Latest news with #Koha
Asahi Shimbun
25-06-2025
- Health
- Asahi Shimbun
5 more leprosy facilities found to have tested drug on patients
The drug 'Koha' stored at Kikuchi-Keifuen, a national sanitarium for leprosy patients in Koshi, Kumamoto Prefecture. Blueish-blackish powder can be seen inside the glass containers. The photo was taken on Dec. 8, 2022. (Asahi Shimbun file photo) Five more national leprosy sanitariums during and after World War II have reported administering an experimental drug called "Koha" to residents that caused severe side effects in some patients. The disclosures follow the release of an investigative report by the Kikuchi-Keifuen sanatorium located in Koshi, Kumamoto Prefecture, in June 2024, disclosing the practice, which has since prompted investigations at other facilities. The Asahi Shimbun contacted 12 national sanatoriums, excluding Kikuchi-Keifuen, by June this year. Based on preserved documents and medical records, the administration of Koha was confirmed at the National Suruga sanatorium in Shizuoka Prefecture; Oshima-Seishoen in Takamatsu; Tama-Zenshoen in Tokyo; Nagashima-Aiseien in Okayama Prefecture; and Hoshizuka-Keiaien in Kagoshima Prefecture. Koha, composed of cryptocyanin, a photosensitive dye, was developed under the former Imperial Japanese Army. The military was interested in its application for frostbite and burn treatment in cold-weather operations. The military commissioned the research of Koha to Kumamoto medical university, which is now the School of Medicine at Kumamoto University. After some apparent success in tuberculosis patients, which involved bacteria similar to mycobacterium leprae, the drug was tested on leprosy patients. The director of Kikuchi-Keifuen was commissioned by the 7th Research Center of the Army Technical Headquarters to conduct a trial administration of Koha. It was conducted on at least 472 residents of the sanatorium between 1942 and 1947. Nine patients died during the trial period, with two deaths suspected to be directly linked to Koha. At the Suruga sanatorium, a thorough review of all 998 residents' medical records is under way to determine the drug's use. Shinichi Kitajima, the sanatorium director, confirmed that the use of Koha was found in post-war medical records. Staff members bound by confidentiality are carefully reviewing the records one by one. He said the task 'will take time to fully uncover the facts.' 'There is a possibility that more unknown facts will come to light. We need to establish rules for preserving medical records and documents,' Kitajima added. Information regarding the administration of Koha at Tama-Zenshoen and Oshima-Seishoen was found in the 1947 issue of the journal of dermatology and venereology, which is now preserved at the National Hansen's Disease Museum. According to the journal, the director of Tama-Zenshoen reported that of 175 cases, the use was discontinued in 72 within three months, while 103 continued for four to eight months. The facility needed to stop administrating Koha in 57 cases due to the general deterioration of the resident's health. The director of Oshima-Seishoen also reported administering Koha to 180 people. 'There were many side effects of the drug. But they diminished after stopping the drug,' he wrote. The administration of the drug at Oshima-Seishoen ran from 1944 to 1946, which overlapped with the period of operation at Kikuchi-Keifuen. Records regarding Koha's administration were also found in Nagashima-Aiseien's institutional journal and the residents' association magazine at Hoshizuka-Keiaien. Other facilities said that the number of records is too large and that they are considering how to proceed with their research. 'Investigations should be conducted at sanatoriums across the country,' said Akira Ota, acting chairperson of the Kikuchi-Keifuen residents' association. According to the health ministry, as of May this year, there are 639 residents in national sanatoriums, with an average age of 88.8 years old. SUFFERING FROM SIDE EFFECTS A doctor at Oshima-Seishoen told Tsuneji Matsumoto, who is now 93, along with other young residents around early 1944, that 'A new drug for leprosy has been developed. You'll take it.' Records confirm that Koha was administered at this facility. According to Matsumoto, who entered the facility in July 1942 and still lives there, the drug was given under the pretext of leprosy treatment. The 'thin, flat tablet' was taken once a day before noon. Afterward, he felt dazed and his vision deteriorated. He remembers crawling along the hallways saying, 'I can't see, I can't see.' Then, he became hospitalized. He recalls others around him suffering from fevers or festering wounds. One woman lost her hair and cried. Due to these painful side effects, some patients said they didn't want to take the medicine anymore. However, the doctor said that, 'It's working because you're having a reaction,' and continued administering it. Some residents pretended to have taken the pill, hiding it under their tongues and spitting it out later. However, this ruse was eventually discovered. Nurses began checking to ensure that each tablet was swallowed. Matsumoto recalls the pill treatments lasting from six months to a year. One day, without explanation, the prescription was abruptly halted. He later heard that the military ordered the administrating of Koha. 'I believe that the doctors at the sanatorium weren't able to refuse,' he said. 'The military was terrifying.' (This article was compiled from reports written by Satoko Onuki, Ryutaro Ito and Kei Yoshida.)
