Latest news with #ICF
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Chennai to get second AC EMU by October
Chennai: Amid complaints over poor service, high cost, and delays, Chennai's second AC EMU—built at Integral Coach Factory—will be ready in two months and is likely to be launched by October after safety clearances and test runs. When asked if design changes were made after the rake scraped platforms at Pallavaram and Chromepet last month, ICF officials clarified that their coaches follow standard national dimensions, and any mismatch at a few stations should be corrected by Southern Railway. Meanwhile, ICF is also building two non-AC EMU train sets fitted with automatic doors—a feature introduced after a recent Mumbai suburban accident killed four passengers hanging from footboards. Though built in Chennai, these rakes are likely to be allotted to Central Railway, where demand and crowding remain highest. The auto-door mechanism won't allow doors to close unless all passengers board fully, eliminating the common risk of commuters clinging onto doors. The loco pilot will control door operation, and sensors will block movement if anyone hangs out. ICF officials said this model will be tested in Mumbai and extended to other cities like Chennai based on commuter response. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 안구건조 걱정 없이 안전하게! 강남아이원스안과 지금 신청하기 Undo You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai On the Vande Bharat sleeper front, the first rake is currently stationed at New Delhi, where ICF engineers are making minor modifications based on Railway Safety Commissioner feedback. The second rake is expected by August 15, and a third by mid-September. Visiting ICF on Thursday, Union Minister of State for Railways V Somanna said, "The Make in India push has made ICF a global rail coach hub. From 3,700 coaches last year, production will touch 4,200 this year." He also inspected the Chennai–Arakkonam–Kanchipuram rail section on Thursday and said the govt will examine building a new railway station near the upcoming Parandur airport. ICF's production calendar for 2025–26 includes 4,356 coaches, including 88 Vande Bharat chair car rakes, 3 Vande Bharat sleepers by September, 8 AC EMUs, and 2 auto-door non-AC EMUs by December.
National Post
2 days ago
- Health
- National Post
Groups Representing Patients, Healthcare Professionals and Pharmaceutical Industry Author New Principle on Use of AI In Healthcare
Article content GENEVA — Six leading international organizations representing patients, physicians, pharmacists, nurses, hospitals, and the pharmaceutical industry have today adopted the first joint ethical principle in the healthcare industry on the responsible use of health data and technology, including artificial intelligence. Article content The new principle joins the International Consensus Framework for Ethical Collaboration in Health, guiding ethical collaboration across bodies representing patients, physicians, pharmacists, nurses, hospitals, and the pharmaceutical industry. Article content The new principle joins the International Consensus Framework for Ethical Collaboration (ICF), a longstanding principles-based voluntary agreement that guides ethical collaboration across these major healthcare bodies, working together to deliver high quality care for patients. Article content The ICF was established in 2014 as a global platform to ensure that relationships across the health ecosystem are grounded in ethical, transparent, and responsible decision-making. It unites six leading health bodies representing patient organizations, healthcare professionals, and the pharmaceutical industry. Article content The founding principles of the ICF focus on prioritizing patients; supporting ethical research and innovation; ensuring independence and ethical conduct; and promoting transparency and accountability. Article content The new fifth principle focuses on autonomy, data stewardship, and shared accountability in the use of health data. This reflects the growing importance of digital health and AI, and the need for ethical considerations to evolve alongside scientific innovation. Article content 'No single hospital or stakeholder can navigate today's rapid advances in health data and technology alone,' said Ronald Lavater, CEO of the International Hospital Federation. 'The ICF enables collective action, empowering global health leaders to build trusted partnerships that unlock the full potential of ethical, person-centered innovation.' Article content 'Data and technology may evolve care delivery, but ethics guides our why, how and for whom,' said Howard Catton, CEO of the International Council of Nurses. 'This principle affirms the enduring importance of trust, compassion, and dignity — values nurses uphold every day across health systems worldwide.' Article content Patient voices are central to the adoption of this principle. 'This new principle is a major step forward in safeguarding the rights of patients and people with lived experience in the digital age,' said Dani Mothci, CEO of the International Alliance of Patients' Organizations. 'As a founding member of the ICF, IAPO welcomes the clear ethical commitment around autonomy, data stewardship, and accountability highlighting focus on putting patients first. To make this a reality, we encourage patient organizations to actively engage with this principle and ensure its implementation reflects real-world patient experiences.' Article content 'Ethics is the cornerstone of effective global health policy. It ensures that decisions are guided by fairness, respect, and accountability. The World Medical Association believes that ethical collaboration is essential to building resilient health systems and delivering better care to all, especially the most vulnerable,' said Dr. Ashok Philip, President of the World Medical Association. Article content Paul Sinclair, President of the International Pharmaceutical Federation, called on pharmacy professionals to embrace the new principle: 'FIP supports ethical and responsible decision making, which involves pharmacy practitioners in relation to patients, healthcare professionals, and the pharmaceutical sector to ensure high-quality