Homepage

New quaternary hospital set to open in Abu Dhabi in 2021

Abu Dhabi is set to get a new quaternary hospital in 2021 which will provide advanced cancer care and transplants. The Burjeel Medical City will be able to offer patients in the UAE advanced oncological care and bone marrow transplants. The hospital will be located in Mohammed Bin Zayed City and it will be made up of four buildings and another for admin. It has been confirmed that the hospital will open in the summer next year. It will stand out from other hospitals due to its advanced cancer care and offer transplants. The advanced cancer care will include palliative services, immunotherapy and stem cell treatments. Advanced machines for radiotherapy have also been sourced that will include the latest linear accelerators that reduce the duration of radiotherapy to just five days. A special couch will also be part of advanced cancer treatment - this will allow the patient to be precisely positioned and radiotherapy will be targeted. This will include treatment for brain tumours, head and neck tumours, prostate tumours, and abdominal tumours. The hospital will also operate as a transplant facility. Connected operating rooms have been built especially so that doctors can operate on the organ donor and recipient close to one another. If you are looking for a new job in the medical sector then register with Odyssey Recruitment and we could help you find the perfect job.

Health Canada bring in new measures to stop drug shortages

Health Canada announced plans and brought in new measures which will prevent drug shortages throughout the nation. The Canadian Government wants to ensure that the people of Canada have access to the medications they need and when they need them. Drug shortages have now become a big global challenge due to the coronavirus pandemic and there has been an increase in demand for certain drugs. Canada represents just two percent of global drug sales and sources 68 percent of its drugs internationally. In 2017, drug manufacturers had to report drug shortages publicly. The new measures that have come in will protect Canada’s drug supply from bulk importations that could worsen the drug shortage. It came into place on November 27 - certain drugs are now only intended for the Canadian market and are prohibited from being distributed internationally. Companies within the country will now also be required to give information to assess any existing or potential shortages, and within 24 hours if there is a serious health risk. The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health, said: “Our healthcare system is a symbol of our national identity and we are committed to defending it. “The actions we are taking today will help protect Canadians’ access to the medication they rely on.” If you are looking for a new job in the medical sector then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job!

Working in the Australian Outback

On our website we have jobs that are available in rural Australia, if you are thinking about moving down under to work in these rural areas in the outback but need some more information then you have come to the right place. In this article, we will be looking at what it is like for a doctor to work in the Outback, opportunities for medical professionals and the lifestyle people typically lead in the rural areas of Australia. The Australian Outback takes up a huge part of Australia - it is considered to be the places that are outside the urban areas. It is probably not what you think living in the Outback as it is not all just desert. There are small towns scattered around the coast that are considered to be in the outback which are in need of medical staff. Opportunities There are more than plenty of opportunities for medical professionals to find a job in the rural areas of Australia. Doctors are actually encouraged to go and work in rural parts of the country as there is a shortage. This led to the Australian government creating a programme called the ‘More Doctors for Rural Australia Program’ - this is a placement scheme where doctors get support and training towards joining a college Fellowship program to become vocationally recognised. This helps student doctors and also rural hospitals as it tallies up more staff. What it’s like working in the Outback A lot of people may have the idea in their head that living and working in the Outback involves small deserted towns with tiny populations surrounded by cows and kangaroos - but living in rural areas in Australia are quite the opposite. Rural cities have large populations, modern shopping centres, airports, sports venues and music festivals. These make great places to work and live - not to mention very affordable. When working in a smaller rural hospital many medical professionals (especially GPs) may need to develop a wider range of skills and work with patients outside your skill set which will give you many more opportunities compared to working in an urban hospital. Lifestyle When living in rural Australia you can experience nature in first person - you can always experience the best of Australian nature in the rural parts. The best places to live and experience nature at its finest would be in Bunbury, Busselton and Cairns. You can have the best of both worlds when living in rural areas in Australia - the few cities in these areas like MacKay has a population of 125,000 and offers a good selection of restaurants, boutiques and a water park. A city like this is also close to rainforests, small islands and the Great Barrier Reef. It is overall a better quality of life - everything is very affordable which means that your salary will go further than it would in an urban city. You can buy a big house and enjoy the finer things in life whilst spending more time with your family. If you are thinking about moving to rural Australia for a new life then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help make the move possible.

Air passengers will need to have the Covid-19 vaccine to travel on Qantas

Australia’s national airline has revealed that all international air travellers will need to provide evidence that they have received a Covid-19 vaccine before travelling on their services. Qantas made the announcement earlier this month, with CEO Alan Joyce labelling it “a necessity” and calling on other airlines to follow suit. Speaking to Australia’s Nine News Network this week, Joyce said that he believes more airlines will adopt the plans over the coming weeks and months - as the quest to vaccinate the population against the virus steps up. The Irishman said: “We are looking at changing the terms and conditions to say for international travelers that we will ask people to have the vaccination before they get on the aircraft. “I think that's going to be a common thing, talking to my colleagues in other airlines around the globe. “It will require a lot of work and present plenty of logistical challenges, but certainly for international visitors coming out and people leaving Australia, we think that it’s a necessity. “What we are looking at is how you can have a vaccination passport, an electronic version of it, that certifies what the vaccine is, is it acceptable to the country you are traveling to.” It comes at a promising time for researchers working on a vaccine for the virus, after trials of the AstraZeneca/Oxford University solution showed up to 90 percent efficacy when two doses were administered. The vaccine is also some £17 a dose cheaper than others developed so far, and is fridge stable to make it easily transported to hotter and more remote locations. Professor Sarah Gilbert, leading the research, said: “The announcement this week takes us another step closer to the time when we can use vaccines to bring an end to the devastation caused by Covid-19. “We will continue to work to provide the detailed information to regulators. It has been a privilege to be part of this multinational effort, which will reap benefits for the whole world." The English based pharmaceutical giant says the vaccine was 70 percent effective overall, but there were differences between two dosing regimens. One was 90 percent effective and the other 62 percent. In a statement AstraZeneca said: “More data will continue to accumulate, and additional analysis will be conducted, refining the efficacy reading and establishing the duration of protection.” If you are thinking about moving abroad for a job in the medical sector then, register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job!

70 percent of Saudi Arabia's population to receive Covid vaccine for free

Around 70 percent of Saudi Arabia’s population will receive a Covid-19 vaccine free-of-charge it has been revealed. The Kingdom’s Ministry of Health outlined their hopes, and said that they are aiming to meet their target for the number of inoculations carried out by the end of 2021 - which would see more than 23m people vaccinated. Under the plans however under-16s will not receive a jab - unless they have underlying health conditions or further research proves that there is a need. Currently the virus is known to have far more of a deadly impact on older people and those with underlying conditions, notable diabetes and respiratory issues. Telling the media that a schedule for vaccinations would be outlined in the coming weeks, Abdullah Asiri, the Ministry of Health undersecretary for preventable health said: “The Kingdom worked on two paths to obtain the vaccine, through the COVAX organization, which the G20 had a role in creating and financing. “Saudi Arabia will obtain a large amount of vaccines through this facility, while the second track is direct contracting with the big companies to cover the gap that cannot be covered through COVAX. “Therefore, what will be released this year is not expected to be in the large quantities that would affect the pandemic’s trajectory, which isn’t expected before mid-2021.” The Ministry’s official spokesman, Muhammad Al-Abd Al-Aly, added that they would only provide a vaccine that was shown to be effective with no side-effects. Latest statistics have shown that more than 335,000 people in the Kingdom have now tested positive for Covid-19 during the pandemic, with 765 patients currently in ICUs. The majority of new cases reported in recent days have been in and around the Riyadh district. Are you looking for a new job? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find one that suits you.

The Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC)

If you are a physician and you are looking to go work abroad then you have to make sure that you have got all the correct documents and paperwork so your move goes as quickly and as smoothly as possible. Primary source verification is extremely important for organisations as they want to make sure that everything about you and your move is genuine. Many countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Singapore, the UK and Ireland all use a primary source verification through the EPIC portfolio. If you are thinking about emigrating to any of these countries to work as a physician then you need to make sure you have completed the EPIC portfolio. If you haven’t heard of it then no problem, we are here to take you through all the information you need! What is EPIC? The Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials does primary source verification of medical credentials to physicians and organisations around the world. It verifies the authenticity of credentials relating to medical education, training, and registration/licensure. Physicians can also build up a digital portfolio of credentials related to their education, training and registration - this portfolio can grow as your career grows. What is primary source verification? Primary source verification or source verification is the process of confirming authenticity directly with the source. This means that they need confirmation directly from the institution that issued the credential that it is authentic. It is the best protection against fraudulent credentials. How does it work? First of all, when you begin to create an account with EPIC, you will need to send a request to make an account - this includes biographic information, details of your medical education and licensure history, a recent photo and a scanned photo of your passport. Your photo and passport will appear on the EPIC Identification Form (EIF) which you need to get certified by an acceptable official and emailed to the Educational Commission for Foregin Medical Graduates (ECFMG). You will need a valid EIF to use EPIC services. Once you have a valid EIF on file then you can start uploading electronic copies of medical documents and credentials in PDF, JPG or TIF format. More information and the full list of credentials that can be uploaded to EPIC can be seen on their website. If these are not in English then you must translate them into English which has to be up to ECFMG standard. How much does it cost? Physicians will pay for services such as building an electronic portfolio of their credentials and demonstrate the authenticity of their credentials by requesting verification reports for medical regulatory authorities (MRAs), medical education and training programs, hospitals, and other entities. You will have to pay for these services when you request them. A full list of payment breakdown can be seen here. What are the benefits? Build a portfolio of your credentials As soon as you establish an account with EPIC then you can get your credentials checked at any point in your medical career - even when you are a student. Once you receive any medical credential then you can upload them to EPIC straight away and get them verified. This way you can have them verified and available whenever you need them. World class verification The ECFMG has been doing primary source verification for over 30 years and has developed a rigorous, multi-step verification process. Online services As everything on EPIC is all web-based, your credentials are just as mobile as you are and you can access them wherever you are in the world. It allows you to store all your verified credentials in one secure location. If you want to find out more information about EPIC then visit their website. Are you looking for a new job in the medical sector? Then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find your dream job!

Survey shows more people in Australia are seeing multiple medical professionals

The amount of people in Australia who were seeing multiple health professionals for the same condition increased in 2019/20, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The results of a survey of patient experiences were released today (Monday, November 16) by ABS and it revealed that the proportion of people throughout the country seeing three or more health professionals for the same condition had increased over the past year. ABS health statistics spokesperson, Robert Long, confirmed that 16.6 percent of people saw three or more health professionals for the same condition over the past year compared to 15.1 percent in 2018/19 - a 1.5 percent increase. He stated: “Of these people, around seven in ten people (71.9 percent) reported that at least one health professional helped coordinate their care, and only 14.3 percent reported issues caused by a lack of communication between health professionals.” The survey also showed that GPs are the most frequently seen medical professionals by patients. “More than eight in ten people (83.2 percent) saw a GP at least once, similar to last year (82.8 percent). “As you would expect, older people (85 years and over) were more likely to see a GP (98.3 percent) than those aged 15 to 24 years (70.9 percent).” The survey also showed that people with long-term health conditions were more likely to see a GP than those without a long-term condition. Results also stated that there was a two percent increase with Australians delaying or not seeing a dental professional when needed compared to last year. Mr Long said: “This could be related to restrictions imposed in response to COVID-19, with dental services affected during the pandemic. “Although the survey did not explicitly ask about the impacts of COVID-19, it is possible that the impact of COVID-19 restrictions contributed to an increase in people reporting ‘Other’ as the main reason they did not see a dental professional when needed (11.0 percent compared to 8.2 percent in 2018-19).” If you are looking for a new medical job then register with Odyssey Recruitment and we could help you find the perfect job.

New Covid-19 vaccine is nearly 95% effective

The American company Moderna has produced a new vaccine in the fight against Covid-19 and it is nearly 95% effective. This comes shortly after the news of the Pfizer vaccine which is around 90% effective on patients who have the coronavirus. The United States could now have two vaccines authorised for emergency use as soon as December this year. Almost 60 million doses of vaccine could be made available by the end of the year if both vaccines get safety data and regulatory review. So, what do we know about the new vaccine Moderna has produced? 30,000 people took part in the trial - half of those were given two doses of the vaccine that were four weeks apart. The other half in the trial had ‘dummy’ injections. The data was based on the first 95 people to develop Covid-19 symptoms. Only five of the coronavirus cases were in people given the vaccine and 90 were in those given the ‘dummy treatment’. This is where the company had produced a number of 94.5% effectiveness. Data also showed that there were 11 cases of severe Covid - but none of these were people who were immunised. Some patients who had received the vaccine were reporting back symptoms of short lived fatigue, headache and pain. Although this is great news in the fight against the coronavirus, we must remember that both trials are still taking place and the final numbers could change in the near future. If you are looking for a new job in the medical sector then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job!

Cystic Fibrosis drug to be approved by Health Canada

A cystic fibrosis (CF) drug Trikafta has taken one step closer to being approved by Health Canada which has been branded a ‘miracle drug’. The drug is set to change the lives of thousands of Canadians living with the disease. Trikafta was founded by Dalhousie University and studies had shown that it had the potential to treat 90 percent of patients living with the respiratory condition. It is estimated that 4,000 Canadians are currently living with CF. A study released back in August revealed that the health of Canadians living with CF would be impacted by 2030 if they started taking the drug in 2021. Results had shown an 18 percent increase in people living with mild lung disease, but 60 percent fewer people living with severe lung disease. So there is a lot of optimism around Trikafta - it is a combination of three drugs which was created by the American pharmaceutical company Vertex. The drug is already available in the US and the UK but it was not put forward to Health Canada for approval back in July and blame has been put on the government’s new regulations. However, that had changed this week and Vertex decided to move forward with the drug in Canada. It is not yet on Health Canada’s list of Submissions Under Review (SUR) but once a drug submission is filed with Health Canada it will be on the list. Vertex Pharma haven’t provided a submission just yet but once they do - the drug still needs to be approved by Health Canada Are you thinking about a new job? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job.

Saudi Arabia will be one of the first countries to get covid-19 vaccine

Saudi Arabia will be one of the first countries to receive a covid-19 vaccine as an agreement has been signed. An agreement was signed which will see Saudi Arabia receive early supplies of two or three different vaccines that have reached the final stages of their clinical trials. Abdullah Al-Assiri, assistant deputy minister for preventive health, had confirmed this during a television interview on Wednesday night. He stated: “We will be among the first G20 countries or at the world level to obtain good quantities of a safe and effective vaccine.” It is expected that at least three vaccines will be approved by the end of 2020 and Dr Assiri made aware that it may take several months to be distributed to people. He added: “Maybe we cannot say that the vaccine has started making an actual impact on the trajectory of the pandemic until after mid-2021.” Coronavirus cases throughout the Kingdom are currently at a steady pace - around 300-400 people a day are being confirmed as positive. However, daily recovery statistics are on the rise. In total, Saudi Arabia has had over 352,000 cases of covid-19 and over 5,500 fatalities (as of November 12). Are you thinking about moving overseas for a new job in the medical sector? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job!

