Humans are no strangers to diseases. And while we have made progress in tackling them, we are far from achieving universal healthcare. As recently as five years ago, at least half of the world’s population could not obtain basic essential health services (WHO).
If we look at the roster of healthcare issues at hand, every year, 17 million people die from a non-communicable disease (NCD), that is, seven out of 10 deaths in the world are because of NCDs. What’s worse is that 86% of these are premature deaths, occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Adding to this is the burden of infectious diseases. Twenty-six low-income countries are malaria-endemic and account for 90% of cases and deaths (WHO). Twenty-six million people with HIV live in developing nations (UNAIDS). Worldwide, tuberculosis is the second leading infectious killer after COVID-19 (WHO). And the recent COVID-19 pandemic is likely to halt 20 years of global progress towards universal health coverage. It has triggered a worrying economic crisis since the 1930s and disrupted health services (World Bank), mainly among communities that require it the most.
Today, the world is gasping for good health.
A united front to expand healthcare
Realizing the critical juncture that we are in, a few months into the pandemic, two legacy companies, Mylan Laboratories and Upjohn came together to form Viatris – a global healthcare organization with a mission of empowering people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life by improving access to medicine regardless of geography or circumstance. The company firmly believes in the indispensable role of good treatment and mainly, access to it, at the right time. Precisely why, Viatris is firmly positioned in the Emerging Markets, a region comprising of 25 countries with a diverse range of socioeconomic conditions and healthcare needs. Within two years, they have pushed the boundaries by improving access to sustainable and high-quality medicines for around five billion people in these markets.
While we are witnessing impressive innovation in healthcare, all too often, the results of it reach only a fraction of the patients who need them. This is where Viatris is helping bridge the gap. A comprehensive portfolio and vast supply chain positions them to meet patient needs around the world. Their Emerging Markets portfolio, in fact, addresses a broad range of therapeutic areas, with over half of it focusing on NCD treatments and a third on antiretroviral drugs. These treatments have been developed through their strong R&D, manufacturing, regulatory, commercial, and legal capabilities. They are making these resources available to regional partners to serve more patients. For instance, in the Emerging Markets, they have worked with TB Alliance to provide affordable treatment for multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis and have collaborated with various other NGOs to offer antiretroviral drugs to HIV patients. Most recently, under Egypt’s Tahya Misr program, they sponsored approximately one million Hepatitis C screening kits at low cost. They also partnered with various local specialist companies and governments across the markets to provide access to SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Test (Lateral Flow Method). This helped increase the number of tests being conducted across the region and enabled governments to closely monitor the progress of COVID-19.
It’s also important to note that among NCDs, mental health illnesses are regarded as one of the top killers. And Viatris is leveraging its network of local healthcare entities to address this need. In the Middle East and Philippines, they partnered with Sesame Workshop to provide online resources to support the social and emotional needs of families and caregivers as they battled the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Expanding access to treatment through people and policy
To make a real impact, health systems need to work in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. And this includes the government. Viatris has been actively engaging with local governments to accelerate change in policy. A case at hand is their work in India, where they advocated to reverse the government’s ban on manufacturing oxytocin for domestic use. This significantly reduced the risk of childbirth complications for both mother and child.
It’s a known fact that think tanks are equally important when it comes to effective policy change. Viatris has instituted its own NCD Think Tank, to improve NCD outcomes by advocating for stakeholders’ support and co-designing approaches to beyond-the-pill solutions.
The road ahead
On the second anniversary of the company, it’s paramount to recognize the efforts of Viatris’ workforce in ensuring the seamless and end-to-end product manufacturing, distribution, and innovation process. It is they who have helped translate ideas into action - from the minds of scientists to the labs that create them.
Currently, the company produces approximately 80 billion doses of medicine a year, ranking them among the top five companies in the Emerging Markets for cardiovascular, pain, antiretroviral, and a variety of other medicines. By fusing passion and focus with expertise and strong partnerships, Viatris is committed to making a difference in the lives of patients everywhere.
You can follow Vitaris on:
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
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Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US' most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was first created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out projectiles, namely ballistic missiles, as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
Purpose:
To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.
Range:
THAAD can target projectiles both inside and outside of the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 93 miles above the Earth's surface.
Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then deployed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
WISH
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The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S
Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900
Engine: 937cc
Transmission: Six-speed gearbox
Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm
Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km
Profile box
Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Fight card
1. Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) v Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)
2. Featherweight: Hussein Salim (IRQ) v Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)
3. Catchweight 80kg: Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Khamza Yamadaev (RUS)
4. Lightweight: Ho Taek-oh (KOR) v Ronald Girones (CUB)
5. Lightweight: Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) v Damien Lapilus (FRA)
6. Bantamweight: Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) v Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)
7. Featherweight: Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)
8. Flyweight: Shannon Ross (TUR) v Donovon Freelow (USA)
9. Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Dan Collins (GBR)
10. Catchweight 73kg: Islam Mamedov (RUS) v Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM)
11. Bantamweight World title: Jaures Dea (CAM) v Xavier Alaoui (MAR)
12. Flyweight World title: Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