care. I invite all our members to adopt and adapt this framework at the country and regional levels of practice.' Article content David Reddy, Director General of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations, echoed the call for collective responsibility: 'For the past decade, the ICF has fostered stronger alliances and shared values between key partners involved in healthcare delivery, through sustained engagement on emerging ethical challenges. Today, by integrating a new principle on digital health and AI, we're echoing a growing consensus: as innovation accelerates, ethical collaboration must evolve in tandem. Our focus is on delivering for patients — first and always.' Article content Established in 2014, the Article content International Consensus Framework for Ethical Collaboration Article content is the only global platform of its kind that brings together patients' organizations, healthcare professionals, and the pharmaceutical industry in support of high-quality, patient-centered care. The Framework is jointly supported by six leading bodies – the Article content , Article content , Article content IFPMA Article content , Article content FIP Article content , Article content WMA Article content , and Article content IHF Article content – all united by a shared commitment to ensuring that relationships across the health ecosystem are grounded in ethical, transparent, and responsible decision-making. The Consensus Framework is a living document and is open to other stakeholders in life sciences and healthcare delivery, who are encouraged to endorse and contribute to its evolution. It is guided by four founding principles: put patients first; support ethical research and innovation; ensure independence and ethical conduct; promote transparency and accountability. In 2025, the Framework was expanded to include a fifth principle: uphold responsible use of health data and technology. This reflects the growing importance of digital health and AI, and the need for ethics to evolve alongside innovation. Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Media contacts Article content Article content
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Health
- Associated Press
Groups Representing Patients, Healthcare Professionals and Pharmaceutical Industry Author New Principle on Use of AI In Healthcare
GENEVA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 26, 2025-- Six leading international organizations representing patients, physicians, pharmacists, nurses, hospitals, and the pharmaceutical industry have today adopted the first joint ethical principle in the healthcare industry on the responsible use of health data and technology, including artificial intelligence. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: The new principle joins the International Consensus Framework for Ethical Collaboration (ICF), a longstanding principles-based voluntary agreement that guides ethical collaboration across these major healthcare bodies, working together to deliver high quality care for patients. The ICF was established in 2014 as a global platform to ensure that relationships across the health ecosystem are grounded in ethical, transparent, and responsible decision-making. It unites six leading health bodies representing patient organizations, healthcare professionals, and the pharmaceutical industry. The founding principles of the ICF focus on prioritizing patients; supporting ethical research and innovation; ensuring independence and ethical conduct; and promoting transparency and accountability. The new fifth principle focuses on autonomy, data stewardship, and shared accountability in the use of health data. This reflects the growing importance of digital health and AI, and the need for ethical considerations to evolve alongside scientific innovation. 'No single hospital or stakeholder can navigate today's rapid advances in health data and technology alone,' said Ronald Lavater, CEO of the International Hospital Federation. 'The ICF enables collective action, empowering global health leaders to build trusted partnerships that unlock the full potential of ethical, person-centered innovation.' 'Data and technology may evolve care delivery, but ethics guides our why, how and for whom,' said Howard Catton, CEO of the International Council of Nurses. 'This principle affirms the enduring importance of trust, compassion, and dignity — values nurses uphold every day across health systems worldwide.' Patient voices are central to the adoption of this principle. 'This new principle is a major step forward in safeguarding the rights of patients and people with lived experience in the digital age,' said Dani Mothci, CEO of the International Alliance of Patients' Organizations. 'As a founding member of the ICF, IAPO welcomes the clear ethical commitment around autonomy, data stewardship, and accountability highlighting focus on putting patients first. To make this a reality, we encourage patient organizations to actively engage with this principle and ensure its implementation reflects real-world patient experiences.' 'Ethics is the cornerstone of effective global health policy. It ensures that decisions are guided by fairness, respect, and accountability. The World Medical Association believes that ethical collaboration is essential to building resilient health systems and delivering better care to all, especially the most vulnerable,' said Dr. Ashok Philip, President of the World Medical Association. Paul Sinclair, President of the International Pharmaceutical Federation, called on pharmacy professionals to embrace the new principle: 'FIP supports ethical and responsible decision making, which involves pharmacy practitioners in relation to patients, healthcare professionals, and the pharmaceutical sector to ensure high-quality care. I invite all our members to adopt and adapt this framework at the country and regional levels of practice.' David Reddy, Director General of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations, echoed the call for collective responsibility: 'For the past decade, the ICF has fostered stronger alliances and shared values between key partners involved in healthcare delivery, through sustained engagement