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

If English is not your first language and you are looking to emigrate to a country where English is the working language then you need to take an IELTS test which is an English test used for study, migration and work. It is used in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland and many other countries. Not heard of it before? No worries, we are here to take you through all the ins and outs and all the information you need if you are looking to take this test. What is it? The International English Language Testing System is an international test of English language proficiency for non-native English speakers. It is an accepted qualification by most Australian, British, Canadian, Irish, New Zealand and American academic institutions and many professional organisations. It is the only English language test approved by UK visas and immigration. It also meets requirements for immigration to Australia and New Zealand. In Canada it is one of three tests that are accepted by their immigration authority. Which module should I take? The structure of the IELTS consists of two different modules - Academic and General. If you are intending to go over and work in the country of your choice then the Academic module is the one for you as this module is meant for professionals like doctors who want to study or practise in an English speaking country. What does the test consist of? The test itself consists of four different parts - listening, reading, writing and speaking and the total time for the test is two hours and 45 minutes. Click here to check out the full format breakdown of the test. Where can I take the test? You can book a test online via the IELTS website where you can pick a test centre near you from more than 140 countries around the world in around 1,200 locations. Find out where your nearest test centre is. There are usually up to 48 test dates available every year and the Academic module is available on every date. How can I prepare? If you take a look on the IELTS website then you will be able to find some materials and also tutors to help you prepare for your exam. EnglishScore Tutors is a personal service which can offer you a 30 minute, one-to-one online lesson via video with British Council approved tutors. Tutors are available 24/7 including weekends so lesions can be planned around your busy schedule. If you are looking to prepare for the test then there are plenty of online materials to help you along the way. There are a whole load of different materials that are online and very easy to access including free practice tests, preparation courses, free webinars and computer-delivered preparation. Preparation materials can be seen here. What about the test results? Test takers will receive a for for each of the test’s components - listening, reading, writing and speaking. The scores are then averaged and produce an overall band score. There is no pass or fail as the test is scored on a nine-band scale. Each score corresponds to a specific level of competence in English. For professionals like doctors - institutions usually look for a mean score of 7.5 with a minimum score of 7 in each section. How long is it valid for? Usually, test results are valid for two years from the date that you took the test. If you are thinking about moving overseas to a different country for a new job then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job!

Israeli hospital to open in UAE

Hadassah University Medical Centre is currently in negotiations with leaders in Dubai about opening up a hub and relocating its top doctors to the United Arab Emirates. The hospital’s director-general Professor Zeev Rotstein was in the UAE as part of the first ever Abraham Accords Business Summit. This is where they spoke about business opportunities of bringing their health services to the UAE - including relocating top doctors, nurses and management to Dubai. Negotiations are only at the beginning stages and with the coronavirus pandemic expected to spike over the winter, Rotstein warned that he is not prepared to look too far into the future until he feels confident that their medical centre in Israel is stable. Rotstein has already been invited back to the UAE for a follow-up visit and is likely to travel back in the next month. These talks come after an agreement was introduced last month to normalise relations between Israel and the UAE. Israel estimated that trade with the UAE could total to $4 billion a year and create around 15,000 jobs. If you are looking for a new job then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job.

Oman to be first Gulf state to introduce income tax

Oman will become the first gulf state to introduce income tax on high earners in 2022 as the country tries to restore finances due to low oil prices. All six Gulf Cooperation Council states currently do not take income tax off any individual. However, Oman’s Sultan Haitham took power in January and has since approved a medium-term fiscal plan to make government finances sustainable as the coronavirus and low oil prices put a strain on the country’s finances. The finance minister had introduced the 2020-2024 economic plan last week and stated that income tax will be brought in on high earners in 2022. There is no current date for when it will be introduced but the plan had lined out that revenues from it would go towards social programmes. Monica Malik, chef economist at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank told Reuters: “An income tax on individuals would be a first in the Gulf. I think it will be a significant move and closely watched by other GCC countries.” The 2020-2024 medium term economic balance document stated: “This initiative is still under study, all aspects of its application are being considered. It is expected to apply this tax in 2022.” Governments throughout the gulf states have steered clear of introducing any sort of tax as it attracts labor and companies. Although, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain all have value-added tax due to the 2014 oil crash which made some of the states question their generous state-supported benefits. Tax experts have now said that other Gulf countries could follow Oman in introducing income tax. It is expected that Bahrain and Kuwait could be the next to follow and introduce income tax in 2023. Are you currently looking for a new job in the medical sector? Register with Odyssey Recruitment and we could help you find the perfect job.

Working as a Medical Professional in New Zealand

Here at Odyssey Recruitment, we help medical professionals around the world secure their dream job in their choice of location. We offer many different professions in a range of different countries overseas. In this series, we will take a look at what it is like to work as a medical professional in the countries our clients are based in to help you decide whether it suits you. Article 5 - A guide to working as a Medical Professional in New Zealand New Zealand is recognised as a country with one of the highest qualities of life in the world. People from all over the world make the decision to go to live and work in New Zealand and this makes it a relatively young and growing population. As for healthcare in the country, it has both a public and private healthcare system. The public system is larger and accounts for 83 percent of the total healthcare spend. Overseas-trained medical professionals make up 41 percent of the total healthcare workforce. There are plenty of opportunities for healthcare professionals as there is a wide range of work in every discipline or speciality. Opportunities There are many opportunities in New Zealand as hospitals and practices around the country are looking for doctors, midwives, surgeons and other occupations. The country has estimated that it needs around 380 extra specialists a year to meet the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) average by 2021. 25,000 nurses are expected to be needed by 2030. Make sure you check out the skills shortage lists to see if there is an opportunity in the country for you. If your speciality is on the list and you have the qualifications and experience then your work visa application process is more likely to be successful and you may even be able to apply for a resident visa. Salaries and benefits The salaries in New Zealand are attractive to doctors around the world as there is a low taxation and no National Insurance contribution. There are very good working conditions across the country which includes study and annual leave. There are also fewer working hours compared to other countries which allows a great work and life balance. GPs tend to earn between NZ$150,000 and NZ$180,000 which all depends on experience and also location. Rate of pay depends on the same conditions for consultant positions as well. Total packages range from NZ$200,000 to NZ$300,000. You may get the opportunity to join a superannuation scheme - where you would contribute up to the value of six percent of your gross earnings, paid into a New Zealand fund of your choice by your employer who will then match the contributions you make. These funds are accessible either when you retire or when you leave New Zealand. Medical registration You should register with the relevant medical body like the Medical Council of New Zealand for doctors or the Nursing Council of New Zealand for nurses. Depending on the type of registration you applied for, it could take between 20 days and four months to get sorted. As for the different types of visas you can apply for - a work visa is for a temporary stay in New Zealand but some can actually lead to residence. Resident visas like the Skilled Migrant Category lets you stay in the country for good. If you are thinking about a move to New Zealand to work then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could find the perfect job for you!

Referendums on euthanasia and cannabis take place in New Zealand

Two referendums have taken place in New Zealand where voters got to voice their opinion on legalising cannabis and euthanasia. The questions had appeared on the general election ballot papers but the results won’t be revealed until Friday (October 30). However, political experts have said that voters in New Zealand tend to keep things just as they are which could affect the outcome of both referendums. Polling has shown a strong support for the legalisation of euthanasia in the country with around 60-70 percent of voters in favour. It also has the backing of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and the opposition party leader Judith Collins. The End of Life Act 2019 would allow terminally ill people to apply to end their life. The act has passed through parliament already but it needs 50 percent of voters to tick “yes” on their ballot papers for the act to come into force. Criteria for people who want to end their lives have to be over the age of 18, suffering from a terminal illness that will terminate their life in the next six months, are New Zealand citizens, have an ongoing decline in their physical capability, endure unbearable suffering and can make the decision on their own. If the act got the go ahead then it would come into action in October 2021. Voters have also been asked to make a decision on whether they want to legalise cannabis and regulate how it is sold and used. The change would impose tighter restrictions than the sale rules on alcohol and tobacco. If you are looking for a new job then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect role.

Compensation for families of healthcare workers who died from Covid-19 in Saudi

The Saudi Arabian Government will pay compensation to the families who have lost loved ones who were health care workers to Covid-19. The amount will be paid out to the families of both Saudi nationals and expats whose family members provided care in the public and private sectors. The payouts will cover health care workers who died between March 2, when the country recorded its first Covid-19 case to the present. The Kingdom is one of the worst hit countries in the Gulf region however, the infection rate has slowed down dramatically since reporting a high of almost 5,000 on a single day in June. A statement from the Saudi cabinet stated: “An amount of 500,000 riyals ($133,000) will be disbursed to the families of the deceased due to the coronavirus pandemic, working in the government or private health sector, whether civilian or military, and whether Saudi or non-Saudi.” So far, Saudi Arabia has recorded a total of just over 346,000 coronavirus cases with over 5,300 deaths (as of October 29). Dr. Mohammed Al-Abdulaali, spokesman for the Health Ministry said on Sunday that the current daily average of cases doesn’t warrant another lockdown. The country ended its nationwide curfew in late June when cases were slowing. If you are looking for a new job then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect role.

Global Health Issues 2020: New Zealand

Health issues are always evolving which means countries and continents all around the world are having to face different challenges in tackling them. In 2020, the whole world has faced challenges with trying to tackle the novel coronavirus that has taken hold of nearly every country. Despite this being a massive issue, there are still many other health issues that still need to be tackled. In this article, we take a look at what health issues are present in New Zealand in 2020. This will highlight some of the problems the country has and give you an idea whether you think you could help with the health issues. Coronavirus As we all know by now, the novel coronavirus has taken control of the whole world and cost so many people their lives. The problem with this is that there is no known cure for the virus as we were made aware of its presence in December 2019. There is currently a race to find a vaccine to tackle the virus and make people immune. In New Zealand, it can be argued that the country has handled the pandemic the best throughout the whole world. So much so, that they were praised by the World Health Organisation for their efforts in trying to tackle the virus. At one point there wasn’t a single coronavirus case in the whole country in May through to June. So far, throughout the whole pandemic, there has been a total of over 1,900 cases and 25 deaths from covid-19 (as of October 26). Lung cancer Lung cancer is the biggest cause of cancer death in New Zealand. This is because it is often detected late when it has already spread to other parts of the body. 18.3 percent of cancer deaths are caused by lung cancer which is almost one-fifth and more than any other tumour type. Mortality rate from lung cancer is almost three times higher in Maori people than non-Maori and survival rate is poorer than that of several other countries. Stroke Having a stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Around 9,000 people have a stroke every year in New Zealand and over 50,000 people are living with the consequences. In comparison to other high-income countries, New Zealand’s stroke incidence was quite a bit higher with a rate of 119 per 100,000 in places like Auckland. Mortality rate was also higher compared to the likes of Australia. Mental health issues and suicide New Zealand still has an ongoing mental health crisis on their hands which has heightened due to the coronavirus pandemic. Annual statistics that were released in August 2019 showed in the past year that there were 685 suicides. This was the fourth year in a row that the stat had risen and the suicide rate stands at 13.9 per 100,000 people. Also, rates had risen dramatically for young people, Maori and Pacific Island people. Last year, the Labour Government highlighted mental health issues throughout the country as a huge problem and gave a record amount of support to mental health services. This came after the country was experiencing the worst mental health outcome and had the second highest rate of youth suicide worldwide. There is a shortage of medical professionals specialising in psychiatry which is not helping with the mental health crisis New Zealand is facing. If you think you could help with the health issues facing New Zealand in 2020 then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job.

Healthcare billing system to be introduced in Dubai

A new healthcare billing system is to be introduced in Dubai which will reduce costs and make healthcare more affordable. Dubai Health Authority has implemented the Diagnosis Related Group (DRG) billing method for both public and private hospitals. The system will benefit patients as well as the hospitals. This is an adopted model around the world in places like Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong. The Diagnosis Related Group is a vetted billing system which uses algorithms to fix base fees for medical procedures. It helps health insurance companies categorise costs. Instead of paying the hospital separately for a specific service provided, a private insurer will pay the hospital an amount sum based on the patient's DRG - which is based on patient diagnosis, prognosis and other factors. The new system will help control the rising cost of healthcare and provide patients with high quality care. DRG will also help monitor quality across hospitals and countries. This will help maintain high standards of medical practises, clinical pathways and protocols. Saleh Al Hashimi, CEO, Dubai Health Insurance Corporation, said: “The implementation of DRG will undoubtedly help both providers and payers and most importantly it will benefit patients as it will further drive up efficiencies in in-patient care. “It will help improve quality of care across the spectrum and it will encourage cost reduction, which will help build a robust and dynamic health sector.” Are you looking for a new job as a medical professional? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job.

Coronavirus challenge trials to get underway in the UK

The UK Government has signed a contract for the first human challenge studies for the coronavirus where healthy volunteers will be infected with the virus. The volunteers will be infected with Covid19 in a controlled setting and some of them will receive an experimental vaccine. The studies will take place in the Royal Free Hospital in London which contains a Biosafety Level three ward. Up to 19 volunteers will take part in the tests at a time. Tests will be run by hVIVO - a medical research company that specialises in challenge trials along with Imperial College London. Unlike a vaccine trial where volunteers are given an experimental vaccine, in a challenge trial, participants are dosed with the virus. People who are for challenge trials are considered far more efficient than vaccine trials and they require less volunteers. Researchers know for certain that everyone taking part will be infected which means they can deliver scientific information a lot quicker. Critics worry about the thought of infecting people with a virus there isn’t treatment for. They also say that young and healthy volunteers don’t represent the whole population. Alok Sharma, the UK’s Business Secretary said: "We are doing everything we can to fight coronavirus, including backing out best and brightest scientists and researchers in their hunt for a safe and effective vaccine." If you are looking for a new job in the medical sector then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job.

Working as a Medical Professional in Australia

Here at Odyssey Recruitment, we help medical professionals around the world secure their dream job in their choice of location. We offer many different professions in a range of different countries overseas. In this series, we will take a look at what it is like to work as a medical professional in the countries our clients are based in to help you decide whether it suits you. Article 4 - A guide to working as a Medical Professional in Australia Australia has always been a popular destination for expat doctors looking for a move overseas whether that be permanent or temporary. However, over the past year it has become a bit more difficult for foreign doctors to get a job down under. In 2019, the Australian Government planned to cut expat doctors entering Australia by 10 percent - which equals to around 200 people per year for the next four years. Overseas doctors will be directed to areas of “workforce need” which would mean rural and remote communities. Don’t let this put you off moving to Australia though as there are plenty of roles still available. The roles are mostly those of senior and specialised staff. Opportunities There are many job opportunities across Australia from remote areas to the big cities throughout the country. Biggest competition for roles are in Melbourne and Sydney - you may want to consider working in other areas like Adelaide or Perth which are attractive to expats as these cities are roughly 20 percent cheaper to live in compared to Sydney. The roles that are in high demand across Australia are psychiatrists, radiologists and specialists in obstetrics and gynaecology. Emergency doctors are also in need - but emergency medicine is different in Australia as more procedures and investigations are carried out by the emergency doctors. Salary and benefits Doctors in Australia usually work between 35 - 38 hours per week depending on specialism and seniority. Hours worked beyond will be considered as overtime and attract after hours pay which can count as double time. GPs can typically earn around AUD$240,000 and around AUD$380,000 in rural and remote areas with a combination of salary, allowance and bonuses. It can rise to about AUD$400,000 with after hours pay. Medical Registration Once you’ve got yourself a job offer - you have to register with the Australian Medical Council which approved GMC accredited medical schools. You also have to register with the Australian Health Practitioners Registration Authority and this manages the registration process for the Medical Board of Australia (equivalent to GMC). If you don’t have an Australian passport then you will need a visa to work in the country. Your Australian employer has paperwork to complete for the process - as do you. The process is complicated so it is advised to use a recruitment agency to guide you through the whole process. Are you thinking about working in Australia as a medical professional? Then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you on your way down under!

