Odyssey Recruitment

How COVID-19 Has Affected Healthcare in the USA

The United States of America is one of the hardest hit countries by the coronavirus pandemic with the highest number of cases and highest death toll worldwide. Along with the high figures, the healthcare system has been greatly affected by the virus and many hospitals and clinics are struggling to stay in business as funds are low. Currently, the USA has over 1.7 million cases of coronavirus and over 102,000 deaths but is the hardest hit in the east coast of the country. At the beginning of March, the virus had hit the east coast of the country and Covid-19 patients were starting to flood into the hospitals like the Interfaith Medical Center that serve a low-income community in Brooklyn. By mid-April, the Interfaith and its two sister hospitals cared for more than 1,600 patients who were hospitalised with the virus. New York is the epicentre of the coronavirus within the US and has recorded 29,553 deaths (as of 27 May) throughout the state which is considerably higher than any other state throughout the country. According to analysis by WalletHub, New York state is in the list of top 10 states that has the worst infrastructure for handling the Covid-19 crisis. As the virus has swept across the US, it has dragged the healthcare system down. Even with a $175 billion bailout of taxpayers money, the healthcare system is still in a crisis with many hospitals facing cash shortages due to cancellation of elective procedures that they rely on to make money such as dental procedures and non-urgent surgery has caused revenue to plummet. 15 hospitals have already closed this year due to the financial damage caused by Covid-19. A lack of national coordination between states has also impeded the effort in tackling the coronavirus. Individual states have issued different guidance and are competing against one another to secure personal protective equipment. As public health authorities are different and separate from private hospitals which increases the challenge of a collective response. Around 27 million people in the US have a lack of any type of health insurance - this figure is set to rise as millions have lost their jobs. Patients risk getting left with expensive health bills when visiting the emergency room they cannot pay, this then creates a domino effect and forces debt on to the hospitals. Many hospitals and companies have had to lay off or furlough their staff so they could keep running the hospital. The Pittsburgh based insurer Highmark Health will reduce its workforce by 123 and its provider arm - Allegheny Health Network lay off 250. Baylor Scott & White Health, a non-profit health system in Dallas, has laid off 1,200 workers which is nearly three percent of their workforce because of the financial damage caused by Covid-19 and furloughing an unspecified number of employees. A hospital in Maine eliminates their director of marketing role amid pandemic. With the pandemic hitting the health sector badly financially, many plans have had to be put on hold or cancelled completely. In Chicago, four hospitals have called off their $1.1 billion merger plan. Advocate Trinity Hospital, Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, South Shore Hospital and St. Bernard Hospital ended talks after Illinois lawmakers decided not to approve government funding for the plan. If you’ve been affected by the coronavirus pandemic and are looking for a new job then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you secure your next job.

COVID-19 Disrupts Routine Vaccine Immunisation Worldwide

At least 80 million children worldwide are under threat from diseases such as diphtheria, measles and polio as COVID-19 disrupts routine vaccine appointments, according to the World Health Organisation and others. Data collected by WHO, UNICEF, Gavi and the Sabin Vaccine Institute shows that routine immunisation services have been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic in around 68 countries and is likely to affect 80 million children under the age of one living in those countries. This issue has been raised before the Global Vaccine Summit on Thursday 4 June - where leaders will come together to help maintain immunisation programmes and try to reduce the impact of the pandemic in low-income countries. Since March 2020, immunisation services have been disrupted on a global scale and more than half of the 129 countries where data is available reported that they have had moderate to severe disruptions or even a total suspension of vaccination services. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General said: “Immunization is one of the most powerful and fundamental disease prevention tools in the history of public health. “Disruption to immunization programmes from the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to unwind decades of progress against vaccine-preventable diseases like measles.” There are many reasons as to why there are disrupted services throughout the different countries. Some parents are reluctant to leave their homes because of the restrictions put in place and fear that they could catch the COVID-19 virus whilst leaving the house. Also, many health workers are unavailable due to travel restrictions or COVID-19 response duties - as well as the lack of personal protective equipment. If you are looking for a new job then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you along the way and secure your dream job.

Plans to Turn Coronavirus App into Permanent Health Tracker

Officials in Hangzhou plan to turn the COVID-19 phone app into a permanent health tracker to increase people’s health and immunity throughout the city. The city is planning to make the health tracking app a permanent fixture rather than just keeping it to track the coronavirus outbreak for its population of 10 million people. The app displays a QR code with a person’s virus status and this can be used to look at the extent on how an individual can move about the city. Hangzhou is the home to the e-commerce giant Alibaba and where the app first launched. The authorities have announced that they plan to launch a more wider version to monitor people’s general health. The director of the Hangzhou health commission Sun Yongrong told a meeting on Friday that many advancements in healthcare administration had been achieved already through the QR code app. He then proposed combining the data with more health indicators to develop index rankings for individuals. For the proposed app, a person’s status would be colour-coded and scored out of 100 based on their medical records, physical test results, activity levels and other lifestyle choices like smoking. The app will show a numeral and colour bar indicating the health of the user. It will track the factors that contribute to the score - which includes the number of cigarettes smoked a day, step count and hours slept. The authorities plan to have the app ready by the end of June according to Chinese media reports. If you are looking for a new job then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you secure your dream job.

Saudi Arabia and COVID-19

We are living in strange and unprecedented times, nobody knows when normality will resume as the coronavirus pandemic changes everyday life as we know it. In this series, here at Odyssey Recruitment, we look at the different countries around the world where our clients are based and take a look to see how they have handled the coronavirus outbreak. Saudi Arabia has almost 60,000 recorded cases of COVID-19 throughout the Kingdom (as of May 20) with 329 deaths. We look at the steps the country made to make sure they tackled the virus and contained it at a reasonable level. When the coronavirus outbreak was spreading around the world, the Saudi Government set out three immediate priorities that was key to tackling the coronavirus - comprehensive approach, health for all and leadership for a global response. A mass test and isolate programme was put in place to prevent and contain the virus. Fields of teams carried out active screening in high density neighbourhoods with a high number of cases that have already been diagnosed. The country had shut its borders and travel between provinces was restricted. Curfews were put in place in larger cities, schools and universities across the country were closed, as well as Mosques, Umrah was suspended and there were restrictions on public activities during the period of Ramadan. The government wanted to get the awareness of the coronavirus out to the general public of the Kingdom and created an information campaign in 12 different languages to engage the public in prevention and control activities and to also tackle rumours and fake news surrounding the virus. 47 billion SAR was given to the Ministry of Health to deal with the outbreak of coronavirus in Saudi Arabia. They set up local production of masks and sanitation products started. 80,000 hospital beds were set up for COVID-19 patrients, along with 8,000 Intensive Care Units and 2,100 beds for suspected cases. Free treatment was also available for citizens, residents and even undocumented people staying illegally in Saudi Arabia. E-Health services were made more available and virtual consultations were put in place to protect citizens. A mobile app was produced to monitor conditions of suspected cases. Saudi pledged $500 million to support regional and international organisations to develop and deploy vaccines as well as donation $10 million to the World Health Organistaion appeal to minimise the spread and support countries with vulnerable health infrastructures. Some of the restrictions were starting to be lifted at the end of April with malls and shopping markets reopening - albeit with very strict guidelines that had to be followed. These included social distancing, wearing face masks, advising children and the elderly to stay at home and making sure all customers were screened for body temperatures before entering. They had also relaxed the restrictive movements during curfew and allowed residents to roam over the cities apart from Makkah. Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you on your way to your dream job.

No New Cases COVID-19 Recorded in Days

Director General of Health in New Zealand confirmed that there were no new cases of COVID-19 that had been recorded in the country. Dr Ashley Bloomfield had stated on Wednesday May 20 that there were no news cases in New Zealand. New Zealand now has a total number of 1,503 throughout the country. There have been five new recoveries recorded which takes the number up to 1,447 recoveries and only one person is in hospital with 35 active cases, according to the Ministry of Health. On Tuesday, there were over 4,800 tests processed which took the overall total to over 238,000 tests completed. The new contact tracing app NZ COVID Tracer was launched on Tuesday night and Dr Bloomfield has encouraged people to download it. The app allows people to scan QR codes at businesses which records where they have visited. The process of tracking down and isolating people who may have been exposed and come into contact with the virus will be very important to New Zealand’s response to the virus in the long-term. Privacy was a big consideration when it came to making the app but all information is kept on the person’s phone unless they choose to release their data. Dr Bloomfield said the data would only be used for the COVID-19 response. Over 92,000 have registered for the app already and around 80,000 businesses have been contacted by the Ministry of Business about how to generate a QR code - over 1000 businesses have created a QR code. Are you looking for a new job? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you with securing your dream job.

Calls for Inquiry into WHO Response of Pandemic

The World Health Organisation (WHO) member states agreed to launch an inquiry into the handling of the COVID-19 outbreak by the organisation at the World Health Assembly held on Tuesday. At the first ever virtual World Health Assembly in Geneva was held over two days came to the conclusion that an investigation into the world’s response to the novel coronavirus outbreak was backed hugely by the member states. All 194 WHO member states agreed to the resolution that was proposed by the European Union on behalf of more than 100 countries which included Australia, Canada, Russia, the UK and many others. The response calls for an "impartial, independent and comprehensive evaluation" of the international response and will focus on the WHO’s timelines in dealing with the pandemic. The body has already faced criticism that it was late in declaring a health emergency. This comes after criticism from the US towards the body as President Donald Trump has branded them as a “puppet” of China and suspended funding for the WHO - the US are the biggest donor of the organisation. The US Health Secretary Alex Azar said in his statement to the Assembly: "We must be frank about one of the primary reasons this outbreak spun out of control: there was a failure by this organisation to obtain the information that the world needed, and that failure cost many lives.” The EU alongwith countries such as the UK, Australia and New Zealand have also been pushing for an inquiry into how the outbreak was handled. Dr Tedros responded to the inquiry and agreed that the response had to be looked at and an independent evaluation would highlight lessons that could be learned and put forward recommendations. We still have jobs on our website so if you are looking for a new job then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you with the process.

How New Zealand Tackled the Coronavirus

With the worldwide coronavirus pandemic changing our everyday lives as we know it, there are cases where some countries around the world have successfully dealt with COVID-19. New Zealand is one of the countries that has dealt with the coronavirus so well that it is now a global success story. Here at Odyssey, we have many jobs linked to New Zealand in the healthcare system and we take a look at how the country has been so successful in dealing with the outbreak. New Zealand recorded their first coronavirus case on the 28 February and since then they have recorded 1,497 cases and 21 deaths (as of May 13). Scientists believe that if the right strategies and rules were not put in place at the correct time then the country would have suffered over 1,000 cases a day which would have put the health service under pressure. Michael Baker, an epidemiologist at the University of Otago in Wellington was an advisor to the government and played a key role within the success story. Baker had been keeping a close eye on how the virus was spreading in Wuhan since January and saw the devastation it created. He realised that if New Zealand acted quickly and swiftly it could prevent disaster happening before it even began. This is where he said they could totally eliminate the virus rather than suppressing it. Epidemiologists began advising the government to change their strategy and implement a full lockdown throughout the country. This involved closing the borders and enforcing a containment policy where the entire population, apart from essential workers, were required to stay at home unless they had to go out for medical or food supplies. However, not all policy makers in New Zealand agreed with these measures but as the situation got worse in Europe - the case for these measures was growing in favour. On March 23, Jacinda Arden took the decision to aim for elimination of the virus and announced a nationwide lockdown when the country had around 100 cases of coronavirus. New Zealand managed to conduct 8,000 tests a day which is the most test per capita in the world and implemented a digital tracing system which had integrated existing health records to send automatic text messages to people who had maybe come in contact with the virus. On May 4, the country had recorded zero new cases of the coronavirus since it had gone into lockdown in March. This meant that social distancing measures were allowed to be relaxed and people could return to work. If you are thinking about a move to work in the New Zealand healthcare system then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you on your way.

WHO Pledges Smokers to Quit to Prevent Second COVID-19 Wave

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned smokers around the world to try and quit the habit to help prevent a second wave of the COVID-19 virus. A statement published by the organisation on Monday 11 May strongly linked the impact of smoking to coronavirus symptoms. Studies carried out by public health experts found that people who are smokers are more likely to suffer with severe symptoms of COVID-19 compared to people who are non-smokers. It is now common knowledge that the coronavirus primarily attacks the lungs. Smoking impairs lung function which makes it harder for the body to fight the virus. Noncommunicable diseases are also brought about because of tobacco use like cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and respiratory disease which put people at higher risk of developing severe illness with COVID-19. WHO has urged researchers, scientists and the media to be cautious around the rumours and untrue facts that tobacco or nicotine could reduce the risk of COVID-19. There is insufficient information to confirm these claims. They have recommended that smokers take immediate action and use nicotine replacement therapies like gum and patches that are designed to help smokers quit their habit. Quit lines and text messaging programmes are also recommended. The statement says: “Within 20 minutes of quitting, elevated heart rate and blood pressure drop. After 12 hours, the carbon monoxide level in the bloodstream drops to normal. “Within 2-12 weeks, circulation improves and lung function increases. After 1-9 months, coughing and shortness of breath decrease.” If you are looking for a change of scenery or want to work in your dream job then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you along with the process.

Calls for COVID-19 Data to be More Up-to-Date in UK

A UK chief statistician calls for the registration of COVID-19 related deaths to be done within 24 hours to clear up the data lag that is currently a problem. He vowed that citizens should be legally required to register the death of a loved one online after 24 hours after the pandemic has caused confusion. This call was made after the confusion over the overall death toll in the UK which is expected to be much higher as hospital deaths are reported a lot quicker than deaths in other settings. Under current rules, it can take up to five days untila death can be registered and this is done by postal services. Chief statistician Ian Diamond said that under these current rules, it was impossible to produce up-to-date information. He told MPs: “My view is strongly that we should get more timely data. “And the way to do that is to legislate for the deaths to be registered electronically within 24 hours.” More than 40,000 people are known to have died from the virus but this figure does match up with the Government’s figure which is over 32,600 Diamond added: “What we are seeing is a reduction in the deaths but not at the moment as speedy as we would perhaps like.” Register with Odyssey Recruitment today if you are looking for a change in careers and want to work in your dream job.

Expats and Ramadan

This year, the holy month of Ramadan has been different for billions of Muslims around the world due to the coronavirus outbreak and the pandemic keeping millions of people indoors. We look ahead to Ramadan 2021 and what expats should expect when living or working in a Muslim country entails during the holy month. With travel restrictions put in place in many countries across the world, it is difficult for physicians worldwide to move overseas and work in their dream job at the moment. If you are looking to move to Saudi Arabia or the UAE next year then you will likely be there for the period when Ramadan takes place. Being an expat in majority Muslim countires like these during Ramadan comes with rules that you must abide by. Muslims do not expect expats to practice the principles during Ramadan but there are certain rules put in place that expats must respect and embrace as part of the Islamic culture. Expats should know that it is a criminal offence to eat, drink or smoke in public between sunrise and sunset. Dressing conservatively during Ramadan is a must and women should cover their arms and legs - as well as toning down their makeup. Muslims are not allowed to listen to music during the festival so keep your music to a quiet level and do not play it out loud. During the holy month, day to day life for expats will change. Cafes and restaurants will be closed for the month - however, bars and pubs are open but music is not allowed to be played. Nightclubs are closed. Depending on what country you live in, normal working hours will vary but you must know that working hours will change during Ramadan. Shops are open very early in the morning or after 4pm. Expats will need to accept that during the holy month, they will need to make some minor changes to how they live their lives. Non-Muslims can also see Ramadan as a time to reflect on themselves and understand all that they have to be fortunate for. Once fast is broken, there is a celebration at the end of every day. Family and friends get together and enjoy a nice meal. Many Muslims and non-Muslim friends get everyone involved and it is a very welcoming event. Remember to embrace the spirit of Ramadan and recognise the importance of the holy month. If you are looking for a new job in the medical industry then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you secure your dream job.

US Coronavirus Task Force to Disperse in Coming Weeks

US President Donald Trump has admitted that the coronavirus task force will step down within weeks as the President plans to reopen the country. During a visit to a mask manufacturing company in Arizona, the President told the world’s media: "We are bringing our country back”. The task force was set up on 29 January run by Mike Pence who was appointed chairman and the members include more than 20 experts and administration officials. New confirmed infections per day exceed 20,000 and daily death tolls average around 1,000. US Health officials have warned that opening up the country will spread the virus. According to Johns Hopkins University in Maryland - there are currently 1.2 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the US and around 70,000 deaths related to the virus. The President has been criticised for putting the public’s health at risk with his eagerness to reopen the economy ahead of the election battle in November. However, it will be up to individual state governors to determine when and how they reopen Some Democratic governors in states that have been hit badly by the virus have been more cautious and have asked for more testing and other safeguards before any measures of easing the lockdown. Republican states, on the other hand have already begun lifting restrictions. If you are looking for a new job then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you secure your dream job.

UK Now Has Highest COVID-19 Deaths in Europe

The United Kingdom now has the highest coronavirus death toll in Europe and there are now talks of an inquiry into how the Government handled the pandemic. New data from the Office of National Statistics revealed from Tuesday that there were over 29,600 deaths in England and Wales. When figures from Scotland and Northern Ireland were added - the death toll went up to over 32,300 - the highest figure throughout the whole of Europe. The real figure is likely to be a lot higher due to missed cases and a lag of reporting cases. Italy was the centre of the coronavirus outbreak in Europe in late February when the first deaths were recorded and it was the first country on the continent to announce a lockdown. As the death toll rose throughout Italy, so did the reasons as to why it was climbing so high. With the country’s ageing population and densely populated cities. Combined with a lack of tie to prepare and a slow response to the virus were among the reasons as to why it was badly hit. However, the first secretary of state, Dominic Raab warned against making comparisons with other countries. For the first time last week, the UK Government had included data on deaths outside of hospitals in cases where people had tested positive for coronavirus. Are you looking for a new job in the medical sector? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you secure your dream job.

