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Business community focus on employee healthcare

Walter LIYANAARACHCHI

There is an unprecedented need for the business communities in India and neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka to extend provision of good quality and affordable healthcare to the masses. Business community in any country should adopt the fact that expenditure to keep up health of a community is not a financial commitment but an investment, President and CEO, GE Healthcare, India V. Raja said.

Raja said so addressing the GE Healthcare, Early Health Summit held in Bangalore. According to the World Health Organisation, among the biggest obstacles to improved health outcome is inadequate health delivery and finance mechanisms that place the heaviest burden on those least able to pay - the poor and sick. GE Healthcare has recently rolled out a series of Public Private Partnership projects with Indian State Governments and a series of innovative product solutions to make good quality healthcare affordable to the masses. These new initiatives are a step towards early health and also making new, sustainable customisable solutions for basic healthcare.

Managing Director and CEO, Manipal Health Systems R. Basit said that through the latest heart screening initiative along with the GE Healthcare it could prevent 1,600 probable heart attacks during the past six months treating them proactively.

President and Chief Executive Officer of Clinical Systems, GE Healthcare, Omar Ishrak said that they have affordable technology with advanced imaging and care capabilities that can make a difference to save lives.

Healthy and physically capable workmen are a 'must' for a successful entrepreneur. Because productivity rests on such workmen. Therefore the business community forging ahead with success should pay more attention on them, he said.

Founder and Managing Director, VIVUS Hospitals Dr. S.S. Ramesh said, "Initially when we planned to take healthcare to the poor in rural areas we found that the chance for setting up cardiac camps are very limited. People need to travel to the nearest city for medical attention and they rarely do this. That is when we partnered with GE Healthcare to find a solution we were able to play a proactive role in providing a quality health care to the people of India."

Home improvements with American Express

American Express launched yet another initiative, offering significant savings and benefits in addition to a 0% interest settlement plan for Cardmembers seeking to build, rebuild refurbish or revamp their homes.

The offers provide benefits for the purchase of furniture, electronics, furnishings, interior decorations, sanitary ware, tools, tiling, hardware, landscaping as well as fumigating and pest control from a wide range of partners such as Abans, Softlogic Max, Dwellings, Arkepelago, Meubel House, Royal furnishers and Lankem Robbialac Paints to name just a few.

The savings vary from 5-20% and further include a host of benefits such as free delivery, free gifts, free site inspections and assessments.

Commenting on this, Chief Manager Cards and Consumer Assets at Nations Trust Bank PLC Lewie Diasz said. "We understand that taking care of your home is an important priority, and by offering our Cardmembers these special benefits, we are pleased to assist in making your home the perfect one, just as you planned it."

Director Marketing of Uni Walkers Ltd, Desiree Karunaratne under which come the Softlogic Max stores also added. "We are delighted to partner with a premium credit card such as American Express in offering their Cardmembers exceptional offers and benefits from our wide range of Panasonic products and other brand names through their unique Home Improvements programme. We value partnerships of this nature which are all about rewarding our mutual customers and helping make their dreams come true."

More information is available on www.americanexpress.lk

President IPM at CIPD UK

President Institute of Personnel Management Sri Lanka Lalith Wijetunga participated at the CIPD Annual Conference held in Harrogate UK recently and met the President Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, UK Vicky Wright.

Vicky Wright and Lalith Wijetunga with the plaque presented by the IPM Sri Lanka.

CIMA CEO to address US business leaders on need for IFRS convergence

Chief executive at CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants), Charles Tilley, addressed the US business leaders in September, that moving from US GAAP accounting standards to IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) is a crucial step forwards for global reporting. Tilley also spoke at the International Financial Executives Leadership Forum in Washington as part of an ongoing collaboration between the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants), CMA (Certified Management Accountants) Canada and CIMA.

As a firm advocate of the convergence work currently being undertaken by the International Accounting Standards Board, Charles addressed on the urgent requirement for the development of international accounting standards in order to address complexity issues and aid transparency. He stressed the need for one international accounting language rather than different variants being used in different regions.

Tilley explained "In these turbulent times for the global markets, transparency in financial reporting is more vital than ever. Investors and other stakeholders need a common language that minimises confusion across borders and offers clear, meaningful information on which to base crucial decisions. Moving from US GAAP standards to IFRS will aid transparent reporting across the world and will further help to address complexity issues surrounding annual reports and the guidance behind them which can prove cumbersome. It is crucial that regional interpretations of international standards are not allowed to develop."

Tilley spoke through the research project he is leading for IFAC (International Federation of Accountants) to examine the suitability of business reporting and identify areas for future development. He highlighted his work on the FRC's (Financial Reporting Council) Advisory Panel looking into the increasing complexity of financial reports and the need for narrative reporting to help provide clarity.

 Wireless Security Systems from Singer

Singer has become the only government approved distributor and installer of Wireless Security Systems. Singer now distributes and installs the world's leading Wireless Intrusion Detection & Management Systems in Sri Lanka.

Visonic's PowerMax+ systems offer state-of-the-art security for homes, shops or offices. The system detects intruders effectively in many ways and sound a powerful alarm within seconds of a break in, while users will be alerted where ever they are via SMS or Voice message. The entire system is highly advanced, packed into a single solution which is reliable easy to operate and easy to install without damage to walls or decor.

Visonic's PowerMax+ system is energy saving as it consumes minimum electricity and the detectors operate through long life batteries that can be used for more than three years and is so well designed that is almost invisible.

PowerMax+ system is more than a security system. With remote control & management functions it can serve as a comprehensive home management system, allowing users to control any electrical appliances remotely via the use of GSM technology.

Working parents can switch off the TV or AC from office. Another feature of the system is that it lets parents know when their children have returned home from school.

By giving users the ability to monitor their homes and control appliances remotely, the PowerMax+ system provides greater control and ultimate safety for anyone.

Hundreds of thousands of families in over 70 countries rely on Visonic PowerMax+ systems to protect their properties and loved ones.