Roles in Saudi Arabia (Part 2)

In different countries around the world there are certain roles that are in more demand than others due to the variety of health issues surrounding different countries. Here at Odyssey Recruitment, we take a look at what roles are most in demand in the countries that our clients are based in. In this article, we will take a look at what medical roles are in demand in Saudi Arabia and why these roles are attractive to doctors all over the world. Healthcare in Saudi Arabia The healthcare system in Saudi Arabia provides free healthcare services through government agencies to residents of the Kingdom. The private sector is now also a growing department and there is an increased role for its participation in providing health services. Saudi Arabia has now been ranked in the top 26 countries in the world providing high quality healthcare. Public sector expats along with Saudi nationals are eligible for a comprehensive package of benefits which include public health, preventive, diagnostic, and curative services and pharmaceuticals. State of the art cardio-vascular procedures, organ transplants, and cancer treatments are covered. Employers usually cover the benefits package of private sector expats. Healthcare is one of the main focus points of the Vision 2030 where the aim is to steer the economy away from hydrocarbons and increase participation of the private sector throughout industries in the Kingdom. Both local and international investments are encouraged to put in places like the healthcare industry in the country. Doctors in Saudi Arabia There is still a shortage in the local medical workforce even though there has been an increase in education and training in Saudi Arabia. According to the Ministry of Health in 2016, there were 24,000 Saudi national doctors (including dentists) in the country. Expat doctors make up around 73 percent of the total workforce in the Kingdom (2016). However, there are now plans in place to ‘Saudise’ the healthcare system and Saudi authorities will not renew employment contracts of expatriate health employees who have passed 10 years of service in the Kingdom. The plan is to gradually replace expats with Saudi employees to help ‘Saudise’ the health sector in the Kingdom. Roles in Saudi Arabia 1 - General Surgeon General Surgeons are highly trained and highly skilled professionals. They are leaders of multidisciplinary teams, hospitals and healthcare systems as their care places emphasis on the whole patient. The kind of care they carry out ranges from general surgery, oncology, transplant and trauma. 2 - Anaesthetist A medical professional in anaesthesia will treat a patient before, during and after surgery. Anaesthesiologists are also experts in resuscitation, pain management and intensive care. In 2012, the total number of anaesthetists in Saudi Arabia was 300 - 145 of those were actually practicing and the rest were in local and international training programmes. 3 - Radiologist Radiology is a speciality of medicine where images of the body’s organs are interpreted in order to diagnose disease. Radiologists have specialised training so they can interpret the images and give reports to surgeons, pediatricians, obstetricians and internists to work as a team and provide the best healthcare possible. In 2016, the total number of radiologists that were working in Saudi Arabia was over 2,200 - 860 of those were working for the Ministry of Health, 904 in the private sector and 522 in other governmental industries. If you are thinking about moving to Saudi Arabia to work then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you along the way!

Healthcare workers positive about Covid-19 vaccine trials

UAE health workers who received a Covid-19 vaccine are very optimistic about results from the trial. Last month, it was reported that UAE healthcare workers would be getting a Covid-19 vaccine which was in its third phase of trials. Although they are still taking a lot of precautions like wearing facemasks and PPE - workers have confirmed that they feel a lot safer when dealing with patients since they have been given the Chinese produced vaccine. This has led to some hope amongst the professionals that this vaccine is effective against the virus that has caused a global pandemic. The vaccine was developed by Sinopharm and trials kicked off in July in order for the vaccine to be developed. Tests were then led by technology firm Group 42 under the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Department of Health’s supervision. Sinopharm has confirmed that the vaccine successfully created anti-bodies in all the volunteers who signed up for the trial in the first and second phase of testing in China. More than 31,000 UAE residents have volunteered for the trials within six weeks. In the middle of September, emergency use of the vaccine for frontline workers was approved. Since then, healthcare professionals, airport staff and senior executives have received the vaccine. If you are looking for a new job in the medical sector then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find your perfect job!

1 in 10 people worldwide have had Coronavirus, WHO says

The World Health Organisation has stated that 1 in 10 people worldwide have contracted the coronavirus but there are still many that are at risk. It has been confirmed that over 35 million people have been infected by Covid-19 throughout the world. However, WHO believes that the true figure of this is actually closer to 800 million people as most have not been tested or diagnosed. Dr. Mike Ryan, director of the WHO's Health Emergencies Programme, said at the meeting: "Our current best estimates tell us that about 10% of the global population may have been infected by this virus. “This varies depending on country, it varies from urban to rural, it varies between different groups. But what it does mean is that the vast majority of the world remains at risk.” Ten months on from the first known case of the coronavirus, there is still no signs of it ending anytime soon as many countries are currently going through a second wave of the virus. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus added: “Although all countries have been affected by this virus, we must remember that this is an uneven pandemic. Ten countries account for 70% of all reported cases and deaths and just three countries account for half.” There has been just over one million deaths worldwide with the US, Brazil and India accounting for half of the overall death toll. If you are looking for a job in the medical sector then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job.

Psychiatrist Roles in New Zealand

In different countries around the world there are certain roles that are in more demand than others due to the variety of health issues surrounding different countries. Here at Odyssey Recruitment, we take a look at what roles are most in demand in the countries that our clients are based in. In this article, we will take a look at psychiatry roles in New Zealand, why these roles are in high demand and why these jobs should be attractive to doctors. Healthcare in New Zealand The healthcare system in New Zealand is a hybrid and is a mixture between public and private. Residents and some work visa holders can benefit from a public health system that is free or low cost. New Zealand residents can choose to take out medical insurance for private healthcare which gives patients greater control of what doctor or specialist gives them treatment and when treatment takes place. Expats and non-residents are not entitled to the public healthcare system and are advised to have an international healthcare plan in place before they make the move overseas. Psychiatrists are in high demand New Zealand has a shortage of psychiatrists as the country currently tries to deal with the ongoing problem with mental health. Mental health services are overburdened but now with the coronavirus pandemic hitting the country, there is now definitely a strain on the services. Psychiatrists are on the skills shortage list due to the lack of professionals in the job. Not only does this mean that there are plenty of psychiatry jobs available, due to the job roles being on the skills shortage list it is easy to apply for a visa - assuming you have the right qualifications and experience. This takes away the usual stresses of applying for a visa to move overseas. Attraction to Psychiatry roles 1 - Opportunities The first thing that should attract medical professionals to psychiatry roles in New Zealand is the fact that there is little competition for a psychiatrist which makes them fairly easy to get. These roles can also lead to career development opportunities in leadership and service development 2 - Cost of living Living in New Zealand is an affordable option as it provides a good quality of life for a lower cost than many countries around the world. Auckland and Wellington provide a lower cost of living than cities around the world such as Hong Kong, New York and London. 3 - Safe working environments New Zealand is, on the whole, a very safe and secure country. Reports have ranked it as one of the safest worldwide to call home, whilst a stable political climate and economy can make a move a sensible long-term option. The country’s strict border controls and low level of crime creates safer communities, greater personal freedom and peace of mind for anyone living ‘down under’. 4 - CME Programmes This stands for the Continuing Medical Education and it consists of educational activities. These activities serve to maintain, develop and increase the knowledge, skills and professional performance that a physician uses to provide health services. If you are looking to start your journey to New Zealand then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and your dream could be a lot closer than you think.

Another hospital in the UAE gains JCI accreditation

The United Arab Emirates is a global leader in international accredited healthcare facilities as a hospital in Sharjah is now JCI accredited. The Khorfakken Hospital situated in Sharjah has received Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation. The hospital in the third most populous city in the UAE demonstrated its excellence in clinical quality, patient safety and competence of its medical and administrative staff throughout the facility. The assessment was conducted by an expert team who would visit the hospital to look at and assess the services being provided. They would assess whether they met the requirements and standards. As part of the hybrid assessment process - another assessment was conducted from the US using audio-visual devices. Talking about the accreditation of Khorfakkan Hospital, Dr Youssif Al Serkal, Director-General of the Emirates Health Services Corporation, said: “This accreditation strengthens the gains of the health sector, reinforces the competitiveness of the country’s health facilities, and reaffirms the international confidence in the health services in the UAE, which is committed to implementing requirements of clinical quality, hospital governance, and innovation in health information data.” In 2017, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) stated that all healthcare facilities in the UAE will have international accreditation from medical bodies from the US, Canada and Australia by 2021. This will mean that the UAE will build up a healthcare system that upholds the best practices in healthcare and increases the reputation of the country. Now that the Khorfakken Hospital has joined Al Qassimi Hospital in JCI accreditation in the emirate of Sharjah the region is moving closer to achieving their goal. If you are looking for a new job then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job.

Coronavirus vaccine could be ready by end of 2020, says WHO

A vaccine to help fight against the coronavirus might be ready by the end of 2020, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). WHO executives met earlier this week to discuss and examine the response globally to the worldwide outbreak. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was very positive about the potential for a vaccine by the end of the year saying: “there is hope”. He continued: “We will need vaccines and there is hope that by the end of this year we may have a vaccine.” Worldwide, there are currently nine experimental vaccines which are currently under the WHO-led Covax vaccine facility - it aims to distribute around 2 billion doses by the end of 2021. 168 countries have already joined the Covax programme however, China, the US and Russia are not part of it. China is currently in talks with WHO to get their locally produced vaccine assessed by the global health body which would be a step towards making it available for international use. Meanwhile, in Europe, the EU health regulator has now launched a real-time review of a vaccine developed by the US drugmaker Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech. This will hopefully speed up the process of approval with researchers submitting findings without waiting for things to conclude. Both companies have had final stage talks with Europe and hope to supply 300 million doses. AstraZeneca’s vaccine approval could also be sped up following an announcement last week. The company has already signed a deal to produce 400 million doses. If you are looking for a new job in the medical sector then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job.

Roles in Newfoundland, Canada

In different countries around the world there are certain roles that are in more demand than others due to the variety of health issues surrounding different countries. Here at Odyssey Recruitment, we take a look at what roles are most in demand in the countries that our clients are based in. In this article, we will take a look at what medical roles are in demand in Canada and why these roles are attractive to doctors all over the world. Healthcare in Canada Canada claims to have a universal healthcare system throughout the country. This means that if you are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident then you can apply for public health insurance and this means that you do not have to pay for most healthcare services. The universal healthcare system is paid through taxes. Whenever you use public services then you should show your health insurance card to the hospital or medical clinic. It is important to know that each province and territory has their own health insurance plan and covers different services. What is healthcare like in Newfoundland? Newfoundland is a very rural part of the country situated in the Atlantic region which is why medical jobs are in high demand in the area. One-fifth of the population live in rural communities but there are around eight percent of physicians practicing in the areas. The communities face on-going challenges in recruiting medical professionals in the rural areas. These populations generally tend to be older, less affluent and more sick. There are certain remote areas in the country where the government will incentivise doctors to work there. Some of these programmes will provide student loan relief and bursaries to doctors who are interested in working in rural areas across Canada. It is advised that doctors who are straight out of medical school should consider these programmes to increase their annual salary and get out of their debt after medical school. However, despite the lack of medical professionals, the hospitals are small but they are well equipped - they can be attractive places for doctors to work. Immigration and Fast Track The type of work permit visa you apply for will depend on the kind of work you do. However, there is a way for skilled workers to enter the country, and even methods for your families to come along with you under the family visa. Express Entry visas are part of the Canada Express Entry Program designed by the Government where people can apply from all over the world to apply for immigration based on their specific skills. Roles in Newfoundland 1 - Family Physician Family medicine is the main primary care medical speciality in Canada which focuses care on the individual within the context of family and community. Family physicians deliver a lot of different types of care across the medical board regardless who the patient is. The average salary of a family physician is $281,000 per year. Family physicians are currently in demand in Newfoundland as many people do not have a GP in rural areas. It is estimated that around 12 percent of citizens throughout Canada do not have a family physician. 2 - General Surgeon General Surgeons are highly trained and highly skilled professionals. They are leaders of multidisciplinary teams, hospitals and healthcare systems as their care places emphasis on the whole patient. The kind of care they carry out ranges from general surgery, oncology, transplant and trauma. Between the years of 2010-2015, the number of surgeons went up by 9.3 percent which coincided with a rise in the population. As the population grows, the demand for general surgeons rises. 3 - Anaethetists In Canada, medical professionals that specialise in anesthetic are branded as anaesthesiologists. Only trained physicians provide anesthetic services - so the Canadian Anaesthetists' Society adopted the term to separate physician providers from others. An anesthesia care team is a group of professionals who take care of a patient before and after surgery. The team consists of an anaesthesiologist (leader of the team), nurses and respiratory therapists. If you are thinking about moving to Canada for any of these job roles or any other area in the medical sector then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job.

New Covid-19 Testing Device Approved by Health Canada

A new Covid-19 test machine which provides quick and accurate test results in 90 minutes has been approved by Health Canada. The new portable device is called the Hyris bCUBE and it is distributed throughout Canada by the company Songbird Life Science Inc. - a company which is based in Ontario and researches into pathogens, ventilation, air quality and industry operations. The bCUBE was previously used for surface testing but has now been approved for human testing. It now means that Canadians and businesses can get tested for the coronavirus that is accurate, quicker and less-invasive wherever they are. It will particularly come in handy in very remote and vulnerable communities, businesses and industries where onsite testing is very important. The device itself is a portable DNA testing laboratory in a box. It offers Point of Care wherever people are at anytime of the day. It is controlled by any device with an internet connection - this includes smartphones. It then analyses test samples through a cloud-based platform which will give out accurate results. According to the World Health Organisation effective testing guidelines, the Hyris bCUBE is considered ‘gold standard’ as it has demonstrated a 95 percent accuracy rate in clinical trials. If you are thinking about applying for a medical job in Canada then register with Odyssey Recruitment as we have many vacancies in the country!

NMC Health in Administration and Fend Off Debt-Claim Enforcement

Hospital group NMC Health has been placed into administration in the United Arab Emirates which allows the firm to stay open and pay September salaries. After months of uncertainty surrounding the company, it has managed to ward off debt-claim enforcement. NMC Health is one of the biggest private healthcare providers in the UAE. It has been thrown legal challenges since it was reported that it was in $4bn-$5bn in undisclosed debt and there were also reports of evidence of fraud. On Sunday, at the courts of Abu Dhabi’s international financial centre, NMC applied for protection against enforcement of debt claims. This would help keep the business open during the coronavirus pandemic which is currently in its second wave in the UAE. This will allow NMC to secure $325 million to protect 36 businesses (NMC’s related businesses) from creditor action. These new appointments do not apply to any of NMC’s businesses outside of the UAE. NMC will still retain the operational control of the hospitals and clinics. The administrators Richard Fleming and Ben Cairns of Alvarez & Marsal will handle the financial restructuring. September staff salaries total to around $36 million and payments to vendors also need to continue. Entering administration would bring stability to the firm after months of trouble and would see an opportunity for a restructuring process. If you are looking for a new job in the medical sector then register with Odyssey Recruitment now and we could help you find the perfect job!

