The world’s forgotten children will be issued with “digital birth certificates” under plans to ensure they do not miss out on life-saving vaccinations.
At the end of its conference in Abu Dhabi, Gavi, which has helped to vaccinate about 700 million children in the past two decades, announced a deal with Mastercard in which the company will use its technology to give parents cards programmed with their children’s health data.
About 80 per cent of the world’s children receive at least one vaccination but millions remain unprotected.
There is concern that the children who are most vulnerable often do not have formal identity papers or may be from families hiding from the authorities, making it almost impossible for health workers to know whether they have been immunised or when booster shots are due.
There are also record numbers of refugees, which has hampered efforts to identify children in vulnerable situations. The card is one of many new technologies being used to increase the number of children vaccinated.
Others include deliveries by drone, solar-powered fridges that can be used to preserve shots on trips into isolated areas and the use of biometric data such as face scans to obtain a child’s health records.
Michael Froman, vice chairman and president of Mastercard, said the programme could also help governments by providing data on how successful their vaccination programmes were.
“We’re very proud to be working with Gavi to help increase the efficiency and effectiveness of delivery of vaccines,” Mr Froman said. “Right now, a lot of this is done in paper form – it’s quite manual. We’ll be able to give a unique digital identifier to a child when he or she is born – the equivalent of a birth certificate – for that parent to be able to have an electronic record of what vaccines a child has received and to get a reminder of when they’re overdue to get a vaccine.
"It will also give, very importantly, the government greater insight into how a vaccine programme is working and where there are gaps.
“We see this as very much part of digitising the lives of people at the base of the pyramid and putting them on a map to greater prosperity.”
The programme is set to be introduced across five countries over the next two years, with the goal of expanding it after that.
Gavi, which works with the private sector and has had great success in driving down the costs of vaccinations in poor countries, said its work has saved 10 million lives since it was set up in 2000.
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It acknowledged that it had reached the "easy targets" and was now focusing on extending help to the minority of children who still go without vaccinations, and who are likely to be in conflict zones or isolated, underdeveloped areas.
Seth Berkley, the Gavi chief executive, said in his closing remarks that the organisation would also have to be ready to deliver “blockbuster” vaccinations for diseases such as HIV and malaria, which are under development.
“We have two HIV vaccines in phase 3 clinical trials right now,” Mr Berkley said.“We have a malaria vaccine that is going into a phase 4 trial to see if it can be implemented now in Africa, and we have a tuberculosis vaccine that recently showed very promising results and will go to efficacy testing.
“If we have these vaccines we need a strong system that will be able to deliver them and there are other high incidence pathogens that the research and development industry is working on.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
Chatham House Rule
A mark of Chatham House’s influence 100 years on since its founding, was Moscow’s formal declaration last month that it was an “undesirable
organisation”.
The depth of knowledge and academics that it drew on
following the Ukraine invasion had broadcast Mr Putin’s chicanery.
The institute is more used to accommodating world leaders,
with Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher among those helping it provide
authoritative commentary on world events.
Chatham House was formally founded as the Royal Institute of
International Affairs following the peace conferences of World War One. Its
founder, Lionel Curtis, wanted a more scientific examination of international affairs
with a transparent exchange of information and ideas.
That arena of debate and analysis was enhanced by the “Chatham
House Rule” states that the contents of any meeting can be discussed outside Chatham
House but no mention can be made identifying individuals who commented.
This has enabled some candid exchanges on difficult subjects
allowing a greater degree of free speech from high-ranking figures.
These meetings are highly valued, so much so that
ambassadors reported them in secret diplomatic cables that – when they were
revealed in the Wikileaks reporting – were thus found to have broken the rule. However,
most speeches are held on the record.
Its research and debate has offered fresh ideas to
policymakers enabling them to more coherently address troubling issues from climate
change to health and food security.
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
