HBCU Emergency Management Consortium for the Future.

Before the next HBCU Conference in Washington, D.C. September 2014, become a part of the HBCU Emergency Management Consortium to address homeland security\emergency management curricula, STEM funding, campus safety, and student engagement on not only HBCU campuses but all colleges and universities.

HBCU Emergency Management Consortium

    Bowie State University                                      

    Central State University       

    JF Drake State Community & Technical College

    Fayetteville State University                            

    Jackson State University                            

    Johnson C. Smith University 

    Morgan State University                            

    North Carolina Central University          

    Oakwood University

    Savannah State University                         

    Tennessee State University                        

    Texas Southern University

    University of the District of Columbia        

    Voorhees College                                     

    Wiley College

Partner\Collaborative Member:   

    Black Emergency Managers Association

Four characteristics that our strongest 100 Resilient Cities partners share. The Rockefeller Foundation 100 Resilient Cities

http://www.100resilientcities.org/?&utm_medium=email&utm_source=RockefellerCentennial&utm_content=1&utm_campaign=20140807applicationlist&source=20140807applicationlist

Hi there, There's one question that I've been hearing over and over again during our search for our next group of member cities: What are you looking for in future members of the 100 Resilient Cities Network? After traveling thousands of miles to cities around the world and attending 20 resilience workshops and three resilience-strategy planning sessions, our team has identified a few qualities that we want from future member cities -- and we're looking for applications that reflect those qualities. Discover the four characteristics that our strongest 100 Resilient Cities partners share. Remember, the application period is open until September 10, so take a look at our list -- and help us pass it along -- today. Good luck, Michael Berkowitz President, 100 Resilient Cities Pioneered by The Rockefeller Foundation Terms of Use Privacy Policy Unsubscribe

African Nations and Healthcare Systems.

The overall healthcare issue within the AU member nations was something I discussed the other evening with a few BEMA members on our discussion on immigration, cultural competency, African Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ACDCP), and the overall Ebola pandemic within Western Africa.

My comment below is in response to the Washington Post article posted in Facebook on ‘Why do two white Americans get the Ebola serum while hundreds of Africans die?’ by Arthur L. Caplan.  (http://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2014/08/06/why-do-two-white-americans-get-the-ebola-serum-while-hundreds-of-africans-die/?wp_login_redirect=0 )

Regrettable the progression of the serum distribution was part of my situational awareness and planning over a month ago.  But I wouldn’t have believed it would have taken such an obvious turn.

Charles

BEMA.

Of greater concern is how long has these types of practices been occurring within the continent? It is time for each of the nations of the AU to take an active role in the health and well-being of their constituents. The Ebola pandemic is just one of past and future outbreaks that each nation has to consider the overall health infrastructure for the security of their nation and their constituents.

What are the number of counterfeit drugs that are distributed throughout the continent and by whom? 

DO pharmaceutical firms, production plants, and distributors fall under the realm of national control? This is one area of great economic and potential investment by U.S. and members of the diaspora to invest in with ethics being a cornerstone of the their mission and vision for these industries.  These are other critical and fundamental concerns for the public health of any nation.  A national health care system is also a key factor within the infrastructure.

Controlling not only the economic, financial, entire supply-chain\side of their resources, but also developing a health care system based and financed on their resources involving the 'whole nation' in collaboration. From external business entities ensuring corporate responsibility, public health officials, community organizations and leaders.

Developing a national health care plan that includes an added feature to immigrants from their country that visit, are educated, or work in another country until another health care plan sustains them. The issue of a home nation heath care system that carries over with the immigrant.

The issue of immigrants to all nations and any so called burden absorbed by the receiving nation will be greatly reduced if healthcare is part of their home countries other resource.

Would this decrease the number of immigrants leaving one country to another as is the case with the influx of immigrants to the U.S,\Mexican borders?

Is healthcare part of the issue, rather than safety and security within their home countries. Not only is water & food security an international issue a human issue, but healthcare can be added to the list.

What about an international health care plan?