on emerging ethical challenges. Today, by integrating a new principle on digital health and AI, we're echoing a growing consensus: as innovation accelerates, ethical collaboration must evolve in tandem. Our focus is on delivering for patients — first and always.' ++ ENDS ++ Notes to editors View source version on CONTACT: Media contacts For more information on the ICF and new principle, please contact the following member organization representatives:IFPMA: Ana-Maria Nia,[email protected] ICN: Pilar Millan,[email protected] IAPO: Rachel Githinji,[email protected] IHF: Katherine Bennett,[email protected] WMA: Magda Mihaila,[email protected] FIP: Aysu Selçuk,[email protected] KEYWORD: SWITZERLAND EUROPE INDUSTRY KEYWORD: NURSING DATA MANAGEMENT HEALTH TECHNOLOGY HOSPITALS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE PHARMACEUTICAL SOURCE: IFPMA Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 06/26/2025 08:00 AM/DISC: 06/26/2025 08:02 AM
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Amrit Bharat Express rake remains unused for 4 months
Chennai: Several railway zones have rolled out Amrit Bharat Express trains on high-demand routes, but the rake allotted to has remained unutilized since Feb when it was handed over by Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Official documents accessed through the Right to Information (RTI) Act confirm that the fully assembled superfast push-pull rake — designed for long-distance, non-AC travel — was allotted to Southern Railway as the first rake built at ICF. Since Feb, it has remained idle, reportedly stabled at locations within the zone such as Thiruvottiyur or Naidupeta, with no route finalized and no operational surveys completed. Amrit Bharat Express services, already running on the Darbhanga-Delhi, Malda-Bengaluru and Mumbai-Saharsa routes, are designed to ease crowding on popular long-distance trains. Each train has 22 coaches, with the composition modified after parliamentary feedback to include more unreserved coaches. So far, 10 rakes have been produced — eight at ICF and two at the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala — with allocations made to zones including northern, north central, eastern, eastern central, and central railway. There is no clarity from Southern Railway on what plans it has. Popular trains such as Coromandel Express and Howrah Mail are running packed, especially with heavy migrant worker traffic. Amrit Bharat, envisioned as a more accessible alternative to Vande Bharat with non-AC coaches and quicker turnaround, could have eased the load on these overcrowded trains, say rail users. Railway activist Dayanand Krishnan, who filed the RTI to bring the issue to light, said, "Instead of wasting the rake on a low-speed long route, it can be deployed on Tambaram–Tenkasi, where demand is high. The engines can run at 130kmph and two services a day are possible." After a video surfaced recently showing the Amrit Bharat rake with Southern Railway markings travelling towards New Delhi, TOI contacted Southern Railway general manager R N Singh. He did not respond to queries.
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Running out of sand and stone: Construction industry warns of critical shortage of aggregates
Ireland will need more than a billion tonnes of crushed rock, sand and gravel by 2040 to complete housing and infrastructure projects but planning delays and refusals could result in critical shortages the State's concrete industry has warned. A report published this week states that just 61% of the annual consumption of aggregates is currently being replenished by means of new planning authorisations. The Irish Concrete Federation (ICF) warned that at current levels of authorisation, the replenishment levels will to 52% over the 2025 – 2040 period as demand for aggregates increases due to Ireland's growing population. The report has found that quarry planning decisions in 2024 took over four times longer than the statutory timeframe for such decisions. There is a statutory objective for planning applications to local authorities that are appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála to be decided on within 30 weeks. The report found that quarry development applications from 2017 up to 2024 are delayed in the planning system for 91 weeks on average. In 2024 alone, decision-making timeframes had increased to 129 weeks. "Ireland has natural reserves of high-quality aggregates, which are essential raw materials for Ireland's future infrastructure requirements,' said ICF Chief Executive Officer, Gerry Farrell. 'Yet current planning decision timelines and a lack of a coordinated policy on the long-term sustainable supply of aggregates will threaten Ireland's ability to meet future demand for housing and infrastructure projects." The ICF estimates that more than 20 million tonnes of aggregate alone will be required for the flagship infrastructure projects under the Ireland 2040 plan, including 1.1m tonnes for the Cork City Docklands rejuvenation, 1.5m for the Cork to Limerick Motorway, and a further 1.5m for the Metrolink project in Dublin. The government's commitment to double the current annual delivery of new homes to 60,000 also underlines the need for secure supplies of aggregates in the medium and longer term. The report, authored by RPS Consulting, warned that the shortage could be particularly acute in the greater Dublin area, which would eventually lead to increased haulage of large volumes of aggregates over longer distances from quarries located outside the region, thereby increasing fuel consumption, costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The report calls for a Policy Statement from the Government that would recognise crushed stone as gravel as a strategic resource. It also recommends additional resources should be provided to the planning authorities for training and education specifically related to the extraction of aggregates. "This will ensure that these raw materials, which are a finite resource and whose geographical location is fixed, are extracted in a sustainable and regulated manner compatible with the protection of the environment, heritage and quality of life of residents," Mr Farrell said.