How COVID-19 Has Affected Ramadan Worldwide

We are almost at the end of the first week of Ramadan and billions of Muslims around the world have had to adapt to the current Covid-19 worldwide pandemic and how it is affecting the holy month. The coronavirus has made a huge impact on how fasting, prayers and socialising is conducted during the festival but how has it affected Muslim communities around the world? In Saudi Arabia Saudi King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud said in a statement that it was important to maintain social distancing throughout Ramadan to try and stop the spread of covid-19. The city of Mecca - the holiest city in Islam and home to the Kaaba is currently under 24 hour curfew. In a statement published by the Saudi Press Agency, King Salman said: "It pains me to welcome the glorious month of Ramadan under circumstances that forbid us of prayers in Mosques and of performing the Ramadan prayers.” Many Muslim majority countries have banned communal prayers and family gatherings. Iran is the Muslim-majority country that is hardest hit by the pandemic with official figures stating that there are over 92,000 cases in the country and around 5,800 deaths (as of 28 April). The Iranian authorities have in phases allowed the reopening of some businesses since 11 April that were closed due to the outbreak of the coronavirus and were done to stop the spread. Mosques remain closed until further notice and the authorities have ordered that iftar meals should be kept to immediate family instead of extended family and friends gathering to break their day-time fasts. In Pakistan, the Government has had to come to an agreement to keep mosques open during the holy month of Ramadan. However, despite the mosques being kept open, there are rules that have to be followed such as people keeping six feet apart during prayers, denying entry of the old and ill and banning handshakes but these rules will be difficult to enforce across the thousands of mosques in the country. With the world’s largest Muslim population, in Indonesia mainstream Islamic organisations have asked the public not to hold mass prayers or have communal meals. Jakarta has kept people in lockdown since the outbreak - and they have been complying to the rules. However, in the conservative Aceh province - citizens attended Ramadan prayers despite warnings by the Government. In the United Kingdom - the Muslim Council of Britain has advised people to attend virtual iftars and tune into livestreams by their local mosques. It is the same in the United States where people have opted for video calling to substitute in-person gatherings. If you are thinking about a change in your career then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you on your way to securing your dream job.

World Leaders Work Together to Tackle COVID-19

Global health leaders have made strides towards commitment to work together and push to develop new vaccines, tests and treatments to tackle COVID-19. The agreement between heads of state and leaders also assures access to equipment worldwide. The coronavirus pandemic has affected around 3 million people and has taken over 210,000 lives worldwide (as of 28 April). Families, societies, health systems and economies have all been heavily affected by the virus around the world. There is a greater need for people to continue to follow existing social and physical distancing. Also, to test and track all contacts of people who have tested positive so help the progress of vaccines, diagnostics and treatments. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, commented: “Countries, health partners, manufacturers, and the private sector must act together and ensure that the fruits of science and research can benefit everybody.” WHO has been working with researchers since January to help develop and test vaccines. The main challenge is to speed up the process to ensure that once products are deemed safe and effective - they can then be brought to billions of people around the world who are in need of them. Leaders came together on Friday 24 April for a virtual event which included the UN Secretary General, the AU Commission Chairperson, the G20 President, heads of state of France, South Africa, Germany, Vietnam, Costa Rica, Italy, Rwanda, Norway, Spain, Malaysia and the United Kingdom. They had all agreed to work towards equitable global access and to be accountable to the world, communities and one another. Register with Odyssey Recruitment today if you’re looking for a change in your career and we could help you secure your dream job.

Is It Possible to Catch Coronavirus Twice?

Once you’ve caught the coronavirus are you immune or can you catch it again? Our immune system is our body’s defence against any infection - the immune system is split into two parts. The first part is known as the innate immune response and it leaps into action as soon as a foreign invader is detected in the body. It releases chemicals that cause inflammation and white blood cells that can destroy infected cells. However, this system will not give immunity to the coronavirus. The adaptive immune response is then called into action. Cells that produce targeted antibodies stick to the virus in order to stop it and cellular response can attack cells that are infected by the virus. Studies suggest that it takes ten days to start making antibodies that can target the coronavirus and the people who are the sickest with the virus to develop a strong immune response. If the immune response is strong enough then it could leave a lasting memory of the infection and give immunity for the future. It is not known whether people that have experienced mild to no symptoms are immune to future infection. As Sars-CoV-2 is a new virus, it is not known how long immunity will last. There have been reports of people having multiple coronavirus symptoms over a short period of time and believe to have had the virus twice. The scientific consensus to this issue is testing and patients were being incorrectly told that they were free of the virus. Every patient will have some antibodies but not all are equal. Neutralising antibodies are the ones that will stick to the coronavirus and are able to stop it infecting other cells. However, a study of 175 patients who have recovered in China showed 30 percent had very low levels of neutralising antibodies. One person may be protected due to antibodies but it does not mean they are immune from spreading the virus to others. Odyssey Recruitment is still running business as usual so if you are looking for a change in your job then register with us today and we could help you along the way.

Ramadan and the Coronavirus

This year Muslims around the world will start to celebrate Ramadan on Thursday 23 April until Saturday 23 May. With the coronavirus outbreak, how will this affect the millions of Muslims around the world in their month of celebrations? Ramadan begins on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is a lunar calendar. Each month begins when the first crescent of a new moon is seen. The holy month that commences today usually sees celebrations of special prayers and community dinners that can last until the early hours of the morning. However, these kinds of gatherings are now in jeopardy due to the coronavirus outbreak and the risk of spreading the virus will be extremely high with the mass gatherings. Also, with strict rules in place like curfews and social distancing - it will be difficult for these kinds of ceremonies to go ahead. With mosques closed worldwide and restrictions still in place there has been some advice given to Muslims on how to cope with celebrating Ramadan during a worldwide pandemic. There are other ways that you can communicate with your family and friends during the time of lockdown and the main one is using video calls. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also advised where possible to use video calling as an alternative to religious gatherings where possible. Mosques in the UK and elsewhere around the world will live-stream sermons, Quranic recitation and prayers. Muslims will also be able to attend religious lectures on Zoom, Facebook and YouTube. In terms of fasting during Ramadan, experts have advised to consume high-energy and slow-burning foods during the second meal of the night before dawn which will help maintain energy throughout the day. Food consumption throughout the holy month usually rises and this has raised concerns due to panic buying and supplies running low. As for iftar, plan your menu in advance as this will reduce the amount of trips you have to make to the shops. Giving charity is encouraged during Ramadan but it is now being encouraged to give non-governmental organisations donations that help fight the covid-19 outbreak and to donate online due to the health and safety of everyone involved. If you are experiencing or showing symptoms of Covid-19 then it is essential to always seek medical advice no matter the circumstances. According to the Quran, if you are sick then you are exempt from fasting and can make up for the missed time fasting within a year after Ramadan. The elderly, pregnant and nursing women are also allowed to skip fasting. So if you are experiencing coronavirus symptoms then it is not advisable to fast. The Eid al-Fitr festival marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated as an official holiday in Muslim majority countries. As large gatherings are banned, the festival will be scaled down this year as it is unclear when lockdown restrictions will be lifted or if lockdown will be lifted in time for Eid. If you are looking for a new job within the medical field then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find your dream job.

Small Amount of People Developed Antibodies Against COVID-19, Warns WHO

The World Health Organisation have warned that very few people have developed antibodies in their blood showing that they have been infected by the coronavirus. A small proportion of the world’s population - around 2-3 percent appear to be showing antibodies in their blood which shows they have been infected by the Covid-19 virus. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO director general said at a media briefing: “easing restrictions is not the end of the epidemic in any country. “So-called lockdowns can help to take the heat out of a country’s epidemic.” Serological testing found out how large a proportion of the population had the virus and developed antibodies suggests that the numbers are quite low. The WHO had also admitted that the numbers of people with antibodies is a lot lower than they expected at this moment in time. A study carried out by Stanford University in Santa Clara, California released a “pre-print” and found that 50 to 85 times more people had been infected with the virus. Santa Clara had just under 1,100 confirmed cases at the time the study was carried out but tests suggest that between 48,000 and 81,000 had been infected by early April - most of whom did not develop any symptoms. Thinking about applying for a new job? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you along the way.

Pharmaceutical Companies Call for More Funding

Pharmaceutical chief executives are looking for the UK Government to step up and provide substantial funding for vaccines, testing and treatment. Executives of pharmaceutical companies are worried that without more funding and scientific guidance then they will be unable to purchase raw materials and will not be able to meet global demand. The UK Government had announced last week that it would help out with a public-private pact for a chance to get a new vaccine into the country as quickly as possible. However, this plan is not directly putting in major funding into the pharmaceutical companies. The worldwide non-profit organisation - Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has a target of raising $2bn to go towards research and develop a new vaccine for coronavirus. So far, they have raised $765m but less is being done on the manufacturing side. Chief Executives are worried that the coronavirus may follow the same pattern as previous infectious diseases like Ebola and the 2009 flu pandemic. When the crisis had ended, companies had then struggled to maintain the development of vaccines or drugs for future outbreaks due to government cuts. Manufacturing is just picking up in China which is the biggest supplier of raw materials for medicines but there are fears that India - who also supply materials - will be the weak link and stop production due to illness. Are you thinking about a new job? Well, if you register with Odyssey Recruitment today then a new job could be on the horizon as we could help you with the process of securing your dream job.

How to Keep Busy During Lockdown

To stop the spread of coronavirus, many national governments have told their residents to stay indoors to save lives. Being stuck indoors can be difficult for most of us when our lives are usually busy. Here at Odyssey Recruitment, we have put together a helpful guide on how to keep yourself occupied and safe during quarantine. Take a break from the screen Try your best to not get too bogged down with the news and put on some healthy boundaries around your consumption of TV, radio and online news. Yes, it is good to stay well informed during a global pandemic but limiting our news consumption as you will constantly hear the same news bulletin over and over again. Try to limit your time on social media and messaging electronically, although it is great to stay in touch with family and friends during this time, being stuck looking at a screen all day can make us lose sight of what we really wanted to do with our day. Make sure you do something productive and don’t waste the day away. Make sure you exercise Some of us may be able to go outside and do some exercise whilst keeping a safe distance from others. Exercise can help get out of your head and take you away from reality. If you cannot get outdoors then join an online class and get your daily exercise. Reach out to others Too much time in isolation can lead to loneliness and also depression so make sure you reach out to others when you can. Remember that everyone will be in the same position and in quarantine so do not be afraid to reach out to people. If you reach out to someone who is not available then don’t stress about it and dust yourself off. Someone out there will appreciate your call. Accomplish small things Choose a couple of small things that you can accomplish in a day. It could be a piece of work or decluttering your wardrobe - set yourself small goals that you will be able to achieve and you will feel good about the day Acts of kindness The focus right now is to care for the elderly and most vulnerable but also people who live on their own. Isolation can take its toll on a person's mental health so check up on people who are living alone and make sure they are doing OK. If you are feeling well then offer to help them out like do their shopping or walk their dog. Stay safe and keep others safe by following government guidelines. Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find your dream job.

NHS Staff Report Lack of PPE via App

NHS workers have turned to a web-based online app to report on the lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in hospitals across the country. Staff used Frontline.Live which was launched on Saturday to report a shortage of PPE such as hand sanitiser, masks, goggles and gowns. The way the app works is workers can tweet the items they need, their work postcode along with the hashtag #FrontlineMap. If they want to remain anonymous then they can complete an online form. The requests are plotted on a real-time map and this can then be viewed by policymakers and suppliers. The app is a collaboration between technologists, social-enterprise founders and volunteers. It came about after entrepreneur Katz Kiely, chief executive of innovation agency Beep, and her dedicated team identified 25,000 tweets from NHS staff about PPE shortages last month. Staff working in care homes can also make requests on the app for PPE. The UK Government has said that there is enough PPE to go around and has called on the military to help with the distribution Despite this, many NHS workers are still experiencing shortages of the equipment. According to Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers in England, has stated that the supplies of gowns are dangerously low in some hospitals. At least 19 NHS workers have died from contracting the virus (accurate as of April 14). Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you along with securing your dream job.

Biopharmaceutical Response to COVID-19

Coronavirus is causing material disruption worldwide and reminds us how much of a challenge COVID-19 is for everyone but how is the biopharmaceutical industry reacting to the virus? The virus has shown how quickly it can spread across the world - which has impacted highy on healthcare systems and causing disruption in society. The need for constant surveillance, diagnosis and research to understand the biology of the organisms is ever growing as the amount of cases increases daily. Due to the worldwide pandemic, there have been calls for the biopharmaceutical industry and research organisations to create a vaccine in an effort to help defeat the virus as quickly as possible. China has already approved early stage human tests for two of the experimental vaccines as it continues to battle the coronavirus, contain cases and prevent a second wave. However, the situation is still evolving worldwide and it is way too early to say what the overall cost to the global economy will be due to the exposure of the virus. From a biopharmaceutical point of view - a safe and effective treatment is what is needed to combat the virus that has got a hold of the world. Limiting further infection will help collective efforts and support the biopharmaceutical industry to find effective treatments. If you’re looking for a new job when life returns back to normality then, register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you look for the perfect job for you.

50% of Recruiters had to Furlough Staff, Survey Reveals

We are living in strange times at the moment where everything seems to be put on hold. The coronavirus pandemic has affected many different industries and people within businesses. There is no doubt that the coronavirus outbreak has put a strain on many recruiters in the UK with a huge reduction in roles, dealing with hard to reach clients and having to delay candidate start dates. But for others, furloughing their staff has been the only way to really cope in these times where companies are struggling. According to a Recruitment Pulse Survey revealed just how much the pandemic is taking its toll on businesses and companies. The survey found that 50% of recruitment companies that took part in the survey had already made the decision to furlough their staff through the government’s coronavirus job retention scheme. With 21% of the companies saying that they would not consider the furlough scheme. The government’s scheme covers 80% of wages up to £2,500 a month and this will last until the end of May. The same survey then revealed that 28% of recruitment companies have already made staff redundant. If you want to find out the full results of the survey then click here. Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you on your way to securing your dream job.

US Officials Warn of Second Peak of Coronavirus

US officials warn that there could be another coronavirus peak if American citizens do not comply with social distancing rules. US health officials cautioned on Sunday that it could be a hard and sad week for America due to the coronavirus outbreak. Admiral Brett Giroir, assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human Services said there could be another peak coming in the next few weeks. He added that the warning does not mean going without necessities but it does mean that everyone should limit their time outside and wear a mask if they need to venture out. White House response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx asked Americans to stay at home and not go out to get groceries or go to the pharmacy. if it is not urgent. It has been revealed that this is the peak week for hospital admissions and deaths for some of the hardest hit areas like New York, New Jersey and Michigan. New Orleans will see their peak in the next coming weeks. Guidelines have been brought out and the Trump administration has advised people to stay at home and avoid any gatherings that contain more than 10 people until April 30. Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you on your way to your dream job.

Wuhan Lockdown Over

The lockdown in Wuhan, which the coronavirus pandemic started, has been lifted after over three months. The people of Wuhan are now allowed to leave the city in China’s Hubei province if they are given a green code on a smartphone health app. Train, road and rail links have now been re-established within the province. This comes after there were no deaths reported on Tuesday 7 April since the first death figures came out. The authorities had imposed restrictions on travel and ordered most businesses to close to contain the spread of the virus within Wuhan - which has 11 million residents. With these measures being put in place, infection rates have gone down and the majority of cases are now being reported outside of China. When Wuhan reported its first week of no new infections last month, shopping centres were reopened. From Wednesday 8 April, residents will be able to use public transport if they have a QR code for scanning - the code is unique for every person and it links to their confirmed health status. Medical supplies and other daily goods will be allowed to return back to business. Other industries will also be able to re-open. Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you in securing your dream job.

How to Avoid Fake COVID-19 News

These are uncertain times we are living in at the moment due to the coronavirus outbreak which has been felt worldwide. Many people around the globe have had to change their daily routines and include social distancing measures to make sure that the virus doesn’t spread easily. Along with guidelines that people should be following, there is a lot of false information about the virus going around - especially on the internet and social media. It may be difficult to process information and know what is credible and what is a total myth. One of the most trusted sources of information during this worldwide pandemic is the World Health Organisation. They provide the general public with helpful updates and even have a special page dedicated to busting the myths going around. You can trust established news outlets for the latest and developing stories on the virus. Follow the official social media channels of your national and/or local government and health departments to keep up to date with nationwide news, as well as tips on how to tackle and avoid COVID-19. You can also subscribe to receive alerts on your favourite messaging apps. The World Health Organisation have teamed up with WhatsApp to give users accurate information and updates via the app. How to stop the spread of COVID-19: Wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds. Avoid touching your face - nose, eyes, mouth. When you are coughing, cover it with the bend of your elbow or a tissue. Avoid places that will be crowded and avoid contact with anyone with a cough or a fever. Stay at home if you feel unwell. If you have a cough, fever or are having trouble breathing then contact medical care. Get information from trusted sources. (Every country around the world will have different guidelines in place to follow, the ones above are general guidelines.) Have you registered with Odyssey Recruitment? If not, then register on our website today to get all the latest job alerts.

Eight Strains of Coronavirus Worldwide

Scientists around the world have confirmed that there are now eight strains of SARS-CoV-2 worldwide but the virus strains are very similar to each other. With the use of advanced technology to sequence the virus quickly from test samples, there are signs that there are only very small differences between the strains. No strains of the virus are becoming more dangerous as it continues to mutate. COVID-19 is asymptomatic or mild in up to 80% of people who get the virus but pneumonia, respiratory failure and death in 5-6% of cases overall if not treated. If the virus were to mutate and become more lethal then it would make it more difficult for researchers to develop a vaccine based on viral antigens. If we compare it to the seasonal flu - which has a vaccine but has to be updated every single year because of the many rapid mutations that have led to several strains of influenza. Scientists must look at which strains are floating around most commonly to ensure the vaccine contains those strains. With viruses such as varicella and measles - they mutate very slowly and immunising vaccines can offer years of immunity. SARS-CoV-2 appears to be more like these viruses than the flu. Despite study showing that the virus is mutating around every 15 days, the mutations are benign and useful to uncover how the virus is spreading. Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you on your way to securing your dream job.

Increased Testing for COVID-19 in Arizona

The Translational Genomics Research (TGen) Institute in Arizona have ramped up their testing facilities to help tackle COVID-19 and its threat to global health. TGen is a non-profit genomics research institute which seeks to employ genetic discoveries to improve disease outcomes by developing smarter diagnostics and targeted therapeutics. Since the beginning of the year TGen has been using advanced biomedical technologies to study this disease while also working to help establish a statewide tracking network for COVID-19. In March, they began working with federal, state and county governments and private healthcare providers to expand testing for COVID-19. They are also receiving respiratory samples every day where other lung diseases have been ruled out to gather some idea about the general population occurence of the virus. TGen has started to collect and analyse samples from symptomatic citizens from select communities such as Native American communities as well as individuals in long-term healthcare centres and jail populations - to help provide support in these groups that are often pushed to the side. Due to TGen, Arizona is moving forward to establish a public health testing programme for high-risk individuals who are working on the front line trying to combat the pandemic or anyone who could be dangerous in spreading the disease. Register on our website today and we could help you along with securing your dream job.

