Latest news with #Sabin
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Veteran Global Health Leader, Dr. Rebecca Martin, Named President of Global Immunization at Sabin
WASHINGTON, July 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Renowned global health expert Rebecca Martin, PhD, recognized internationally for her leadership in developing and implementing immunization programs and strengthening health systems, joins the Sabin Vaccine Institute today as President of Global Immunization, assuming the reins of the nonprofit's efforts in vaccination innovation and extending vaccine access. Martin most recently served as Vice President for Global Health at Emory University, and as the Director of the Emory Global Health Institute, following a 24-year career with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Global Health at Emory. She brings decades of successful partnering with global, regional and country-level health leaders in infectious disease prevention, as well as in-country experience leading low- and middle-income country (LMIC) health and immunization initiatives. Her extensive CDC career includes ten years working in Kenya, Tanzania, and Denmark, seconded to the World Health Organization African and European regions. In her four years in Nairobi, Kenya, she provided technical expertise to eight East African countries focused on vaccine-preventable disease surveillance, prevention and elimination strategies and policies, and new vaccine introductions. For several years in Dar as Salaam, Tanzania, she led surveillance and workforce development for CDC as part of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and supervised staff in surveillance, health management information systems (HMIS), monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and human capacity development for CDC HIV/AIDS programs. Currently, she serves as the Vice-Chair for WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) Emergency Preparedness & Response Technical Advisory Group (EPR-TAG), an independent advisory group providing strategic guidance on all matters pertaining to public health emergency preparedness and response in Africa. 'With her global, country and local-level experience, Rebecca has the first-hand expertise needed to address today's challenging immunization landscape, and more importantly, to co-create new solutions with public and private partners to boost lagging immunization rates and prevent human suffering,' says Sabin CEO Amy Finan. 'She is an outstanding addition to Sabin's executive team and will lead Sabin's global immunization work as we continue to respond to the needs of individual countries and help shape new global strategies with partners to increase access and uptake of vaccines.' Martin calls her new role a 'full circle' moment. 'I am honored and excited to join the Sabin Vaccine Institute as President of Global Immunization, bringing my experience, knowledge, and commitment to Sabin's critical mission in making vaccines available to everyone, everywhere,' she says. 'I am thrilled to work with the dedicated colleagues at Sabin who are passionate about tackling vaccine-preventable diseases through collaboration with stakeholders from multiple sectors in addition to health,' she adds. 'There is no moment more urgent than now to innovate and double down on our efforts to prevent illness and save lives through immunization.' Sabin's Global Immunization team works with local and national governments and academic, global, and philanthropic partners to put communities at the heart of solutions that tackle urgent vaccination challenges, with a renewed focus to bolster the falling coverage in childhood routine immunization and support life-course immunization. In 2023, almost 14.5 million children received no vaccinations, according to WHO, an increase of 2.7 million more children compared to 2019. The Sabin team brings expertise across the immunization spectrum, including building global communities of practice, identifying barriers and creating solutions to improve vaccine access and delivery of current and new vaccines, and conducting epidemiological research to support immunization. Sabin's skills are applied to multiple infectious diseases, including HPV, typhoid, cholera, rotavirus, COVID-19 and malaria. Additional work includes efforts to immunize zero-dose children and transition to hexavalent vaccines in national immunization programs. During her tenure at Emory, Martin built and aligned multidisciplinary global health infrastructure, fostered global collaborations across health organizations, led interdisciplinary global health research and worked to build the next generation of global health leaders. She was also a member of Emory's Woodruff Health Sciences Center leadership team. Martin's most recent role with the CDC was Director of the Center for Global Health, then the largest operating unit at the CDC. Her achievements include leading the CDC's global efforts across disease initiatives and through the start of the global health security agenda, including polio eradication and disease control acceleration and elimination for vaccine-preventable diseases, malaria elimination, ending HV epidemics, and strengthening health systems to detect and respond to disease threats and emergencies. Martin received her Doctor of Philosophy from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in international health with a focus on infectious disease epidemiology. She has co-authored manuscripts and developed strategic plans, normative guidance and guidelines on immunization strategies, vaccine-preventable diseases and surveillance methods for both immunization and HIV, and for global health security. About the Sabin Vaccine Institute The Sabin Vaccine Institute is a leading advocate for expanding vaccine access and uptake globally, advancing vaccine research and development, and amplifying vaccine knowledge and innovation. Unlocking the potential of vaccines through partnership, Sabin has built a robust ecosystem of funders, innovators, implementers, practitioners, policy makers and public stakeholders to advance its vision of a future free from preventable diseases. As a nonprofit with three decades of experience, Sabin is committed to finding solutions that last and extending the full benefits of vaccines to all people, regardless of who they are or where they live. At Sabin, we believe in the power of vaccines to change the world. For more information, visit and follow us on X @SabinVaccine. Media Contact: Monika Guttman Senior Media Relations Specialist Sabin Vaccine Institute +1 (202) 621-1691 press@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Association, DBKK discuss collaborative solutions for plastic waste management