Medical Roles in Saudi Arabia

In different countries around the world there are certain roles that are in more demand than others due to the variety of health issues surrounding different countries. Here at Odyssey Recruitment, we take a look at what roles are most in demand in the countries that our clients are based in. In this article, we will take a look at what medical roles are in demand in Saudi Arabia and why these roles are attractive to doctors all over the world. Healthcare in Saudi Arabia Healthcare is one of the fastest growing sectors within the Middle East which is why mass amounts of money are being invested into big projects to help the sector grow and develop. Despite the sector still growing, the standards are very high with many hospitals being JCI accredited and other hospitals striving for the JCI accreditation. There are plenty of opportunities within Saudi Arabia to work alongside a global workforce, use the latest technology and state of the art facilities. However, you should be made aware that expat doctors will not be given contract renewals after ten years of working in the medical sector in the Kingdom. Attractions to the jobs The salaries in Saudi Arabia are one of the most attractive factors as to why medical professionals move overseas to work there. Salaries are typically 10-20 percent higher than western countries and due to medical professionals being in high demand globally - salaries have been increasing recently. An average salary for someone working in the medical sector is SAR 110,000. There are a number of benefits such as tax free salaries, furnished accommodation, yearly bonuses and free medical and emergency healthcare. Roles available in Saudi Arabia 1 - Radiology Radiology is a speciality of medicine where images of the body’s organs are interpreted in order to diagnose disease. Radiologists have specialised training so they can interpret the images and give reports to surgeons, pediatricians, obstetricians and internists to work as a team and provide the best healthcare possible. In Saudi Arabia, breast cancer is one of the most prevalent in the country with it being the cancer that causes the most deaths in Saudi women. The key to treating breast cancer is catching it early which is why radiologists are needed. 2 - Dermatology A dermatologist specialises in conditions involving skin, hair and nails. They can identify more than 3,000 conditions which can be things like eczema, psoriasis and skin cancer. Dermatologists are in short supply and there are only a few per every 100,000 in Saudi Arabia which makes the job in high demand. 3 - Paediatrics Paediatricians are doctors who manage medical conditions affecting infants, children and young people. Paediatricians are seen as jack-of-all-trades and someone who can do a lot of things. However, you can specialise in different areas of paediatrics like paediatric emergency physician, paediatric endocrinologist and paediatric gastroenterologist. With many specialist paediatric hospitals across the Kingdom, there should be some gaps to fill in terms of finding a job in that specialist area. If you are interested in any of these jobs then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and you could be jetting off to Saudi Arabia!

Covid-19 Stats in Canada: Who is most affected?

CBC News in Canada has analysed data on all confirmed Covid-19 cases collected by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to find out who is being affected. Canada had its first known coronavirus case eight months ago - back in February. Since then the country has had over 147,000 cases. CBC News conducted a study of the collected data to find out what factors stand out. The data is from 121,795 cases up to the first week of September. So, what did they find? During the early days of the outbreak, people over the age of 80 made up the biggest numbers of people falling ill with the virus. Long-term care homes were hit badly which led to more older people getting tested. However, since the middle of August, there has been an increase of cases amongst people under 30. This is suspected to be down to reopening of public places and expanded testing. The number of young people infected has overtaken the number of cases within the elderly. As for the known symptoms, PHAC only has symptom data for seven percent of cases. However, the 9,000 cases that have details reveal that people suffer differently depending on age and symptoms. Just under 10 percent of people who have tested positive have been referred to hospital in Canada. Two percent of those cases have ended up in ICU and this is mostly people over 80. People who have been admitted to hospital have shown symptoms like shortness of breath and fever - these were shown in the fatal cases. Headaches, runny nose and sore throat were seen in less severe cases. Six percent of all confirmed cases have been fatal with the country recording over 9,200 deaths (23 September) with the elderly the hardest hit. Only two people under 20 are known to have died from the virus. More women over 80 have died from Covid-19 compared to men but more men are dying from the virus outside of that age group. Recovery time from the virus is still unknown as different people take different amounts of times to recover. The average recovery time is thought to be two to three weeks but it is known to take up to 11 hours. If you are looking for a new job then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job.

Covid-19 Causing Mental Health Struggle in New Zealand

Citizens in New Zealand are suffering more from depression and anxiety since the coronavirus lockdown began back in April, say doctors. Despite the country leading the way in battling the virus, Covid-19 is stretching what already was a struggling system in the country. New Zealanders were able to return to their normal lives after a strict seven-week nationwide lockdown. There has since been a few outbreaks but they have been kept under control. However, GPs and doctors on the front line say that there is now added pressure to the mental health services which were already overburdened. Since the lockdown, there has been a rise in people being prescribed antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication. In some practices across the country, there has been an increase of 15-20 percent of people who need psychiatric help. Unfortunately, access to psychologists and psychiatrists is very limited. Mental health issues in New Zealand have been going on for years. Now that Covid-19 is a big risk to public health, the virus has magnified long standing issues within the country like mental health. It is not just taking its toll on the patients, health workers are also taking a hit with mental health as the volume of work front line workers are faced with everyday is causing fatigue. Do you think you could help with the mental health crisis in New Zealand? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job.

Timing and Planning of Applying for a Job

If you are looking at applying for a job working in the healthcare sector in a different country overseas then the most vital thing you need to do is plan ahead and give yourself enough time to plan. People wanting to move abroad for work will usually not give themselves enough time to get everything sorted for moving which results in them not following their dream. Here at Odyssey Recruitment, we have put together some advice on how you should go about planning out your move and how you should use your time effectively running up to the day you move. The Planning Fallacy The planning fallacy is a person’s tendency to underestimate the amount of time it takes to complete a task, as well as the costs and risks associated with the task. This comes into question when candidates want to apply for a job overseas. When applying for a job overseas, there is a lot of paperwork to sort out that can take months to get prepared. This is why it is so important to give yourself plenty of time to get prepared for your move so your dream job does not fall through. Why do people drop out of pursuing their dream? This comes down to underestimating the time and resources needed to project manage the move. Before you think about applying for a job, you should make sure you know how long it will take to get paperwork completed - for example, how long a work visa and medical registration will take to process. These things can take a couple of weeks up to a few months. Make sure you know how long it all takes before you fully commit and waste your time. What we want to highlight here is planning early and thoroughly with the intention to build pipelines in the preparation stage is very important. Planning early If you have decided that working in a foreign country is something you would like to do, it is best to start planning early. It is recommended that you utilise easy to access resources like career blogs and websites - here at Odyssey we have plenty of informative blogs on what you need before moving to a certain country and what is required. You can also find and use webinars to inform yourself of what you are committing yourself to. If you are thinking about moving abroad and the thought is attractive to you then, register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job!

UAE Health Workers to get Covid-19 Vaccine

The United Arab Emirates has approved the use of a Covid-19 vaccine which is in the third phase of trials to use on health workers. On Monday (14 September) the UAE granted emergency approval for health workers to use a Covid-19 vaccine. According to the Health Minister Abdulrahman Al-Owais, the vaccine will be available to front-line workers who are most at risk of catching the coronavirus. This would protect the workers from any danger they may be exposed to. The vaccine in question is one of 26 in the world that is currently being trailed by humans. The vaccine was developed by Sinopharmin which is a Chinese-based pharmaceutical company. The UAE was chosen for the third phase of human testing- it started back in July in conjunction with G42 Healthcare and the Abu Dhabi Government. The Health Minister said that the results from the third phase trials have shown that the vaccine is safe, effective and has had a good response with antibodies against the virus. 31,000 volunteers and 125 nationalities have taken part in the third phase of the trials and there have only been reports of mild side effects. Nobody has encountered any severe side effects. If you are looking for a new job in the healthcare sector then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job.

No Contract Renewals for Expats in Saudi Arabia

The authorities in Saudi Arabia have decided that contracts of expats working in the medical sector for over 10 years will not be renewed. Saudi authorities will not renew employment contracts of expatriate health employees who have passed 10 years of service in the Kingdom. There is an exception to this for highly qualified and outstanding individuals as their contracts will be renewed with approval from the Health Minister. This comes after a circular issued by Abdul Rahman Al Aiban - the undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and Human Resources. This helps the implementation of the government’s resolution that sets 10 years only for the employment of non-Saudi staff. The plan is to gradually replace expats with Saudi employees to help ‘Saudise’ the health sector in the Kingdom. The first phase of the plan happened back in July where expatriate pharmacists working in pharmacies would be replaced by Saudi-national pharmacists. It is understood that 20 percent of pharmacy jobs will be ‘Saudised’ and that is an official decision by the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. Are you currently looking for a new job? Then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job.

Working as a Medical Professional in Canada

Here at Odyssey Recruitment, we help medical professionals around the world secure their dream job in their choice of location. We offer many different professions in a range of different countries overseas. In this series, we will take a look at what it is like to work as a medical professional in the countries our clients are based in to help you decide whether it suits you. Article 3 - A guide to working as a Medical Professional in Canada Canada is a popular destination for doctors and other medical professionals to work and live as expats in the country due to good opportunities and high standards of living. Medical professionals will still be in high demand in years to come and there are currently thousands of healthcare jobs in Canada. Opportunities There are many opportunities for medical professionals in Canada as there is an ongoing shortage of trained medical staff. Statistics have shown that there are 4.5 million people who are without a family doctor. Canadain health authorities are recruiting overseas doctors to help fill in these gaps. Canada suffers from a shortage of GPs and family doctors - especially in remote and rural areas. Psychiatrists, anaesthetists, paediatricians and emergency medicine specialists are also in high demand and need to be filled. Jobs are available across the major cities like Toronto and Vancouver but rural and remote areas are in high demand of medical professionals. In the province of Alberta, 18 percent of people don’t have a GP and it’s 26 percent in the French speaking province of Quebec. Salary and Benefits The average annual salary for a doctor working in Canada depends on your specialisation. For family physicians the average is around $281,000, $360,000 for a medical specialist and $481,000 for a surgical specialist. Working hours will be around 35 to 40 hours a week, again, depending on speciality. There are certain remote areas in the country where the government will incentivise doctors to work there. Some of these programmes will provide student loan relief and bursaries to doctors who are interested in working in rural areas across Canada. It is advised that doctors who are straight out of medical school should consider these programmes to increase their annual salary and get out of their debt after medical school. Medical Registration Doctors will need to check the World Directory of Medical School to see if their medical degree is accepted and recognised in Canada. All overseas doctors must take a Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Exam (MCCQE) part one. This is a one day exam which can be taken in test centres. Part two of the exam must be taken after an applicant has passed the first part. Part two needs to be passed to obtain the Licentiates of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC). Some Candian regulatory authorities might want you to have the LMCC to apply for a medical license in certain provinces. You will need a visa to work in Canada - many people will be guided by a recruitment agency or an immigration agency. If you are thinking about working in Canada then register with Odyssey Recruitment and we could help you find the perfect job.

Ventilators Sent to New Zealand for Future Covid-19 Outbreak

Over 100 ICU ventilators have arrived in New Zealand to help with the future response to Covid-19 with 100 more to arrive by the end of the year. It is said that the $76 million investment made will aid the healthcare system if there is another outbreak of coronavirus or high ICU admissions. The action was taken after reports in April found that New Zealand had a low number of ICU beds per capita with 4.7 beds per 100,000 people. This was compared to the likes of the United States which has 35 beds per 100,000 and Germany which has 29. Even though health experts have accepted the purchase of the ventilators, there have been some questions raised as to whether the country has the number of medical staff and ICU bed capacity to use them all. New Zealand has a very low number of patients currently receiving intensive care and are dependent on ventilators to keep them alive. However, a Ministry of Health spokesperson said that getting more ventilators was to ‘future-proof’ the country and that it was money well spent. The country now has 482 ventilators available for hospital use, 178 more are being dispatched from China, Europe and Australia. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, New Zealand had no experience manufacturing ICU ventilators at a large scale. Starting from scratch would take a lot of time and this is why the country is sourcing them from overseas. Are you looking to work overseas in New Zealand? If so, register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job in the best location.

New Saudi Hospital to Introduce Medication Dispensing Technology

A new hospital in Saudi Arabia is set to open with new medication dispensing technology which will support the country’s healthcare infrastructure plans. The Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University Hospital located in the Eastern Province of the country has teamed up with a US-based pharmacy and medication management solutions company called Omnicell. The company will be in charge of a pharmacy automation system that will be put in place for inpatients. This will allow pharmacists to schedule medication dispensing. The Saudi Arabia Vision 2030 was put in place to reduce the dependency the country has on oil and diversify the economy - this will result in many services becoming digital. The new university hospital is one of the prime examples of this. The hospital itself is a new education healthcare facility with 500 beds and will open its doors in early 2021. The hospital wants to set new standards in healthcare services and will introduce multiple Omnicell automation solutions. This will include automatic dispensing cabinets and controlled substance dispensers. There will also be a workstation for anaesthetists so they have instant access to medication whilst in the operating room. As well as supporting and helping pharmacies, there is hope that these solutions put in place will decrease any burden on other healthcare services throughout the Kingdom by giving patients the correct medication and the right time. Omnicell has been providing technology to healthcare providers in the Middle East for around 17 years, some include; King Faisal Specialist Hospital and National Guard Health Affairs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Dubai Health Authority. The new systems will be put in place over the next few months and this will be followed by staff training so the hospital is ready to open in early 2021. If you are looking for a new job in the medical sector then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job!

Global Health Issues 2020: Australia

Health issues are always evolving which means countries and continents all around the world are having to face different challenges in tackling them. In 2020, the whole world has faced challenges with trying to tackle the novel coronavirus that has taken hold of nearly every country. Despite this being a massive issue, there are still many other health issues that still need to be tackled. In this article, we take a look at what health issues are present in Australia in 2020. Covid-19 As we all know by now, the novel coronavirus has taken control of the whole world and cost so many people their lives. The problem with this is that there is no known cure for the virus as we were made aware of its presence in December 2019. There is currently a race to find a vaccine to tackle the virus and make people immune. Australia has so far had over 25,900 cases of coronavirus throughout the country and just over 660 deaths. The country has already suffered from a second wave of the virus. The first wave occurred in March when cases were on the rise around the world. The second wave kicked in at the end of July/beginning of August. Cardiovascular Diseases Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are one of the leading causes of deaths in the country. It is the cause of 27 percent of all deaths throughout Australia and it is estimated that around 1.2 million people have one or more CVD. More than one in four deaths in the population are due to heart diseases. Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is one of the biggest CVD’s that kill many Australians every year. CHD causes a blockage in the arteries that are supplying blood to the heart. In 2016, it was the leading cause of deaths in males, accounting for 13 percent of deaths with just over 10,000 dying from the disease. It had killed over 8,000 women that year as well. Lung Cancer Cancer is the biggest contributor to the ‘disease burden’ in Australia and accounting for around 19 percent of the total burden. However, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women. It is estimated that over 13,200 cases of lung cancer have been discovered in 2020 already and, again, it is estimated that around 8,000 people will die from lung cancer this year. Alzheimers/Dementia It is said that 1 in 11 people in Australia aged 65 and over have dementia and it results in more deaths than Coronary Heart Disease in women. Around 459,000 people are currently living with a type of dementia in the country and this figure is estimated to increase to over 1 million by 2058. Are you looking for a new job? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job for you.

Canada's Underlying Opioid Crisis Continues Amid Pandemic

Behind the Covid-19 pandemic in the Canadian province of British Columbia drug overdose deaths are four times higher than covid deaths this year. In the background, Canada as a whole still has an ongoing Opioid-related overdose crisis on their hands and it has claimed over 15,000 lives since 2016 - 5,000 of those deaths have occured in British Columbia alone. On International Overdose Awareness Day, Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's Chief Public Health Officer said: “We know that using drugs while alone is a major risk factor for experiencing a fatal overdose yet the majority of overdose deaths in Canada occur at home alone. “Stigma plays a significant role. Negative attitudes towards people who use drugs can lead people to hide their substance use, and this stigma can also prevent people from seeking help. “Public health measures designed to reduce the impact of COVID-19 may also increase isolation and create additional barriers for people to access the support they need. People who use drugs need our compassion and support now more than ever before.” So far, in British Columbia, there have been 900 deaths this year related to drug overdose. This is four times the amount that have died due to the coronavirus in the province. However, there are steps being taken to try and tackle the crisis. In Victoria, they have been given one of five automated drug dispensers. These dispensers provide safe, doctor prescribed medication to opioid addicts by scanning their palm on the machine. The machines are programmed to an individual’s drug needs and these individuals have registered for the programme. Are you thinking about a new job? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job!

