Tag: Sajid javid

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Getting boosted is the best thing right now: Javid

Javid’s remarks came after two major incidents were declared in England due to pressures caused by the Omicron variant’s spread….reports Asian Lite News

UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid said that there will be a “rocky few weeks ahead” for the National Health Service (NHS) as Covid cases continue to soar in the country.

Speaking during a visit to a hospital in London, Javid said these are “challenging times” for the health service and the “best thing” people can do is get their booster jab, reports Xinhua news agency.

Javid’s remarks came after two major incidents were declared in England due to pressures caused by the Omicron variant’s spread.

“We know now that Omicron is less severe and we certainly know that once you get boosted that your chance of hospitalisation, our latest analysis shows, is almost 90 per cent less than it was with Delta,” he said.

The UK reported another 178,250 coronavirus cases in the latest 24-hour period, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 14,279,785, according to official figures.

The country also reported a further 229 deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 150,222, with 18,454 patients still in hospital.

Some 200 Armed Forces personnel are being deployed to support the NHS in London as hospitals grapple with staff shortages, according to Sky News.

The Royal College of Nursing has said the deployment means the government can no longer deny there is a “staffing crisis” within the NHS.

More than 90 per cent of people aged 12 and over have had their first dose of vaccine and more than 82 per cent were fully inoculated, according to the latest figures.

More than 61 per cent have received booster jabs.

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-Top News Diaspora UK News

BAPIO raises concerns with Sajid Javid about cancelled PLAB2 tests

UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid

PLAB2 is essential for ensuring that overseas qualified doctors can demonstrate competency to train in the NHS, and hence the 2,500 doctors who have arrived on the shores of the UK were expected to take the test and for the successful ones, to commence training, reports Asian Lite News

BAPIO has raised serious concerns with Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and Charlie Massey, the CEO of the General Medical Council about the cancellation of PLAB2 tests during January and February 2022.

The GMC announced on 22 December 2021 that it was cancelling all PLAB2 tests for overseas doctors during the months of January and February 2022. The announcement was made without any prior discussion with medical organisations who have worked closely with the GMC for some time but especially during the stressful times of the pandemic.

PLAB2 is essential for ensuring that overseas qualified doctors can demonstrate competency to train in the NHS, and hence the 2,500 doctors who have arrived on the shores of the UK were expected to take the test and for the successful ones, to commence training. The UK is facing significant shortages in medical manpower and so this news comes on the back of mounting pressures on NHS Trusts, made worse by the spread of Omicron.

Furthermore, the affected doctors are now without jobs, in a foreign country and without the financial means to support themselves for the extra months required. The GMC has indicated that the exams for this cohort of doctors will be held in later this year, which is an unacceptable delay. This is more so because it does not seem that the GMC has learned from the mistakes of the past, when the PLAB tests were cancelled during the first and second lockdowns. Many candidates from that cohort remain traumatised to this day.

BAPIO as well as other diaspora organisations have expressed concerns to the GMC as well as the Sajid Javid about this state of affairs. We have formed a network of support for these foreign doctors while this matter is being resolved.

Dr Ramesh Mehta, President of BAPIO said, “This cancellation of PLAB2 tests not only deprives us from timely recruitment of these valuable doctors, it also causes them significant hardship in a foreign country. I am very concerned about this state of affairs.”

Health Secy Sajid Javid during a visit at the Milton Keynes University Hospital (Source twitter@sajidjavid)

Dr JS Bamrah, Chair of BAPIO, is concerned about how doctors in this situation are treated. “Migrant doctors have formed an invaluable part of the NHS workforce. This sort of action by the GMC only serves to give the wrong perception to migrant doctors in this country as well as those who intend to come and serve the NHS”.

“The cancellation of GMC examinations is worrying.” states Dr Biju Simon, Joint Secretary, adding that “Many young doctors already sacrificed their time and money to be here in the UK, despite the uncertainties of the COVID pandemic. The cancellation of the PLAB tests amplifies the agony adding further psychological torment and financial deficit.”

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-Top News COVID-19 UK News

Javid confirms community transmission of Omicron

Defending the introduction of stricter rules to slow the spread of the virus, Sajid Javid told parliament the government was “leaving nothing to chance” while scientists assessed the variant, which was first reported in South Africa last month, reports Asian Lite News

Britain’s Health Minister said on Monday there is now community transmission of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus across regions of England but it is too early to say if this will “knock us off our road to recovery”.

Defending the introduction of stricter rules to slow the spread of the virus, Sajid Javid told parliament the government was “leaving nothing to chance” while scientists assessed the variant, which was first reported in South Africa last month.

Javid said there are now 261 Omicron cases in England, 71 in Scotland and four in Wales – a total of 336.

“This includes cases with no links to international travel, so we can conclude there is now community transmission across multiple regions of England,” Javid said.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday no further restrictions were currently needed to deal with the Omicron variant, but refused to rule out imposing such measures before Christmas.

