March 13, 2023 – Somalia News Gazette

March 13, 2023

PharmaLedger Association Launches Digital Trust Ecosystem in Healthcare

photo PharmaLedger video release link

original image of PharmaLedger event and link to video release

BASEL, Switzerland, March 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The PharmaLedger Association (PLA), a not-for-profit based in Switzerland, announces the endorsement of its 3-year strategic plan to implement and promote a Digital Trust Ecosystem in healthcare (DTE-H) at its Annual General Meeting held in Lucerne, Switzerland on 1 March 2023. The member organizations also confirmed the appointment of eight Directors to its board, delivering on PLA’s core value of “Ecosystem Leadership.”

Representing the diversity of healthcare, PLA’s founding members comprise of large and small pharmaceutical companies, research organizations, patient representative organizations, non-profit organizations, technology, and healthcare service providers. PLA has confirmed its mandate as a pre-competition umbrella organization delivering common and interoperable digital solutions in the areas of Product Trust, Decentralized Clinical Trials, and Supply Chain Traceability.

Products & Project: In Q1 2023, PLA will release the first qualified product, electronic Product Information for implementation by its members.
In Q2 2023, the Association will continue with the development of new products in its innovation xLab, including of a product digital twin, decentralized identities, and verifiable credentials to facilitate visibility, security, traceability, and trust in all areas of healthcare.

Governance & Compliance: PLA will leverage its capability to develop, qualify, launch, and maintain products in healthcare’s highly regulated environment by ensuring continuous adherence to antitrust, intellectual property, data privacy, and Computerized System Assurance guidelines.
Ecosystem Engagement & Growth: The association will continue to onboard new members and engage with authorities, trade associations and standards development organizations, ensuring growth and financial viability.
Platform Technology & Security: PLA will focus on easing adoption of new solutions with its members and users while maintaining the cybersecurity benefits of its architecture.

The formation of PLA and the endorsement of its mission by diverse members of healthcare is a major milestone. This paves the way for delivery of widely trusted blockchain-based platforms with new open-source healthcare solutions to create value for patients and ecosystem stakeholders. PLA is grateful to its 20 founding members and invites all healthcare related organizations to learn more and engage towards the realization of a trusted Healthcare 4.0.

“Blockchain is a team sport. PLA has started with a diverse and strong team of members with a common vision and who believe in real change. With PLA we have the right vehicle, resources, and roadmap to take patients to a better place in healthcare,” Daniel Fritz, Executive Director, PharmaLedger Association.

PLA is the result of the successful completion of the PharmaLedger research project, a €22 million, 30-member consortium with 12 large pharma companies and 18 public partners, funded under the European Union (EU) and European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA)’s Innovative Health Initiative.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0682572a-b8ac-4b5b-885b-8af008287cff

Contact – info@pharmaledger.org / www.pharmaledger.org

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1000797758

March 13, 2023

National Education Conference opens in Mogadishu

The Ministry of Education and higher Education of Somalia on Monday hosted National Education Conference which aims at seeking practical ideas and recommendations on enhancing accessible quality Education for the country.

The conference brought together about 250 participants, including high-level government officials, scholars, education practitioners, the private sector, civil society, and international partners.

President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sh. Mohamud, Minister of Education and Ministers from Federal Member States are expected to deliver speeches during the opening of the Conference according to SONNA reporter, Abdalla Hussein.

The objectives of the conference are: (1) to agree upon the aims, goals, and outcomes of national education; (2) to initiate ideas about expanding access and improving the quality of education; (3) to explore a governance system that can provide effective management of the education sector; and (4) to present innovative and visionary ideas that address the existing challenges.

The National Education Conference will be going on from today March 13th – 17th 2023

Source: Somali National News Agency

March 13, 2023

Chinese-built Ethiopia-Djibouti railway wins acclaim for boosting integration on 5th anniversary

The Chinese-built Addis Ababa-Djibouti Standard Gauge Railway, also known as the Ethiopia-Djibouti railway, has won acclaim for boosting regional integration and prosperity as it marked its fifth anniversary of operations.

This came as senior Ethiopian and Djiboutian government officials, the Chinese diplomatic community in Ethiopia, and management contractors of the 752-km transnational railway celebrated the anniversary at the Lebu Railway Station on the outskirts of Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, on Wednesday.

Ethiopia’s Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide said during the occasion that over the last five years, the railway has shown remarkable achievements in the areas of operation, maintenance and capacity building.

Shide commended the railway’s crucial role in streamlining Ethiopia’s export-import trade, and boosting people-to-people relations between the two neighboring countries as well as technology transfer with better coordination among Chinese and local experts.

Noting that the Ethiopia-Djibouti Railway Share Company is tasked with operations, maintenance and capacity building, Ahmed said “in all these areas, the company has been showing considerable growth.” He said the railway’s operation capacity in terms of freight carriage has grown by 100 percent, reaching 1.9 million tons of cargo annually.

Shide said the railway, by reaching its maximum capacity, is expected to become the best transport alternative for import-export commodities by providing fast, safe and efficient transportation service.

