KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 (Bernama) — Getty Images, a preeminent global visual content creator and marketplace, has launched “Inclusive Visual Storytelling for Asian Communities” report to help brands expand and deepen Asian narratives.
This guidance is a result of Getty Images’ ongoing global research initiatives, which found that visual representation of Asian communities in Asia Pacific (APAC) advertising remains stereotypical, according to a statement.
Powered by insights from its VisualGPS research, the guidelines stated that less than 10 per cent of most popular visuals for Australasia, Japan, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan accurately represent Asian people and their lived experiences.
Instead, most used imagery tends to lean heavily towards perpetuating common stereotypes, namely, depicting Asians as youthful, slender, possessing lighter skin tones, and predominantly portrayed in work-related contexts.
According to these guidelines, four out of five consumers across APAC agree that simply increasing the representation of individuals from diverse ethnicities, backgrounds, and appearances within advertising and media is insufficient, stating that companies also need to do a better job at capturing people’s true lifestyles and cultures.
Strikingly, three out of five also said to feel they have been discriminated against based on body size, lifestyle choices, race, ethnicity, gender identity, disability and sexuality.
These findings underscore the imperative for the media and advertising industry to not only recognise the intricate diversity and multidimensionality inherent in Asian cultures, but also to align with consumer expectations in delivering authentic and meaningful portrayals of Asian identities.
Despite APAC’s extensive span of cultures and demographics, there is limited diversity in imagery. Representation gaps range from disparities in depicting cultural specificities, to limited portrayals of Asian working life, among others.
To provide a comprehensive guide to visual storytelling centred on Asian communities, this new guidance encompasses various aspects of their identities, passions and lived experiences.
By presenting a robust spectrum of perspectives, the guidelines supply media and advertising professionals with practical and applicable insights, serving as visual checkpoints and equipping them to enrich Asian visual narratives within their brand communications.
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 (Bernama) — About 300 guests from home and abroad shared their views on promoting cultural inheritance and development at the Silk Road (Xi’an) International Communication Forum in Xi’an, the capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province.
The two-day event, including dialogues and cultural exchange activities, was sponsored by the People’s Government of Shaanxi Province, Xinhua News Agency, and the Shaanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China.
Shaanxi Party Chief, Zhao Yide said as the starting point of the ancient Silk Road and an important base for China’s westward opening up, Shaanxi is deeply integrated into the Belt and Road cooperation.
“I hope that the Chinese and foreign media will publicise Shaanxi and promote its exchanges and cooperation in various fields with the rest of the world,” he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Xinhua News Agency President, Fu Hua said this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and as participants, witnesses, and storytellers of the BRI, the media shoulder the responsibility of sharing the BRI stories with the world.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Oct 25 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC) is proud to announce the launch of the inaugural phase of its clinical pharmacogenomics service within its Heart Center. This pioneering service leverages the patient’s DNA to tailor drug dosages and selections, heralding a new era in healthcare that prioritizes personalized treatment for each individual. This groundbreaking approach is poised to enhance treatment outcomes and reduce potential harm.
KFSH&RC’s experts have said that this analysis empowers physicians to prescribe medications customized to each patient, factoring in their unique health conditions and genetic traits. Patients’ responses to pharmaceuticals can significantly differ based on their genetic profiles. As a result, what proves effective for one patient may have minimal impact in another. It is worth noting that statistics reveal that 15% of hospital admissions stem from adverse drug reactions, imposing substantial financial and human burdens on healthcare systems across the globe.
This innovative service is a collaborative endeavor between the Centre for Genomic Medicine, Healthcare Information Technology Affairs, and the Pharmaceutical Care Department at KFSH&RC. In its initial phase, this service encompasses six of the most frequently prescribed medications, as determined by hospital data, whose efficacy is known to be influenced by genetic variations.
KFSH&RC has made it clear that it remains committed to expanding the scope of this service progressively, encompassing all hospital departments. This expansion underscores the hospital’s unwavering dedication to providing personalized healthcare to every patient, ensuring the utmost level of safety, and minimizing harm, while adhering to the latest globally endorsed scientific practices.
At the Global Health Exhibition held in Riyadh from October 29th to 31st, where KFSH&RC plays a vital role as a strategic health partner, the hospital is set to unveil the innovative service that promises to advance healthcare outcomes in the region.
KFSH&RC stated that it is moving to gradually expand the scope of application of the service to include all medical specialties as part of its commitment to providing personalized health care for each patient at the highest level of safety and prevention of harm and to harness the latest scientifically proven practices around the world.
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center is considered among the most prominent in the world in providing specialized health care, a pioneer in innovation, and an advanced medical research and education center. It also seeks to develop medical technologies and raise health care worldwide in partnership with prominent local, regional and international institutions. To achieve world-class service in the clinical, research, and educational fields.
SHAH ALAM, Oct 23 (Bernama) — Avisena Specialist Hospital hosted the Avisena Pink & Pulse Carnival an engaging and informative event for the community, coinciding with the Pink October awareness month as it ranked the highest prevalence among women’s in Malaysia. The event was aimed at promoting health and wellness among the public, as well as raising awareness of breast cancer & healthy lifestyle.