Invitation for Bids The Gambia Health Facility Expansion Project. Closes September 17, 2014

Invitation for Bids

The Gambia

Health Facility Expansion Project

Procurement of Medical Equipment and Furniture

Reference: 2GM 055 / 3GM 056

1.      This invitation for bids follows the solicitation notice for this project that appeared in,   issue no. (not applicable)
2.          The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has received financing from the IDB  toward the cost of Health Facility Expansion Project, and it intends to apply part of the proceeds  of this  financing  to  payments  under  the contract  for the Procurement of

• Lot 1. Furniture for health facilities
• Lot 2. Medical Equipment for health facilities

3.          The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare now invites sealed bids from eligible bidders for the Procurement of Medical Equipment and Furniture.
4.          Bidding will be conducted through the international competitive bidding procedures specified in the Guidelines for Procurement of Goods and Works   under IDB Financing, and is open to all bidders from eligible source countries as defined in these Guidelines. 
5.         Interested eligible bidders may obtain further information from Secretary of the Contracts Committee and inspect the bidding documents at the address given below , Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, National Pharmaceutical Services, Near Kotu Power Station, Kanifing between 9am and 6pm (Monday – Thursdays)
6.         A complete set of Bidding Documents in English may be purchased by interested bidders on the submission of a written Application to the address below and upon payment of a non- refundable fee of  D4,500 (Four Thousand Five Hundred Dalasis) or its equivalent in a convertible currency. Documents may be sent by courier to interested bidders upon payment of an additional D3, 000 (Three Thousand Dalasis) or its equivalent. The method of payment will be Cash, Bank Draft in the name of Ministry of Health and Social Welfare payable in The Gambia.
7. Electronic bidding will not be permitted.
8. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security of not less than 2% of the total bid. A Bid Security from an Insurance Firm will not be accepted.
9. This bid is open to IDB member countries only.
10. Bids must be delivered to the address below at or before 12:00pm (local time) on Wednesday September 17^th, 2014. Late bids will be rejected. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives, who choose to attend in person at the address below at 12:15pm on Wednesday September 17^th, 2014.

The address referred to above is:
                        THE SECRETARY TO THE CONTRACTS COMMITTEE
                        MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE
                        THE QUADRANGLE
                        BANJUL
                        THE GAMBIA
                        Tel: 9946188 / 9965000

                        E-MAIL: jahsowe@yahoo.com; asecka@gmail.com

Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) 2015 now open. Closes October 31, 2014

http://innovationprizeforafrica.org/innovation-prize-for-africa-2015/

Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) 2015 now open – USD 150,000 in prizes for continent’s brightest innovators to accelerate Africa’s development

“With 2000 innovators from 48 countries entering in its first three years; IPA 2015 takes investment in unleashing and supporting sustainable African led innovation past half a million USD.”

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, 1 August 2014 – The African Innovation Foundation (AIF) is calling on all African innovators to submit their entries for the fourth edition of the Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) competition. The IPA is presented annually, enabling and encouraging African pioneers to develop creative ideas and techniques to overcome some of the challenges faced by the continent and support sustainable development.

“At the African Innovation Foundation we are passionate about Africa and its potential, that we firmly believe will be led by empowering a new generation of African innovators and entrepreneurs.  But we also recognise that this new generation needs the resources and the opportunities to realise their ambition,” said AIF and IPA founder Jean-Claude Bastos de Morais.  “ IPA provides a platform to encourage and harness these entrepreneurial skills in order to help improve the lives of Africans and to help realise untapped potential. The prize is also a great way of unleashing creativity and promoting growth within the African continent.”

The IPA is becoming integral to facilitating ground-breaking thinking, creativity and driving awareness to the outstanding work being done in Africa by Africans. IPA 2013 winner, AgriProtein went on to raise $11 million to build its first two commercial farms in Cape Town.

“Africa needs meaningful investment to alleviate poverty and provide inclusive prosperity. To achieve this, we need to be able to provide environments that promote quality investment for the people and reduce risks. Forums like the IPA are necessary to make the most of the continent's investment," said AgriProtein spokesperson, David Drew.