“The Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway line is an example of the ever-flourishing Sino-African relations. The sino-African partnership has passed the test of time, demonstrated its resilience, and marks a brighter and strong future,” Shide said.

Djibouti’s Minister of Infrastructure and Equipment Hassan Houmed Ibrahim, on his part, said on the occasion that the railway observed increasing performance despite major obstacles, and enabled motivated and highly committed young engineers and technicians from both countries.

Ibrahim said the quality of services offered to users, the safety of goods and people, availability, and local human relations are among the key factors in achieving greater performance quality.

The electrified railway has cut the transportation time for freight goods from more than three days to less than 20 hours, and reduced the cost by at least one-third.

Liu Weimin, chairman of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), speaks during the celebration ceremony of Ethiopia-Djibouti railway’s fifth anniversary of operations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on March 8, 2023. (Photo:Xinhua)

Ethiopia, as a land-locked country in the Horn of Africa, accesses international maritime trade through ports in neighboring countries. The Ethiopia-Djibouti trade corridor is the main gateway for Ethiopia, with about 90 percent of import and export passing through it.

Ethiopia’s State Minister of Transport and Logistics Denge Boru commended the railway’s multifaceted significance for the two countries. “The railway mutually benefits the two sisterly countries in promoting regional economic and social integration, facilitating trade and industrial development, and bringing employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for citizens of both countries.”

Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia Zhao Zhiyuan lauded the railway as “a way of peace, a way of development, a way of hope, and a way to prosperity.” Zhao said the railway, as an important Belt and Road cooperation project, has demonstrated greater performance and resilience.

“The past five years have been great for the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway. I am confident that, with close collaboration between all relevant parties from China and Ethiopia, as well as Djibouti, the next five years will be even better, as the railway still holds huge untapped potential,” he said.

Source: Somali National News Agency

March 13, 2023

Somali President arrives in Asmara for bilateral talks with Eritrean leader

The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, His Excellency Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has kicked off his two-day official visit to Asmara, the capital of the State of Eritrea.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was warmly welcomed at Asmara International Airport by President Isaias Afwerki and senior officials of the Eritrean Government.

During the visit, the two Presidents will hold meetings geared towards strengthening ties between the two countries, as well as the general affairs of the Horn of Africa region.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s visit to Eritrea is part of Somalia’s new diplomatic policy that prioritizes good, friendly relations and cooperation with neighbouring countries and the rest of the region.

Somalia’s successful regional diplomatic policy also includes aspirations of joining the East African Community, EAC. Last month, on the first of February, Somalia also hosted the Summit of the Frontline States in Mogadishu which was well attended by leaders from Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya.

Source: Somali National News Agency

March 13, 2023

Somali National Army Conducts operation against Al-Shabaab

Somali National Army’s elite forces(Danab) on Monday Conducted operation against Al-Shabaab in Galcad town in Galgudud region under Galmudug State. The forces made mine clearance operation successfully.

Army officials told Somali National News Agency that the terrorist militants fled from their bases in area while the forces were pursuing them.

Source: Somali National News Agency

March 13, 2023

The President announces plan to hire 10,000 teachers at National Education Conference

HE President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has announced that the government will hire 10,000 teachers for public schools to implement accessible, quality, and inclusive education across the country.

Speaking at the National Education Conference in Mogadishu on Monday, March 13th 2023, President Hassan said he was passionate about learning and education as a fundamental right and a key factor for human development.

“I have always been passionate about learning and it’s my pursuing goals. I was fortunate to receive free education from the government and I made the most of it. Education is a fundamental right and a key factor for human development. Our country cannot afford to have an uneducated society that falls prey to the manipulations of al-Shabaab. We need to empower our people with knowledge and skills.”

Salah Jama, the Deputy Prime Minister who attended the conference, expressed his support for President Hassan’s plan. “Our vision is to build a democratic, federal and prosperous government. To achieve this, we need an educated society that can overcome the challenges of our time. It breaks my heart to see four million children deprived of education and threatened by a ruthless terrorist group.”

Farah Sheikh Abdikadir the Minister of Education, Culture and Higher Education stated that the conference aims to gather practical ideas and recommendations for improving access to quality education in Somalia. The National Education Conference, with the theme of ‘Transforming Society through Relevant and Quality Education,’ has commenced. It has brought together education stakeholders and our valuable international partners to shape the future of education in Somalia and ensure that no one is left behind,” he added.

Anita Kiki Gbeho, The United Nations Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia spoke on behalf of the international partners and said, “Children in Somalia have opportunities to expand their education. This conference shows the way forward. We face challenges such as low retention rates and quality education, but we are committed to transforming the education sector and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 4 on education. Somalia has submitted its first SDG report to the UN. Education is essential for peace and stability in Somalia. I thank the Ministry of Education and our partners for inviting us to this conference.”

The conference will continue until March 17th 2023 with various sessions on topics such as curriculum development, discussion panels, special needs education, and research on quality education. This conference is the second one within a decade.

Source: Somali National News Agency