries are doing to bridge the
gap between public expectations and health sector performance. Meet Dr.
William Ho, CEO of the Hong Kong Hospital Authority and Sir Alan Langlands,
former CEO of the British National Health Service as they stimulate the
audience to think more creatively about the future of global health strategies
and technologies.
The 8th Annual International Summit on
Public-Private Partnerships for Health Gain reconvenes again in Miami December
7-10, 2003. This world class symposium will explore new ideas and case studies
with 500 senior leaders about the need for and strategies for enhanced
leadership performance in both Public and Private Health Sector Organizations
throughout the world. Topics will address best practices in health plan
product design, consumer directed heath plans, new IT, safety advances and
cross border trends in health policy reforms.
| December 7-10, 2003 | Miami, USA | 8th Annual International Summit |
| May 11-13, 2004 | Hong Kong | Public-Private Partnerships |
| May 23-26, 2004 | Johannesburg, South Africa | Public-Private Partnerships |
| September 5-8, 2004 | Prague | Public-Private Partnerships |
| December 5-8, 2004 | Miami, USA | 9th Annual International Summit |
Global Business Research Institute News
GBRI Healthcare Scares Monthly Series
GBRI has recently completed the first part of a project supported by
the Atlas Economic Research Foundation on the impact of globalisation and
liberalisation of healthcare services. The study evaluated existing
research on healthcare liberalisation, private healthcare and globalisation of
healthcare services, and tackled the scare tactics myths employed by opponents
of liberalisation. These findings are serialised monthly
as "Healthcare Scares" on www.gbri.org
Wanted: Liberalised Healthcare Case Studies
GBRI is looking for case studies from poorer countries of patients
choosing non-state healthcare, and healthcare entrepreneurs successfully serving
the poor. It is hoped that these case studies is will inspire and motivate
healthcare choice movements in rich and poor countries alike. For example,
doctors and nurses setting up their own primary care centres/surgeries to serve
patients where the state sector has failed. GBRI will pay authors $250 for
each case study used. Please contact Syed Kamall of the GBRI at syed@gbri.org
for further information or to submit a case study.
More about the GBRI. The Global Business Research Institute is an educational body conducting outreach to business executives, journalists and civil servants, promoting a greater understanding of globalisation and its consequences. If you want to know more contact Adrian Pepper, Director, at adrian@gbri.org.