All innovations are evaluated based on the following criteria: originality, marketability, scalability, social impact and Scientific/technical aspects. The best submission will be awarded a grand prize of USD 100 000.  The second prize of USD 25 000 will be awarded to an innovator with an innovation which has the best commercial and business potential. An additional award is a special prize granted to the innovator whose innovation has the best social impact in the community.

The IPA encourages entries in five key categories: Agriculture and Agribusiness, Environment, Energy and Water, Health and Wellbeing, ICT applications, and Manufacturing and Services Industries.

Recognising home grown innovative ingenuity, the prize contributes to increased funding of start-ups, adoption of new and emerging technologies and accelerated growth of the private sector.   With ever changing economic and social environments, it is critical that proposed solutions tackle issues affecting African lives, and that they are effective and are different from the existing ones.  

IPA 2014 named Dr Nicolaas Duneas and Mr Nuno Pires from South Africa the winners of the grand Prize and received USD 100’000 for their Altis Osteogenic Bone Matrix (Altis OBM TM), the first injectable porcine derived BMP medical device in the world — an innovative product for the treatment of bone injuries and voids through the use of a regenerative biological implant.

The IPA also beckons all investors, governments and other stakeholders interested in evaluating, investing and maximising the continent’s resources to participate in this innovative and empowering initiative and make a significant change through generous contributions that will accelerate the Africa’s economic growth.

The deadline for submitting applications for IPA 2015 is 31 October 2014 at 24h00 GMT. For moreinformation on competition categories, conditions of entry, and submission details, please visit:http://innovationprizeforafrica.org/.

About IPA

The Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) is an award founded by the African Innovation Foundation. It mobilizes African innovators and entrepreneurs by providing a total of USD 150 000 to winners who deliver market-oriented solutions for African-led development. The IPA honours and encourages innovative achievements that contribute toward developing new products, increasing efficiency or cost savings in Africa. The prize also encourages private equity investors, government and development leaders to invest across sectors and build a climate that fuels Africa’s economic growth.  For more information and additional media background go to www.innovationprizeforafrica.org , and follow the IPA on Twitter and Facebook.

About AIF

The African Innovation Foundation (AIF) is a new model of 'next generation' African foundations, mobilising innovation across the continent for the personal, cultural and economic benefit of all Africans. AIF’s projects are aimed at releasing untapped potential in Africa, stimulating African ideas & perspectives within emerging industries and across diverse disciplines.  For more information visithttp://www.africaninnovation.org/

Contacts

Janine Raftopoulos, Burson-Marsteller

Phone: +27 11 480 8525

Email: Janine.raftopoulos@bm-africa.com

Pauline Mujawamariya, AIF 

Phone: + 41 44 515 5466 

Email: ipainfo@africaninnovation.org

Situational Awareness: Public Heath Infections in the U.S.

As emergency managers many individuals in your community are having concerns regarding the Ebola pandemic affecting West Africa (WA), and with the recent transport of infected U.S. citizens transported to the U.S. from the African continent.

In order to address the fear, and rumor control of those returning individuals and the West African outbreak.  Deadly diseases and infections are prevalent in the U.S. and have infected groups within America, but in not as large a number of individuals infected and unable to recover from infection in WA.

Annually public school districts, college and university campuses in the U.S. and internationally address endemic virus and bacterial outbreaks on their campuses and have plans to address these issues and in some cases result in the closing of campuses after monitoring and treatment of those infected is completed.

Pre-planning, preparation, and recovery planning are key factors in addressing small, medium, and large numbers of infected individuals within any community by public health, clinic, laboratory detection, hospitals, and infection control organizations worldwide.  Each entity working together to address local and national public health issues.

1.     Rare Seawater ‘Flesh-Eating’ bacteria kills 35 a year.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/02/florida-bacteria-oysters/2909585/

2.     Flesh eating bacteria infects Washington, D.C. area man.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-rt-us-usa-virginia-bacteria-20140731-story.html

Recommend a good visual ‘Hollywood’ film from the 1950’s.

            -Panic in the Street (1950). 