How Recruiters Should Adapt to COVID-19

We are currently living in times of uncertainty due to the COVID-19 outbreak. It is a difficult time for anyone trying to continue with their business as normal. Everyone has had to try and adapt to the current situation and here are ways that recruiters can respond to the difficulties COVID-19 has brought to our work lives. Social Media Think about what candidates and clients want to hear about in times like these. The news is currently dominated with coronavirus and the impact it is having on businesses compared to what it would have been a couple months ago - in our case, our news blogs would be about new health technology and new hospital buildings. Adapt your news output to suit current times. Most recruiters already use social media and have upped their game to meet the demand of candidates wanting to learn about the latest breaking news. More eyes on your social media outlets means more opportunity to serve up content to your audience. Communication Communicating with your existing clients will be your priority right now. They will want to be kept up to date with what is staying the same and what is changing within your company for the next few months. You should focus on giving them guidance and support at a time of such uncertainty whether it be with staff, candidates or clients - make sure your message lines up with the measures you are taking and follow through with them. Always Be Available Many clients will be trying to deal with all the changes happening around them by the hour and in different regions and countries which are all impacted in different ways due to various guidance. Make sure you are keeping up to date and remaining informed about all the changes happening. Look Into The Future You have to remember that this pandemic is only temporary. You have to tackle the problems right now but consider how your business will look when everyone goes back to some form of normality. Make sure you are ready for client demand in sectors that have been heavily impacted. Talent pipelining now will be very helpful in the near future where employers will have less time to hire candidates. Working From Home Businesses worldwide have had no other choice than to work remotely due to restrictions put in place by governments across the globe. Make sure you set everything up as quickly as possible and have everything planned out. From keeping in contact with staff, document sharing, video interviewing - this motivates and engages remote teams by communicating easily with each other. Drive Efficiency Your main focus should be on output and results rather than simply the hours that are put in. Think about whether you need to switch the focus of your business. Think about whether you should build up your talent pools for when demand does pick up again or use the time for personal learning and development. It is the time to remove distractions and focus on your clients and candidates rather than admin that could be done another day. Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you along the way to your dream job.

Physical Distancing Most Effective in Reducing COVID-19 Cases

A Singapore modelling study has stated that the impact of physical distancing is the most effective in stopping the spread of COVID-19. A new modelling study which was conducted and simulated in Singapore has come to the conclusion that a combined approach of physical distancing, quarantine, school closures and workplace distancing is the most effective way of reducing the number of COVID-19 cases. Quarantine plus workplace measures was the second best option to take after the combined approach. Followed by quarantine plus school closures and then quarantine only. Researchers found that all the intervention scenarios above were more effective at reducing the cases rather than no intervention. The study found that the combined approach could prevent a national outbreak at low levels of infectivity but in higher infectivity scenarios, the outbreak prevention becomes a lot harder to control although effective at reducing infection numbers, transmissions events still occur. If there were no interventions present then four intervention scenarios were proposed after the failure of local containment: Isolation of infected individuals and quarantine of their family members. Quarantine plus immediate school closure for 2 weeks. Quarantine plus immediate workplace distancing, in which 50% of the workforce is encouraged to work from home for 2 weeks. A combination of quarantine, immediate school closure, and workplace distancing. These interventions follow some policy options that are currently being put in place by the Singaporean Ministry of Health - which are considered standard interventions for respiratory virus control. Register with Odyssey Recruitment today for the latest alerts of new jobs we have to offer.

New WHO Guidelines to Tackle TB

New recommendations from the World Health Organisation (WHO) aims to prevent tuberculosis (TB) and save millions of lives around the world. This new guidance will help countries accelerate their efforts to stop people with TB infection becoming sick by giving them preventive treatment. Around a quarter of the world’s population is said to be infected with TB bacteria - but these people are neither sick or contagious. They are however, at risk of developing TB disease and especially those with weakened immune systems. By offering people preventive treatment will protect them from becoming sick and also cut down the risk of spreading the disease throughout a community. TB remains to be one of the world’s top infectious killers with 10 million people falling ill with the disease in 2018 and 1.5 million dying from the disease. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General commented: “The world committed to end TB by 2030; improving prevention is key to making this happen. "Millions of people need to be able to take TB preventive treatment to stop the onset of disease, avert suffering and save lives". Dr Tedros highlighted how important it is to continue to tackle health problems like TB during the COVID-19 outbreak. However, programmes that have been set up to tackle TB and other infectious diseases can be leveraged to make the response to COVID-19 more effective and fast. The new guidelines set out by the WHO: WHO recommends a scale-up of TB preventive treatment among populations at highest risk including household contacts of TB patients, people living with HIV and other people at risk with lowered immunity or living in crowded settings. WHO recommends an integration of TB preventive treatment services into ongoing case finding efforts for active TB. All household contacts of TB patients and people living with HIV are recommended to be screened for active TB. If active TB is ruled out, they should be initiated on TB preventive treatment. WHO recommends that either a tuberculin skin test or interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) be used to test for TB infection. Both tests are helpful to find people more likely to benefit from TB preventive treatment but should not become a barrier to scale-up access. Testing for TB infection is not required before starting TB preventive treatment in people living with HIV, and children under 5 years who are contacts of people with active TB. WHO recommends new shorter options for preventive treatment in addition to the widely used 6 months of daily isoniazid. The shorter options that are now recommended range from a 1 month daily regimen of rifapentine plus isoniazid to 3 months weekly rifapentine plus isoniazid, 3 months daily rifampicin plus isoniazid, or 4 months of daily rifampicin alone. Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you secure your dream job.

WhatsApp Initiatives to Battle Coronavirus

WhatsApp has teamed up with WHO, UNICEF and UNDP to help fight against the coronavirus by launching the WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub. The initiative has back up from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Health Organisation (WHO) AND UNICEF, along with a $1 million donation to the Poynter Institute’s International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN). The WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub will provide guidance for health workers, educators, leaders, nonprofits, local government and businesses that rely on WhatsApp to communicate. It also offers some general tips and resources for users around the globe in able to reduce the spread of rumours and feed in accurate health information. These recommendations provide guidance on how small groups can make the most of WhatsApp features and these will be distributed by the UNDP. WHO and UNICEF will provide messaging hotlines for people to use directly - they will provide reliable information and will be listed on the WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub. WhatsApp has worked with many different national health ministries to help provide factual information to users via text in countries like Brazil, Indonesia, Israel, Singapore and South Africa. As these continue, the hub will be updated with the latest resources to access. The $1m grant to the IFCN will support fact-checking for the #CoronaVirusFacts Alliance which is across more than 100 local organisations in around 45 different countries. Getting the IFCN involved will help ensure that local communities are aware and are responding to potential rumours that can be harmful. The grant will support training to use the advanced features of WhatsApp Business. Register with Odyssey Recruitment today for the latest job openings!

UN Orders for Solidarity in Finding COVID-19 Treatment

The United Nations Health Chief has called for global solidarity to help find a treatment for the COVID-19 virus. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus addressed the world’s media yesterday and informed the public that just 60 days after the virus had first spread across China, vaccine trials have already begun. So far, there have been over 200,000 cases of coronavirus worldwide and over 8,000 deaths. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and partners are organising a study which will compare untested treatments throughout several countries. He commented: “This large, international study is designed to generate the robust data we need to show which treatments are the most effective.” Argentina, Bahrain, Canada, France, Iran, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland and Thailand have all confirmed that they will participate in the study. It has been one week since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic - cases continue to rise globally, students are not attending school due to closures, people are working from home where possible and borders have been closed. Henrietta Fore, Executive Director of the UN Children’s Fund said: “At UNICEF, we are fighting a new virus, debunking myths and battling misinformation, all while looking after the well-being of our staff and our own families.” UNICEF is also playing its part to help prevent the spread of the virus amongst communities by sharing accurate information of how to keep families safe. Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you on your way to your dream job.

Beware of Fake Job Offer Scams from the UAE

There have been fake job offer scams for a long time in the United Arab Emirates, but most have been issued by imposters who have frauduently used genuine company logos and names to attract innocent candidates into scams. The job offer is a bait to trick the candidate into sending money to travel or immigration agents to secure visas and work permits which are allegedly required to take up the position offered by the company and accepted by the candidate. The agents naturaly vanish once the funds have been remitted, the visa or work permit never arrives and the poor candidate eventually realises that the whole thing was an elaborate deception and that the job offer was fake. In these scams, the warning sign is that the job offers are usually exceptional with salaries and benefit packages which are often double the going rate, with first class travel and accommodation thrown in. When things look too good to be true, they are usually are! It has come to our attention that the scam has been taken to new heights by a hospital called MEDICAL CONSULTANCY CENTER (MCC) UAE. Has anyone heard of this hospital? It has its own website which ranks the number 1 slot in google and claims to be authorised by the Ministry of Health in Abu Dhabi, UAE. It boasts accreditation by the prestigious Joint Commission International (JCI) of the USA, flashing the gold JCIA badge on the home page of the website. It promotes multiple services including paediatric checks, vaccinations for Hajj and Ummra, wellness check packages. laser vision correction, plastic surgery, endocrinology, dermatology and a history of excellence going back to its founding in 1981. It has photographs of many doctors in various specialisms with detailed biographies of their education, experience, skills and scope of practice. But is it real? The Home Page of Medical Consulting Centre, Abu Dhabi, UAE If one looks closely at the home page, the main contact number is a mobile phone +971 524973064. If you call this number, it is answered by a man who refuses to give his name. This is a giveaway because real hospitals have professional swicthboard operators who are happy to confirm their identities. They also use landlines. Feel reassured by this? Fake Job Offers A candidate received the offer below. The offer is flanked by the logo and various stamps and a reference number to confirm its authenticity. Its various terms are highlighted in red and blue ink and the offer seems to be wildly generous for such an apparently small hospital. The salary is paid in US dollars and not in the local Emirati dirham. It provides first class travel and accommodation and multiple other benefits. It is in monetary terms, better than the going rate for such a position in Abu Dhabi at the type of facility this organisation seems to be. However, the hospital is a fake. A brief review of the website of the JCI lists all the accredited hospitals in the country and there is no mention of Medical Consultancy Clinic (MCC). MCC HOSPITAL OFFER LETTER.pdf Size: 408 KB How To Spot Fake Job Offers OFFER TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE: the salary and allowances are significantly higher than the going rates to attract you into the scam. If it looks to good to be true, it is usually fake. MOBILE PHONE DETAILS: companies and hospitals always have landlines as official numbers, not mobile phone numbers. Mobile phone numbers can be recognised as starting with 5 after the country code which is +971. A landline will start with the emirate code after the country code which is 4 for Dubai, 3 for Alin and 2 for Abu Dhabi. FAKE COMPANY DETAILS: hospital identities can be checked on the website of the Joint Commission International if accredited and if not, they can be verified by the Ministry of Health. Don't fall for a glossy website and assume that the company is authentic. VISA AND WORK PERMIT FEES: the purpose of these scams is to extract money for immigration scams. After signing the job offer, you will be asked to remit funds to a travel or visa agent based in the UAE ostensibly to obtain the appropriate visa and work permit to allow you to take up the position which you have accepted. Once the funds are remitted, all contact with the supposed hospital and visa agent will stop and you will realise that you have been conned. Remember that genuine employers DO NOT refer international candidates to locally based agents. If you need a visa, this will be processed in your country of origin. You can view the job offer on LinkedIn We hope this information will help to keep you safe and if you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact us for advice.

8 Qualities Employers Look For in a Candidate

When applying for a job, it is important to know what qualities employers look for in a candidate. A job advert will tell you what qualifications and requirements are needed for the job but when it comes to the actual job interview, it’s a whole different story. The right requirements are what get you the job interview but once you get to the job interview, you have to bring your skills and qualities to the table as well. Here at Odyssey Recruitment, we have put together eight qualities that employers look for in a potential candidate. 8 Qualities Employers Look For in Candidates: 1. Have Ambition Having ambition means that you have goals and you are showing the employer that you want to get smarter and stronger throughout your life. It could be anything between moving up the corporate ladder, starting up your own business or starting something completely new. A good employer will always look for someone with ambition to take on board. 2. Know What You Want in Life Similar to ambition - employers will look for people who are self-directed, know what they want and are willing to work until they get it. So if you are wanting to start up your own business in a few years time, then do not be afraid to mention it to a potential employer. 3. Know Your Strengths Employers are looking for people who know what they are good at doing. Don’t forget to mention what you are good at and highlight it in the interview - whether it be a software programme or working in a specific environment - let the employer know your strengths. 4. Be Able to Think Independently Managers will want to hire people who can come up with their own ideas and think independently. In your job interview, take the opportunity to share an opinion rather than giving standard interview answers. 5. Be Proactive Being a proactive employee means that you do not wait around to be told what to do but you jump into action when you see a way to help a situation. Ask questions about what you’ll be performing in the job, this shows the employers that you have been thinking about the job description you have been given. 6. Want to Learn New Things Managers want to hire people that are willing to learn new things and show an interest in wanting to learn new ways to get things done. If you read or follow courses in your spare time then bring it up in your interview. 7. Problem Solve Show the employer that you are comfortable with problem solving by telling them a story of when you solved a problem. They will see your brain working and you’ll see their brain working too. 8. Work Well in a Team This comes up in any job that you are applying for - you have to be able to work well in a team. Teamwork is an important attribute for a candidate to have and it is a key quality employers look for. You can always highlight this in an interview by telling an anecdote about a time you worked well within a team environment. Looking out for your dream job? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you along with the process.

Report Suggests Guideline to Help the Homeless

A clinical guideline has been released to help the homeless population of Canada to connect with the necessary health services. The Homeless Health Research Network carried out research into the homeless in Canada and the new guidelines are based on the evidence given in the report. Dr. Anne Andermann was one of the researchers behind the paper and she said that the guideline is aimed towards physicians. She continued to say that the healthcare specialists can work together and create better services for the homeless. There are five intervention services that have been suggested in the guideline that front-line physicians can look at when dealing with homeless or vulnerable citizens. Housing Support: Help homeless or vulnerably housed people and connect them to a local housing coordinator or case manager who will provide links to housing options. Income Assistance: Assist people with income insecurity and access income-support resources. Case Management: Ensure that people with mental health and substance use disorders can access local mental health programmes and services. Opioid Agonist Therapy: Give access to opioid agonist therapy in primary care or refer to an addiction specialist. Harm Reduction: Identify management for people with substance abuse or refer them to a local addiction and harm-reduction services. According to census data, around two million Canadians have experienced hidden homelessness in their lifetime and health workers may be able to identify them more easily. The guideline was released on Monday 9 March and it will be updated every five years. If you fancy working abroad in your dream job then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you on your way.

Dedicated Health Centre Opens for Wuhan Evacuees

The UAE has announced that it will establish a dedicated preventative health centre in the Emirates Humanitarian City complex to provide 24 hour healthcare for Arab residents who were evacuated from Wuhan, China. Arab students and residents had been evacuated from the area due to the outbreak of the coronavirus in the Wuhan area. Efforts saw the completion of the project within 48 hours of the UAE’s announcement of the plan on Wednesday 4 March. The centre is run by qualified and trained medical teams who are equipped with the necessary medical equipment and supplies to care and handle the coronavirus outbreak, it also includes airborne infection isolation rooms. The airborne infection isolation rooms are a single occupancy space that were designed to isolate airborne pathogens in a safe containment area. Any individual who is suspected of carrying the coronavirus will be placed in one of these rooms for a period of 14 days, where they will be monitored and tested for infection. President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces had teamed up to issue out these plans. It was confirmed to Emirates News Agency that the centre was ready to monitor and carry out preventive care to try and reduce the general risk of transmission according to the World Health Organisation standards and practices. Do you fancy working abroad in your dream job? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you on your way.

A Guide to the DataFlow Report

If you are thinking about moving to the UAE, Saudi Arabia or Qatar (and many other Gulf regions) to work in the healthcare sector, then you will need to complete a Dataflow report. This is essential for private and government sector organisations as one of the biggest threats to security, service quality and stakeholder wellbeing is unqualified staff using fake legal documents, certificates and credentials. This is where the DataFlow Group comes in and helps by providing background screening which is thorough and accurate. What is a Dataflow Report? The DataFlow Group carries out a Primary Source Verification (PSV) which is an advanced screening process that involves liaising directly with original issuing sources. This is to confirm the accuracy and authenticity of academic, professional and legal credentials which are presented by applicants. Education degrees, work permits, passports, employment certificates and practice licenses, among others are what would be included in the verified documents list. Since 2013, more than 10,000 applicants applying within the healthcare sector were found to have used fake or misrepresented credentials through the use of DataFlow. There are some ways to make the application process a lot easier for yourself: Make sure you are applying under the correct authority and select the right health authority you are applying to. Review the authority’s requirements before applying so you can get all the correct documents ready. You will most likely need to provide education credentials, identification documents or previous job experiences, as specified by the regulator you’re applying to. Ensure you submit the correct documents for the DataFlow Group as different authorities have different requirements. For more information during the application process, refer to the ‘How to Apply’ and ‘FAQ’ documents specific to the authority you are applying under. To avoid any delays in the verification process, make sure that your documents are clear and your information is correct. Due to new privacy laws put in place, DataFlow had to make some changes to how data was stored for users. Which then led to the creation of TrueProfile.io and have recommended DataFlow users to transfer their report over for safekeeping, in case it is needed in the future. To start your verification process then visit the DataFlow Group website. Are you thinking of working over in the Gulf? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you on your way to your dream job in the Gulf.

NMC to Start on Debt and Paying Salaries

Interim CEO of NMC Health Michael Davis is set to get started on the debt and paying salaries as the company tries to get back into financial health. The UAE’s largest hospital operator is currently fighting for its life as it tries to get back to financial stability. NMC Health has confirmed that it will be asking lender banks to “go easy” on debt repayments owed to them - which is expected to be around $2 billion. By doing this, and if the banks agree to the plea, it will buy the company more time to sort things out. The weight of the debts will be heavy and the future of the company will rely on someone buying the company with deep pockets. You can read, in more detail, here about the downfall of NMC. However, before this, they need to pay off staff salaries which are usually paid by the 25th of every month Salaries from February are yet to be credited to staff accounts - NMC employs more than 16,000 staff in the UAE. According to a doctor affiliated with the group, most of the staff have been given their cheques, but it is at the directly-owned facilities that delays have happened. It has been reported that NMC have not lost their highly skilled physicians, nurses or technical staff. Where the massive departure of people is happening is at the middle and senior management levels. Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you apply for your dream job.