The main event highlight was the Avisena Run for Pink, a spirited 5KM run that saw a gathering encompassing a wide range of age groups all adorned in varying shades of pink. The run commenced with a ceremonial flag-off by Chief Executive Officer of Avisena Specialist Hospital, Dr. Razman Abd Karim, Medical Director of Avisena Specialist Hospital, Col (R) Dato’ Dr Abdul Rahman, and Director of MBSA Community Development, Shahrin Ahmad.
Participants set off on a scenic route from the hospital and continued around the heart of Shah Alam, lending their enthusiastic support to the cause of breast cancer awareness. Avisena also brought an insightful breast cancer talk led by our consultant general, breast & endocrine, Dr. Sarinah Basro. This informative session covered prevention, detection, and treatment. “Access to breast cancer information should be readily available, ensuring that individuals’ understanding of the disease aligns with their age, enabling them to identify their own cancer risk and take proactive steps like early screening” she said.
The carnival offered a diverse range of engaging activities, including health screenings, insights into radiology screening journey, a healthy eating demonstration, an endurance-testing fitness challenge for all visitors to enjoy and a lifelike heart replica illustrating its function and common conditions. Moreover, visitors seized the opportunity to explore career openings aligned with the hospital expansion set to complete in 2027.
Avisena Specialist Hospital is committed to delivering high-quality healthcare and is embarking on an expansion plan that is set to start in 2024 bringing the total number of beds to 275 by 2027. This expansion will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and will also include a comprehensive cancer centre offering a wide range of services from diagnostics to treatment and post-treatment support, all aimed at providing holistic care to cancer patients. Alongside this, there will be a modern rehabilitation and physiotherapy facilities staffed by a team of highly skilled medical professionals, marking a positive transformation for the economic and social landscape of Shah Alam and its neighbouring communities.
The Avisena Pink & Pulse Carnival was a successful event that attracted over 1,000 visitors throughout the day. The event not only aimed at fitness and edutainment for the visitors, but also showcased the hospital’s commitment and excellence in providing quality healthcare services readily for the community.
About Avisena Specialist Hospital
Avisena Specialist Hospital is a private specialist hospital located in the city centre of Shah Alam, equipped with 120 beds, 4 operating theatres, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Critical Care Unit (CCU) and High Dependency Unit (HDU), with a strength of 34 resident specialists and 25 visiting specialists. The hospital provides medical expertise in various fields such as Breast & Endocrine Surgery, Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Nephrology, Urology, Colorectal Surgery, Bariatric Surgery, Ophthalmology, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Dermatology, Orthopaedics, Otorhinolaryngology & Plastic Surgery.
Avisena Specialist Hospital has also received the Malaysian Society Quality in Health (MSQH) recognition from 2012 until now, and this confirms the commitment to high quality care and treatment. Avisena Specialist Hospital won the “Global Healthcare Asia Pacific” Award in 2022 and 2023, in the category of Best Surgical Service and Best ENT Service. The hospital also won the CXP Best Customer Experience Award, the Brand Laureate SME’s Brand Champion Award and the Brand Laureate SME’s Best Brand Award.
Avisena Specialist Hospital is set to commence construction in 2024, with expectations of full operation by 2027. It will feature 9 operating theatres (including 1 hybrid operating room), 80 specialist clinics, 275 patient beds, 31 critical care beds, and 20 day-care beds. Furthermore, Avisena will introduce comprehensive oncology services, including diagnostics, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, cancer surgery, and palliative care. The physiotherapy and rehabilitation section will also be enhanced with the introduction of high-tech facilities such as the Hyperbaric Chamber and Aqua Rehab. Over 200 medical specialists and therapists will be ready to serve in alignment with the mission and goals, ensuring that comprehensive medical facilities are available to patients and the community.
SOURCE: Avisena Specialist Hospital
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Name: En Shazwan Tel: 017 327 2003 Email: m.shazwan@avisena.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 (Bernama) — Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) has announced the appointment of Dr Mohamed Ali Abu Bakar as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective Oct 16.
According to a statement, Dr Mohamed Ali will be spearheading all aspects of MHTC’s operations, ensuring its commitment to facilitating and promoting the nation’s healthcare travel industry.
With his vast experience and leadership, he brings a fresh take to Malaysia Healthcare’s growth, furthering Malaysia’s vision to be the trusted and leading global healthcare destination.
In his position as the new CEO, Dr Mohamed Ali will continue to build strategic and valuable partnerships with stakeholders in both private and public sectors at home and abroad.
Under his leadership, Malaysia Healthcare will remain committed to building the Malaysia Healthcare brand and simultaneously raising the country’s profile as a safe and trusted provider of quality healthcare globally.
With 28 years of experience in C suite positions, Dr Mohamed Ali specialised in Strategic, Financial, Digital, and operational turnaround of companies, while the businesses that he had managed range from high tech equipment including medical, Hospital Management, and Clinical Research.
He has extensive experience in health tourism from the early days of working with Malaysia Tourism Board, subsequently during his tenure in Pantai Holdings and more recently whilst he was the Group Chief Operating Officer in Vinmec, Vietnam.
Founded in 2009, MHTC is a government agency under the Ministry of Health Malaysia that has been entrusted with the responsibility of curating the country’s healthcare travel scene, making it a key export service industry.
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