Britain has announced all inbound travellers will need to take a pre-departure COVID-19 test while arrivals from Nigeria, South Africa and nine other African countries will have to quarantine in hotels to slow the spread of the new variant.

The number of hotel rooms available for international quarantine will be doubled this week and the government is “ramping up this capacity as quickly as possible”, Javid said.

Javid said that at this stage the government cannot “say for certain” whether or not Omicron will escape Covid vaccines, or if it causes a more severe illness.

Meanwhile, a further 90 cases of the new Omicron Covid variant have been reported in the UK, taking the total to 336, British health authorities have confirmed.

These include 64 new cases in England, 23 in Scotland and three in Wales. Northern Ireland has still not seen any confirmed Omicron cases.

Professor Paul Hunter, an expert in infectious diseases from the University of East Anglia, told the BBC the Omicron variant could start “outcompeting” the dominant Delta variant within weeks.

He said the new variant is “spreading rather more quickly than the Delta variant”, while authorities in South Africa, where the mutation was first detected, have talked of a “rapid” increase in cases.

Britain registered 51,459 new Covid-19 infections, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 10,515,239, according to official figures released on Monday.

The country also reported a further 41 coronavirus-related deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 145,646. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test.

Nearly 89 per cent of people aged 12 and over in Britain have had their first dose of vaccine and around 81 per cent have received both doses, according to the latest figures. More than 35 percent have received booster jabs, or the third dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

ALSO READ-‘Encouraging’ early data on Omicron severity: Fauci

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-Top News Asia News UK News

HAPPY DIWALI

I learned a lot about Diwali growing up and saw how much it means to people. From the kids bringing halwa and jalebi to the playground, to the decorations at Dr Gandhi’s GP practice in Bristol, it was always a point of light at a dark time of year … writes Mr Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

I want to wish everyone celebrating a very happy Diwali, especially all those in the NHS and social care who have worked tirelessly to support us throughout this pandemic.

I learned a lot about Diwali growing up and saw how much it means to people. From the kids bringing halwa and jalebi to the playground, to the decorations at Dr Gandhi’s GP practice in Bristol, it was always a point of light at a dark time of year.

Decoration at Diwali on Trafalgar Square celebrations

This year’s celebrations will feel different to last year. With no restrictions on who we can meet, it’s a great time to meet with family and friends. However, the pandemic isn’t over and I want us all to do everything we can to stay safe this Diwali. We must continue to follow advice and get the COVID-19 vaccine and booster jab.

We know vaccines work and are the number one weapon in our armoury as we continue to fight COVID-19. To anyone who is eligible for a vaccine but still hasn’t yet taken up the offer – it is never too late to come forward and book yours. It could save your life.

We also know the protection from a COVID-19 vaccine wanes over time, just as it does with other vaccines, and this is likely to be most evident in those who are older or in at risk groups. It is so important that, as we approach winter, you do not delay in coming forward to top up your immunity by getting your booster to protect you and your loves ones over the colder months.

More than eight million people across the UK now have the vital protection boosters provide, and it’s never been easier to get a booster jab with walk-in sites across the country now open for those eligible – if it’s been six months since your second dose, get your booster as soon as you can.

We know that this winter could be challenging with the easing of restrictions resulting in a rise in flu cases. The government has launched our largest ever flu vaccine campaign this year – and if you are eligible, I urge you to get your flu jab as soon as you can.

As we all reflect on the message of Diwali and gather to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness, I ask that you be cautious and enjoy a Diwali that is not only special but safe too.

HAPPY DIWALI

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-Top News Business Food

Sajid Gets A Spicy Surprise

Mr Javid, one of the most influential politicians in the country, picked up his favourite choice from the Wanis lot – Tropical Sun’s Caribbean Hot Pepper Sauce!

British Health Secretary Sajid Javid lauds the contributions of the African & Caribbean community to Britain’s socio-cultural and business sectors.

The former chancellor also praised the entrepreneurship among Britain’s BAME communities. He was interacting with Paul Harrison, Head of Community, Wanis International Foods.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid picks up his hot choice – Tropical Sun’s Caribbean Hot Pepper Sauce!

Mr Javid, one of the most influential politicians in the country, picked up his favourite choice from the Wanis lot – Tropical Sun’s Caribbean Hot Pepper Sauce!

Mr Harrison shared his experiences with the health secretary as a successful entrepreneur and his association with NHS’ Heart to Heart Campaign.

He also briefed the former chancellor about the rise of Wanis as the No 1 wholesaler in the world foods (Ethnic) and the African & Caribbean community being the biggest consumers of Wanis.    

The meeting was organised by Nichola Richards MP at Lewisham Bar & Restaurant.

“We look forward to working with the government more closely, seeing how we can increase our support for the NHS,” Mr Harrison told Asian Lite after the meeting.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid with Paul Harrison, Head of Community, Wanis International Foods

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