Canadian Company Launch Telehealth Services

Canadian Company WELL Health has launched its new telehealth service for patients and plans to ramp up the programme in order to meet high demands caused by the outbreak of the coronavirus. VirtualClinic+ gives physicians a platform to add telehealth consultations as an enhancement to their practice. It also allows them to offer primary care that is unattached to patients - there are currently around 4.8 million Canadians without a physician (family doctor). WELL Health is a company that is focused on modernising clinical and digital assets within the primary healthcare sector. With the recent coronavirus outbreak, the telehealth service can offer an alternative to waiting room visits. Patients can schedule an appointment online and connect directly with a physician on their phone or computer without downloading an app. In a statement from the company, Dr. Michael Frankel, the Chief Medical Officer of WELL said: “As a physician with experience working with various telehealth platforms over the past several years, I believe VirtualClinic+ is the most comprehensive telemedicine program in Canada due to its coverage of a number of different use cases and scenarios including virtual walk-in and due to its empowerment of family practice clinics to support existing attached patients. “All participating doctors in the program are Canadian licensed physicians who share in WELL’s vision of using technology solutions to improve patient access and outcomes.” WELL Health have also pointed out that their new programme VirtualClinic+ is fully integrated with their Electronic Medical Register system for a seamless experience for physicians offering the service. Thinking about moving abroad to go live and work? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you take one step closer to that goal.

4 Things Your Company Can Do to Attract Top Talent

As a recruitment company, you want to be attracting the top talent within your field and have as many candidates as possible to sign up for your help in finding them the perfect job. When the recruitment company helps a candidate applying for a job, companies have their role to play as well in trying to attract the top talent. Companies should understand that in order to retain and attract the very best talent, then they must take steps to enhance corporate and organisational structure. This is due to the fact that corporate culture can drive job satisfaction and helps attract top talent into your company. Here are four ways your company can attract the very best candidates out there: Culture Having a diverse culture is a key aspect to having an excellent working environment and when attracting talented candidates as well. Candidates are not just looking for good benefits packages and a fantastic salary, a company’s culture also has to be a strong selling point to top talent with aspects like flexible working hours and maybe the ability to work from home. Nowadays, especially with the younger generation, they look for empowerment within a job. They want more freedom and most of all, respect within the workplace. Many look to avoid long commutes to work and prefer positions where they can work from home. Visual Appeal Make sure you are creative and focus on the visual appeal when creating job ads to target the right audience, don’t get caught up in the small details that are not needed to be explained at this stage. Too much detail and writing down every single requirement for the job can become boring to read for potential employees. Companies that incorporate some media into their online recruitment make themselves much more attractive to candidates. Using social media is also a great opportunity to represent the culture and what your company is about through the use of visuals. Good Web Design Designing and updating a well thought out website that looks impressive to clients and candidates is one of the key tools in attracting top talent. Creating a unique online presence through a successful website is important. A successful website should put across components regarding corporate culture and include new ideas to attract the younger generation like college and university graduates. The website you run should be regularly updated with new content and free of any errors. As well as an eye catching design, your website should have a user interface that is easy enough to navigate their way around and there should be easy access to contact details. Cross-training The future of work is not about the skills a candidate has now but what new skills they can learn and how well they adapt to new challenges they are faced with. Cross-training can provide employees with learning new skills and increase their value in the company. This will show a potential candidate that you are forward thinking that cares about its employees. This helps in attracting young talent as well as providing them with skills and new opportunities which will keep them motivated and boost morale. If you are thinking about moving abroad to live and work in the medical sector then, register on our website and we could help you in achieving your goal.

New Plans for HSC Winnipeg to Reach Future Healthcare Needs

A master plan by the Health Ministry for Manitoba’s biggest hospital will make sure services are provided at Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre to meet current and future healthcare needs. A long-term blueprint will be developed for HSC Winnipeg which will give direction to future development as well as help align services offered by the provincial government and its healthcare partners. The centre delivers the most specialised care for adults and children and is the main centre for trauma, transplants, burns, neurosciences and complex cancer care in the province. The master plan that is in place will include an inventory of buildings, facilities and infrastructure, as well as any shifts in the location of specific clinical services to best meet the needs of the ever changing population. More than 8,000 staff, physicians and volunteers care for patients within the hospital’s campus which covers a space of 39 acres and more than 4 million square feet of occupied space within the area. The province has already spent a significant amount of capital dollars on a new Ambulance Care Clinic, Women’s Hospital, an Acute Stroke Unit and the Mental Health Crisis Response Centre. No estimated cost or timeframe for the review or future developments are available at the moment but Health Minister Cameron Friesen said the province will issue a request for proposals for the development contract in the next few weeks. Do you want to work and start a new life overseas? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you along with that and reach your goal.

Government to Axe Old Style Burners to Improve Air Quality

New Zealand Government are set to crack down on old style wood and coal-fueled burners in a bid to improve the country’s air quality. Even though New Zealand’s air quality is high, the Associate Environment Minister Nanaia Mahuta said there were areas of the country where there are still an issue, especially during winter time. She continued to say that these issues could lead to severe health impacts which include: shortness of breath, chest pain and heart disease and even premature death. The Government is now looking to tackle this issue by getting rid of all solid fuel fires that are older style wood or coal-fueled fireplaces. The plan is, for the residents that have these older heating facilities, to keep using them until they reach the end of their life. When they have reached that stage, the residents must replace them with new, lower-emitting burners. The changes that will be put in place won’t affect the majority of New Zealanders as 90 percent of the heating appliances on the market already meet the proposed standard. Nanaia Mahuta added that with the plan in place, roughly $820 million would be saved on healthcare costs over the next 10 years. A two month consultation on the plan will run until 24 April. Do you fancy working overseas in your dream job? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you take the first step in achieving your goal.

6 Ways to Improve Candidate Experience

In order to be a successful recruitment company, having good candidate experience will help you and your company progress forward and attract more candidates. The way the job market is going now means that the talent will pick you instead of the other way around and they base it off of candidate experience. What is candidate experience? What we mean by the term “candidate experience” is quite self explanatory, it is basically the experience a candidate has during the recruiting process and is the overall perception of the company’s recruiting process. When referring to the term “candidate” this is not just job seekers but also past and future candidates. Here are the ways that you can improve your business’s candidate experience: Make the Job Description Clear Writing a job description that attracts candidates is the very step to finding and hiring the right person. Job descriptions are the most important content a candidate will look at when searching for jobs. Candidates will want a clear and accurate explanation about the job and the responsibilities within the job. They will also want information about salary range, benefits and company values all in an easy to follow format. Make the Recruiting Process Clear You want to make sure that your recruitment process is clear to future candidates. Knowing what the process is like beforehand can ease candidates and make them feel less stressed about the process but also feel valued by your company. Easy Application Process Candidates typically spend hours on applying and submitting one job application and over half usually quit the application process when it is lengthy or takes up a lot of time. A long application process will make candidates think that it is not worth the time or effort and will make the candidate experience of your company much poorer. Do everything you can to make it shorter and as simple as you can. Communication Candidates want to be constantly updated on everything that is going on from the employers rather than being left in the dark. Create email campaigns that will keep candidates updated and interested or create more focused and targeted campaigns. Feedback Giving feedback to candidates helps them improve as professionals so give candidates feedback on what went right and what went wrong. Recruiting is a two-way process, you can ask the candidate for feedback as well. Getting insights from people who have gone through the process can help improve your business's candidate experience. Keep in Touch The candidate experience does not end when the candidate is successful in getting a job, regularly keeping in touch with people can build up your talent pool. If a job opening comes up that is perfect for a candidate you have in mind then you can get in touch with them. Are you thinking about moving overseas to work in a job you've been dreaming of? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you take one step closer to that goal.

Dubai's Visiting Doctor's License

The Dubai Healthcare City Authority has a visiting doctor's license in place to attract international medical talent into the UAE. The Visiting Doctor’s License allows international physicians, dentists and Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) practitioners to work in up to three clinical facilities within the Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) free zone. The old license meant that visiting doctors could practice temporarily in the free zone only through a license obtained by the clinical facilities and it was valid for a three-month period with an option to extend by an additional three months. Now with the new license, which has been in place for over a year, physicians can work for two years once they obtain a Letter of Acceptance (a document confirming their eligibility to work as physicians) and enter a contract with a clinical facility. The license will also mean that they will be able to sponsor families during the validity period. How it all works: Any doctor can apply from abroad Can work with up to three facilities Visa will be valid for two years DHCC will be the sponsor of the doctors You can apply for the Visiting Doctor’s License through www.dhcr.gov.ae/en/E-Services. Do you fancy working abroad in your dream job? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you on your way to that goal.

Saudi Medical Surgeons Hailed Amongst Best in the World

Medical surgeons in Saudi Arabia have been hailed amongst the best in the world by doctors attending the sixth International Conference on Radiation Medicine (ICRM). It has been said that the medical surgeons in the Kingdom are the best in the region and are on part with their counterparts in the West. The ICRM is the largest conference in the Middle East about radiation medicine and was organised King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in collaboration with King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center. Looking ahead to the future, members at the ICRM noted that Saui Arabia will have a thriving future by installing the latest technology in healthcare within their system. An associate professor of radiology at the University of Ottawa , Dr. Adnan Sheik, was a delegate at the conference and said that an agreement between Saudi Arabia and the university could be arranged for medical students. A new initiative called ‘Young Investigator’ is to be set up by the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center where young investigators will work on projects and be part of the technological development in the field of medicine. This means a bright future for the Kingdom is on the horizon due to advanced technologies in a medical environment. Do you fancy working abroad in your dream job? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you take a step closer to your goal.

6 Soft Skills Recruiters Look For in a Candidate

As a medical recruitment company, it is important for us to find the right candidates who have the correct qualifications who can take the jobs advertised on our website. However, being employable is not just about having the qualifications, recruitment companies are now looking at soft skills of candidates more than ever. Before we get into the article, it is important to explain what soft skills are and why they are important when it comes to being employable. What are soft skills? Soft skills, which can often be called people skills or emotional intelligence, are defined as the ability to interact accordingly with others. They are personal attributes that can affect relationships, communication and interaction with other people. Negotiating, networking, presenting, teamwork and problem solving are just some of the soft skills that recruitment companies are on the look for. Why are soft skills important to have? Soft skills are essential in getting recruitment companies and employers to sign you up. Using soft skills can lead to stronger relationships with colleagues and other professional contacts within your area of expertise. They can also help you gain confidence which is a key attribute to have when applying for a job. How do I improve my soft skills? Soft skills are generally not an ‘all or nothing’ area, you will be better at certain skills than you are at others. A good first step in improving your soft skills is identifying the areas in which you need to improve. You can do this through personal reflection or through feedback through friends or colleagues. Keeping a journal and taking notes of your professional interactions can be helpful with self-evaluation of soft skills. Once you have pinpointed your strengths and weaknesses, get ready to create a plan of action to improve your soft skills. You can do this through a mentor who will be able to help you improve your skills and provide feedback or even just thinking positively about the situation and see it as an opportunity to get better. The 6 Soft Skills Recruiters Look For in a Candidate Good Communication This is one of the key soft skills a candidate can have and industries always require candidates that have strong communication skills. Being able to correspond through different means of communication like writing, face-to-face, email and phone calls is important for the success of a project and makes the workplace a smooth-flowing environment. Communication works two ways and candidates should be capable of listening as well. Teamwork Working as part of a team is one of the main things an employer will look for in a candidate. Someone who cannot cooperate or work well with colleagues may be rejected for a job, no matter how good their qualifications may be. The simple reason behind this is - no one wants to work with a difficult colleague. Team players can reduce any friction or tension that may occur when in a team environment. Candidates that work well within a team environment are also able to manage and delegate tasks whilst building up positive working relationships with their fellow members of staff. Emotional Intelligence This is the ability to adapt your behaviour of your interaction in terms of context and situation. This may seem like a small scale skill but when it comes to the workplace, this skill actually plays a vital role. The ability to connect with others is what can give a candidate an edge over another. Leadership Candidates who display strong leadership skills show a recruiter and employer that they can take charge of the situation and also show initiative. It also shows that they can motivate their colleagues and teammates. A strong leader can set a good example with their work ethic and drive for improvement. Critical Thinking Good problem solving is what makes a candidate stand out, many companies value candidates who can identify a problem and know how to solve it. Critical thinking from a candidate should involve good judgment calls and the ability to carry out decisions in any given situation by using the resources around them to the best of their ability. Negotiation and Persuasion Recruiters are always on the lookout for candidates that have great negotiation and persuasive skills as things won’t always go to plan in the workplace. To have persuasive skills, a candidate must show that they are capable of coming up with ideas and being able to present them in a confident manner. Negotiation comes into play when another party presents their ideas and argues for them. Negotiation shows the recruiter that a candidate understands the other party’s objective but can come up with a compromise to suit them both. Thinking about working overseas in a job you will love? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could take you one step closer to that goal.

UICC Members Meet Ahead of World Cancer Congress

The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) met in Muscat this week ahead of the upcoming World Cancer Congress in Oman this October. The meeting was set out to discuss the agenda and modalities of the Congress with the Oman Cancer Association as well as discussing recurrent cancer control challenges. What is the World Cancer Congress? It is an international conference which encourages experts from all over the world to effectively transfer knowledge and best practices with over 3500 cancer control and public health experts from 130 countries. It aims to strengthen action and impact on a national, regional and international level through a multidisciplinary programme that will feature the latest successful interventions in cancer diagnosis, treatment, prevention and care. It will be the first time that the Congress will be held in the region. The theme of Congress is “The Way Forward” as it aims to highlight the need for the region and also other parts of the world to work together and head towards a future where cancer loses much of its threat. The Congress will be taking place in the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. Internationals and national partners will be supporting the Congress, like the Oman National Oncology Centre. Have you ever thought about working abroad in your dream job? Well, register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could take you one step closer to that goal.

New Recruitment Clinic Opened to Support Study

A new recruitment clinic has opened to welcome citizens taking part in the UAE Healthy Future Study which was launched on February 6 in Dubai. The launch of the new recruitment clinic at the Dubai Blood Donation Center in Latifa Women and Children Hospital was announced at the launch of the UAE Healthy Future Study by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and the NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) in Dubai. What does the study entail? The UAE Healthy Future Study was set up to determine how the health of 20,000 UAE nationals aged 18-40 is affected by their lifestyle, environment and genes. It will specifically look at the risk factors for obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. An MoU signing between the DHA and NYUAD in June 2019 was the reason for the new clinic opening and establishing the collaboration on the study. The partnership between the two establishments will help increase the number of participants taking part in the study and widen its research and potential impact on UAE citizens. The clinic aims to support the study which will be working towards recruiting 5000 Emirati citizens enrolled from Dubai by April 2020. For the long-term, the study aims to recruit a total of 20,000 participants in a year to support the NYUAD’s Public Research Centre to find out the causes of common chronic diseases in the UAE. Have you ever thought about working abroad in your dream job? Register with Odyssey today and we could help you take one step closer to your goal.

Facts about Newfoundland

We have some jobs to offer that are situated in Newfoundland, Canada. But, do you want to know a bit more about the place before you jet off? Here are some interesting stats and facts you may have not known about the island before. Before we get into it, here are a few facts about the island itself you may find useful to know: It’s a large island off the east coast of the North American mainland. It is the most populous part of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Newfoundland is the world's 16th-largest island and Canada's fourth-largest island. Newfoundland and its associated small islands have a total area of 111,390 square kilometres. The largest settlement on the island is the capital city of St. John’s which is also the largest city within the province. The downtown area of the city sits on St. John’s Harbour and the rest of the city expands from that. The population of St. Johns is just over 108,000. Around the city, there are 12 suburban communities - the largest of these is the city of Mount Pearl and the towns of Conception Bay South and Paradise. The third-largest city is Corner Brook which is situated on the Bay of Islands on the west coast. St. John’s is the oldest city in Canada and also the oldest settled location for English-speaking North America. Newfoundland has a rich history of European colonisation and it was one of the first places in the New World where the Europeans settled. Newfoundland was part of the British Colony but joined mainland Canada on March 31 in 1949. The island has a lot of tourist attractions and many opportunities for tourists to do activities. Sea kayaking, camping, fishing, hunting and hiking are just some of the activities available around Newfoundland. The International Appalachian Trail is being extended along the island’s mountainous west coast. Gros Morne National Park is located on the west coast - it was named a designated UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987 due to its complex geology and amazing scenery. It is the largest national park in Atlantic Canada and is a popular tourist destination. There are many things on the island that will keep residents and tourists entertained, especially during the summer festivals. St. John’s has the best nightlife on the island and in George Street, located in downtown St. John’s, is closed for 20 hours per day to traffic. The Mile One Stadium is a large venue for sports events and concerts. There are two climate types throughout the island which are subarctic and humid continental climate. Do you think Newfoundland is the place for you? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you along the way to get your dream job overseas.

Warning for Private Healthcare Sector

The private healthcare sector in Australia is on the brink of disaster as only three private health insurers will be left standing by 2022, according to APRA. Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) member Geoff Summerhayes predicted that due to the ill state of the private healthcare sector in the country, there will only be three major healthcare firms left standing in two years time. Due to the soaring rates of chronic diseases and an ageing population, it has forced firms to increase their premiums to cover the cost. Also, more younger customers have turned away from private health insurance due to the increase of premiums. In a speech to a meeting in Sydney, Summerhayes called for a government inquiry into the private health insurance system as he said the industry has fallen into a “death spiral”. He told the Members Health event that profit margins were eroding because claims were rising faster than premiums. Hospital coverage throughout the country has fallen to 44% which is its lowest level since June 2007. This is due to around 127,000 policyholders aged between 20-34 leaving their private health insurance over the past two years. The younger customers have been replaced by older policyholders and they are more likely to make expansive claims. Fancy moving abroad to start a new job? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could take you one step closer.

New Blockchain Platform for Healthcare Data

The UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has announced that it has launched a blockchain platform to improve storage of health and pharmaceutical data. What is a blockchain? A blockchain is a growing list of records that are linked by using cryptography. Each block has a cryptographic hash of the previous block, a timestamp and transaction data. A blockchain is resistant to modification of the data. The platform was developed due to a collaboration between the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Dubai Healthcare City and other health authorities. This new plan is part of a strategy to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the health services within the country. The blockchain platform will be available to users through an app by the MoHAP which will enable the storage of health and pharmaceutical data, government and private facilities and health practitioners. The public can use the app to search for health facilities, licensed medical personnel and their expertise. The platform will also allow users to search for details of specific medicine or drugs. They will be able to find out what manufacturer produced them and the method of use. Addition to this, it will help promote medical tourism by providing data about healthcare that is available to tourists in the UAE. This initiative comes after the recent launch of the Digital Healthcare Centre by the Department of Health and Etisalat in Abu Dhabi. The project aims to progress in digital health by using blockchains, AI and big data which aims to enhance healthcare within the country. Do you fancy moving overseas and working in your dream job? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you take one step closer to that goal.