Fashion United
24-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion United
Middle East tensions: What will be the impact on fashion's supply chain?
As military tensions escalated between Israel and Iran, global trade held its breath. At the heart of concerns was the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic maritime corridor through which nearly one-third of the world's oil passes. If this passage were to be blocked or seriously disrupted, the repercussions would not be limited to energy markets. The fashion sector, often thought to be far removed from these geopolitical considerations, could feel the tremors suddenly and abruptly. Oil dependent sector The fashion industry is often perceived as light, cosmopolitan and creative. However, its foundations are closely linked to fossil fuels. From the manufacture of polyester - a fibre derived from petroleum - to maritime container transport, the entire supply chain relies on oil, both as a raw material and as a logistical lever. A blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would lead to a surge in the prices of crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), with immediate repercussions on production, transport and distribution costs. Manufacturing clothes would become more expensive, and their delivery to Europe and the US would be slowed and increased in price. Supply chain under tension Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the fashion supply chain has never really regained its balance. Trade tensions, the war in Ukraine, rampant inflation in 2022 and, more recently, disruptions in the Red Sea had already undermined just-in-time production strategies. The new threats looming over the Middle East added an additional degree of uncertainty: they could lengthen delivery times, force carriers to change their routes and push costs up to a critical level. "Any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz would have rapid repercussions on the European manufacturing sector, already weakened by its dependence on Qatari LNG and hydrocarbons in general," warned Marco Forgione, director general of the Chartered Institute for Exports and International Trade, quoted by Euronews. Raw materials and logistics under pressure Textiles are a globalised industry, largely dependent on imports. Cotton, polyester, viscose: these raw materials come from multiple regions, but polyester, in particular, is directly indexed to the price of oil. A surge in crude oil prices would therefore impact not only the costs of synthetic fibres, but also those of the chemical dyes used in fabric dyeing. Moreover, a large proportion of clothing and textile components are produced in Asia - India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, China - and transit through maritime routes now exposed to geopolitical hazards. In the event of disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, carriers would have to bypass the area, which would considerably lengthen lead times and generate significant additional costs, the media outlet Koha noted. SMEs on the front line Most major international brands have sufficient safety stocks and financial resources to absorb, at least temporarily, logistical shocks. This is not the case for small and medium-sized enterprises, young brands or DNVBs (digital native vertical brands), which are often very exposed to cost volatility and the slightest disruption to international flows. "It is certain that business leaders are tearing their hair out, especially the leaders of SMEs, micro-enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises," Forgione said. "This is yet another episode of uncertainty and upheaval, on top of the US' announcements of tariffs and the current unrest in the Red Sea and the Suez Canal." For these players, every container delay or freight increase can threaten their financial balance. Some companies had also begun to relocate part of their production to the Mediterranean basin - in Tunisia, Turkey, Greece - in a nearshoring approach. But this strategy could also be called into question if geopolitical instability were to spread to the entire region. "You know, anyone involved in a supply chain is really on edge, trying to manage enormous complexity. It's like playing four-dimensional chess, trying to manage all the complexities and pressures you face," Forgione continued. Redefining logistical routes? Faced with this threat, Europe will probably have to accelerate the diversification of its supply routes. Greece, provided it invests massively in its port and rail infrastructure, could become a key logistics platform for goods from Central Asia and Turkey. But such a transformation would require deep modernisation: digitalisation of customs procedures, optimisation of rail networks, improvement of port capacities. At the same time, the most responsive fashion brands could invest more in the automation of their European warehouses and multiply regional distribution centres in order to limit their dependence on the most vulnerable global hubs. Uncertainty sets in A this stage, three trajectories seemed possible. A lasting escalation of the Israeli-Iranian conflict would lead to a prolonged surge in energy prices, major disruption to value chains and persistent inflation in clothing prices. A short but intense crisis would have temporary logistical effects, with tensions on deadlines and margins, but rapid adaptation by rerouting flows. Finally, a return to diplomacy would avoid a major crisis, while strengthening companies' awareness of the lasting fragility of their supply chains. Fashion facing its energy dilemma The