60% of all Abu Dhabi Hospitals Connected via Digital Platform

Around 60 percent of all hospitals situated in Abu Dhabi are now digitally connected by the platform Malaffi Health Information Exchange. The system now has over 87 million unique clinical records in it and is currently capturing 50 percent of patient episodes in Abu Dhabi. What is Malaffi? It is a Health Information Exchange (HIE) platform that will connect public and private healthcare providers in Abu Dhabi. It enables providers to exchange important patients' health information. Every interaction a patient has will be collated in their personal file and stored away securely which will be accessible when needed. Malaffi currently connects 35 healthcare groups, 40 hospitals and 403 clinics - they are now all exchanging information through the platform. Dr Jamal Al Kaabi, Acting Undersecretary at the DOH spoke about how digital platforms are pushing the health sector forward: “Transforming Abu Dhabi’s healthcare sector and delivering the best care possible is at the heart of everything we do. “Connecting healthcare and having better data is an integral part of that. This is a time like no other. We are seeing people living longer than ever before.” The platform has had its part to play throughout the Covid-19 pandemic as front liners were able to access Malaffi to get test results and medical records which has been critical in their decision making process. If you are currently looking for a job then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job.

What to Expect When Travelling to the Gulf

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, there has been a halt to international travel for the past few months as different travel restrictions have been put in place in many different countries. For expats, this has not been good news. Your travel plans may have been put on hold over the past year if you were thinking about moving around. However, travel is starting up again as some airlines are starting to resume flights and destinations are being added to schedules. However, Covid-19 restrictions are now an integral part of travel. If you are thinking of travelling to the Gulf region, then you should be aware of the different restrictions in the different states. So, what are the current restrictions and regulations traveling to and from the different states in the Gulf region? UAE On July 7, Dubai had opened back up to tourists and had resumed some flights. The Dubai Emirates airline currently goes to 70 destinations and is hoping to return to normal by summer 2021. Residents from all emirates except Dubai do not need a federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship permit to return anymore. Residents from Dubai need approval from the General Directorate of Residency & Foreign Affairs before boarding a flight. Once permission is granted then they can return to any UAE airport. You will need a printed negative Covid-19 PCR test if you are in an airport and wanting to board a flight. The test must be taken 96 hours (maximum) before travelling - even if you are just connecting in Dubai. No results over SMS will be accepted - it must be a printed test result. Returning citizens, residents and tourists must comply with this rule. Saudi Arabia International travel to and from Saudi Arabia is still suspended and has been since March 15. According to the Civil Aviation Authority there is no specific date for it to resume. There are some exceptions to travel like emergency cases and repatriation flights. Tourist visas that had expired after travel was suspended, there will be no extension needed. Oman Foreigners arriving in Oman have to quarantine for 14 days and they must present confirmation of accommodation. Visitors will also have to download and start the registration process on the Tarassud+ app before arriving. If a passenger has an expired visa then they must have approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a new electronic visa form approved by the police. If you want to travel out of Oman then you will need health insurance coverage for the country you are going to and follow the country’s restrictions that are in place. Bahrain This month, Bahrain had got rid of the 10 day quarantine that was in place for people arriving in the country. All passengers arriving will need to take a Covid-19 PCR test at the airport and then another test 10 days later by themselves. Until the test results are confirmed negative then passengers will need to download and activate the BeAware Bahrain app and sign a declaration saying they will adhere to self-isolation rules. Qatar You can only enter Qatar if you are a Qatari national or a permanent resident with an approved entry permit. From August 15, those coming from high-risk Covid-19 countries must quarantine in a hotel or a government facility. Passengers from low-risk countries can quarantine at home for at least seven days and get a test done on the sixth day. An air bubble between Qatar and India started on August 18. Qatar Airways is flying to around 85 destinations. When flying with the airline, they require economy passengers to wear a face shield and a face mask. Kuwait Kuwait has announced that they are reopening the country over stages. Currently, the country is at stage one which began on August 1 - this means the airport returned to 30 percent capacity. The second phase will start on February 1 where the airport will operate on 60 percent capacity. Full capacity is not scheduled until August 2021. All passengers arriving in Kuwait must have a negative Covid-19 certificate from a PCR test no longer than 72 hours before travelling. The health authorities review travel decisions every 10 days. At the moment, visitors from high-risk countries remain in a ban list to enter the country. The only exception is for first-degree relatives of Kuwait citizens. These include India, Pakistan, Egypt, and the Philippines. If you are looking for a new job then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job.

New Paediatric ICU Opened in Dubai Hospital

A new paediatric intensive care unit is now open to the public and has started taking patients in Dubai Hospital. The Dubai Health Authority announced on Sunday (23 August) that the new paediatric intensive care unit has started to take patients. The new unit was launched to enhance the current services it gives children, especially children with chronic diseases. The unit includes eight separate rooms and was built due to the high demand of having a separate ICU from the one already designated for the adult patients. Dubai Hospital includes six different specialities for children which includes: paediatric tumours, kidney diseases, diabetes, endocrine glands, the digestive system and heart disease. The Dubai Health Authority Director General, Humaid Al Qutami launched the unit earlier this month. He stated that the new unit is a very important addition to the integrated system the authority provides. The new unit took into account all the medical needs for children whilst respecting their privacy. Each child will be allocated a separate room equipped with the latest medical equipment and technology. In addition, there will be other elements that will mean the child’s parents can stay with them. The Authority announced earlier in the week that it completed the development work of the Surgical ICU at Dubai Hospital which has increased the number of adult patients beds to 13. If you are looking for a new job in the medical sector then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job.

Online Covid-19 Course Created for Health Workers

Stanford medical school in California have created a free online course to train healthcare workers on how to respond to Covid-19. Health workers all around the world can take a five hour course which was created by Stanford emergency physicians, on caring for patients with the virus and how to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The course is designed primarily to aid healthcare workers in countries that have limited resources and is free to anyone who has a smartphone or tablet. It features video lectures, study guides and quizzes which range from topics like hand washing to connecting a patient to a ventilator. Since the course launched back in July 17, over 25,000 people from 143 countries have enrolled already. Lessons are tailored for physicians, nurses, paramedics and community health workers who provide care in low and middle-income countries. The course is available on Coursera or edX or you can download the Stanford Medical app on IOS and Android. If the course is downloaded then people who have enrolled can take their devices to places with a poor internet connection and still work on the course. Physicians from Stanford Emergency Medicine International narrate the 16 videos featured in the course alongside colleagues from other institutions. During the narration they describe the proper way to put on and take off personal protective equipment, how to evaluate ill patients, when to put patents on oxygen and which setting to choose for a patient on a ventilator. The course also includes steps that workers can take when resources are in short supply. It is currently only available in English but developers are currently working on one with Spanish translation. Are you thinking about a new job in the medical industry? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job!

How to Get a Psychiatry Job in New Zealand

Here at Odyssey Recruitment, we help medical professionals find the perfect job for them in places where they want to work. We have some jobs advertised for Psychiatrists in New Zealand and we take a look at how you would secure a job in psychiatry down under in New Zealand. Psychiatrists are on New Zealand’s skill shortage list and they are keen to attract psychiatrists to the country. Working in New Zealand as a psychiatrist means that you can have the opportunity to work flexibly but you will also gain support to grow and thrive professionally. What is Psychiatry? Psychiatry is a branch of medicine that deals with patients with a range of mental health conditions. Psychiatrists will help people manage, treat and overcome their conditions. There are many different types of psychiatry including child and adolescent, general adult and old age. You will be expected to diagnose psychiatric disorders, know how the brain and human body work, know different diseases and illnesses and have knowledge of medical ethics and law. Are there many job opportunities? There are not enough psychiatrists to meet demand in the country. More people within the profession are needed due to the ageing population in New Zealand which means an increase in demand for mental health treatment. Most psychiatrists are over the age of 55 and are due to retire by 2027 which is why there is a demand in the healthcare sector. According to the 2018 census, there were 444 doctors specialising in psychiatry in New Zealand. The chances of getting a job in psychiatry are very good due to the shortages. The pay for a trainee is around $72k-$178k and for an experienced psychiatrist it is an estimated $152k-217k per year. Psychiatrists primarily work in public hospitals and community mental health services. Many also work in the private sector or private hospitals or in medical schools. How do you become a psychiatrist in New Zealand? If you are currently living in New Zealand and want to become a psychiatrist then you must: complete the Health Sciences First Year programme at the University of Otago, or the first year of either the Bachelor of Health Sciences or Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science at Auckland University complete a five-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree at Otago or Auckland work for one to two years as a house officer (supervised junior doctor) in a hospital complete another five years of training through the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Fellowship programme. This includes on-the-job training in different specialisations, and passing examinations to become a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. If you are a qualified psychiatrist but are living overseas then you must register with the Medical Council of New Zealand and make sure you get the right working permit/visa to work and live in the county if you have been given a job offer. Are you currently looking for a job in New Zealand? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job.

Saudi Arabia Covid-19 Recovery Rate Exceeds 90%

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health announced that the recovery rate of patients with Covid-19 had exceeded 90 percent. Despite the total number of cases passing 300,000 - recovery numbers are now over 272,000. The latest figures from recoveries represented more than double the number of new daily cases throughout the Kingdom. The Ministry highlighted that the preventive measures put in place and health protocols had played a key part in keeping the Covid-19 infection rates low. According to an international assessment, Saudi Arabia has been ranked amongst the top 20 safest countries during the worldwide pandemic coming in 17th place. The assessment analysis was conducted by Hong Kong-based consortium, Deep Knowledge Group. During the height of the pandemic, the number of intensive care unit beds were increased in all regions of the Kingdom - with the aim of providing the best protection and safety for their citizens and patients. Health officials have confirmed that there are around 24,900 active cases with 1,700 patients in a serious or critical condition. The total number of deaths throughout the Kingdom has reached 3,470 - 1 percent of the total cases recorded in the country. Are you looking for a new job? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job.

Australia Secures Deal with UK Drug-makers for Covid-19 Vaccine

Australia have secured a deal for a potential coronavirus vaccine that will be cost-free to their citizens, whilst covid-19 cases in Victoria decrease daily. The country has signed a deal with the British drugmaker AstraZeneca which entails the production and distribution of doses of a potential Covid-19 vaccine for 25 million citizens living in Australia, said Prime Minister Scott Morrison. The Prime Minister said on Wednesday (19 August): “Should we be in a position for the trials to be successful, we would hope that this would be made available early next year. If it can be done sooner than that, great.” All Australians will be offered the vaccine but a medical panel will make a priority list of people to focus on and make sure they get the vaccine. This would include the most vulnerable like the elderly, health workers and people with disabilities. High risk areas would also be taken into account and how the vaccine works in different age groups when it comes to deciding who should be priority. The vaccine is called AZD1222 and it was developed by Oxford University and is licensed to AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca said that it had gathered good data from the vaccine. There are already large-scale human trials for the vaccine and it is currently seen as the front runner in the race to find a vaccine for the coronavirus. If you fancy moving to Australia then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find your dream job.

Global Health Issues 2020: Saudi Arabia

Health issues are always evolving which means countries and continents all around the world are having to face different challenges in tackling them. In 2020, the whole world has faced challenges with trying to tackle the novel coronavirus that has taken hold of nearly every country. Despite this being a massive issue, there are still many other health issues that still need to be tackled. In this article, we take a look at what health issues are present in Saudi Arabia in 2020. Covid-19 As we all know by now, the novel coronavirus has taken control of the whole world and cost so many people their lives. The problem with this is that there is no known cure for the virus as we were made aware of its presence in December 2019. There is currently a race to find a vaccine to tackle the virus and make people immune. In Saudi Arabia, the virus had peaked a bit later than expected in June even though the first case in the Kingdom was recorded at the very start of March. Since the beginning of the outbreak, Saudi Arabia has reported over 290,000 cases and 3,200 deaths throughout the Kingdom. These figures are the highest amongst the Gulf states. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) This is a viral respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus and it was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Around 35 percent of all patients with the MERS-CoV infection have died. Most cases are attributed to human-to human infections in healthcare settings. However, current scientific evidence shows that dromedary camels are a major reservoir host for the disease. In 2020, 15 MERS-CoV cases were reported in Saudi Arabia back in March which resulted in five deaths. Diabetes Almost 19 percent of the adult population in Saudi Arabia are diabetics which is a total of 3.8 million people. One of the biggest causes of so many cases of diabetes is obesity, 40 percent of the population are obese. Unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise lead to diabetes and this can cause further complications with people’s health. Around 50 percent of dialysis patients were diabetics and the same ratio was found in patients with cardiovascular problems. Saudi Arabia ranks the second highest in the Middle East for the number of diabetics in their country and seventh in the world rate for diabetes. Cardiovascular Diseases Mortality due to heart disease exceeds cancer each year around the world. Coronary heart disease constitutes as one of the main health problems in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - being the third most common cause of hospital based deaths. Cardiovascular diseases result in around 37 percent of deaths in Saudi Arabia. Are you thinking about a move to Saudi Arabia to work? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job overseas!

Coronavirus Vaccine Trials Underway by Saudi Arabia and Bahrain

Plans to conduct a phase 3 vaccine trial produced by a Chinese company for Covid-19 will get underway in Saudi Arabia and another is currently being tested by Bahrain. The vaccine being tested in Saudi Arabia was developed by the Chinese company CanSino Biologics and the trial will require at least 5,000 volunteers. Last month, the company was in talks with several countries like Russia, Brazil, Chile and Saudi Arabia to conduct a phase 3 trial for the potential vaccine. The vaccine itself is made of a harmless cold virus called adenovirus type-5 (Ad5) to deliver genetic material from the coronavirus into the body. The study will compare Ad5-nCOV to placebo. The study will take place in various cities across the kingdom including Riyadh, Mecca and Dammam. Bahrain is also conducting a phase 3 trial of a different Chinese developed vaccine in the UAE. The vaccine produced by Sinopharm will be conducted by G42 Healthcare - an artificial intelligence company in Abu Dhabi. The trial will involve around 6,000 volunteers from Bahrain and will be carried out over a period of 12 months. The trial was approved by the National Health Regulatory Authority following the success of phase 1 and 2 of the trial in China. The Sinopharm vaccine passed the first and second phase without causing harmful side effects and it produced antibodies in all volunteers within two days of getting the dosage. Are you looking for a new job in the medical sector? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job!

New Covid-19 Cases for the First Time in 102 Days

In New Zealand, there has been a new outbreak of the coronavirus for the first time in 102 days since the last new case was recorded. The country’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today (11 August) that Auckland would be in a temporary lockdown due to the outbreak in the area. It is not yet known how the virus spread or where it came from as it is an unknown source but all four cases are in the same family. This has pushed the Prime Minister to take precautionary action. Auckland will move into level three of restrictions from 12 noon tomorrow. The restrictions will only be in place for three days until midnight on Friday (14 August). The rest of the country will move to level two of restrictions. Level three means people should work from home unless they are essential workers. Bars and restaurants will close and restrictions will be in place at weddings and funerals. Pharmacies and supermarkets will remain open. People who are currently in Auckland but do not live in the city can return home but must be aware of the symptoms and must isolate if any appear. Residents in Auckland have been asked to stay at home and been told to act as if they themselves and their family have the virus. The Government will provide the public with an update on Friday. Are you looking for a new job in the healthcare sector? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job.

How to Get a Radiology Job in New Zealand

Here at Odyssey Recruitment, we help medical professionals find the perfect job for them in places where they want to work. We have some jobs advertised for Radiologists in New Zealand and we take a look at how you would secure a job in radiology down under in New Zealand. Working in radiology means you will be at the forefront of medical technology which gives you an exciting and varied career in clinical medicine, research and also teaching. If you choose to stick with the profession long-term then it can offer you flexibility. You can be in control of when and where you work which gives you the chance to balance your work and your life. What is Radiology? Radiology is a speciality of medicine where images of the body’s organs are interpreted in order to diagnose disease. Radiologists have specialised training so they can interpret the images and give reports to surgeons, pediatricians, obstetricians and internists to work as a team and provide the best healthcare possible. Is it the profession for you? To become a radiologist, you must have an eye for detail so you can be as accurate and careful as possible with diagnosing patients. You have to be able to make good decisions and solve problems as you will assist other doctors and specialists in treating their patients. Excellent analysis and interpretation skills are very much needed for the profession. Good communication is also key for the role. How do you become a radiologist in New Zealand? For medical professionals training in New Zealand, you must complete the training programme by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR). It is a fiver year programme and gives experience across different environments and imaging techniques that radiologists need to be familiar with. According to RANZCR, to be accepted into the course, a candidate must: 1. Have appropriate basic medical qualifications: Be a graduate of a medical school recognised by the Medical Board of Australia and the Board of the RANZCR (or have successfully completed both Part I and Part II AMC examinations for overseas medical graduates in Australia) OR Be a graduate of a medical school recognised by the Medical College of New Zealand and the Board of the RANZCR (or have successfully completed the NZREX for overseas medical graduates in New Zealand) OR Be a graduate of a medical school recognised by the registering authority of the country in which the RANZCR training program is conducted and the Board of the RANZCR AND 2. Be fully registered as a medical practitioner by the registering authority recognised by the Board of the RANZCR, in the state or country in which the RANZCR training program is conducted AND 3. Have completed at least two full years in an approved hospital as an intern/resident How does someone not trained in New Zealand become registered in the country? If you are an international medical graduate in radiology and wish to practice in New Zealand then RANZCR will be involved in assessing your training and experience. For this, you need to go through a specialist assessment to determine the comparability of the training, qualifications and experiences compared to specialists who have trained in New Zealand. You should apply to the Medical Council of New Zealand for this. Are you looking for a radiologist job in New Zealand? Then, register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you secure the job you want.

Nurses Urge for More PPE as 730 Healthcare Workers are Struck by Covid-19

Healthcare staff in the state of Victoria have urgently asked for personal protective equipment (PPE) as healthcare workers are amongst the worst affected by the Covid-19 outbreak. Nurses have written to Daniel Andrews - the Premier of Victoria asking what is being done to protect the nursing staff from the virus as over 730 health workers are infected. The letter states that the situation with supplying PPE has been inadequate for months, since the outbreak began. It also delves deeper into the relationship between surgeons and nurses - surgeons want the nurses to sit in the crowded reception area with no protection and that they should supply their own PPE if they are so worried. The Office of Health Protection and Response said that due to the rising number of cases in Victoria, there has been a big increase in dispatching from the stockpile in the past month. However, an anaesthetic nurse said in the letter that surgeons, surgical assistants and anaesthetists were all given N95 masks but she was only given a paper mask despite having to stand next to the surgeon in theatre - showing that the stockpile is not being shared around. The deputy chief medical officer, Dr Nick Coatsworth, told the Guardian Australia: “We need to look very carefully at healthcare work infections to determine whether there has been any breach in PPE, if PPE has been put on or off correctly, and I think the most pertinent discussion at the moment is where and when P2 and N95 respirators should be used.” Advice given from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee states that when taking care of patients who have tested positive for Covid-19, then this can be performed with a less protective surgical mask and not an N95 one. Are you looking for a new job? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find your perfect job.

NMC Health Secures $250m Loan

NMC Health has secured a $250 million financing facility for the group’s operating business and will continue to provide healthcare. This comes after the London-listed company was put into administration in April due to months of financial turmoil which put them in $6.6 billion in debt. The loan was given as a conditional on a planned second-phase restructuring of the company, said the administrators Alvarez & Marsal. The administrators said the restructuring would allow the funding to support operators and stop any unfavourable creditor actions. Richard Fleming, managing director of Alvarez & Marsal Europe and joint administrator of NMC Health said in a statement: “Alongside delivering increased financial stability for the group, the next phase of the process will see an increased focus on identifying and holding to account those responsible for the illegal and fraudulent actions which created this situation and still pose a threat to the group and its stakeholders.” The creation of a new three-year business plan is said to be a significant milestone over the past few months and there is confidence in the plan. The three year business plan has a focused strategy that will deliver continued growth in its UAE business. NMC operates more than 200 facilities which include hospitals, clinics and pharmacies. Are you looking for a job in the UAE? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job!

Global Health Issues 2020: United Arab Emirates

Health issues are always evolving which means countries and continents all around the world are having to face different challenges in tackling them. In 2020, the whole world has faced challenges with trying to tackle the novel coronavirus that has taken hold of nearly every country. Despite this being a massive issue, there are still many other health issues that still need to be tackled. In this article, we take a look at what health issues are present in the United Arab Emirates in 2020. Covid-19 As we all know by now, the novel coronavirus has taken control of the whole world and cost so many people their lives. The problem with this is that there is no known cure for the virus as we were made aware of its presence in December 2019. There is currently a race to find a vaccine to tackle the virus and make people immune. In the UAE, the virus had its peak in the month of May but since then the cases have come down. The country has just under 60,000 cases (as of 29 July) of the coronavirus throughout the emirates with a total of 347 deaths. There is currently a steady flow of around 300 new cases daily. Just under 5 million tests have been carried out - with an average of 47,000 tests being carried out daily. The public have been urged to join the track and trace initiative to protect themselves and others and stop the spread of the virus. Cancer In the UAE, around 4,500 new cases of cancer are reported every year and the country is determined to bring this down by 18 percent by 2021. According to data posted by the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi in 2011, Leukemia and Colorectal were at the top cancers in males and Breast and Leukemia were the most found in women. Cancer is the third leading cause of death in Abu Dhabi and it accounts for 16% of total deaths. Diabetes One in 11 adults within the UAE suffer from Diabetes according to the International Diabetes Federation which accounts to 19 percent of the population. This number is expected to rise to 32 percent of the population (aged between 20-79) which includes nationals and expatriates over the next decade. The UAE is currently in the top 10 countries with a high prevalence of diabetes in the world and this is why the Government is highlighting the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy and exercising regularly and raising awareness about the disease. Coronary Heart Disease Cardiovascular diseases are a big killer in the UAE with around 40 percent of all deaths within the country. Lifestyle factors play a big part in cardiovascular diseases and an unhealthy lifestyle and residents in the UAE typically die from heart attacks 20 years earlier than the rest of the world. In 2019, a survey conducted by Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi found out that almost 71 percent of UAE residents have at least one major risk factor for heart diseases. Do you want to work in the UAE? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job!

Health Canada Authorise Use of Drug to Treat Covid-19

Health Canada has now authorised the use of the drug remdesivir to treat people with the most severe cases of coronavirus in the country, but there is a limited supply. The drug will go by the brand name of Veklury and it is produced by Gilead Sciences Canada. However, top doctors in Canada say that there is a limited supply. On Tuesday (28 July) it was announced that the drug could be used on adults and adolescents over the age of 12 with body weight of at least 40kg. The drug has not been authorised to use on pregnant women or children under the age of 12. A study run by the US National Institutes of Health tested remdesivir against the usual care for coronavirus on over 1,000 patients with Covid-19 around the world. It was found that the drug reduced the time it took for patients to recover by 31 percent which was 11 days on average compared to the usual 15 days for those who were given the normal care. The drug is administered and used only within healthcare facilities where patients can be closely monitored. It has also been authorised to use in emergencies in the US, Europe, Australia, Singapore and Japan. The patients who have been treated with the drug in Canada have been part of the Special Access Programme. If you are looking for a new job then register with Odyssey Recruitment and we could help you find the perfect job.

Restrictions in Place for Hajj Pilgrimage

The annual pilgrimage of Hajj got underway in Saudi Arabia but has been dramatically scaled down due to the coronavirus pandemic. Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia - the holiest city for Muslims and they must make the journey to the holy site at least once in their lifetime, if they are physically capable to do so. However, restrictions have been put in place for the pilgrimage as the coronavirus outbreak continues to sweep across the world. International visitors have been banned from making the journey to Mecca which means around 10,000 people are expected, compared to the 2 million who would usually make the trip. Foreign visitors make up the majority of numbers but this year, it is only people who reside in Saudi Arabia that are allowed to visit. Those who are taking part in the pilgrimage this year will have to get their temperature checked and be tested for the virus when they arrive at Mecca. Face masks will be mandatory at all times and worshippers will be asked to quarantine before and after making the trip. Saudi Arabia had only just lifted their strict nationwide lockdown restrictions last month. These restrictions came into place in March and included 24- hour curfews in most of the major cities throughout the Kingdom. The Kingdom has recorded over 270,000 coronavirus cases with over 2,700 deaths throughout the country - which is one of the highest outbreaks in the middle east which is why there is much precaution during Hajj. If you are thinking about applying for a new job then, register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find your dream job!

Layout and Format of a CV

When you are writing your CV for a potential future employer, you will be totally focused on getting all the important information on it to impress the person reading it. However, one thing that many candidates will bypass is thinking about how to layout and format their CV. When thinking about the format and layout of a CV - many people will think “why does it even matter?”. As long as you have all the information there then you have complete creative control over what your CV looks like. You have to be able to put all the information on the page that is easy for the employer so they can sport the essential information and to skim read it with ease. This is where thinking about layout and formatting comes in as it is a lot more important than you may think. Basic CV Layout Always begin at the top with your contact details including your telephone number, email address, a LinkedIn profile or any URL link that you want to include and show employers. Then follow with a summary of your skills and/or qualifications. When it comes to education and experience - this will all depend on how much experience in the field you have had. If you do not have any experience because you are new to the workforce then put your education first. With professional experience, dates of employment should be on the right hand side and go from most recent to oldest. Don’t be too fancy Many companies use an online system that searches for keywords - this does not work well with shaded areas and does not recognise certain types of layouts, colours, odd shaped bullet points, column, shaded areas and strange fonts. All these things prevent the scanning programme from doing its job. Recruiters expect the information on a CV to appear in a standard format in a relatively standard area. Software Whether you use an Apple or Microsoft device to write your CV on - A PDF document is your best friend. Remember to submit your CV as a PDF as it is universal and can be viewed on any software. Functional CV The majority of CV’s will be conducted in a chronological order where your current experience or job will be the most important and will therefore feature at the top. But, for those who have had a long career in the same industry - a functional CV will be the most useful for you. A functional CV focuses more on showing your experience, knowledge and expertise. It is organised by your individual skills rather than previous job titles. It prevents you from having to write the same thing repeatedly as you can showcase experience. If you are looking for a new job then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find your perfect job!

Abu Dhabi Hospital Resumes Essential Health Services

The Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City in Abu Dhabi has resumed its suspended health services as the hospital played a major part in the Coronavirus outbreak. Being one of the largest hospitals in the country - it was a key treatment centre at the height of the pandemic but has been free of COVID-19 patients since the 25 June. Now essential services that were suspended due to the Coronavirus outbreak have opened up again and it can resume normal operations. Dr Naser Ammash, the hospital’s chief executive said: “Ensuring that these services continue to be accessed by the community and that patients receive the best care possible by proactively managing their health has always been central to SSMC’s mission.” Despite opening up normal services, the Mayo Clinic and Abu Dhabi Health Services Company said the hospital would still continue to treat patients with COVID-19. However, the hospital has put in precautionary measures to keep patients and staff safe. The appointment system has been updated to reduce the number of patients in one area at the same time. All the facilities including communal areas, waiting rooms, toilets, door handles, light switches and other surfaces are cleaned and sanitised regularly. In addition, all the hospital staff are regularly tested for COVID-19. It will also have isolated and marked wards, walkways and entrance points for patients who are suspected or confirmed to have coronavirus. Disinfection gates are placed at the entry and temperature checks will be taken for all visitors. Glass barriers have been put in between reception staff and patients. Waiting rooms have been redesigned to adhere to social distancing guidelines. In the UAE, the total number of coronavirus cases sits at over 57,000 and has reported 340 deaths (both stats from 21 July). If you are looking for a new job then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job.

WHO Praise Oxford University for COVID-19 Vaccine Trials

The World Health Organisation praises Oxford University as it leads the way in finding a vaccine for Covid-19 and brands it as ‘good news’. Speaking at a press conference in Geneva on Monday (20 July) executive director of the WHO emergencies programme Dr Mike Ryan applauded the data published by the university along with AstraZeneca on a potential vaccine. The data was published in The Lancet. However, the organisation highlighted that it is still too early and they need more evidence of its effectiveness. More than 1,000 participants between the ages of 18-55 were involved in the first phase of the trial. Researchers at Oxford said that the vaccine produced antibodies and killer T-cells to fight off the infection and this apparently lasts for two months. At the conference, Dr Ryan stated: “In generating T-cell responses and generating neutralising antibodies, this is a positive result. But again, there is a long way to go. “We now need to move into larger-scale real-world trials.” The findings from the trial have also shown that the vaccine was well-tolerated. The most common side effects from taking the vaccine was fatigue and headaches. Other side effects included pain at the injection site, aching muscles, chills and a fever. Public health officials have stated that people all around the world cannot go back to “normal” life until there is a vaccine. If you are looking for a new job in the medical sector then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find the perfect job.

How to Get an Emergency Medicine Job in New Zealand

Emergency Medicine is a field of practice which is based on knowledge and skills to carry out the prevention, management and diagnosis of a patient’s illness. Dealing with patients of all ages and a lot of different backgrounds is part of the everyday working life of an emergency physician. It is a good career choice for medical professionals who want to be challenged within their job but it is also very personally rewarding. Here at Odyssey Recruitment, we take a look at how to get an emergency medicine job in New Zealand and what steps you have to take to get there. If you are thinking about a move to New Zealand then you should consider working in emergency medicine as there are plenty of jobs on offer within the speciality. What do you need? To apply for registration in Emergency Medicine in New Zealand, you will need: The FACEM Qualification - a training program equips emergency practitioners to become consultants in emergency medicine. An international postgraduate qualification in Emergency Medicine. If you do not have any of these qualifications then you can apply for training in the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) in Auckland where you can go through a five year programme and train as an emergency physician. Apply for a job It is well advised that you try and find a job before you head down under to New Zealand. You may be in the country but might have to wait a while for applications to go through and contacts to start so it will be beneficial to you to get a job in the bag beforehand. Once it has been confirmed and contracts have been signed, then you should get your paperwork sorted. Registering As for registering - you must be registered as a medical professional and have a practising certificate. There are a few different registration pathways which depend on your qualifications, training, experience and whether you intend to work in New Zealand permanently or for a specific length of time. You must be fit for registration and for practice as it is a legal requirement, they must be satisfied that: You can communicate effectively and comprehend English sufficiently to protect public health and safety. You do not suffer from a physical or mental disorder which may affect your ability to practice medicine. If you have a conviction for an offence punishable by imprisonment for a term of three months or longer; the offence does not reflect adversely on your fitness to practise. If you are under investigation or the subject of professional disciplinary proceedings in New Zealand (or in another country), that investigation or matter does not reflect adversely on your fitness to practise If you are subject to any of the following orders, the order does not reflect adversely on your fitness to practise. That is: an order of a professional disciplinary tribunal in New Zealand or overseas an order of an accredited educational institution an order of an authority or of a similar body in another country There is no reason to believe that you may endanger the health or safety of members of the public. There are a range of questions within the application and your answers and information for your referees will determine whether you are fit to practise in New Zealand. Applicants must satisfy the Council that they are able to speak and understand effectively in English. If you have applied to register then you will need to go to a registration interview where you have to present everything they have asked for. Make sure you have key documents verified from their primary source. Are you currently looking for an emergency medicine job? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you with applying for one.