Liaw (third right) presenting a memento to Sabin. Other MPMA members present are Ang (left), Hiew (second right) and Law (right). KOTA KINABALU (July 18): Members of the Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association, Sabah Branch (MPMA Sabah), led by chairman Liaw Hen Kong, paid a courtesy call on Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Sabin Samitah on July 16 to explore solutions and seek collaborations on plastics wastes management. On the way forward for MPMA which has about 800 members across Peninsular and East Malaysia, Liaw shared that MPMA both at the headquarters and branch levels advocated and adopted plastics circularity. MPMA is stepping up recycling efforts and hosting campaigns to spread the importance of recycling to the consumers including the young population on regular basis. Through responsible use of plastics by consumers such as Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (3Rs), our environment will be rid of plastics wastes. Consumers are inconvenienced by the single-use plastics ban. Despite ban on certain single-use plastics, the Department of Statistics recorded annual national exports of plastics products rose over the years at RM11.94 billion in 2014 and RM17.34 billion last year. This is evidence that plastics is essential, efficient and economical. However, plastics pollution is a challenge that the industry, the authorities and consumers collectively need to address and overcome. Liaw welcomed the initiative by Sabin to have regular engagements with the plastics industry to learn and keep abreast of the latest developments and future plans of both the plastics industry and City Hall. On the solution to solid waste management by City Hall, the mayor shared his plan to use incinerator and has proposed that the plastics industry consider this initiative to reducing not just plastics waste but municipal solid waste as well. Other topics discussed were single-use plastics, paper straws, tetra packs, common misconceptions about plastics and recycled plastic products (Standard: SIRIM ECO 018 2024, AMD. 1:2024) Liaw also invited Sabin to attend an upcoming event of MPMA Sabah, which is the plastics talk, themed 'Plastics Action – A Greener Future' in August. Other MPMA Sabah members present were Datuk Alan Ang of Uniang Plastic Industries Sdn Bhd (advisor), Kelvin Hiew of HKT Furniture Sdn Bhd (welfare officer) and Law Yit Chean of Borneo Flexible Packaging Sdn Bhd (member).
Daily Express
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
KK Sentral now dubbed the ‘KK City of Lights'
Published on: Thursday, July 17, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 17, 2025 By: Wu Vui Tek Text Size: Dr Sabin (second from left) places his palm on a tablet to launch the event while others look on. Kota Kinabalu: KK Sentral, once labelled a white elephant project, has now been dubbed the 'Kota Kinabalu City of Lights' following the launch of its colourful and dazzling lights, which have made the area livelier at night. The terminal façade is now adorned with an intelligent RGBW (red, green, blue, white) LED lighting system controlled via Bluetooth technology — the first of its kind in Malaysia. Advertisement This technology has proven to be an efficient and modern method of lighting management. In addition, the terminal, which serves express bus services from the city to the south of Kota Kinabalu, will also feature the largest LED screen installation project in Sabah and possibly in Malaysia. 'This project is expected to be completed by August 2025. Once again, KK Sentral will become a location filled with vibrant lighting,' said Mayor Datuk Dr Sabin Samitah during the launch of the City of Lights KK Sentral, along with its handicraft stalls and seafood restaurant. The illumination of the terminal façade marks a significant step towards realising the vision of making Kota Kinabalu a more vibrant, smart and illuminated city, he said. 'This initiative is not just about improving the city's visuals and landscape. It reflects our commitment to creating a friendly, safe, culturally rich and technologically progressive city,' Sabin said. He said light not only brightens the environment but also unites the community, enhances tourism, nurtures civic pride and builds a distinct visual identity for the city. 'We believe KK Sentral will continue to stand out as one of the city's lighting façade icons and inspire more such projects in future,' he said. He added that the lighting of the terminal signals a new aspiration to build Kota Kinabalu into a brighter, safer and more vibrant city — not only in physical terms, but also in the hearts and hopes of all its citizens. He attributed the success of the project to DBKK Holdings Sdn Bhd and its strategic partners — PCO Electrical (M) Sdn Bhd, KK Sentral Handicraft Association, the Seafood Noodles Restaurant and the media. Also present were City Hall Director General Datuk Lifred, DBKK Holdings Executive Director Jimon Jahim and PCO Electrical Managing Director Lee Huei Chang. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
11-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
RM195.35 million for 48 infrastructure projects in Sabah
