Latest news with #EPI
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
Vehari hospitals overwhelmed by measles outbreak
A growing measles outbreak in Vehari and its surrounding villages has exposed severe cracks in the district's healthcare system, with overcrowded hospitals, lack of basic facilities, and delayed medical response. In Chak 37 WB's Basti Sheikhawali, residents claim that at least two children have died from measles-related complications. Families say health teams failed to arrive in time, and critical care was either delayed or absent altogether. In hospitals, patientsmostly childrenare reportedly being treated on the floor or squeezed two or three to a bed due to a severe shortage of space and resources. Frustrated locals staged protests, accusing the health department of focusing on "photo opportunities" rather than delivering effective, on-ground interventions. "Where were the teams when our children were dying?" asked one protester. Health authorities, however, have rejected claims of negligence and measles-related deaths. Vehari Health CEO Dr Fahad Waheed stated that no fatalities due to measles have been recorded and that the Expanded Program on Immunisation (EPI) teams are active in the field. He said 578 suspected measles cases have been reported in the district since January 2025, but only 66 have tested positive so far. In Union Council 5, of the nine suspected cases, only one was clinically confirmed. Dr Waheed further emphasised that MR1 and MR2 vaccination rates in Vehari stand at 92% and 90%, respectivelyfigures consistent with national targets. Regarding a child's death in Shabbirabad, which residents linked to the measles outbreak, the health department clarified it was caused by neonatal tetanus following an unsafe delivery conducted at home by an untrained midwife. Legal action has been recommended against those responsible and crash immunisation and awareness campaigns are now underway in the affected regions. Despite these clarifications, civil society leaders remain unconvinced. Civic activist Sajid Masood Mughal, expressed skepticism over official statements. "The numbers don't match the chaos we're witnessing in hospitals. Bed shortages and lack of urgent care are real," said a resident. The local activists called on the Punjab government to ensure swift, visible action, warning that without expanded vaccination, early diagnosis, and grassroots awareness, the situation could deteriorate further. They also urged authorities to strengthen the district's healthcare infrastructure before the outbreak spirals out of control.
Finextra
3 days ago
- Business
- Finextra
Deutsche Bank to offer Wero payment acceptance
Deutsche Bank's Merchant Solutions business is integrating Wero into its payments acceptance offering ahead of the mobile wallet's launch in Germany. 0 Launched to harness the potential of account-to-account (A2A) payments to help European banks take on the might of Visa and Mastercard, the European Payments Initiative's Wero has already enrolled 40 million users across the first wave of markets it has entered. Having initially focused on P2P payments, the effort is about to target online checkouts. Deutsche Bank will enable clients to accept Wero in its home market as well as Belgium and France after go-live, with the Netherlands and Luxembourg to follow in a subsequent step. The bank - which is an EPI shareholder - says that the offering is not just for conventional merchants, it is also being opened up to market integrators and aggregators, such as fintechs and payment service providers. 'By integrating Wero, we will be able to offer our clients a modern and European alternative to current international payment solutions - a solution that is secure, efficient and deeply rooted in Europe. It will become one of the bank's core local payment methods,' says Corina Metternich, head, business product payment methods, Europe, Deutsche Bank.
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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
A R Rahman, OpenAI CEO Altman collaborate on AI project 'Secret Mountain'
Renowned composer A R Rahman is set to merge music with artificial intelligence through his latest collaboration with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman for an upcoming AI project "Secret Mountain". Rahman shared the announcement with a post on his Instagram handle on Friday, featuring him alongside Altman. He called the upcoming venture a "virtual global band", which will "empower and uplift Indian minds to use AI tools." "It was a pleasure meet @sama at his office we discussed Secret Mountain, our virtual global band, and to empower and uplift Indian minds to use AI tools to address generational challenges and lead the way forward. EPI," he wrote in the caption. The story follows a young woman named Luna, who finds herself in the realm of Secret Mountain, where she encounters a variety of musical characters hailing from different cultural backgrounds Rahman posted a glimpse of the project last year on his YouTube channel. It was titled "Introducing the Secret Mountain". In the video, the character can be heard saying, "Hey, I'm Luna, let me tell you a story. Like most of us, I have been wandering the jungles of instant gratification, dooms of scrolling.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
A R Rahman, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's ‘Secret Mountain' project to blend music, AI, Indian innovation
NEW DELHI: Renowned composer A R Rahman is set to merge music with artificial intelligence through his latest collaboration with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman for an upcoming AI project titled Secret Mountain. Rahman shared the announcement with a post on his Instagram handle on Friday, featuring him alongside Altman. He called the upcoming venture a 'virtual global band', which will 'empower and uplift Indian minds to use AI tools.' 'It was a pleasure to meet @sama at his office… we discussed Secret Mountain, our virtual global band, and to empower and uplift Indian minds to use AI tools to address generational challenges and lead the way forward. EPI,' he wrote in the caption. The story follows a young woman named Luna, who finds herself in the realm of Secret Mountain, where she encounters a variety of musical characters hailing from different cultural backgrounds. Rahman had posted a glimpse of the project last year on his YouTube channel. It was titled Introducing the Secret Mountain. In the video, the character can be heard saying, 'Hey, I'm Luna, let me tell you a story. Like most of us, I have been wandering the jungles of instant gratification, dooms of scrolling.'
News18
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
A R Rahman, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman join forces for AI project Secret Mountain
New Delhi, Jul 25 (PTI) Renowned composer A R Rahman is set to merge music with artificial intelligence through his latest collaboration with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman for an upcoming AI project 'Secret Mountain". Rahman shared the announcement with a post on his Instagram handle on Friday, featuring him alongside Altman. He called the upcoming venture a 'virtual global band", which will 'empower and uplift Indian minds to use AI tools." 'It was a pleasure meet @sama at his office …we discussed 'Secret Mountain", our virtual global band, and to empower and uplift Indian minds to use AI tools to address generational challenges and lead the way forward. EPI," he wrote in the caption. The story follows a young woman named Luna, who finds herself in the realm of Secret Mountain, where she encounters a variety of musical characters hailing from different cultural backgrounds Rahman posted a glimpse of the project last year on his YouTube channel. It was titled 'Introducing the Secret Mountain". In the video, the character can be heard saying, 'Hey, I'm Luna, let me tell you a story. Like most of us, I have been wandering the jungles of instant gratification, dooms of scrolling." PTI ATR ATR ATR Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