Facts About New Zealand's North Island

We have a lot of jobs to offer that are situated on the North Island of New Zealand. But, do you want to know a bit more about the place before you jet off? Here are some interesting stats and facts you may have not known about the island before. Before we get into it, here are a few facts about the island itself you may find useful to know One of the two main Islands of New Zealand that are separated by the Cook Strait. It is the 14th largest island in the world with an area of over 113,000 square kilometres. Its official name is Te Ika-a-Maui. It has 12 main urban areas throughout the island. Despite the North Island being the smaller of the two islands, it is much more populous than the South Island and has a population of around 3.7 million - with Auckland being the city with the largest population with 1.6 million. Wellington (the capital) has a population of around 215,000 and that added to the population of Auckland accounts for half of the population of the whole island. There are nine local government territories that make up the island which includes the small islands off the coast and territorial waters. It was discovered in 2009 that both of the islands that make up New Zealand did not officially have names. After public consultation in October 2013, the Island was named Te Ika-a-Maui which means “The Fish of Maui” in Maori. The climate in the North Island can vary depending on where you are situated. The very north of the island has a subtropical climate, whereas the middle of the island is a volcanic landscape full of forests, volcanic peaks and lakes. On the eastern side of the island, there are many vineyards. The North Island is a playground for geothermal activity as there are plenty of geothermal fields around which are just moments away from the cities. Rotorua is one of the best places on the island to experience geothermal pools, giant volcanoes and extinct volcano craters. There are many stunning lakes around the island. Lake Taupo is the largest lake in New Zealand and the second largest freshwater lake in Oceania which sits in the caldera of Taupo Volcano. If you fancy a move to the North Island to work then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you on your way with a move down under.

Increase in Government Funds for Healthcare

The New Zealand Government has set out a plan to inject $12bn into infrastructure as part of the New Zealand Upgrade Programme which will see $300m put into healthcare. Child, maternity and acute mental health care units are the main focus of the healthcare package. Mental health and addiction services will receive over $90m and plans have included three new acute units across the country. A further $80m will be spent on child and maternal health with upgrades to maternity facilities. An additional $75m will address the poor conditions in hospital infrastructure around the country with just over $25m going towards regional and rural services. No new hospital will be built as it was not set out in the plans or as part of the package. The biggest single project within the package is a new $30m acute mental health unit at Tauranga Hospital on the North Island of the country. About $195 of the package was announced on Wednesday but the rest is expected to be announced in the upcoming months. Priority was given to projects that were ready for funding which meant plans could get underway as soon as possible. Do you fancy working abroad in a country overseas? Well, register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could take you one step closer to achieving your dream job.

Ministry of Health Set Up Walking Campaign

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health has launched a four month campaign to get residents walking and promote exercise throughout the Kingdom. The walking campaign is part of the Ministry’s goals to achieve the targets set in the Vision 2030 plan which is aimed to improve public health and boosting life expectancy from 74 to 80 years. Many schools and universities will be taking part in the campaign which was confirmed by the marketing and awareness director general - Anas Al-Hamid. To make it more appealing to the people of Saudi Arabia, there will even be an app to go along with the campaign to calculate and tell participants how many steps they have done throughout the day. There will also be an event in all of Saudi’s regions that will land on National Walking Day which is scheduled to happen on March 5. Participants are encouraged to reach a target of 8000 steps or more everyday. There will also be winners at the end of the campaign who will be rewarded. The General Authority for Statistics 2018 report about people who work out and exercise revealed that 54 percent of people in Saudi Arabia walked and the Ministry now wants to increase that stat. This campaign is also in place to tackle problems such as obesity and diabetes which are major problems within the Kingdom as 40 percent of people are obese and 19 percent are diabetic. Ever thought about a career overseas? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could take you one step closer to your goal.

Facts about Western Australia

We offer many jobs in Western Australia but do you want to find out more about the state before deciding on whether to make your move? Then look no further, here are some interesting facts and stats you may not have known about Western Australia. Before we get into it, here are a few facts about the state itself that you might find useful to know. The state of Western Australia occupies the entire western third of the country and is the biggest state in the whole of Australia. 11 percent of the national total live in the state and most of the inhabitants live in the South West corner where Perth is located. The capital city is Perth - which is the fourth most populous city in Australia with over two million people living in Perth and the surrounding areas. It is considered to be one of the most isolated cities as it is closer to Jakarta, Indonesia than it is to any other Australian City. The state has a border with the North Territory and South Australia. Its economy mainly relies on mining, oil and gas and construction. Immigration has played a big part in the way Australia is shaped today and the United Kingdom has contributed the biggest number of immigrants in the country to this day. Western Australia is particularly popular for British-born citizens as it has the highest proportion of any state. This group is heavily concentrated in certain parts of the state The economy in Western Australia is mainly driven by extraction and processing of mineral and petroleum commodities. The whole structure of the economy is linked to the extraction of natural resources. It is estimated that around 46 per cent of Australia’s exports overseas are from the WA state alone. The largest export commodities include iron-ore, alumina, nickel, gold, ammonia, wheat, wool, crude oil and liquefied natural gas. WA is the third-largest producer of iron-ore in the world and it also extracts 75 per cent of Australia’s 200 tonnes of gold. Diamonds are extracted in the north of the state in the Kimberly region at the Argyle diamond mine. Agriculture also plays a big part in the economy of WA and the national economy as well. Tourism has its part to play in the economy as well. Visitors to the Western state make up just over 12 per cent of the total international tourism to Australia. Residents from the United Kingdom, Singapore and New Zealand are the top three countries tourists usually come from to have a holiday. Tourism contributes over $9 billion to the WA economy and it supports around 90,000 jobs within the state. As the area of WA is so big, there are different climates throughout the state. The southwest coastal area, where Perth is situated, has a Mediterranean climate. Around the agricultural regions, is the most bio-diverse habitats with a higher proportion of species than most other regions. The area is also good for marine biodiversity with the offshore Leeuwin Current. The central part of the state is sparsely inhabited. Mining is the only significant activity within the area. In the north, there is a tropical climate. The Kimberly has a very hot monsoonal climate. The average annual rainfall is around 20-60 inches, but there is usually a long rainless period from April to November. Fancy working abroad and living in Western Australia? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could get you one step closer to the goal.

Health Authorities Step Up Coronavirus Precautions

Australian authorities have said that they are ready to isolate anyone who enters Australia carrying the coronavirus that was first reported in China a month ago. It has been confirmed that nine people have died from the virus and over 400 people have been infected with the outbreak that was first reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Medical staff from the New South Wales Health department will be situated at Sydney airport and stationed alongside biosecurity staff. They will be there to meet the direct flight from Wuhan that comes in three times a week and conduct an initial diagnosis of anyone on the flight who look like they are carrying flu symptoms. If necessary, they will send them to Weastmead hospital for testing. The authorities will also provide written information in English and Chinese for anyone who is experiencing respiratory symptoms. But what is coronavirus? A common human coronavirus will usually cause a mild upper-respiratory tract illness like a common cold. Most people will get infected with this virus at some point in their lives and only lasts for a short amount of time. There are two other coronaviruses a human can catch and they are MERS and SARS which have been known to cause severe symptoms. MERS symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath which can then lead on to pneumonia. Around three or four out of every 10 patients reported with MERS have died. SARS symptoms include fever, chills, body aches and will also usually progress to pneumonia. Under Australian law, airlines must report sick passengers to biosecurity staff before the plane is unloaded. In New South Wales, the virus has been made a notifiable condition which means the state government must be notified about any suspected cases. Are you thinking about moving abroad for your dream job? Register with Odyssey today and we could take you one step closer to your goal.

New Hospital Set to Open in Dammam

The Saudi German Hospitals (SGH) Group is set to open up its sixth hospital in Saudi Arabia as it has received the final license from the Saudi Health Ministry. The Saudi German Hospital in Dammam is set to open its doors next month and will start to receive patients from the first day of February. It is one of the smaller hospitals run by the company with 150 beds. However, it is a multi-specialty care hospital and provides 100 outpatient clinics. Construction of the hospital and installation of medical equipment was finished in June last year. The group was first established in 1988, when the first hospital in Jeddah was built. From then on Saudi German Hospitals have been expanding across Saudi Arabia. There are hospitals in Aseer, Riyadh, Madinah, Hail, Jeddah and Dammam. SGH is one of the largest and most well known healthcare providers in the Kingdom. The group owns and operates a network of hospitals with state-of-the-art clinics in the Middle East and North Africa. It has strong connections with German University hospitals which brings in advanced German healthcare standards and expertise into the community. Have you ever fancied working abroad in your dream job? Well, register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you take one step closer to your move overseas.

Next Stop ... Newfoundland

Here at Odyssey, we offer jobs in big cities all over the world which attract candidates to go to work and live in. However, we also have jobs in remote towns within the countries overseas. If you are not a big city kind of person, then maybe you should consider moving to a small town. Living and working in a small town has its many perks and advantages as you will find out in this article. Newfoundland - Canada Newfoundland and Labrador is the most easterly part of Canada and situated in the Eastern province. It has some wild landscape which was shaped by ice ages and left a rugged coastline with high cliffs and deep fjords. Inland you will find miles of moorland and forest which are inhabited by moose and caribou. The population of the whole province is just over 500,000 people. The capital is St. John’s where around about a fifth of Newfoundland’s population lives. All around the island, there are small coastal towns and former fishing villages that have amazing scenery, sea life and bird sites. There are many trails that follow the coast and they include some historic sites such as the first known Viking settlement and landing sites of early European explorers. Newfoundland is full of rich history and culture which can be very interesting for tourists and expats. The residents of Newfoundland and Labrador are very welcoming and were listed in the Top 10 friendliest cultures in the world by Maclean’s magazine. Due to the marine climate the average temperature in summer is around 16°C and 0°C during the winter time in Newfoundland. Labrador winters can be a lot harsher but in the summer, the temperature can rise to 25°C. There are plenty of interesting things to do around the province from water activities in the summer months like kayaking, rafting and diving to snow sports in the winter such as skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling. There are plenty of outdoor activities for the family to enjoy. If you like wildlife then the Eastern province is the place for you. It is one of the most spectacular places to go and whale watch - the world’s largest population of humpback whales are back every year to feed. Along with around 20 species of dolphin. You can see them by boat, kayak or on land. Newfoundland and Labrador is home to over 35 million seabirds and around 350 different species. If you are a birdwatching fanatic then this is the place for you as you can get up close to all the different types of birds that live in the province. There are plenty of festivals to enjoy around the Eastern province all year, so a party around the towns is fairly common. In the summer, there is an 11-day stretch of festivals in the capital city. Some of these include the historic Royal St. John’s Regatta, Buskers Festival, Folk Festival and the lively George Street Festival. Have you ever thought about a move to Canada or somewhere else abroad? Then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could take you one step closer to your dream job.

New Diabetes Drugs to be Introduced

Publicly funded diabetes drugs are set to be introduced to the residents of New Zealand living with Type 2 diabetes which will help keep them in better health. The Pharmaceutical Management Agency (Pharmac) announced that it wants proposals from companies for the supply of the new medicines and to help out New Zealanders who live with Type 2 diabetes. What is diabetes? It is a disease that occurs when a person's blood sugar or glucose is too high. Insulin, which is a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose from food into your cells and then used for energy. However, this disease means your body does not make enough insulin or does not use it well. Too much glucose can damage nerves, organs and tissue in the body which can lead to a heart attack, stroke, amputation, kidney failure and blindness. Being able to control sugar levels reduces the risk of complications and can slow or stop illness. It can be done through medication, insulin injections, improving diet and exercise. The medicines are called SGLT-2 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors. The Pharmac process could take up to several months. There is evidence to suggest that the medicines do more than just reduce sugar levels in patients but can also help with kidney complications and heart disease. Around a quarter of a million residents in New Zealand live with diabetes and 100,000 are thought to be undiagnosed. About 90 per cent of the total number have Type 2 diabetes - which is normally linked to lifestyle choices and obesity. Have you ever wanted to work abroad in your dream job? Register with Odyssey today and we could help you take one step closer to the goal.

Vaping Brand to Stop Production of Flavoured Pods

One of Canada’s biggest suppliers of vaping products in the country has said they will stop selling most of their flavoured vaping pods after concerns over health risks. This comes after Health Canada issued a warning to residents using e-cigarettes which can cause serious lung disease and it has already caused fatalities in the USA. Juul will not pull their products off the shelves but will stop re-supplying shops and businesses once the stock is sold out. The production of the flavoured pods, mango, vanilla, fruit and cucumber will stop as of Wednesday January 15. Health Canada is now considering introducing stricter regulations on the vaping industry due to claims that the rules around products do not protect public health. There has also been suggestions about new regulations to be put in place which could see vaping products be treated like tobacco products. Regulations would include a ban on advertising anywhere they can be seen by younger people - which would be around public spaces, stores and online. There would also be a ban on displays of vaping products in shops, apart from specialised vaping shops that do not let anyone under 18 enter. Some of the vaping brands already include health warning on their products but suggested regulations would make them mandatory for all companies. Do you fancy working abroad in your dream job? Well, register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you take one step closer to your goal.

Next Stop ... Al Khobar

Here at Odyssey, we offer jobs in big cities all over the world which attract candidates to go to work and live in. However, we also have jobs in remote towns within the countries overseas. If you are not a big city kind of person, then maybe you should consider moving to a small town. Living and working in a small town has its many perks and advantages as you will find out in this article. Al Khobar - Saudi Arabia You may be aware that Al Khobar is not a small town in the country of Saudi Arabia but a city in the eastern province. However, with a population of around 160,000 it is a small city compared to the capital Riyadh, for example, which has a population of seven million. The city sits on the Arabian Gulf and has a large waterfront with cafes and playgrounds along the edge. If you want to move and work in Saudi Arabia but want a more quieter and less busy place to live then Al Khobar is the place for you. The city has many beautiful beaches located along the front which would be a great way to spend your days off relaxing or having fun. If you are more interested in attractions than relaxing then there is also a zoo and botanical gardens to visit as well. Shopping centres are usually the largest forms of entertainment complexes in the eastern province. The Corniche is one of the most popular places for recreation in the city. There are beautiful fountains, pools and decorations in the street. There are many restaurants, department stores and shops to check out when you’re there as well. If you are looking for a day trip out of Al Khobar then you can make your way across the 25 mile long bridge that goes to Bahrain which is the quickest way to get to the country. If you like walking then this is the city for you as there are many lovely parks to visit. Iskan Park is one of the biggest and it is filled with exotic plants and landscape decorations. The biggest mosque in the city is also situated in the park and visitors can admire the exterior of the building. For a more peaceful setting, the Oasis Garden is one of the most picturesque in the city. Here, you can enjoy a relaxing and comfortable visit. The diversity of plants help keep the park cool even when it’s a hot day. Ever wanted to move overseas and start a new job in a foreign country? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we can help you get one step closer to achieving that dream.

Plans for New Medical Research Centre

The UAE cabinet has announced that a new centre will be established for medical research to improve healthcare within the emirates. The announcement by the cabinet was made on Monday as part of improvements planned across many sectors over the next 50 years. The centre will focus on studies of cancer, diabetes, heart and genetic diseases which will create a unified database for medical researchers across the country. It will also collaborate with international institutions and organisations to help enhance research between health and academic institutions. The results from research programmes will help to create new products, services and policies to help improve and develop the UAE’s healthcare services. Leading doctors have said that the research centre will be a valuable asset for the country and its fight against these diseases. Prasanth Manghat, chief executive and executive director of NMC Health said the research centre would help prepare the UAE and its healthcare system to treat a growing population of diseases. The centre will also help improve patient experience and create a unique database for the country which has a diverse population. It will also allow medical professionals to work together and learn from one another. A resolution on the Supreme Medical Liability Committee was announced as well at the cabinet meeting. This resulted in establishing a committee for medical liability throughout the healthcare sector to process disputes and complaints faster. This will hope to improve relations between patients and healthcare providers. Have you ever fancied working abroad and moving overseas? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we can get you a step closer to achieving it.

Ministry of Health Teams Up With Tech Giant

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health has teamed up with technology giant Huawei to collaborate on the introduction of smart healthcare within the Kingdom. Huawei hosted its sixth annual Huawei Day KSA event where experts and leaders within the Saudi Arabian IT field attended. Talks and discussions over the latest technologies were brought up and how they can be applied into the Kingdom’s future which they hope to be digitally driven. Including digital technology is vital for the future of the Saudia Arabian healthcare and will help to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 - which aims to improve public sectors within the Kingdom and that includes health. The National Transformation Programme (NTP) was also a factor in the discussion with the tech giant and experts. This programme aims to achieve excellence within the government, improving the economy and living standards for residents which will be implemented through the use of technology. During the event, the Ministry of Health signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) which sees the ministry use digital infrastructure to enhance business and new models of care. Whilst Huawei aims to introduce new technology to the ministry and offering services in the smart healthcare area. Have you ever fancied moving abroad and working in your dream job overseas? Well, register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we can help you move one step closer to that dream.

Next Stop... North Island - New Zealand

Here at Odyssey, we offer jobs in big cities all over the world which attract candidates to go to work and live in. However, we also have jobs in remote towns within the countries overseas. If you are not a big city kind of person, then maybe you should consider moving to a small town. Living and working in a small town has its many perks and advantages as you will find out in this article. North Island of New Zealand We have many jobs on offer on the North Island of New Zealand, most of which are in small rural towns. The South Island usually gets recognition for its vibrant cities like Christchurch and Queenstown but the North Island has plenty of things to do as well as great attractions. It is a beautiful part of the world and a very scenic place to work. If you like living in the city then the North Island is home to Auckland, which is the largest city on the island with a third of the country's total population living there. The city can offer a great shopping experience with high fashion, wine, gourmet food and art all on offer. Auckland offers up great entertainment and nightlife. There are bars, restaurants, clubs and there are always shows and concerts being held in the heart of the city. Auckland is surrounded by two large harbours which can make some stunning views. It also has eight islands that are worth the visit. If you do not fancy living in the big city then there are plenty of small rural towns on the island that would be perfect to live in and there are many other attractions on the North Island. The beaches on the east and west coast of the island are very different but equally as nice. If you have a day off work then the beach is a great way to spend it with the family. The eastern coast is filled with stunning beaches and bays. They are sheltered by the mountain ranges which protect them from the wind. These beaches are ideal for swimming and watersports. The western coast beaches are very different but are also worth paying a visit. These beaches are a bit rugged and are exposed to westerly winds coming from Australia. They are the best beaches for surfing due to the wild waves. Living and working in the North Island could bring you closer to the native culture of Maori where you can explore the fascinating culture. New Zealand is famous for its geothermal activity and the North Island sits on top of an active part of the earth’s crust. There are many national parks, thermal pools and volcanic lakes to visit. Ever thought of moving abroad to work in your dream job? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and that move overseas could be a step closer for you.