Nga (second left) presents a key to a Taman PRR Putera Kiansom unit recipient, as Sabin (right) looks on. – Bernama photo KOTA KINABALU (July 11): The federal government has approved an allocation of RM195.35 million for the implementation of 48 infrastructure development and restoration projects across Sabah. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the allocation falls under the ministry's Development Programme Rolling Plan 5 (RP5) for the year 2025, part of the Twelfth Malaysia Plan. These projects are set to be implemented this year. Among the projects are six construction and upgrading works, including the development of a parking lot in Foh Sang, a multipurpose hall in Ranau, a tamu in Putatan, and upgrades to a public market in the same area. A total of RM39.78 million has been allocated for 10 People's Residency Programmes (PRR) and People's Housing Programmes (PPR) in districts such as Kionsom, Pitas, Lahad Datu, Kota Belud, Beaufort, Kibabaig, Sandakan, Kuala Penyu and Tuaran. Additionally, RM24.48 million will go towards the development of Rumah Mesra Rakyat (RMR) houses, managed by the National Housing Company Berhad (SPNB). Other allocations include: RM30 million for a new solid waste disposal cell in Labuk, Sandakan. RM2 million for upgrades to the Kayu Madang landfill and the South West Coast. RM13.74 million for public park development and the Keningau District Council Master Plan Study. RM7.77 million for Fire and Rescue Department stations in Putatan, Lahad Datu, Beaufort, Merotai, Kota Belud, and Semporna. RM7.53 million for urban housing restoration, construction, and non-Islamic houses of worship maintenance. RM7.17 million for housing maintenance programmes under the Malaysian Housing Maintenance Fund (TPPM) and the Sabah State Housing Maintenance Program (PPP)
Borneo Post
05-07-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
DBKK to enforce stricter food hygiene standards
Lifred (14th from right) with Grade A-certified eateries at Centre Point. KOTA KINABALU (July 5): Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) will enforce new and stricter food hygiene standards starting 1 July 2025, with full implementation set for January 2026. Under the new guidelines, all food premises must achieve a minimum hygiene grading score of 60%, conduct pest control at least twice a year, ensure premises are free from cockroaches, flies, and rats, and maintain toilets at a minimum DBKK BMW (Bersih, Menawan, Wangi) four-star standard. To support operators in meeting these requirements, DBKK will provide a six-month grace period, during which notices will be issued and guidance offered before full enforcement begins. Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Sabin Samitah announced the measures during his speech at the inaugural World Food Safety Day celebration organised by DBKK at Centre Point Shopping Centre on Saturday. His speech was delivered by DBKK Director-General Datuk Lifred Wong. Sabin emphasised that food safety is the foundation of public health and must never be taken lightly. 'Contaminated food can cause poisoning, foodborne illnesses, and in severe cases, even death. Food safety is a serious issue that must not be underestimated,' he stressed. In addition to the new standards, DBKK will also tighten licensing conditions and step up monitoring through regular inspections to ensure compliance across all food premises. Sabin emphasised that as one of the region's leading tourist destinations, Kota Kinabalu must uphold high food safety standards to project a healthy, clean and trusted image for both local and international visitors. 'Tourists come here not only to enjoy our beautiful natural surroundings but also to savour our renowned local cuisine. If we neglect food safety, it will not only jeopardise public health but also damage our tourism industry and the city's economy,' he said. Sabin highlighted that food safety is also a global priority aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including: SDG 2: Zero Hunger – by ensuring safe and nutritious food is accessible to all, SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – by preventing foodborne diseases, and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – by promoting sustainable food handling and production practices. He urged all food premises owners and operators to cooperate fully with DBKK to meet food safety requirements. 'Emphasis on food safety is non-negotiable. It impacts not only individual health but the overall well-being of our community,' he said. Sabin encouraged food operators to adopt proactive hygiene practices, stressing that cleanliness is a long-term investment in business reputation and sustainability, not just a regulatory obligation. From January to June 2025, DBKK inspected 1,009 food premises: 340 were awarded Grade A, 662 received Grade B, and seven received Grade C. Compared to the same period last year—with 1,133 inspections yielding 326 Grade A, 798 Grade B, and nine Grade C — the data indicates improving hygiene standards. 'With these new licensing conditions, I am confident we can maintain high cleanliness standards at food premises and their toilets,' said Sabin. He added that DBKK is enhancing strategic partnerships through joint inspections with the Kota Kinabalu District Health Office and the Sabah Sewerage Services Department. In the first half of 2025, DBKK issued 297 compounds to errant premises. 'We are also ramping up engagement sessions with stakeholders, including chambers of commerce, restaurant and coffee shop associations, and food operators, to build awareness and commitment toward higher hygiene standards,' he added. Sabin said the celebration, themed 'Food Safety is Everyone's Responsibility,' is a reminder that food safety is a shared responsibility between government agencies, the food industry, operators, consumers, and the wider community. Objectives of the celebration included: Raising food premises' cleanliness standards, strengthening food handlers' knowledge through health education and integrated inspections, enforcing pest control measures, improving the cleanliness of food premises toilets, and enhancing Kota Kinabalu's image as a clean and safe city for food safety. Activities included health talks by the Kota Kinabalu District Health Office, District Dental Health Office, Universiti Malaysia Sabah Hospital, PEMADAM Kota Kinabalu, and DBKK. There were also colouring contests, quizzes, exhibitions, and basic health screenings to promote health awareness and public education. Sabin expressed appreciation to all parties supporting DBKK's continued efforts to safeguard food safety in the city.