New Private Hospital to be Built in Jeddah for 2022

The Saudi family business group Al-Murjan has partnered up with Mediclinic Middle East to build a brand new private hospital in Jeddah. The new hospital is set to open by the second quarter of 2022 and the partnership will form an accredited private hospital with 200 beds. Mediclinic (an affiliate of the UK’s Mediclinic International) will manage the hospital and support the Al-Murjan Group with advisory in planning and construction Abdulrahman Khalid bin Mahfouz, chairman of Al-Murjan Group confirmed that the hospital will contain state of the art care facilities, as well as some of the best practitioners using the best practices to meet international standards. These new plans will also contribute towards the Kingdom’s 2030 vision. Al-Murjan Medicilinic will provide the Kingdom with more than 1,000 jobs and new opportunities for entrepreneurs within the healthcare sector. The hospital will be situated in the northern part of Jeddah and will address the demand for private healthcare in Sauid Arabia. It will be eight floors tall and will offer inpatient and outpatient services which include: general surgery, internal medicine, cardiology, orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, emergency, and trauma care. An investment of SAR1 billion ($266 million) was put forward with room for an expansion of up to an extra 200 beds on adjacent land set for the purpose. If you are thinking about moving to Saudi Arabia then register with Odyssey Recruitment and we could help you find a job that suits you.

Worldwide Coronavirus Cases Rise by 1 Million in 5 Days

The World Health Organisation’s Director General has stated that there are too many countries “headed in the wrong direction” and warned that the spread of Covid-19 could get worse. At a conference on Monday in Geneva, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed that there would be no return to normality in the foreseeable future if countries are rejecting the current protocols to keep the virus under control. These comments come after worldwide cases spiked by one million in five days which comes to a total of over 13 million. The Director General said: “The virus remains public enemy number one, but the actions of many governments and people do not reflect this. “If basics are not followed, the only way this pandemic is going to go, it is going to get worse and worse and worse. But it does not have to be this way.” The Americas are the current epicentre of the pandemic as cases are rising daily - especially in Latin America. The US is still the country with the most cases and deaths worldwide with 3.5 million cases confirmed and over 139,000 deaths. The country is still seeing huge increases of cases everyday However, countries within Latin America like Brazil, Peru, Chile and Mexico are being hit hard by the pandemic and cases are rapidly on the rise. After the first cases of the coronavirus were reported in China it took three months for the worldwide tally to hit one million. It has only taken five days for the tally to rise by one million which shows how the virus is escalating worldwide. Experts have said that in countries that have limited testing capacity, cases will reflect a smaller proportion of infections and probably under-represents the total number of cases and deaths. If you are thinking about a new job then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find your dream job.

Elements of a CV That Can Be Tailored

Every CV has basic requirements it needs to meet. Here at Odyssey Recruitment we take a look at the different basic elements of a CV that can be tailored or customised to make yours stand out more to employers and grab their attention. All these elements are very easy to change or adjust. 1 - Customise Identifying Information By customising your identifying information then it gives you a greater chance to find the right job that is out there for you. One of the most basic requirements is stating your name and location on the CV. Starting with your name - if your name is difficult to pronounce then you can do something about it. On a CV, you can use the initial for your first name. If you are applying for a job in a region like the UAE - some jobs are assigned to people based on their gender. In a region like this you will need to make it obvious whether you are male or female and do not leave the recruiter guessing. As for your location, wherever you are based or currently living could make or break your chance when it comes to landing an interview for your dream job. Rather than using your full address, use the city that you are currently based in as employers will look at how far the commute is and question whether it is worth their time. This works well in larger cities as it will not pinpoint which part of the city you live in. 2 - Contact Information It goes without saying that your CV needs a method of contacting you so the employer can get a hold of you easily. Double check before you send away your CV that your contact details are correct because you do not want to have a mistake in your phone number or email address. When you have double checked all that information - make sure that you have set up a sufficient voicemail just in case you miss the call from the employer and then they can leave you a message. You want to show that you are reachable but do not give out multiple phone numbers and email addresses as this is just unnecessary. Your email address is very important on a CV and you want it to look as professional as you can. Use an email address that is close to your own name - use a middle initial, an underscore or a hyphen to get the address you want. 3 - Keywords in Professional Experience A future employer needs to see proof that your previous professional experience demonstrates the ability that you can do the job you are applying for. This means that you should sprinkle keywords throughout this section of your CV. Make sure you put the most important information in the first couple of bullet points because if your most impressive and important information is at the bottom of the list then they might be bypassed. As for the keywords and phrases to use - there are a few places to look to help you along with this. Take a look at the job description and ensure that you have addressed the job you are applying for. Start with the requirements functionally and then move onto recommended qualities. 4 - Tailor your education to match the job When it comes to education then it could be another make or break situation if you do not have a degree relevant to the job. Sometimes a degree is a non-negotiable requirement. If you do not have a degree from college or university but graduated with a high school diploma or something equivalent (you do not need to mention this in the CV) then you should add in any sort of alternative training in education. This can include job related training, certification programmes, seminars, conferences attended, online learning or self-directed study. If you have a degree but not quite the one the employer is looking for then make sure you add in some work experience or voluntary work you have done relating to the job. If you are thinking about applying for a new job then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you with the process of finding your dream job!

NMC Health Open New Centre Amid Liquidation Threat

NMC Health have opened a new medical centre in Abu Dhabi despite the troubled private health provider appointing advisers for debt restructuring and the threat of liquidation. At the opening of the centre in Karama, Chief Executive Michael Davis said: “We are extremely honoured and excited to open yet another branch of our leading multispecialty medical centre to address the ever-changing needs of the community.” He also stated that the medical centre will act like a front liner during the Covid-19 pandemic so government and private hospitals can provide secondary and tertiary levels of care. The Royal Medical Centre is equipped with the latest technology - this includes equipment such as a radiology unit, x-ray unit and a 1.5 Tesla MRI machine. The centre hosts a team of over 30 doctors, 35 nurses and paramedics. It provides services such as obstetrics & gynaecology, paediatrics, general surgery, family medicine, orthopaedics, urology, paediatric dentistry, dermatology, ENT, endocrinology, ophthalmology, cardiology and physiotherapy as well as a pharmacy. Earlier this month, the KBBO Group - whose chairman is a major shareholder within NMC had appointed advisers to restructure outstanding liabilities. However, the joint administrators for NMC - Alvarez & Marsal have said that they are expecting the company to be put into liquidation. Are you looking for a new job within the medical sector? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you with the job process.

WHO Praises New Zealand for Covid-19 Efforts

The World Health Organisation has praised New Zealand for the way the country has handled the coronavirus outbreak in a video posted on Twitter. The only active cases that are in New Zealand are from people who have travelled into the country and they are now in well managed isolation facilities to stop the spread of the virus. It has been just under 70 days since the last locally acquired case from an unknown resource recovered. In the caption of the tweet, WHO pointed out that New Zealand had followed the organisation’s guidelines on isolating cases, reducing contact and testing and have now successfully eliminated community transmission of the coronavirus. WHO Director General had also shared the video and said that the government led by Jacinda Arden and the people of New Zealand has shown the world that Covid-19 can be defeated through commitment, action and vigilance. The video shows the strict lockdown that the country had imposed at the beginning of the outbreak with powerful images of empty motorways, closed shops and abandoned playgrounds. This showed the rest of the world how effective New Zealand’s strategy was but this was not the first time the country had been praised on a worldwide platform for its efforts. Earlier on, a number of international media outlets like the Washington Post reported on the country’s success and was praised for it. If you are looking for a new job then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you in the process.

Working as a Medical Professional in the UAE

Here at Odyssey Recruitment, we help medical professionals around the world secure their dream job in their choice of location. We offer many different professions in a range of different countries overseas. In this series, we will take a look at what it is like to work as a medical professional in the countries our clients are based in to help you decide whether it suits you. Article 2 - A guide to working as a Medical Professional in the UAE Healthcare is one of the fastest growing sectors within the Middle East which is why mass amounts of money are being invested into big projects to help the sector grow and develop. Despite the sector still growing, the standards are very high with many hospitals being JCI accredited and other hospitals striving for the JCI accreditation. The UAE is one of the most sought after places for doctors around the world to relocate. Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al Ain are the three major and most well known areas within the UAE. Opportunities Much like in Saudi Arabia - the majority of opportunities in the Gulf are at consultant level working in hospitals or specialist clinics in Government and private facilities. The UAE now has over 40 public hospitals and the Ministry of Health is expanding health facilities and hospitals in all seven emirates which is why there is a high demand for GP jobs that need filling. Most of the health provision is government funded but the private sector is growing rapidly as well. The opportunities to work as a physician or a doctor in the UAE are considerable and it is a well respected place to practice as a medical professional. Salaries and Benefits The salary on offer in the UAE very much depends on your speciality and how many years of experience you have. Pay can range from 25k AED a month up to 400k AED - again, this varies and depends on your speciality and experience. In the UAE your income is tax-free and this is what can make the country attractive to expats. Many healthcare positions include benefits such as paid annual leave for up to 40 days for full-time staff, health insurance and travel expenses. Medical Registration Obtaining medical registration in the UAE will vary depending on what emirate you are employed in and will affect the process. Emirati requirements are explicit in that they are arranged into a tiered system and this determines eligibility according to the level of training you hold and where you trained. Applicants who hold CCT, CCST, American Board registration, CIS, Australian or New Zealand fellowships are given priority and are top tier. CESR applicants are tier 2 consultants once you have acquired a membership or fellowship and hold five years specialist registration. Requirements The ideal candidate for medical positions would have CCT (Certificate of Completion of Training) or the equivalent certificate in their specialist area. Equivalent certificates can be from countries including: US, Canada, Germany, France, Australia and New Zealand. A minimum of three years substantive post experience may also be required. Some clients in the UAE will prioritise Arabic speaking candidates over those who do not speak the language. However, others look for English speakers so this really depends on where you apply to work. Female doctors are preferred in some specialist roles like Obstetrics and Gynaecology. If you are thinking about looking for a new job then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you on your way to your dream job.

UAE Delivers Medical and Food Aid Worldwide

The United Arab Emirates has supplied more than 1,000 tons of personal protective equipment (PPE) and food aid worldwide to help countries fight the virus. More than one million healthcare workers in over 70 countries have benefited from this delivery including China, Italy, Iran, Brazil, Russia, the UK and many more. Earlier in the month, The UAE had delivered 6.6 tons of medical equipment to the United Kingdom to help the country produce pieces of PPE. The UAE has also partnered up with some international organisations to enhance and boost their reach of the Covid-19 aid worldwide. For example, last month, the country had set up a partnership with the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and launched an international air bridge operation to provide other nations with essential health and humanitarian supplies to those in need. Around 80 percent of the World Health Organisation-procured supplies go through the world’s largest humanitarian hub in Dubai. The UAE was also in the pledging conference hosted by European leaders to raise around €7.5 billion to discover, produce and disperse a Covid-19 vaccine. They have shared genomic sequencing and mutation data on many global databases which includes the Covid-19 genome database - to help scientists worldwide to trace the spread of the virus. Are you interested in working in the UAE? Then register with Odyssey Recruitment and you will be notified when the latest jobs are available there.

COVID-19 Worldwide Death Toll Hits 500,000 in 6 Months

The World Health Organisation Director General has warned that the Covid-19 worldwide pandemic is speeding up and “is not even close to being over”. Today marks six months since the outbreak had started and the world was made aware of the virus spreading across the continents. The latest tally from Johns Hopkins University shows that over 10 million cases have been detected worldwide and 500,000 deaths since the virus was first identified in China at the end of 2019. Half of the cases worldwide have been detected in Europe and the United States but the virus is starting to grow in the Americas. Speaking at a media briefing in Geneva, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “The pandemic has brought out the best and the worst of humanity. “All over the world we have seen heartwarming acts of resilience, inventiveness, solidarity and kindness. “But we have also seen concerning signs of stigma, misinformation and the politicization of the pandemic.” The United States and the United Kingdom are the worst hit countries throughout the world but now countries like Brazil, Peru and Chile are seeing cases rapidly increase. “With 10 million cases now and half a million deaths, unless we address the problems we've already identified at WHO, the lack of national unity and lack of global solidarity and the divided world which is actually helping the virus to spread. “The worst is yet to come.” Dr Tedros had then urged more governments to follow the example of Germany, South Korea and Japan and the way they have handled the outbreak of the virus. These countries had extensive track and trace testing throughout their nations. If you are looking for a new job then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you on your way to securing a great job we have on offer.

Why Practice in Emergency Medicine?

Here at Odyssey Recruitment, we have jobs for Emergency Medicine physicians in hospitals all around the world. In this article, we take a look at why you should consider going into the profession and the benefits in working within an emergency department. Emergency medicine is a good career choice for medical professionals who want to be challenged within their job but it is also very personally rewarding. Working in emergency medicine means you get to work with a wide variety of patients with a vast range of medical and surgical issues. What does the role entail? Working as an emergency physician, you will have very little information to work with when first seeing a patient. Due to this an emergency physician will have to use their skills to prioritise what they and the team need to aid the patients recovery. The initial assessments and treatments is what you’ll be responsible for if you work in emergency medicine. You’ll need to have a good understanding of pre-hospital and in-hospital emergency medical systems for your role. Some of the work includes: speciality in Accident & Emergency departments, minor injuries, walk-in centres, inpatient hospital specialities, scene of major accidents and attending major events e.g sports venues. Working on a flexible schedule One of the benefits of working in this field is that you will work on a fixed schedule. This makes it easy to fit in other aspects of your life like family, exercise, studying and rest. Hours will vary depending on what kind of program you are on. Emergency medicine doctors will be expected to work on night shifts, on weekends and holidays but will still have a flexible and predictable schedule. Variety of options When choosing emergency medicine as a career - there is a wide variety of post-residency careers options. You can then practice in many different hospital types like university, teaching, community, government and the military. This is why it is considered a safe career for the future job market. If someone does not want to practice in one hospital then there is an option to take locum tenens and this allows you to practice in different facilities. Always learning An emergency room is a place for constant learning. Emergency medicine requires you to learn more, improve your skills and advance your knowledge. If you are interested in working in emergency medicine then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you along with securing you a job within the field.

Health Ministry Warns of Unreliable COVID-19 Tests

The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia has warned the public against the use of unreliable methods to test for COVID-19. Officials stated that the only way for the public to test for the virus that they recommend is the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. This test is used to directly detect the presence of an antigen rather than presence of the body’s immune response or antibodies. They specifically pointed out not to use the antibody rapid testing - and this statement is backed up by research and health organisations as an unreliable test. Ministry spokesman Al-Abd Al-Aly also pointed out that added panic and paranoia around COVID-19 could harm individuals and those around them as well. Saudi Arabia is now heading into the third phase of easing its lockdown and curfew restrictions. It was added that people attending mosques for group prayers should do so at home, take their own prayer mat and read the Qur’an online. Worshipers must keep their distance when lining up for prayers, avoid overcrowding, cover their nose and mouth and be warned not to touch surfaces. The Kingdom has had over 167,000 cases throughout the country which has resulted in over 1,300 deaths. If you are thinking about working in Saudi Arabia as a medical professional then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you along with the process.

Administrators Consider Sale of NMC's Fertility Business

NMC Health administrators are considering the sale of the company’s international fertility business, Reuters reports. The administrators of NMC Health are weighing up the sale of the hospital operator’s international fertility business which could be worth more than $500 million dollars which was confirmed on Wednesday (24 June). Administrators were appointed from Alvarez & Marsal in April to oversee NMC and its finances after the big scale fraud of over $6 billion dollars. There has already been talks with banks about the possible sale ahead of a formal launch of the process of the sale. However, sources have revealed that the fertility business is not up for sale in the UAE. NMC had bought a stake in Clinica Eugin - a Spanish based fertility business - in 2015 for over $161 million dollars. Clinica Eugin also has operators in Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Brazil and Columbia. The fertility business is said to be earning between $70-90 million dollars and this is before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation. The potential sale is being considered because IVF is a growth business for investors. The market for global IVF is expected to be around $37 billion dollars by 2027 - an annual growth rate of 9.5%. If you want to keep up to date with the latest stories about NMC throughout the week then follow the Odyssey Recruitment Twitter feed. Are you looking for a new job overseas? Register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you with the process of applying for your dream job.

Working as a Medical Professional in Saudi Arabia

Here at Odyssey Recruitment, we help medical professionals around the world secure their dream job in their choice of location. We offer many different professions in a range of different countries overseas. In this series, we will take a look at what it is like to work as a medical professional in the countries our clients are based in to help you decide whether it suits you. Article 1 - A guide to working as a Medical Professional in Saudi Arabia Healthcare is one of the fastest growing sectors within the Middle East which is why mass amounts of money are being invested into big projects to help the sector grow and develop. Despite the sector still growing, the standards are very high with many hospitals being JCI accredited and other hospitals striving for the JCI accreditation. There are plenty of opportunities within Saudi Arabia to work alongside a global workforce, use the latest technology and state of the art facilities. Opportunities The opportunities that are available in Saudi Arabia are usually consultant level and working in a hospital or a specialist clinic in a public or private hospital. Qualifications and experience needed to practise as a consultant depends on where you did your training. If it was in the UK (Tier 1) then you would need two years post CCT experience. Tier 2 countries require eight years post specialisation experience. Due to Middle Eastern culture of self-referral, there has been a lack of opportunities for GP’s within the region. However, Saudi Arabia has put some policies in place to increase their primary healthcare options and this should hopefully see a growth in opportunities for GP’s. There is a lack of opportunities for Junior Doctors in Saudi Arabia as there are only a few training hospitals and these are focused in training local physicians and not taking in graduates from overseas. Contracts and Salaries Medical professionals are usually employed on a contract basis for periods of one or two years and have the option of renewal on a case to case basis. The contracts given out are usually single status which means if you want to travel with your spouse or any dependents then you will have to make your own arrangements. Exceptions can be made for more senior roles. The salaries in Saudi Arabia are one of the most attractive factors as to why medical professionals move overseas to work there. Salaries are typically 10-20 percent higher than western countries and due to medical professionals being in high demand globally - salaries have been increasing recently. An average salary for someone working in the medical sector is SAR 110,000. There are a number of benefits such as tax free salaries, furnished accommodation, yearly bonuses and free medical and emergency healthcare. Medical Registration Gaining a license to practise in Saudi Arabia will involve background checks, certificates and require you to have a certain amount of years practise depending on your speciality. You must hold a medical qualification from a school listed on the International Medical Education Directory of the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research. As for a visa, once you have been offered the job you were applying for and been successful then your employer will play a large part in helping you get the correct employment/residence visa. If you are interested in moving overseas to Saudi Arabia to live and work then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you along the way.

Concerns Raised Over NMC's Governance Practices

Several concerns have been raised around the practices taken by NMC Healthcare which led to the big scale fraud of over $6 billion dollars. The financial scandal surrounding NMC Healthcare has taken the financial world by storm and there is currently an ongoing investigation into the scandal. The Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank has been reviewing the governance practices within the company which would lead to finding out what actually went wrong. The timeline to NMC’s downfall: NMC was founded in 1975 by Dr BR Shetty - an Indian entrepreneur who had emigrated to the UAE. In 2012, the company made its way onto the FTSE 100 which was a great success for Dr Shetty and also the market of the UAE. In December 2019, Muddy Waters noticed inconsistencies in the company’s accounting and raised concerns over possible fraud and theft. This then led to an investigation in February 2020 by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). NMC was temporarily suspended from trading on the FTSE 100 and the CEO of the company was removed from his position. NMC had to admit to fraud of $2 billion which then increased to $6 billion. Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, one of its biggest creditors, filed a criminal complaint against NMC for $1 billion of owed funds. By the end of April 2020, NMC was permanently delisted from the FTSE 100. It has been discovered that NMC’s Independent Directors lacked financial expertise in 2018. The Audit Committee of 2018 had four members - one of them had left early in the year and was the only one with any sort of financial experience. To add more, the last appointed chairman of the Audit Committee was not a qualified accountant and had not worked in any principal financial position before. So, he did not have financial expertise to govern the Auditing Committee. It then becomes clear that the Board’s lack of financial expertise and lack of financial knowledge from the Audit Committee chairman must have played an important role in the downfall of the company. If you are interested in finding out more about this investigation in more detail then click here. Are you on the lookout for a new job? Then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find your dream job.

Drug Found in UK to Save Lives and Fight Off Coronavirus

A drug that is cheap and available worldwide has been found in the UK and can help save lives of patients who are critically ill with coronavirus. The drug is dexamethasone and is a low-dose steroid treatment which UK experts say is a major breakthrough in the fight against the virus. The trial of the drug was part of the world’s biggest trial of testing existing treatments to see how they work with coronavirus and what effect it has on patients suffering badly. It was recorded that the drug had cut the risk of death by a third for patients on ventilators and a fifth for those on oxygen. Researchers had said that if the drug was used at the start of the outbreak then around 5,000 lives could have been saved. The UK Government has said that they have 200,000 courses of the drug in its stockpile and dexamethasone will be made available by the NHS to patients. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in the daily briefing that it was an incredible breakthrough for british science, adding: “We have taken steps to ensure we have enough supplies, even in the event of a second peak.” Around 19 out of 20 patients with Covid-19 recover without being admitted to hospital. For those admitted to hospital - most recover but are in need of oxygen or a ventilator. These are the people that dexamethasone helps. The drug is used to reduce inflammation in conditions such as arthritis, asthma and some skin conditions. It helps stop some of the damage that can happen when the body’s immune system tries to fight off the virus. Are you looking for a new job? Then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you secure the job of your dreams.

How COVID-19 Has Affected Telehealth in the US

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 now has over 2 million cases of coronavirus and over 113,000 deaths (as of 10 June) but is the hardest hit in the east coast of the country. The coronavirus pandemic has hit the American healthcare system in many different ways. A lot of workers have lost their jobs and hospitals have had to close down due to cancellation of elective procedures that they rely on to make money. However, the pandemic has had a big impact on healthcare technology and telehealth. The healthcare industry has been negatively impacted by the pandemic but telehealth and digital healthcare has come to the foreground of the industry. Before the coronavirus outbreak, many Americans were slow to get a grasp of the digital service - however, telehealth interactions are on track to hit 1 billion by the end of 2020 according to an analyst at Forrester Research. Why has the use in telehealth increased? Policymakers and insurers have turned to telehealth to meet the needs of their patients without the risk of going to an emergency room or doctor’s surgery. By using the digital facilities that are on hand patients decrease their risk of catching the coronavirus and can adhere to social distancing rules very easily. It also means that emergency departments and urgent care centres are not being overburdened. The Federal Government has also taken actions to make telehealth much more accessible for Americans and have made it easy to access it through Medicare. How is telehealth being used? Medical providers are using virtual visits via the phone or video call to deal with non-urgent care or routine check ups of medical or psychiatric conditions. App-based questionnaires are being used for Covid-19 screening to determine whether the patient needs in-person care. Many hospitals around the country have instructed patients to call and contact their doctor if they have suspected Covid-19 symptoms. However, people who are experiencing severe symptoms e.g breathing difficulties - a home evaluation may not be sufficient and in-person care might be needed and more beneficial to the patient. With the increase in the use of telehealth facilities, Global Market Insights reckon that the industry will grow from $45 billion (2019) to $175 billion by 2026. Are you looking for a new job? Then, register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you secure your dream job!

University Launches Mental Health Programme

An online course has been set up to help promote mental health and wellbeing in the United Arab Emirates during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Science (MBRU) launched the Find Your Light course along with the National Programme for Happiness and Wellbeing to help encourage compassion during the coronavirus outbreak and build on the success of the university’s current digital learning initiatives. The course was launched to teach specific techniques to increase self-awareness, noralise emotions and support well-being with the aim of enhancing social solidarity in unprecedented times like these. Participants that use the programme will be able to gain new skills and experiences when it comes to mental health - the course is structured around the philosophy of compassion and inclusiveness. The course is currently available for free on the university’s online learning platform. It is open to anyone globally and is available to participants as young as 11 years-old. It takes around 60 minutes to compete. Many specialists in the field of mental health and academics from the MBRU had helped to create the programme. If you want to find out more then you can find the programme here. Are you looking for a new job? Then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you get on the right track when it comes to your dream job.

No Active Cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden says the Government will focus on reopening their economy as the country declares its COVID-19 free. At the beginning of the week, it was reported that there were no active cases since 28 February. In a press conference on Monday 8 June the Prime Minister confirmed that limits on the size of gatherings, social distancing in the workplace, domestic travel restrictions and measures on the retail and hospitality industry were all to be lifted at midnight. A strict lockdown was imposed at the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak which closed businesses and schools, limited people’s movements and quarantined people who arrived from overseas. The country has also benefited from the remote location of the nation. Now, New Zealand and Australia are in talks about opening a ‘travel bubble’ between the two by September. Australia is still getting daily cases but they are a very low number and currently have over 450 active cases nationwide. New Zealand is now at alert level one - there will be tighter measures and controls on people coming into the country. All residents returning to the country are still required to quarantine for 14 days. Every new arriva will be tested twice during the 14-day period - whether they are displaying symptoms or not. Health Chief Ashley Bloomfield reminded the public, as well as venues, to continue using the NZ Covid Tracer app. The next upgrade of the track and trace app will allow the ministry to send out push notifications to people who have been in the same venue as someone who has tested positive for Covid-19. If you are thinking about applying for a job in New Zealand then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you secure your dream job.

How COVID-19 Has Affected the US Pharmaceutical Industry

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 now has over 1.8 million cases of coronavirus and over 108,000 deaths (as of 3 June) but is the hardest hit in the east coast of the country. The coronavirus pandemic has hit the American healthcare system in many different ways. A lot of workers have lost their jobs and hospitals have had to close down due to cancellation of elective procedures that they rely on to make money. However, the pandemic has also caused a stir in the pharmaceutical industry as well. We take a look at how the pharmaceutical industry has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. During the outbreak lawmakers have called on drug makers to manufacture medicines in the US and to stop sourcing the ingredients from China. Congressional leaders have argued that the country’s reliance on drugs made outside of the US has raised a security issue. This coincides with the White House working in a “Buy American” executive order which would require Government agencies to buy American medical products and the order could eventually include pharmaceuticals. The public has also placed pressure on drug companies to develop a vaccine. On 19 May, the Trump administration announced it had signed a $354 million four-year contract with the company Phlow Corp. in Virginia to manufacture medicines and pharmaceutical ingredients that are needed to treat Covid-19 but are made mostly in China and India. The contract awarded by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority may be extended for a total of $812 million over 10 years - which makes it one of the largest awards in the authority’s history. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) who are the industry’s biggest lobbying group has rejected congressional support for a change in the supply chain. This is because manufacturing in the US would cost a lot more compared to cheaper wages and lower cost abroad that they could just not compete with. It would also upset the balance within the supply chain already there. Pharmaceutical companies are now under severe pressure from the American Government to produce drugs nationally but many think it’s just not possible. If you are looking for a new job then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you find your dream job.

New Ebola Cases in Democratic Republic of the Congo

New Ebola outbreak detected in northwest Democratic Republic of the Congo, confirmed by the Government of the country on June 1. The virus disease is occurring in the city of Mbandaka in the Equateur province. The announcement comes as the country has suffered a long and difficult Ebola outbreak in the east which is in its final phase, while the country also battles Covid-19 and the largest measles outbreak worldwide. Information from the Ministry of Health is that six Ebola cases have been detected in Wangata - a commune in the city. Four of the six people who contracted the disease have died and two under care. Three of the six cases have been confirmed with laboratory testing. It is suspected that more people will be identified with having the disease as surveillance activities heighten. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General said: “This is a reminder that COVID-19 is not the only health threat people face. “Although much of our attention is on the pandemic, WHO is continuing to monitor and respond to many other health emergencies.” This is the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s 11th outbreak of Ebola since the virus was discovered in 1976. The city of Mbandaka and the surrounding areas were the site of the Congo’s ninth outbreak - which took place from May to July 2018. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is already responding and have been supporting the response to the outbreak since the 2018 outbreak - a further 25 people are expected to arrive today to help with the outbreak. WHO is also working to make sure that essential health services are provided to these communities. If you are looking for a new job then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we can help you search for your perfect job.

Coronavirus Could Be a Blood Vessel Disease

A report from The Lancet has suggested that the coronavirus may be a blood vessel disease - as well as a respiratory infection. Endothelial cells are at the centre of focus in the study. These are cells that form a barrier between blood vessels and organ tissue and control the transmission of fluids between the two. The study shows that endothelial cells are involved in a lot of health problems associated with the coronavirus. Multiple patients with Covid-19 were observed for the study. A 71-year-old man who had a kidney transplant was one patient who was observed. The man died of multisystem organ failure after being diagnosed with Covid-19. An analysis of his transplanted kidney found viral inclusion structures in his endothelial cells. Inflammatory cells associated with endothelial cells were also found in his heart, small bowel and lungs. Another patient - a 58-year-old obese woman with diabetes and arterial hypertension suffered multi-organ failure and then died of a cardiac arrest. It was then discovered that there were "lymphocytic endotheliitis in lung, heart, kidney, and liver as well as liver cell necrosis." Before the study was published, scientists were confused as to why blood clots were a common symptom of the coronavirus. Confusion was also spread by the fact that blood thinners did not seem to prevent clots and patients would die of strokes caused by brain blockages. Last month, the BBC reported that up to 30 percent of patients who were very ill with Covid-19 developed dangerous blood clots. If you are looking for a new job then register with Odyssey Recruitment today and we could help you on your way to your dream job.

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.

International Medical and Healthcare Recruitment

General Surgeon - Breast and Endocrine Surgery

Radiologist - Breast Radiology

Psychiatrist Consultant - Rural and General Adult Psychiatry

Psychiatrists

Clinical Psychologist