Traffic Light Food Labels Could Lower Mortality Rate

Colour coded labels on food packaging could help lower the risk of diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer, according to a study in Canada. The study in the PLOS ONE journal specifically looked at the traffic light labelling (TLL) system. In the system, a red label on food packaging is a visual warning to customers that the product may not be good for their health and taking a look at the fine print is highly suggested. At the other end of the scale, green labels will indicate to the customer that the product is a good healthy option. The study has built on previous studies into the TLL system in Canada and wanted to investigate whether avoiding red labelled food would lower mortality rates in the country. By using a study from 2004 by the Canadian Community Health Survey and the UK’s 2013 TLL criteria the researchers came up with a conclusion. It was estimated that just under 12,000 deaths per year that are diet-related could be prevented if Canadian citizens avoided foods that had red labels. Health Canada has called for front-of-package labelling, that is not TLL, but specifies when a product contains high levels of fat, sodium and sugar. Thinking about starting a new life overseas in your dream job this new year? Register with Odyssey today and you could be a step closer to that.

Air Quality Worst on Record in Canberra

Residents in Australia’s capital city were told to stay indoors for the next coming days of the new year as the air quality is the worst on record. As bushfires continue to burn throughout the country, the quality of the air is deteriorating at a fast pace. Due to the atmospheric conditions, the smoke has become trapped and not moving over the city of Canberra. Residents have been told to stay indoors as they expect a couple of days of smog ahead. A “temperature inversion” had occurred which caused warmer air above to then trap the smoke which is how the conditions became as bad as they are. The Australia Capital Territory (ACT) health officer, Dr Paul Dugdale said that the smoke and the air quality was the worst since the bushfires in 2003. Dr Dugdale also reported that 12 people had gone into Canberra hospital with smoke related illnesses within the space of 24 hours. The Air quality index readings in the capital city were at 3,463 on New Year’s Day according to the ACT Health website. If a rating is more than 200 on the scale then the air quality is considered hazardous. The fires have got so bad that even New Zealand is being affected by the smoke. New Zealanders and tourists on the South Island woke up to a hazy orange sky on New Year’s Day as the smoke from the bushfires moving east overnight. Have you ever fancied working overseas in your dream job? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and you could be a step closer to moving abroad.

Next Stop... Western Australia

Here at Odyssey, we offer jobs in big cities all over the world which attract candidates to go to work and live in. However, we also have jobs in remote towns within the countries overseas. If you are not a big city kind of person, then maybe you should consider moving to a small town. Living and working in a small town has its many perks and advantages as you will find out in this article. The Western Coast of Australia We currently have some jobs in Western Australia and here are some reasons why you should consider moving there. Western Australia (WA) is the biggest state in the country and accounts for around 30% of Australia’s land mass. Perth, which is the capital of Western Australia, is the most isolated city in the world. Adelaide is the closest city to Perth and it is 2,000km away. Singapore and Jakarta are closer to Perth than Perth is to Canberra. These few facts just put into perspective the scale of Western Australia and how big it really is. Due to its sheer size, it has a couple of different climates depending on where abouts you end up. It has a generally all round sunny climate with very biodiverse landscapes. It has a Mediterranean climate in the south of the state, desert in the east and tropical in the north. Perth is actually the sunniest city in Australia as it gets around nine hours of sun per day and where temperatures can reach up to 29°C in the summer. This makes WA a holiday destination all year round - which could make a great place for you to work and live if you like those sorts of conditions. If you like being near the beach then you are in luck if you move to the west coast. The state has around 12,500km of coastline on the Indian Ocean so there are plenty of beaches to go and enjoy. There is so much adventure to be had when living in WA. Due to it being half the size of the whole of Europe, there are many attractions to see and plenty of outdoor activities for everyone. From swimming with dolphins and whale sharks to exploring caves and going camping - if you love the outdoors, then this is the place for you. If you fancy working in a small rural town on the west coast then you should consider working in Western Australia. If you have a sense of adventure and want to work and live in a tropical climate then this is the place for you. Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and get updates on the latest job offers we have on our website.

Health Risks Posed by Thick Smoke Over Sydney

Sydney has been drowned in a pool of thick dark smoke as bushfires continue to cause havoc across the eastern part of Australia. On Tuesday, the city was covered in a giant smoke cloud which was produced by the bushfires that have destroyed part of the country. The air pollution was over 12 times the ‘hazardous’ level. The fires have burned around 2.7 million hectares of land in the eastern states, which is almost three times more than what was burned down in the Amazon fires earlier this year. New South Wales (NSW) director of environmental health, Richard Broome said: "Certainly in Sydney we have experienced very poor air quality episodes in the past and the one I'm most aware of is the 2009 dust storm episode, where we had extremely high levels," "But certainly this smoky period we've been experiencing for the past month or so, it is unprecedented, so these conditions are a risk to people's health." Under the Air Quality Index (AQI) level that exceed 200 are considered hazardous to the health of residents. Several regions in Sydney rated above 400, a couple scored 1,000 and there were even some that went to 2,500 which is almost 13 times more than the hazardous level. Due to the smoke covering the city and surrounding areas, hospital admissions have increased, public transport has been disrupted and residents have had to buy face masks to protect themselves from inhaling dangerous particles in the air. The Government and Prime Minister have come under fire and have been criticised for downplaying the threats that climate change poses on the country. Protesters have taken to the streets of Sydney to protest against the Government and its climate change policies. Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and your dream job could be just around the corner.

Alberta Plan to Hit Waiting Time Targets

Alberta is to become the first province in Canada to try and reach waiting time targets by the use of private healthcare facilities. The Alberta Government had announced on Tuesday that, to reduce surgical waiting times, a plan of funding 80,000 surgeries over the next four years as it increases agreements with private facilities. Health Minister Tyler Shandro said with this plan Alberta will have the best wait times in the whole of Canada after the province government promised the citizens better waiting times. This plan also includes expanded telephone and electronic advice programmes for primary care providers. This will help them receive more timely advice from medical and surgical specialists. Shandro commented on this and said: "This ambitious plan will mean Alberta will have the best wait-time performance in Canada. Our plan puts the needs of patients before ideology, relying on private and public partners to achieve fundamental system improvements." However, this plan has come under fire from the opposition leader Rachel Notley as she accused the current government of putting in an “American-style” healthcare system. She also claimed that bringing in private facilities does not improve waiting times and this has been the case in the past. Fancy moving overseas for your dream job? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and it could be just around the corner.

Getting Your Dream Job - Making the Move

Here at Odyssey, we like to think that we are helping you apply for your dream job overseas. Despite the overwhelming positives thoughts you may have about your dream job there are always things to consider before making the move. We have put together a guide for you which should help you along the way when thinking about or applying for your dream job. Article 5 - Making the Move Once your job is confirmed and you are ready to make your move overseas there are still many things you need to get sorted before you start your new life in your dream destination. Having everything sorted before you land in the country you plan to live and work in will make your life a lot easier and stress free. 1 - Getting everything sorted Finances - This is not just about how much money you have in your pocket, there are things to get sorted with your finances before moving to a foreign country to live. Have you converted enough money into the currency of the country so you are able to live comfortably? Have you set up a new international bank account? Have you made sure you won’t get taxed in the UK or your country of origin? Will your bank card work overseas? If not have you set up a new one before you leave? It is always best to seek professional help if you are not sure how to go about your finances. Accommodation - Where will you be staying when you arrive and how long will you be able to stay there for? Will you have to find your own place? Make sure you find out the answers prior to moving. Airport pick up - This is such a simple point that most often gets ignored or not thought about but how are you getting picked up from the airport? Most hospitals will send a representative but it is always good to make sure you know when and where you’ll meet them. Communication - Check to see if your phone will work overseas and try to find a sim card or a plan to use as soon as you arrive so you are not completely cut off. 2 - Relocating Relocating services are there to help you make moving away as easy as possible. Try and find a service that helps you relocate to worldwide destinations to make the move as stress free as possible for you. 3 - Living in a new country Once you have your finances sorted, you need to think about your life living in a new country. If you are taking your family with you then sorting out schools is probably a priority. Do some research on the schools in the area and which ones would suit your family the best. How are you going to get to work everyday? Is the public transport really good in the country or will you need a car to get around? If so then you will need to take your drivers license and possibly some documents as well. Is it worth starting to look into the property market and buying a house? (if you can) Or is renting a place the best option for you and whoever you are taking? Make sure you set up an account with a local bank when you enter the country or before if it is possible. Looking into everything that has been mentioned and getting everything sorted before you leave will make your move as smooth as it can possibly be. Nobody wants to have the stress of having to sort everything out when you arrive so it is best to get it done as soon as possible. Ever fancied moving overseas to work in your dream job? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and your dream move could be a lot closer than you think.

New Zealand to Help Samoa with Measles Outbreak

New Zealand is set to send more medical staff and supplies to Samoa to try and help tackle the measles epidemic happening on the South Pacific island nation. The Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters announced that the country would send over medical staff and health supplies which includes 100,000 vaccinations. So far, over 50 people have died from the outbreak of the virus. Schools have been closed down and there is restricted travel ahead of the Christmas holiday season. When the virus first broke out in Samoa, it has been discovered that there was not enough vaccine coverage within the nation which explains why there is such a flare-up of the infection. Over 3000 people have contracted the disease and this has prompted a mass vaccination campaign. Within the medical team being sent over, there will be around 15 intensive care specialist, as well as Samoan speaking doctors and nurses. New Zealand will also provide psychological support for the health workers in Samoa. One of Samoa’s top health officials have predicted that the worst of the virus is yet to come. The Director General of Health, Leausa Dr Take Naseri said that more children needed to be reached in the height of the epidemic. It was also announced that the Samoan Government will shut its doors on Thursday and Friday to help deal with the crisis. Fancy working overseas in your dream job? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and you could be on your way to your dream job.

Medical City Set for New Technologies

The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) has teamed up with the Mayo Clinic in a partnership which will bring cutting-edge technology to the new Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC). The partnership between the US non-profit organisation and SEHA will bring in world-class specialist care to the new medical city in Abu Dhabi. The latest healthcare technology will be introduced to the recently opened hospital, which has 740 beds. The technology will include a state of the art robotic surgery which will provide precise surgery and achieve better patient outcomes. Along with the new technologies being introduced there are also plans to open a new medical research centre on site. This is in the hope of promoting interdisciplinary learning and to also treat complex medical cases. Both the companies have a clear common goal in the partnership and that is for the SSMC to be the preferred destination for patients needing complex care in Abu Dhabi. They plan to turn the medical city into the number one destination for medical care in the Middle East over the next decade. The announcement of the collaboration comes after the Mayo Clinic and SEHA teams developed a plan to open up 24 specialist clinics in Abu Dhabi. The SSMC is expected to be in full operation in early 2020 when the Mayo Clinic builds a growing presence at the hospital. Ever thought of moving overseas for a job you’ve dreamed of? Well, register with Odyssey today and your dream job could be just around the corner.

Getting Your Dream Job - The Job Interview

Here at Odyssey, we like to think that we are helping you apply for your dream job overseas. Despite the overwhelming positives thoughts you may have about your dream job there are always things to consider before making the move. We have put together a guide for you which should help you along the way when thinking about or applying for your dream job. Article 4 - The Job Interview Once you have sent in your application to a job that you desire, you will hear back from the employer whether you have been successful and got an interview. There are many things that you can do to help you along with the interviewing process and make sure you secure the job of your dreams. The interviewing process is arguably the most important part of getting a job. This is where you can prove that you are the right candidate for the job and make yourself stand out from the others going for the same position. Follow these steps and you’ll be on your way to your dream job. 1 - Prepare for video interviews If you are moving overseas to work and are situated in a different country to the one you want to work in, then you will most likely have to go through many video interviews throughout the process. Being prepared for something like an interview over Skype is very important.This should be treated like any other job interview you have done before. Practising, dressing appropriately and having good communication skills are just some of the attributes you should consider when preparing for a job interview over video call. There are more tips in a recent article we posted here. 2 - Site visits If you are already based in the country you have applied to work in then there are also some things you can prepare for. You may already know the area well but before heading into the interview, visit the site a few days before so you know where you are going and how to get to the place you need to go. Punctuality is crucial when it comes to making a good impression and being late for an interview because you cannot find your way around will not give away a good impression to your potential future employers. It will also give you an idea and a good look at the place you could potentially be working in, in the near future. 3 - Background research Before your interview you might want to do some background research into the place that you have applied for a job with. Doing some research will give you some information about the hospital and the area it is in. This can be helpful as you can ask questions in the interview about anything you have seen in your research. This will also make you look very engaging and impress employers with your knowledge of the area and/or hospital. 4 - Be enthusiastic and stand out One thing to make sure to do when you sit down for a job interview in person or over Skype is be enthusiastic and make sure you stand out from all the other candidates. Nobody wants to hire an employee that is only half-hearted about the job they are applying for, so make sure you show your enthusiasm. If you have any attributes that you think would make you stand out from the other candidates then do not be afraid to tell the employers. Many of them see hundreds of the same standard CVs, so show them a bit of your personality. Fancy moving overseas for your dream job? Register with Odyssey today and it could be just around the corner waiting for you.

First Social Media Summit in Dubai

Dubai will become the first city in the Middle East to host the first ever healthcare social media summit next month. The first healthcare social media summit in the Middle East will be held on December 8 to 10. The summit will take place at the Mohammed Bin Rashid University (MBRU) campus at Dubai Healthcare City. The Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences has teamed up with the Mayo Clinic and American Hospital Dubai to host the event. The summit which was organised by the Mayo Clinic will bring together healthcare providers and decision makers from many different sectors to assess the impact that social media is having on healthcare and discuss which is the best way forward for the future. It will offer medical professionals attending the event valuable insights into the current trends of social media and its link with healthcare. It will also make aware what kind of impact social media has on institutions and patients. Dr. Amer Sharif, Vice Chancellor of MBRU, said: “We are honoured to host this Summit, and to help shape an agenda that reflects social media use in our region as well as best practices from Mayo Clinic’s global network of social media advocates.” The event will start with a workshop on December 8 called Social Media Residency. This will provide advanced training and consultation for those who are interested in applying social media tools to their health-related work. On December 9 and 10, the conference will include several speakers from the UAE and representatives from the USA, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand and Ireland. Fancy moving overseas to work in your dream job? Register with Odyssey today and your dream job could be a lot closer than you think.

New Medical School for the University of Malta

Malta Health Minister reveals plans for a new medical school at the University of Malta which will replace the facilities being used at the university and the Mater Dei Hospital. After the new medical school building opened on the Queen Mary University campus in Malta, new plans have emerged for the construction of a new medical school for the University of Malta. The new building will be home to the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and the Faculty of Health Sciences. It will be situated between the university building and the Mater Dei hospital The Faculty of Medicine and Surgery currently has offices spread across the hospital and the university campus and the Faculty of Health Sciences are based in the hospital. The new facilities are estimated to take around two years to construct. Malta Health Minister Chris Fearne said the departments that are in the current hospital will be moved into the new building.The space that is left over will be converted into more wards and clinics within the hospital which will provide more services to patients. Talks of building the new facility came up last month during the last budget discussion for the Ministry of Health. On Thursday 28 November, the Health Minister will hold a meeting entitled: ‘Health Vision: In the next decade’. Ever fancied moving overseas to work in your dream job? Then register with Odyssey today and your dream job could be just around the corner.

Getting Your Dream Job - The Job Search

Here at Odyssey, we like to think that we are helping you apply for your dream job overseas. Despite the overwhelming positives thoughts you may have about your dream job there are always things to consider before making the move. We have put together a guide for you which should help you along the way when thinking about or applying for your dream job. Article 3 - The Job Search Before you start the job search, there may be a few things you want to think about that could help you in the process of finding the right job for you. Utilising tools that a recruitment agency can offer is the best way to find a job that is suited to you. 1 - Register with Odyssey Recruitment Here at Odyssey Recruitment, we are here to help you find the right job that suits you the best. You can tell us what kind of role you are looking for and in which country. Once you have registered, a member of our expert team will take a look and review your application and call you whenever you are free to talk to make sure we can find the perfect role for you. So register with us today and we can help you find your dream job. 2 - CV Make sure that you have updated your CV as recently as possible before you hand it in to us. You want your CV to stand out as much as possible from the other candidates going for the same jobs as you. There is an article here all about what to include in your CV to make it the best it can possibly be. 3 - Suitable Jobs This may go without saying but only apply for jobs that are actually suited to your expertise. Applying for a lot of different jobs with different expertise and skills will give you a bad name. 4 - Identify Location You should probably know by this stage of the process what countries you fancy working in. Do some research into the areas of the country and try and pick where the best location for you to be. Are you in to the big cities or do you like the rural areas a lot more? You have to think about these things before you start to apply for jobs. 5 - Odyssey Recruitment Process Once you have registered with us, you will get an email of our business terms that you can read and sign. Along with this you will also receive an application pack. If we find that there is a suitable role for you then we will arrange a video call with you at a suitable time. If you decide to go ahead with the proposed job then we will send your CV and other vital documents to the hospital for you. Sometimes, we will tidy up your CV in order to make sure that they can perform as well as possible. After the video interview with us, you will be sent an email confirming what was just discussed in the call and confirming that you want to apply for the job that was discussed. Most hospitals will narrow the applications down to a few candidates. These candidates may be invited to the hospital for a tour and a meeting or receive an invitation to an online video call with the medical director. If it all goes well for you then you will be offered the job and given a set time frame to accept it and complete contractual formalities.

Saudi Government Receive Certificates by the WHO

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health has been awarded certificates for five “Healthy Cities” within the country by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Saudi Arabia has actioned the implementations of the Healthy Cities programme by the WHO and this has led to the country registering 30 cities altogether. So far, five cities have been awarded certificates and which led to increased aim for all cities to achieve a healthier population. What is a Healthy City? According to the WHO, a healthy city strives to do four key things; to create a health-supportive environment, achieve a good quality of life, provide basic sanitation and hygiene needs and supply access to health care. The programme aims to improve public health of a city and to encourage the implementation of health campaigns, events and programmes. Campaigns like the collaboration with the Tobacco Control Programme which then resulted in tobacco free cities. The Healthy Cities programme also ties in with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals which heightens the priority of the programme on national agendas. Most of the Saudi Arabian cities in the programme have been provided with the infrastructure by the government. The government are striving towards having three cities within the top 100 most livable in the world. But it is not just the government who are investing in the scheme. Community participation has increased in local decision making processes. Residents, non-government organisations and the private sector are all engaged in promoting the programme. Thinking about working in your dream job overseas? Well, register with Odyssey Recruitment today and it could be a lot closer than you think.

Wildfires Continue to Spread and Health Warnings Increase

Wildfires continue to spread across the southern part of Australia with the city of Sydney covered in a thick cloud of smoke for the past couple of days. Australia’s largest city was concealed in a large amount of thick smoke on Tuesday which led to many residents seeking medical treatment as the air pollution got to a hazardous level. Residents woke up to a thick haze which made it very difficult to see the high rise buildings in the city. Most of the country’s coastal areas are under serious fire threats as there are currently just under 50 fires burning across the New South Wales state. The smoke has caused a lot of health problems for people living in the area as the World Air Quality Index has risen to a number which is in the top 25 worst in the world. Western Sydney is believed to be the worst affected area of the city. Health officials have warned people with asthma and other respiratory conditions to stay indoors and avoid any outdoor activity. According to the NSW Ambulance service, around 60 people have been treated as the smoke has given them health complications. High temperatures and poor air quality are causing additional health risks to the residents of Sydney. The fires are expected to continue to spread across the south of the country. Ever wanted to work in your dream job overseas? Well, register with Odyssey Recruitment today and you could be living the dream.

Getting Your Dream Job - Preparation

Here at Odyssey, we like to think that we are helping you apply for your dream job overseas. Despite the overwhelming positives thoughts you may have about your dream job there are always things to consider before making the move. We have put together a guide for you which should help you along the way when thinking about or applying for your dream job. Article 2 - Preparation Once you have made your decision on what country you're moving to, then you need to start getting prepared. The preparation period is extremely important to make sure that everything is in place before you make the move overseas. Here are some of the things you should get sorted: 1 - Checking visa eligibility Apply for a visa or a work permit before you leave for your final destination. Once you enter the country, it is a lot more difficult to get a visa or a work permit otherwise, you will have to leave and re-enter the country. Different countries have different requirements for work permits and visas so make sure you check with the national embassy on what you have to do and what permits/visas to apply for. 2 - Job opportunities Before you plan to move overseas, always check to see if there are job opportunities if you have not already secured a job. Turning up in a foreign country and not being able to find a job that suits you is not where you want to end up. Do some research and see if there are any jobs that suit your profession. We have many job vacancies on our website, you can check them out here. You may want to apply for a job before you make your move - which would be a very sensible idea. If you are successful in getting the job then there will be less stress for you and you can get all your documents sorted before leaving. 3 - Skill shortages If you have not applied for a job before you make your move then do some research and check to see if there are any skill shortages within the country of your choice. With a skill shortage in the country, there is a high chance that you will be taken on board if you have the right skills the hospitals are looking for. 4 - Organising documents Organising your documents is an extremely important step in the preparation process. There are a lot of documents you must have to go to work and live in a different country. Make a copy of your important documents as well. Documents such as your passport, driver's license, birth certificate and any other important information. You may need them when you least expect it so it is always handy to have and it makes your life a lot less stressful if you have easy access to them. 5 - Make sure family are into the idea Moving overseas is a massive decision to make in your life and if you have a family, you should check with them to see if they are good with you living away. You may also want to think about if you want to take your family with you, this is important as you will have to do more research into what visas and permits you need to bring them along too. Thinking about a move overseas to work in your dream job? Register with Odyssey today and your dream job could be just around the corner.

Drug Resistance Will Threaten Health

It has been predicted that drug resistance will cause an estimated 400,000 deaths within Canada by 2050, according to a report. The report by the Council of Canadian Academies named "When antibiotics fail: The growing cost of antimicrobial resistance in Canada" have said that the percentage of bacterial infections that are resistant to treatment is likely to increase from 26%, the number in 2018, to 40% by 2050. What is Drug Resistance? Drug resistance is the reduction in the effectiveness of medication such as an antimicrobial or an antineoplastic in treating a disease or condition. According to the report, this is likely to cost $120 billion in hospital expenses and $388 billion in GDP over the next 30 years. It is also likely to result in 396,000 deaths within the country. Resistant infections will decrease the quality of life of a person. In the report, it highlighted the groups of people who are likely to be more at risk. These groups include indigenous, homeless, low-income citizens and people who travel to developing countries. The report also states that it could have an impact on the availability of routine medical procedures like kidney dialysis, joint replacement, chemotherapy and caesarean section. All of these procedures have a threat of an infection and antibiotics are prescribed to the patient. Thinking about a move overseas to work in your dream job? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and your dream job could be just around the corner.

Health Warnings Caused by Bushfires

Smoke from the bushfires sweeping across the east coast of Australia have caused hazardous air pollution in the Queensland and New South Wales states. There are now warnings from authorities to residents in the regions that they should not underestimate the damaging effects that the smoke can create on health. Many residents living in the Queensland state have been told to leave the area. There are still around 80 fires active in each of the two states mentioned above and they are expected to continue. The smoke from all the fires are causing a “hazardous” amount of pollution in the skies, according to the environment department. The latest air quality index rating in the east of Sydney measured at 221 micrograms which is ‘very unhealthy’ on the scale. Elsewhere, in lower Hunter’s, it is even higher with 306 micrograms in the worst state which is considered ‘hazardous’. Dust has also been a major factor that has contributed to the poor air quality on the east coast. There is talk from scientists and experts that the fire season in the country has gotten longer and more intense due to climate change. The Bureau of Meteorology's State of the Climate 2018 report states that climate change was the reason to increased levels of extreme heat events and it raised the chance of other natural disasters such as drought. Want to work in your dream job overseas? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and your dream job could be just around the corner.

Getting Your Dream Job - Research

Here at Odyssey, we like to think that we are helping you apply for your dream job overseas. Despite the overwhelming positives thoughts you may have about your dream job there are always things to consider before making the move. We have put together a guide for you which should help you along the way when thinking about or applying for your dream job. Article 1 - Research First of all, you should think about the destination and where you want it to be located. Our job opportunities are located all over the globe so you have an array of countries to choose from. Here are just a few that are quite popular and the pros and cons of the country. Australia Positives: The Australian lifestyle All year round sun without the stifling heat Australian employers place a strong focus on a healthy work and life balance Negatives: It can feel quite remote in some places across the country The country is vast so exploring it can be time consuming Many medics work in more rural areas when they first arrive down under Canada Positives: Highly organised and well structured healthcare system Renowned as one of the friendliest countries in the world Salary packages can be generous Life is built around family Negatives: Canadian winters can make it impossible to leave the house in some parts of the country Can feel remote in areas like Newfoundland Income tax New Zealand Positives: Ranks at the top of quality life indexes There will be little culture shock Similar climate to Western Europe Excellent working conditions They value the contribution made by medics Negatives: It can feel very remote, like in some parts of Australia Salaries aren’t world leading Saudi Arabia Positives: Has some of the highest, tax-free salaries in the world Recent investment has seen hospitals and other infrastructure greatly improved Negatives: Culture shock can be a big issue Country is governed by religion The heat can be hard to handle for some people The lifestyle takes a lot to adapt to UAE Positives: Wages are high and tax-free Facilities are amongst the best in the world Investment remains high Plenty to see and do Dubai built on immigration so culture shock is minimal Negatives: The country is so modern, it can feel superficial Temperatures in summer can reach 45°C and that can be difficult to deal with The cost of living is high and it is set to rise Once you have decided on which country will suit you best for a working and living environment, more research into the country will be required to really make sure it’s the place for you. You may also want to decide how long you want to be in the country for whether it be short term or long term. This will also help you decide which country is best for you. Things to look up: Language - Does the country you are locating to speak your language? You may be able to do the basics but if you are dealing with bills and have to go into government buildings with paperwork then you may find it a bit tricky. Friends and family - Moving abroad can be difficult if you are not taking your family with you. It can feel quite lonely and making new friends might take some time. Consider taking your family along with you whether it be short or long term. Annual leave - You may want to check what the country’s minimal annual leave time period is so it gives you a rough idea of how long you can take off to go back home or go on holiday. Religious and cultural rules - It is definitely worth knowing what the religious practices are of the country you are planning to move to. There may be an aspect of your lifestyle that is not accepted in the country so always check before you move. Bank accounts - Opening up a bank account in the country you have just moved to can be a bit of a pain, especially when you cannot speak the language. Check the steps that are required in your country of choice to open up a bank account. Check out our latest job offers by registering with Odyssey today and you may be able to bag your dream job.

New Hospital in Abu Dhabi has Officially Opened

One of the largest hospitals in the UAE has officially opened its doors to the general public in Abu Dhabi. The Shaikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) has been labelled as one of the most advanced hospitals in the country and wants to position itself as the main trauma centre as patients and emergency services will not have far to travel to get there. It is set to replace the Mafraq hospital which is situated on the outskirts of the capital city and patients will be transferred over to the SSMC. The new hospital has 741 beds and spans across 30,000 square metres in the Al Mafraq area. It has four towers with seven floors, a two-storey outpatient building and an administrative building. It also has eight operating rooms, four wings and a surgical robot which will allow doctors to perform complex procedures. The facility is run by the public healthcare provider known as the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company. The hospital has begun to open in phases and the first phase on November 3 opened the cardiology, adult neurology, ENT, gastroenterology, haematology and ophthalmology sectors. Three quarters of the hospital will be open by the start of 2020, with an initial staff of 3,000. Many of the SSMC employees will come from the Mafraq hospital but recruitment is still underway. Ever thought of moving overseas to work in your dream job? Register with Odyssey and you could be on the move a lot sooner than you think.

$300m Upgrades Set for New Zealand Hospital

A hospital in the Taranaki territory of New Zealand is set for a major upgrade as the government plans to invest $300 million on the project. The funding has come from the $1.7 billion that was set aside by the NZ Government to upgrade the health facilities and hospitals across the country in the budget. The Taranaki hospital in New Plymouth, situated on the North Island of the country, is set to for a modern upgrade so it can reflect and support the high quality service the hospital gives, according to the Health Minister David Clark. The Health Minister also pointed out that the hospital would get a five star rating on the Greenstar certification which means that it will be very energy efficient. A new emergency department and a helipad will be built during the process of upgrading the facilities. A new wing within the hospital will also be built and will include a new intensive care unit and a maternity facility. The laboratory and radiology services will also be receiving an upgrade. A new morgue will be built as well. David Clark said that the upgrades will give the people in the Taranaki region confidence that the hospital can give them the treatment they need in the future. The construction is set to begin between the end of 2020 and the start of 2021. The new wing will be set to open by 2023. Fancy moving to New Zealand for your dream job? Register with Odyssey today and we could make that dream come true.

What You Need to Know Before Moving to Singapore

Planning to move and work abroad can be a tricky business. There are many things that you need to sort out before arriving at your dream destination. But, no need to worry as we have put together some helpful information you need to know before you make your move to another country and start your new career overseas. Article 9 - What You Need to Know Before Moving to Singapore 1 - Medical Registration To work in the medical sector in Singapore you must apply for medical registration with the Singapore Medical Council (SMC). To practise in the country you need a medical registration and a practising certificate. The average time to process a registration is around three to four weeks once the online application has been sent. If your application has been approved, you will then be required to appear at the Medical Council office in Singapore. Non-residents of Singapore have to apply for a work pass before they can start to work in the country. If you have a work pass then there is no need to apply for a visa. There are many different types of work passes. Visit the Ministry of Manpower’s website to find out what pass you are eligible for. 2 - Healthcare Singapore’s healthcare is usually said to be up there as one of the best in the world. With the healthcare coming at a very high standard, non-residents are not entitled to government subsidies and will have to pay in full for any care or treatment received. However, it is mandatory that citizens and permanent residents get some sort of subsidies off their healthcare bills. 3 - Education As English is one of the official languages spoken in Singapore, expats and their children have a lot of choices when it comes to what type of school to go to. There is a choice between international or local schools - international schools will offer the national curriculum of the country they represent. The local Singaporean schools will make international students sit an admission exercise which will test English skills as well as their skills in mathematics. 4 - Climate Singapore has a very hot and humid climate due to its geographical location just above the equator which give the city state its tropical climate. There are no clear seasons as it is warm and humid all year round. Rain is quite regular even during the non-monsoon season. The average temperature is 25-31°C with April being the warmest month of the calendar year. January is the coolest month and November is the wettest. 5 - Transport Driving is considered a luxury in Singapore as it is very expensive to have a car and use it. Due to the small amount of space on the streets, the amount of cars on the road is regulated. It is a better idea to adapt to the way the locals get around the city and use public transport. The best way to get around is by using the metro (MTR). The MTR is probably the most reliable and substantial means of public transport in the city state for commuters getting to work. Planning on moving to Singapore or fancy working somewhere else overseas? Register with Odyssey today and we could help you on your way to your dream job in your preferred location.

A Rise in Healthcare Expenditure by 2030

The budget spent on healthcare is expected to increase to $160 billion in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by 2030, according to Arab Health. A report by Colliers, which is part of the Arab Health Marker Series, stated that the country’s Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) is at 2.5% which means that the population will rise to 45 million by 2030. Population growth is one of the main reasons why the expected healthcare expenditure is going up. The rise of life expectancy, urbanisation and an increase of lifestyle diseases like diabetes and other obesity related diseases are also a key factor as to why the health services will be in high demand. Looking into the future, the report outlined what the population growth will do to the requirements of healthcare in the kingdom. The new-born to 19 year-old age group is set to rise to 13.7 million by 2030. This means that there will be a high demand for services and facilities for mothers and their children such as obstetrics, gynaecology and paediatrics. However, this is not the largest increase - that will be felt in the over 60s age group. This age group is expected to grow from just under two million to five million in 2030. This means that there will be a very high demand in geriatric services such as long-term care and rehabilitation. Thinking of a move abroad for your dream job? Register with Odyssey today and find out if your dream job is just around the corner.

New Medical School in Malta

A new medical school building has opened at the Malta campus of the Queen Mary University, situated on the island of Gozo. The new school will be where Barts and London students and staff can learn and teach the university’s MBBS medical degree. The new building is on the island of Gozo, which is Malta’s sister island, and is right next to the Gozo general hospital. It includes a 140 seat auditorium, two smaller lecture theatres with the capacity of 70, teaching rooms and clinical skills rooms. Two years ago, the Queen Mary University launched a Bachelor of Medicine programme on the Meditarranean Islands of Malta. The programme is taught in English and it uses the same curriculum as the London university. As a result of the opening of the new medical school, the Health Minister of Malta has announced plans for a new medical school building for the University of Malta. Chris Fearne visited and then praised the opening of the medical school in Gozo and said that Malta also deserved a new school as well. Plans will start next year for the construction of the new medical school, which will be located next to the Mater Dei Hospital in Msida. Thinking about working abroad in your dream job? Register with Odyssey today to find out if the job of your dreams in just around the corner.

Skype Interview Top Tips

When you apply for a job, there is always the interviewing process to go through. It is no different when applying for a job overseas. However, these job interviews will most likely be over video call if you are in another country. To make sure it all goes smoothly for you, here at Odyssey, we have put together some tips to help you with a video interview whether it be your first time or not. Look the part You would look your best for a face to face interview so do the exact same for a Skype interview. Normal interview etiquette applies when it’s a job interview over a video call. Even though you will most likely be sitting down with your bottom half hidden, you may still want to dress smart from head to toe. Just in case you have to stand up and sort your equipment at anytime. It is vital to make a good impression and being formally dressed will put you in the right frame of mind when it comes to your interview. Surroundings You will want to set up your surroundings in a business like setting and ideally use a room with a door. A cluttered background will distract your audience and will not do anything good for your organisational skills. A blank neutral background is the best setting for a video interview. If you have a busy household or pets, make sure you do not get interrupted. Let everyone in the house know that you are planning on making a Skype call and let them know what time it is at so nobody can interrupt you. Make sure pets are kept away from the interviewing space as well. Practice Have a practice run before your interview so you know exactly where to look and what to do with your hands. Doing a practice run through with a friend before your interview can be really useful. Make sure you get to know how the programme works and get used to all the features on Skype. Once you have got the hang of everything, you can then go into your interview confident and not have to worry about the software. Stay present It is very important to reassure the interviewer that you are still there and still listening. Never start fiddling around with your computer. That is one of the worst things you could do as it is a top hint that you are not listening. It is also important to keep the interviewer engaged in what you are saying to them. Being aware of their interest level is crucial. Notes One advantage of a skype call is you don't have to remember everything. You can have notes in front of you so you can ask questions and bring up talking points. However, make sure you are not using your notes too much. Make your notes easy to scan over, do not set it out like a script. The interviewer does not want to see the top of your head for the whole interview so just make sure that you only use your notes occasionally. Working technology Make sure everything is working with your computer and with the connection as well. If a problem comes up during the interview, don't be afraid to bring it up and tell the interviewer. You don’t want to give a wrong answer because you didn’t hear the question properly. Want to work in your dream job overseas? Register with Odyssey today and that dream could soon enough become a reality.

Out-of-Pocket Payments to be Made Clear

A private health insurance provider will become the first to give specific information on out-of-pocket costs doctors charge for procedures and surgery in Australia. Medibank will become the first provider in the country to make these details clear to the public. What is Medibank? Medibank is an Australian private health insurance provider. It is the second largest provider in the country, behind Bupa. In August 2018, their ‘Find a Provider’ website has shown how often out-of pocket charges would occur for patients What do we mean by ‘out-of-pocket’? In medical insurance terms, it refers to the portion of the bill that the insurance company doesn’t cover and what the patient must pay on their own. Back in March, the federal Government announced that it would build a website which would list the fees for specific services from specialists to help patients avoid bill shock. The Medibank website will produce the costs of procedures with private health insurance benefits, whereas the government's website will post the costs in full. Consumer groups and health policy experts say it is a positive, albeit small, step towards the right direction when it comes to making out-of-pocket medical costs clear to the public. However, they also say more information like surgeon performance data needs to be made public for patients to be informed about their healthcare. Have you ever thought about moving to a destination overseas for your dream job? Register with Odyssey today and find out what jobs we have on offer.

City Centre Blaze Sparks Health Warnings

Health warnings have been issued in the New Zealand city of Auckland due to a massive fire in the city centre. The fire that started on the roof of the building, caused the evacuation of SkyCity Entertainment Group’s complex which includes hotels, casinos, restaurants and neighbouring apartments. Firefighters have been tackling the blaze for the past 48 hours, the fire is smouldering but the wind is making it occasionally start up. Residents in Auckland have been told to shut their windows and to turn off the air conditioning due to the blaze in the city centre. Office workers in central Auckland have been told to work from home until the smoke has dispersed completely as it was causing minor health problems to the people working and living in the city. Breathing in the harmful smoke particles and gases can be harmful. Smoke inhalation can inflame your lungs and airway, causing them to swell and block oxygen.It can then lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome. Visitors to the city have been told to wear face masks if they are entering the area affected by the smoke. Many of the residents have reported that they have been coughing and have sore throats from the smoke. Fancy working abroad in your dream job? Register with Odyssey today and see if there are any jobs suited for you.

What You Need to Know Before Moving to Malta

Planning to move and work abroad can be a tricky business. There are many things that you need to sort out before arriving at your dream destination. But, no need to worry as we have put together some helpful information you need to know before you make your move to another country and start your new career overseas. Article 8 - What You Need to Know Before Moving to Malta 1- Visa and Registration The Medical Council Malta deal with the registration and regulation of Medical Practitioners and dental surgeons in Malta. Registration with the Medical Council Malta gives the right to seek employment in Malta. Application forms can be found on their website. For EU Nationals, it is easy to relocate to Malta as they do not require a visa to stay longer than 90 days. An EU National doesnt need a work permit either. As long as they have a confirmed job offer, they can move to Malta and their families can join. Those who are not EU or EEA members will have to apply for work permits and have to apply for that through the Department of Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs. A single permit application should be submitted and has to be approved by the employer. A copy of your passport, a recent photograph, diplomas, references and your CV must be sent over. A senior manager will then apply for your employment license served months before you plan to start. Once you have the permit, contact a Maltese mission and ask what steps you have to take to get your visa sorted. The permit must be renewed every year, for up to three years. 2 - Healthcare Malta’s healthcare system is almost universal with around 65% of health expenditure financed by taxes. The remaining 35% is paid by patients or voluntary healthcare. Non EU Nationals will need to get health insurance coverage before applying for residency. 3 - The Outdoors There are many things outdoors to keep yourself occupied when living in Malta. Due to its great scenery and amazing weather, there is something for everyone to get involved with. Water sports and activities are very popular within the country. Sailing and diving are probably the most popular. The Marsa Sports Club is a great place to go if you are into golf, tennis or cricket. Also, a swimming pool will never be far away from where you are. 4 - Language Malta has two official languages which are English and Maltese. Roughly 98% of people speak Maltese and around 90 speak English. However, due to its close proximity to Italy, Italian is also spoken on the island but isn’t recognised as an official language. 5 - Climate Malta’s temperatures are controlled by the Mediterranean Sea which makes the country’s climate ideal for all-year round outdoor activities. It is a popular tourist destination due to the sunshine. In January, it can get as low as 9°C and July can get up to 31°C. It doesn’t rain very much but when it does, it’s usually in winter. Ever fancied Malta as a place you want to work in? Register with Odyssey today and you can check out what jobs are available.

Singapore to Ban Sugary Drinks Advertisements

Singapore is to become the first country in the world to ban advertisements of fizzy drinks and juices with a high sugar content. The country has one of the highest rates of diabetes per capita, according to a Reuters report. Not only will they ban advertisements for sugary drinks but they will get beverage makers to put a large warning on the labels about the effects of sugar consumption. The labelling and advert ban will be included on soft drinks, juices, three-in-one drink sachets, flavoured milk and yoghurt drinks. They will introduce a colour-coded system on the labels to show a grade to indicate if the drink is healthy, neutral or unhealthy. More than 30 countries have introduced this technique. For example, in Chile the sales of drinks that have unhealthy indicator labels on them have dropped 25% over the last year and a half. The new ban is a desperate attempt to manage the country’s diabetes epidemic. Last year, a report showed that the average Singaporean consumes around 12 teaspoons of sugar a day. The advert ban will be applied to many of the media platforms including print, radio, television and websites. The ban is said to be up and running in 2020. Ever thought of a move abroad to work in your dream job? Register with Odyssey today and your dream job could be closer than you think.

Child Obesity Rates on the Rise

Thirty-nine percent of children in New Zealand have been classed as overweight, according to a 2019 Unicef report. Highlighted in The State of the World's Children 2019 report, New Zealand has the second worst child obesity rate amongst OECD countries. The percentage of childhood obesity rates went up by 45% from 1990 to 2016 throughout the nation. The United States of America was top with 42% of children between the age of 5 to 19 years old classified as obese. The report also states that children who suffer from obesity are usually from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Despite there being a growing awareness of the dangers of obesity, there has not been enough response to address the issue. However, countries across Europe like France, Hungary, Finland and Belgium along with Chile and Mexico in the Americas, have begun to produce policies to address the issue of obesity. They have introduced things like taxes and labels on packaging with warnings that are easy to understand. These policies are recommended and guided by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Suggestions have been made in New Zealand by their Unicef Executive Director Vivien Maidaborn on how to tackle the problem of childhood obesity in the country. She has suggested the introduction of sugar tax and incentivising healthy foods. Fancy working in your dream job abroad? Register with Odyssey today and check out our latest job available.

What You Need to Know Before Moving to Oman

Planning to move and work abroad can be a tricky business. There are many things that you need to sort out before arriving at your dream destination. But, no need to worry as we have put together some helpful information you need to know before you make your move to another country and start your new career overseas. Article 7 - What You Need to Know Before Moving to Oman 1 - Visa and Medical License Visa To get permission to work in Oman, you must go through the visa sponsorship system. To qualify for this you must be a foreign national between the ages of 21-60 and have a job offer from a company in Oman. Your future employer then becomes your visa sponsor. Your employer will then need to request a labour clearance from the Ministry of Manpower. The HR department will let you know which documents they require for this part of the application process. In addition to the labour clearance, you will also require other paperwork for the employment visa application: A valid passport Several passport sized photographs Health certificate from an approved foreign clinic and attested by the Ministry of Health The National ID Card Once you have arrived in Oman, expats are required to have a national ID card. You have to apply for this in person at the Directorate General of Civil States of the Royal Omani Police. You will need your passport, a medical certificate, a completed application form, work permit, labour clearance and a letter from your employer. Medical Licensing The Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB) oversee the certification. Qualified foreign healthcare professionals must undergo the Prometric exam and get documents verified from DataFlow. 2 - Education Expat children could face a big culture shock when it comes to going to study and learn in Omani schools. There may be a language barrier for children who don’t speak the native language of Arabic. Luckily for expats, there are many private international schools in Oman and especially in Muscat. A few of these schools offer support for non-native speakers. However, these schools have very high tuition fees so make sure they are within your budget. 3 - Healthcare All Omani citizens have access to universal healthcare. The same cannot be said for expats. Foreign residents only benefit from Oman’s public healthcare system in the form of subsidised rather than free care. All emergency rooms in public hospitals admit medical emergencies regardless of someone’s nationality. Any non-urgent treatment has to be paid for immediately and by cash as well. Having a private health insurance plan is absolutely essential for expats. 4 - Climate When moving to Oman, you should prepare yourself for an extreme climate. On the coastal plain, the temperatures can range from 22 to 25ºC in winter and reach 40°C in the summer months between June and September. The heat is a lot more humid along the coast than it is dry. Temperatures van drastically differ between night and day due to the desert climate. It gets worse the further inland you go. Whilst most of Oman has a desert climate, the south of the country is very tropical and is influenced by the monsoon. Due to the heavy downpours, the south is very green and beautiful which attracts a lot of tourists. 5 - Accommodation Employers in Oman often provide their expat employees with accommodation or they include a housing allowance as part of their employment package. However, if you do not get help from your employer then there are many online property portals to choose from. You can also go to a local real estate agent for a better understanding of the Oman property market. Planning on moving to Oman or fancy working somewhere else overseas? Register with Odyssey today and we could help you on your way.

Licenses to Sell Vaping Products to be Introduced

The Canadian city of Toronto is now considering the introduction of mandatory licenses for retailers to sell vaping products. After last month’s Health Canada warnings over vaping products and e-cigarettes, Toronto is one of the cities in the country trying to tackle the issue and the growing popularity of them. Last month there were growing concerns that using vaping products caused serious lung disease due to deaths and illness in the USA. Now, city officials are one step closer towards licensing retailers who sell vaping and e-cigarette products. On Monday, the general government and licensing committee signed off new recommendations for businesses to buy a license from the city. The council needs to give a final stamp of approval later this month. There has been an increase in the number of vaping product retailers across Toronto. There are more than 1,400 recognised retailers, 78 of them are speciality stores. Carleton Grant, Executive Director of the city’s Municipal Licensing and Standards Department has proposed that the city should adopt the same fee structure for retailers selling vape products as what’s already in place for those selling tobacco. Recently, there has been a lot of cases of severe lung disease tied to vaping and this has been identified by medical professionals. There are now over 1000 cases in North America. This includes the 18 deaths within the USA. Ever wondered what it would be like to work abroad in your dream job? Register with Odyssey today and you could be working in your dream job in no time.

New Medical Teaching Facility in the UAE

The UAE’s largest medical teaching facility has opened up in the emirate of Ajman and will benefit residents as well as students. On Monday 8th October, the largest teaching facility was inaugurated at Thumbay Medicity in Ajman. The university hospital has 350 beds in it. The Thumbay University hospital, which is connected to the Gulf Medical University (GMU), will take patients from the region and be treated by the students studying at the GMU. The hospital is offering free outpatient consultations for the next two week as a kind gesture to the community. GMU has six colleges which offer 26 different medical programmes. All of the programmes offered are recognised by the Commission of Academic Accreditation, the highest accrediting body in the UAE. The hospital currently has 350 beds, just over 100 consultation clinics and 100 beds specially for long term care and rehabilitation. Furthermore, there are 40 beds for intensive care and a 10 bed dialysis unit. They also revealed new technology along with the hospital. The first robotics pharmacy will be the biggest robotics pharmacy in the country which will see automated robotic technology prepare and dispense medicine. Fancy working abroad in your dream job? Register with Odyssey today and that move could be a lot closer than you think.

What You Need to Know Before Moving to the UAE

Planning to move and work abroad can be a tricky business. There are many things that you need to sort out before arriving at your dream destination. But, no need to worry as we have put together some helpful information you need to know before you make your move to another country and start your new career overseas. Article 6 - What You Need to Know Before Moving to the UAE 1 - Visa & Medical Registration If you want to work in the UAE then you will require a residency visa, which will then allow you to obtain a work permit. If you plan on taking your spouse or any dependants with you then you will require a family residence visa. A residence visa allows you to stay in the UAE for up to three years. Before you apply for a medical license you must know that all the Emirates require a separate license to practice medicine: For Dubai, you need to obtain a license from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). For Abu Dhabi, you need to obtain a license from the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD). For all other Emirates, you will need a seperate license obtained by the Ministry of Health (MOH). The application process for a medical license can be difficult if you are not familiar with the process. It is recommended that you apply with a specialist agent. The procedure involves payments of fees, training courses, exams and ministry approvals. 2 - Housing & Accommodation Housing in the UAE is easy to find, but it is very expensive. High salaries are what attracts expats to the UAE but most of it is spent on housing. However, you get what you pay for and you will be living in luxury. It is easy to rent a house or an apartment but you can expect to spend nearly half of you salary on rent every month. 3 - Healthcare In 2018, the healthcare system in the UAE was ranked one of the top 10 most efficient healthcare systems in the world. So it will come as no surprise to expats that the healthcare is of high quality. For UAE nationals, public hospitals are low cost or even free. For expats, they must pay a fee and have a health card to access public hospitals and clinics. Many expats prefer to have private healthcare, where English is commonly spoken and most of the medical staff are foreign. 4 - Education If you are relocating and planning on taking your children with you then it’s good to look at what the UAE offers in terms of public and private schools. Expat children can attend both private and public schools but must pay fees for both as schools are only free for UAE nationals. State schools still separate male and female students and even have different school hours for both genders. However, last year, they allowed mixed classes in kindergarten and grade 1. Around 40% of children in the UAE attend private schools. Some of these private schools offer foreign language education which is geared towards expat communities. 5 - Tax As the UAE is made up of 7 different Emirates, each state has its own specific government. This means that there is no federal tax that is imposed on residents or expats. Each Emirate has its own income tax scheme. 6 - Climate The UAE has a desert climate which means they have mild winters and extremely hot summers, with humidity coming from the Persian Gulf. It hardly ever rains, with the average annual precipitation under four inches. Usually, during spring time, the UAE can be really affected by strong winds which bring in dust and create sand storms. Fancy a move to the UAE and work in your dream job? Well, register with Odyssey today and that move could be a lot closer than you think.

Measles Outbreak Continues to Spread

The measles outbreak continues in New Zealand as two unborn babies died after their mothers contracted the disease. Five pregnant women have been hospitalised and two unborn babies died after complications due to a measles outbreak that is sweeping the nation. The mothers were both from Auckland and had caught the measles which led to fetal losses. Pregnant women are more likely to catch measles more than anyone. If they are not vaccinated against the disease then it can lead to complications with the birth and are at a higher risk of having a miscarriage. Measles is preventable and is 97% effective if a person has been vaccinated with two doses. New Zealand had completely eliminated the disease back in 2017. However, it is back bigger as this is the worst outbreak the country has seen in 20 years. The majority of cases are concentrated in the Auckland region. Of the 1,600 cases nationwide, over 1,300 were in Auckland. Many young children are at risk of catching the viral illness as well. Babies under six months are extremely vulnerable as they are too young to be vaccinated. The Government has set up a national response centre to help try and combat the outbreak. They have also set up new outreach centres that offer free vaccinations. Vaccinations are not mandatory in New Zealand unlike in places like France and Italy. As the outbreak spreads, there have been calls for legislation to be put in place. However, health officials are hopeful that the outbreak has peaked and that cases may be dropping soon. Have you ever fancied moving abroad to work in your dream job? Register with Odyssey today and a move could be a lot closer than you think.

Funding Given to Smokers Wanting to Quit

The Spanish Government have revealed that they are going to fund treatment for smokers trying to give up the habit for good. Maria Luisa Carcedo, the acting Minister for Health, announced that her department will put funding into the best medication and pharmaceuticals to help people quit smoking. The medication in question is that of Varenicline (trade names of Chantix and Champix) which is a prescription medication for the treatment of nicotine addiction. It is estimated that the drug helps one in every 11 smokers remain abstinent from tobacco within six months. However, the drug does have some side effects which include mild nausea to around 30% of people who take it. Spain has one of the strictest anti-smoking laws in Europe, which was introduced in 2011. The law states that smoking in bars and restaurants is banned. Smokers are also prohibited on television broadcasts, near hospitals or in school playgrounds. In 2018, it was revealed that 22% of the Spanish population were smokers. This is the country’s lowest proportion in 30 years. However, more than 57,000 people die from tobacco related diseases in the country each year and the Spanish Government have seen the opportunity to try and tackle that. There is some controversy around the drug being effectively free to patients. Doctors have been campaigning for this to happen for a while but others say that the medication is around the same price as a pack of cigarettes and patients should buy it for themselves. The Minister believes that this plan could benefit around 70,000 tobacco addicts in Spain in under a year. Have you ever fancied working abroad in your dream job? Register with Odyssey today and a move overseas could be just around the corner.

What You Need to Know Before Moving to Spain

Planning to move and work abroad can be a tricky business. There are many things that you need to sort out before arriving at your dream destination. But, no need to worry as we have put together some helpful information you need to know before you make your move to another country and start your new career overseas. We have recently started to work with a client in Spain who is offering medical jobs in the south of the country. Article 5 - What You Need to Know Before Moving to Spain 1 - Visa If you plan to live, study or work in Spain, you will need to apply for a visa (residents outside the EU) from the Spanish Embassy before you travel. Once in Spain, you have just three months to apply for your corresponding permit from the Spanish Ministry of Interior. After you have lived in the country for five years, you can then apply for the right to permanent residence. After 10 years you can apply for Spanish citizenship which will grant you the same rights as Spanish citizens, for example, the right to vote. For physicians applying for a job in Spain, read our recent article on working in Spain. 2 - Buying or Renting Accommodation There are no restrictions on foreigners buying property in Spain.You will require a financial number which you can get by visiting a police station with your passport. This is usually done on the day for Spanish and EU citizens but it may take up to a few weeks for others. Rental opportunities can be limited in parts of the country due to the amount of short-term accommodation rental to holidaymakers. However, renting a property in Spain is a good way to get to know the country and renting for a few years before buying is a better way to go about the property market. 3 - Healthcare System The Spanish healthcare system is ranked as one of the best in the world. If you are living and working in Spain then you will likely have access to free public healthcare. This is paid partly by social security payments which will be taken off your wage. To be able to use the healthcare system, you will need a social security card at the Social Security Treasury Office. Expats should note that a social security number can only be obtained if they have registered on Empadronamiento, the municipal register. Some expats prefer private healthcare so they have access to more options for treatment and physicians. It also avoids the queues of the public healthcare system. There are many private healthcare clinics across the country, which makes them very accessible. 4 - Education The Spanish Education system is mostly state-funded. Primary school education consists of six grades and after that, students move on to secondary education for a mandatory four years. At the age of 16, they can leave school and choose whether to go into further education. There are also some private and international schools and many of them hold classes in English. Some of the private schools are partially state funded and can offer subsidised fees to their students. 5 - Culture The Spanish culture is based on a variety of historical influences based on pre-roman, celtic and Iberian cultures. The Spaniards have a colourful culture, to say the least. Fiestas are huge in Spain. Anywhere you go between Easter and autumn, there will be celebrations. Even in the smallest villages. Some of the traditions include the bull run in Pamplona, tomato fight in Bunol and the San Juan festival in Andalucía. Spain also has some fantastic cultural attractions from art galleries and museums to bull fights and palaces. 6 - Climate Spain has three different climate zones due to the size of the country. In the north, you can expect a lot of rainfall and not see the sun very often. The summers here are cool and rainy. On the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, you can expect the exact opposite from the north. The sun is out a lot more and the rain is less frequent. The rest of Spain is occupied by a plateau called Meseta and is where the capital city of Madrid lies. Here, summer days are hot but a lot cooler at night. It can get quite cold during winter with temperatures dropping to just above freezing. Fancy moving abroad to further your career? Register with Odyssey today and your dream job could be a lot closer than you think.

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