A doctor and a policeman in New Orleans have only 48 hours to locate a killer infected with pneumonic plague

Black Emergency Managers Association
1231  Good Hope Road  S.E.
Washington, D.C.  20020
Office:   202-618-9097
bEMA
“Our lives are not our own. We are bound to others, past and present, and by each crime and every kindness, we birth our future.” ― David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas

Disability in the Arab Region: An Overview

http://unsdn.org/?p=14741&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+unsdn+%28UNSDN%29&utm_content=FaceBook

The United Nations Social Development Network (UNSDN) provides a global platform for sharing knowledge, experiences and best practices in social development from around the globe.

Disability in the Arab Region: An Overview

Posted by UNSDN on July 31, 2014

PHOTO: UN Photo/Albert González Farran

On 26 May 2014, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), launched the technical material “Disability in the Arab Region: An Overview,” in partnership with the League of Arab States. The launch took place during a regional seminar on disability policies in Arab countries in light of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which was organized by the Sultanate of Oman and the League of Arab States in Muscat on 26-27 May.

The technical material strives to explore the situation of persons with disabilities not in isolation, but in the context of the societies in which they live. As such, it focuses on presenting data on persons with disabilities, which allows for the examination of the magnitude of existing inequalities and the particular barriers faced by persons with disabilities in Arab societies.

The findings of this technical material highlight a number of key trends in the region:

• Disability prevalence rates among Arab countries ranges from 0.4 per cent to 4.9 percent;
• Substantial progress has taken place at the policy level, as overarching institutional and legal frameworks related to disability have expanded significantly over recent years;
• Persons with disabilities in the Arab region continue to experience more limited access to employment opportunities and quality education than their peers without disabilities;
• Certain groups, such as women with disabilities, appear to face additional barriers to participating in social and economic life, especially in accessing education and employment opportunities.

NOTE:  Read complete article at URL location listed above....

CDC: HAN 364: Guidelines for Evaluation of US Patients Suspected of Having Ebola Virus Disease

HAN 364 is now available at http://emergency.cdc.gov/han/han00364.asp

 

                                               This an official

CDC HEALTH ADVISORY

Distributed via the CDC Health Alert Network
August 1, 2014 20:00 ET (8:00 PM ET)
CDCHAN-00364

Summary

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to work closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners to better understand and manage the public health risks posed by Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). 

To date, no cases have been reported in the United States. The purpose of this health update is 

    1) to provide updated guidance to healthcare providers and state and local health departments regarding who should be suspected of having EVD, 

    2) to clarify which specimens should be obtained and how to submit for diagnostic testing, and 

    3) to provide hospital infection control guidelines.

                                                                                                                      

U.S. hospitals can safely manage a patient with EVD by following recommended isolation and infection control procedures.

Please disseminate this information to infectious disease specialists, intensive care physicians, primary care physicians, hospital epidemiologists, infection control professionals, and hospital administration, as well as to emergency departments and microbiology laboratories.

Background

CDC is working with the World Health Organization (WHO), the ministries of health of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, and other international organizations in response to an outbreak of EVD in West Africa, which was first reported in late March 2014. As of July 27, 2014, according to WHO, a total of 1,323 cases and 729 deaths (case fatality 55-60%) had been reported across the three affected countries. This is the largest outbreak of EVD ever documented and the first recorded in West Africa.

EVD is characterized by sudden onset of fever and malaise, accompanied by other nonspecific signs and symptoms, such as myalgia, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea. Patients with severe forms of the disease may develop hemorrhagic symptoms and multi-organ dysfunction, including hepatic damage, renal failure, and central nervous system involvement, leading to shock and death.

The fatality rate can vary from 40-90%.

In outbreak settings, Ebola virus is typically first spread to humans after contact with infected wildlife and is then spread person-to-person through direct contact with bodily fluids such as, but not limited to, blood, urine, sweat, semen, and breast milk. The incubation period is usually 8–10 days (ranges from 2–21 days). Patients can transmit the virus while febrile and through later stages of disease, as well as postmortem, when persons touch the body during funeral preparations.

<<<  continued  >>>

Black Emergency Managers Association
1231  Good Hope Road  S.E.
Washington, D.C.  20020
Office:   202-618-9097
bEMA
“Our lives are not our own. We are bound to others, past and present, and by each crime and every kindness, we birth our future.” ― David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas