National hospital insurance fund

Eleven newborn babies were killed at a hospital in Senegal, the country's president said. "I have just learned with pain and consternation of the death of 11 newborn babies in a fire that occurred in the neonatal department of the public hospital in Tivaouane," said Senegalese President Macky Sall in a post on Twitter. "To their mothers and families, I express my deepest sympathy," Sall said. Tivaouane mayor Demba Diop said the fire was caused by a short circuit and that it spread quickly. It comes just a year after four newborns died in a hospital fire in Linguere in northern Senegal. A series of other deaths have raised concerns about maternal and infant health in the West African nation known for having some of the best hospitals in the region. Earlier this month, authorities discovered a baby that had been declared dead by a nurse's aide was still alive in a morgue. The infant later died. Last year a pregnant woman died in Louga, in the north of … [Read more...] about Eleven newborn babies killed in Senegal hospital fire

Andrew Neil describes BBC licence fee as a 'Straitjacket' Sign up for our news briefing, including a daily special Russia-Ukraine edition SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Tim Davie, the director-general of the BBC , is due to address staff on Thursday after saying earlier this week he would have to look at the volume of material produced by the corporation – a move, it is understood, designed to weather the licence fee freeze at £159 for two years. Related articles BBC licence fee warning as Nadine Dorries wields AXE on hated levy BBC licence fee on brink: Execs admit 'existential' crisis The settlement will cost the BBC £285million in funding by 2027, Mr Davie said when the decision was … [Read more...] about BBC4 faces AXE: Arts channel bleeding funds as Netflix and £285m black hole hammer Beeb

Prince William swapped his suit for surgical scrubs as he visited a hospital today to learn about new pioneering cancer treatments. He was flying solo as he paid a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London - a specialist cancer treatment centre, of which he is the president. During his tour, he met with staff and heard more about the brand new treatments and improved cancer diagnosis techniques that are on offer. At one point, he even donned scrubs as he was shown a revolutionary robot that carries out microwave ablation - a minimally-invasive treatment for cancer. After he visited the hospital's ‘Man Van’, which has been set up to encourage men traditionally reluctant to get checked for issues such as prostate cancer. Prince William in scrubs during a visit to the Royal Marsden hospital today ( Image: Getty Images) William looks at a screen as he follows a robotic microwave ablation procedure at the Royal Marsden Hospital ( Image: Getty Images) … [Read more...] about Prince William dons scrubs as he visits hospital to learn about new cancer treatments

Families have been left heartbroken after a fire in a Senegal hospital killed 11 newborn babies. The country's president Macky Sall said the blaze broke out in the neonatal ward in the town of Tivaouane, around 120km (75 miles) east of the capital Dakar. Mr Sall wrote on Twitter: "I have just learned with pain and consternation the death of 11 newborn babies in the fire that occurred in the neonatology department of the Mame Abdou Aziz Sy Dabakh hospital in Tivaouane. "To their mothers and their families, I express my deepest sympathy." One of the people affected was El Hadj Gueye, whose wife Ramata Gueye died three weeks ago after giving birth to a son, Mohamed, seven months into her pregnancy. Advertisement Now the bereaved husband has learnt that Mohamed was one of the babies killed in the fire. His cousin, Moustapha Cisse, said the couple had been trying for a baby for seven years. More on Senegal African Cup of Nations: Senegal wins … [Read more...] about Senegal hospital fire: Families mourn 11 newborn babies who died in neonatal ward

Rishi Sunak will cave in to pressure to impose a windfall tax on the soaring profits of oil and gas firms to fund a relief package for households struggling with rising bills. Labour said the Chancellor had been “dragged kicking and screaming” into backing its call for a levy on fossil fuel giants which have benefited from high global prices. Mr Sunak is expected to tell MPs he will scrap a requirement to repay the previously announced £200 discount on energy bills, and could increase the level of the grant. Other measures which could form part of a package worth around £10 billion are expected to be targeted at the poorest households. Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves welcomed the Chancellor’s U-turn on a windfall tax, after months of Tory opposition to Labour’s calls for a levy. Recommended What Rishi Sunak announced to tackle the cost of living crisis More Tory MPs withdraw support from PM over ‘shameful’ parties She asked: “Why … [Read more...] about Sunak poised to U-turn on windfall tax to fund energy bills relief package

The cost of new and used vehicles has risen during the pandemic, though recent high used car prices have begun to level out according to Cox Automotive. New cars continue to be sold with thousands of dollars of premiums attached. The rise in price has made many newer models, chock full of safety and with a high level of predicted reliability, economically unreachable for families with teen drivers. That reality has caused the number of vehicles recommended for teen drivers by Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to decrease in 2022. Just 49 models were recommended this year compared to 61 last year. Twenty-one new models are recommended, down from 29. The used vehicles recommended are priced from $6,000 to $19,000. New vehicle pricing ranges from a base price of $21,200 to $38,900. "As the pandemic has altered both the way people travel and the way they spend, demand for reliable used cars is notably high — meaning it may be more challenging to … [Read more...] about Consumer Reports releases list of best cars, SUVs for teens

By Reality Check team Published 14 minutes ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Reality Check Chancellor Rishi Sunak has been outlining a package of measures to support people struggling with the cost of living. "In total the measures I've announced today provide support worth £15bn - combined with the plans we've already announced that means we are supporting families with the cost of living with £37bn," he told MPs. The £37bn is a combination of £15bn just announced, and £22bn announced previously, mainly in the chancellor's Spring Statement. There are some questions about whether the total package is actually worth £37bn. For example, it includes the savings for households made from raising the point at which people have to start paying National Insurance, which will indeed be a big tax cut from July, but it does not include the amount … [Read more...] about Cost of living: Is the government package really worth £37bn?

The squeeze on households’ finances has tightened in recent months, leaving some with little or no room for manoeuvre. According to figures released by Nationwide Building Society this week, households made fewer spending transactions in April – but the overall amount they spent did not drop – in what the society described as a “clear sign” of the impact of rising prices. Last week, the Independent Food Aid Network (Ifan) said people unable to afford essentials are increasingly asking for food they do not need to cook or refrigerate because of rising energy prices. Office for National Statistics figures have shown inflation soaring to a 40-year high, reaching 9% in the year to April – a figure which is expected to hit double digits in the coming months. Rising living costs do not affect everyone equally, with those on lower incomes often spending a higher proportion of their budgets on essentials. People on fixed incomes, such as pensioners, may be at particular … [Read more...] about Cost-of-living crisis: How the squeeze has tightened its grip on households

The tragic death of a teenage girl who was suffering from a rare form of leukaemia could have been prevented and was the result of medical neglect, a coroner has said. Katie Wilkins, who was just 14, from Warrington died on July 31, 2020, after suffering an intracranial haemorrhage as a result of her acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APML). She had no significant medical history and had fallen ill only a month previously. Her inquest, which began on Monday (May 23) at the Gerard Majella Courthouse in Bootle, saw coroner Kate Ainge conclude today (May 26) that her death was avoidable, the Liverpool Echo reported. Ms Ainge said a proper clinical review and blood test could have led to an earlier diagnosis and the correct treatment. The teenager’s symptoms began with unbearable pains when visiting her sister in London in June 2020. On June 30, she was taken to A&E in Warrington, where they found an unusual abscess and a course of antibiotics were prescribed. The … [Read more...] about Tragic death of teenage girl with rare leukaemia ‘could have been prevented’

The first data on Paxlovid, out last November, hinted that the COVID antiviral would cut the risk of hospitalization and death by 89 percent . Pundits called the drug “ a monster breakthrough ,” “ miraculous ,” and “ the biggest advance in the pandemic since the vaccines .” “ Today’s news is a real game-changer ,” said Albert Bourla, the CEO of Pfizer, which makes the drug. The pills are “ a game changer ,” President Joe Biden repeated a few months later. Now, finally, the game is being changed. The government has ordered 20 million courses of Paxlovid, committing half of the $10 billion in additional COVID funding that is being negotiated in the Senate; and Pfizer says that the number of patients taking the drug increased by a factor of 10 between mid-February and late April. But as the treatment spreads, so too does confusion over its effectiveness and side effects. Patients have complained of a bitter, metallic taste, or one like grapefruit juice mixed with … [Read more...] about Paxlovid Is a Game Changer and a Head-Scratcher