Israeli-Iranian conflict, however distant it may seem from stylistic concerns, recalled a structural truth: that the fashion industry remains highly dependent on oil. From synthetic fibres to maritime transport, black gold irrigates the entire value chain. This dependence invites companies in the sector to fundamentally rethink their supplies, making them closer, more diversified and less carbon-intensive. A strategic imperative, but also an economic and ecological necessity. This article was translated to English using an AI tool. FashionUnited uses AI language tools to speed up translating (news) articles and proofread the translations to improve the end result. This saves our human journalists time they can spend doing research and writing original articles. Articles translated with the help of AI are checked and edited by a human desk editor prior to going online. If you have questions or comments about this process email us at info@
Zawya
02-05-2025
- General
- Zawya
Ras Al Khaimah opens correctional social and educational club
One of the UAE's first correctional social and educational clubs has launched in Ras Al Khaimah, promoting holistic inmate rehabilitation. Features include a 9,000-title digital library managed via the Koha system, plus training and counselling facilities. Operated jointly by staff and inmate volunteers under Al Qasimi Foundation's guidance, reflecting a model of inclusive reform. Ras Al Khaimah, UAE: In a significant step towards reform-focused rehabilitation, the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research, in collaboration with Ras Al Khaimah Police General Headquarters, officially inaugurated the Social and Educational Club at the Emirate's Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility today. The inauguration was attended by senior dignitaries, including Mr. Mohammed Omran, Chairman of the Al Qasimi Foundation; Dr. Natasha Ridge, Executive Director of the Al Qasimi Foundation; His Excellency Brigadier Dr. Tariq Mohammed bin Saif, Director General of Police Operations at Ras Al Khaimah Police; and His Excellency Brigadier Abdullah Mohammed Al Haimer, Director of the Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility. A Multifaceted Approach to Rehabilitation The Social and Educational Club is one of the first initiatives of its kind in the United Arab Emirates, offering a holistic model that brings together educational, cultural, psychological, and social support services in a dedicated and thoughtfully designed space. The Club has been developed to empower inmates through access to knowledge, mental well-being support, and skills development – all of which play a vital role in rehabilitation and reintegration into society. At the heart of the Club is a modern library housing more than 9,000 titles, managed through the international Koha Library Management System. This advanced digital platform enables seamless cataloguing and real-time access to resources, making it easier for inmates and staff alike to benefit from a structured and efficient learning environment. The Club also includes a fully equipped training room, complete with laptops, individual workstations, and an interactive smart screen with internet, enabling both virtual and in-person learning sessions. A private psychological consultation room provides a confidential setting for one-on-one counselling, ensuring inmates receive the mental health and behavioral support necessary for personal growth. Speaking during the event, His Excellency Brigadier Abdullah Al Haimer, Director of the Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility, commented: ' This Club marks a transformative chapter in our correctional efforts. We are not only offering resources, but building a space where dignity, self-improvement, and community values are central to rehabilitation.' Designed with intention and care, the Club features inviting reading nooks, modern furnishings, and aesthetic touches such as greenery and natural light - all aimed at promoting mental well-being and positive engagement. It is operated through a collaborative model involving correctional facility staff and trained inmate volunteers, working closely with the Al Qasimi Foundation team. This integrated approach reflects a broader ethos of community-led rehabilitation and responsibility. A Shared Vision for Empowerment Reflecting on the broader significance of the initiative, Mr. Mohammed Omran, Chairman of the Al Qasimi Foundation stated: 'This initiative is a reflection of Ras Al Khaimah's belief in second chances, in education as a vehicle for hope, and in the ability of individuals to grow in an environment where dignity, self-empowerment and human rights are paramount.' The inauguration of the Social and Educational Club underscores Ras Al Khaimah's enduring commitment to progressive, humane correctional practices, the protection of human rights and reaffirms the importance of rehabilitation as a shared social responsibility. It sets a national precedent for how education, mental well-being, and institutional collaboration can come together to deliver meaningful change. Dr. Natasha Ridge, Executive Director of the Al Qasimi Foundation, also emphasised the initiative's broader educational value, concluding, 'This is more than a physical space – it is a symbol of inclusion and hope. By investing in knowledge and wellbeing for all members of our community, Ras Al Khaimah is ensuring a better future, not only for those inside but also for society at large.' For media inquiries, please contact: Media Contact: Shabana | PR Specialist Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research Email: shabana@ | Mobile: + 971 55 9747741
RNZ News
01-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Open source library software used worldwide
Open source library software developed in Levin, is now used by 19,000 libraries around the world. Koha started in 1999 when a little library trust in Horowhenua needed to fix a Y2K bug it had in its own system. That led to a collaboration with small Wellington business Katipo Communications, and the creation of the open-source Koha software. More than 19,000 libraries around the world now use it - ranging from small toy libraries to Turkey's entire public library system. Later this year, Wellington will host KohaCon - a conference celebrating 25 years of the open source software. Chris Cormack's worked on Koha since the beginning, and across three companies. He is now digital facilitator at Wellington's - one of 60 companies around the world that support the Koha software. Photo: Supplied by Koha
Mid East Info
01-05-2025
- General
- Mid East Info
Ras Al Khaimah Opens Correctional Social and Educational Club, Marking A New Chapter in Inmate Rehabilitation & Social Responsibility
One of the UAE's first correctional social and educational clubs has launched in Ras Al Khaimah, promoting holistic inmate rehabilitation. • Features include a 9,000-title digital library managed via the Koha system, plus training and counselling facilities. • Operated jointly by staff and inmate volunteers under Al Qasimi Foundation's guidance, reflecting a model of inclusive reform. Ras Al Khaimah, UAE: In a significant step towards reform-focused rehabilitation, the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research, in collaboration with Ras Al Khaimah Police General Headquarters, officially inaugurated the Social and Educational Club at the Emirate's Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility today. The inauguration was attended by senior dignitaries, including Mr. Mohammed Omran, Chairman of the Al Qasimi Foundation; Dr. Natasha Ridge, Executive Director of the Al Qasimi Foundation; His Excellency Brigadier Dr. Tariq Mohammed bin Saif, Director General of Police Operations at Ras Al Khaimah Police; and His Excellency Brigadier Abdullah Mohammed Al Haimer, Director of the Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility. A Multifaceted Approach to Rehabilitation: The Social and Educational Club is one of the first initiatives of its kind in the United Arab Emirates, offering a holistic model that brings together educational, cultural, psychological, and social support services in a dedicated and thoughtfully designed space. The Club has been developed to empower inmates through access to knowledge, mental well-being support, and skills development – all of which play a vital role in rehabilitation and reintegration into society. At the heart of the Club is a modern library housing more than 9,000 titles, managed through the international Koha Library Management System. This advanced digital platform enables seamless cataloguing and real-time access to resources, making it easier for inmates and staff alike to benefit from a structured and efficient learning environment. The Club also includes a fully equipped training room, complete with laptops, individual workstations, and an interactive smart screen with internet, enabling both virtual and in-person learning sessions. A private psychological consultation room provides a confidential setting for one-on-one counselling, ensuring inmates receive the mental health and behavioral support necessary for personal growth. Speaking during the event, His Excellency Brigadier Abdullah Al Haimer, Director of the Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility, commented: 'This Club marks a transformative chapter in our correctional efforts. We are not only offering resources, but building a space where dignity, self-improvement, and community values are central to rehabilitation.' Designed with intention and care, the Club features inviting reading nooks, modern furnishings, and aesthetic touches such as greenery and natural light – all aimed at promoting mental well-being and positive engagement. It is operated through a collaborative model involving correctional facility staff and trained inmate volunteers, working closely with the Al Qasimi Foundation team. This integrated approach reflects a broader ethos of community-led rehabilitation and responsibility. A Shared Vision for Empowerment: Reflecting on the broader significance of the initiative, Mr. Mohammed Omran, Chairman of the Al Qasimi Foundation stated: 'This initiative is a reflection of Ras Al Khaimah's belief in second chances, in education as a vehicle for hope, and in the ability of individuals to grow in an environment where dignity, self-empowerment and human rights are paramount.' The inauguration of the Social and Educational Club underscores Ras Al Khaimah's enduring commitment to progressive, humane correctional practices, the protection of human rights and reaffirms the importance of rehabilitation as a shared social responsibility. It sets a national precedent for how education, mental well-being, and institutional collaboration can come together to deliver meaningful change. Dr. Natasha Ridge, Executive Director of the Al Qasimi Foundation, also emphasised the initiative's broader educational value, concluding, 'This is more than a physical space – it is a symbol of inclusion and hope. By investing in knowledge and wellbeing for all members of our community, Ras Al Khaimah is ensuring a better future, not only for those inside but also for society at large.'
