aviator bet KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 28 — Malaysia’s private medical healthcare, which has become a significant tourism draw and revenue generator for the country, appears to be increasingly out of reach of many citizens. It came to a point where Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had to weigh in and said that private healthcare costs needed to be regulated as they were “too high and unreasonable”. Bank Negara Malaysia data showed a 12.6 per cent medical cost inflation rate in 2023 — more than double the global average of 5.6 per cent and an increase from 12 per cent in 2022. And so earlier this month, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad touted the plans to roll out the Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) pricing system by the second quarter of 2025. But what is DRG? Simply put, the DRG is a pricing system that charges a fixed rate for certain medical procedures. Say you are a patient, the DRG is a way for hospitals to get paid a fixed amount for treating you based on your specific illness or condition. It doesn’t matter how long you stay or how many tests you have — once your condition is identified, the hospital gets a set amount from your insurance or government programme, based on the typical cost for treating that condition. This helps hospitals manage costs and keeps payments predictable for everyone. How is it different from the medical billing system now? Currently, private hospitals here use a fee-for-service system (FFS), whereby each service is itemised. This means that as a patient, you are charged separately for each individual service or procedure you receive, like a hospital stay, doctor visits, lab tests, or surgeries. So, if you need more tests or treatments, your bill can keep growing, and the cost depends on what and how much you get. In contrast, under the DRG system, the hospital gets a fixed amount based on your diagnosis, no matter how many services you use or how long you stay. This makes your costs more predictable in the DRG system, whereas in FFS, you're billed for each thing separately. The DRG model is implemented in developed nations like Germany, the United States, South Korea, and Japan. What is the purpose? The DRG is said to enhance the transparency of medical fees and to address the hike in private healthcare costs which contributed to the recent rise of medical insurance premiums, which has been generating a lot of buzz recently. This is also good news for patients because private hospitals might be required to bear the costs of additional treatment if complications arise, according to Dr Yap Wei Aun, chief executive of the Health Ministry’s Health Transformation Office, in a news report published by healthcare portal CodeBlue after an August 27 meeting with the Health Parliamentary Special Select Committee. Under DRG, unnecessary hospital stays and curb the sharp incline of healthcare costs, benefiting not just patients but hospitals, Affin Hwang Investment Bank Bhd analyst Tan Ei Leen told Business Times on December 14. But not everyone is convinced. Potential downsides to DRG Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research cautioned that the DRG system could reduce profit margins for private hospitals. With a standardised payment model, HLIB Research said some private hospitals might be tempted to cut corners, discharge patients prematurely, or be selective in admitting low-cost cases. This is because the cost structures among Malaysia’s private hospitals vary widely due to different room configurations, staff-to-patient ratios, and adoption of advanced medical technologies. HLIB Research expects Putrajaya to repurpose the DRG payment system as part of a future national health insurance (NHI) scheme, consistent with global practices outlined in the Health White Paper. A NHI scheme usually requires citizens or residents to contribute a portion of their salaries and receive standardised healthcare services. RHB Investment Bank Bhd analyst Oong Chun Sung warned that Malaysia needs a robust data and technical management system to effectively implement the DRG mechanism. Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy founder and chief executive officer Azrul Mohd Khalib highlighted that the current framework in Malaysia cannot effectively support the implementation of the DRG. He emphasised that the system would require vast data about the patients and would rely on detailed clinical coding and reliable cost data, Business Times reported. Azrul said that the information technology infrastructure in the Malaysian healthcare system is irregular and decades behind, adding that Malaysia also struggles with noting granular cost data. He said that hospitals must be able to break down their expenditures-staff time, pharmaceuticals, consumables, and equipment usage-per episode of care. Further training would be required to interpret DRG-based performance indicators and to adjust internal processes accordingly, he said. What needs to be done for a smooth rollout? Azrul also underlined that consultations, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory and legislative amendments would be crucial to implementing the DRG system. He said that engagement and trust from consumers, hospital administrators, clinicians, and professional bodies were pertinent to ensure a smooth sailing system. The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh said its members are not against cost containment, but called for a transparent and collective discussion with all stakeholders to address the issue of rising healthcare costs without delay.The Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection special comic book is a lot smaller than expected - EventHubs

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, on Thursday, signed the engineering, procurement, and construction contract with Julius Berger PLC for the development of the Oloibiri Museum and Research Centre. The museum is to be located in Otuabagi, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. A statement released by the NCDMB Corporate Communications Department disclosed that the board’s Executive Secretary, Felix Ogbe, signed the contract at the board’s liaison office in Abuja. The project is scheduled to be completed within 30 months. According to the statement, the OMRC is being financed by the Petroleum Development Technology Fund, NCDMB, Shell Petroleum Development Company/Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, and the Bayelsa State Government, with contributions in the ratios of 40%, 30%, 20%, and 10% respectively. “The project is registered by guarantee, with the four organisations serving as partners. The contract agreement has been approved by the partners and signed by Julius Berger PLC,” the statement read. The Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, who serves as the chairman of the registered company overseeing the project, signed the contract on behalf of the partners. The Director of Legal Services at the NCDMB, M. Naboth Onyesoh, serves as the company’s Secretary. The Muhammadu Buhari administration had in February 2023 awarded the EPC contract for the OMRC to Julius Berger at a cost of N117 billion. The groundbreaking ceremony was held the same month, attracting top government officials, oil and gas stakeholders, and community members. Related News Why Nigeria will continue to produce fossil fuels - Lokpobiri Ministers, others to discuss local content at NCDMB summit Julius Berger to honour 795 workers Ogbe expressed delight at the signing of the contract, marking the official start of construction activities. He noted that the project would generate significant economic benefits for Bayelsa State and the nation during its construction and operational phases. Ogbe thanked the project partners and other stakeholders for their contributions to the project’s progress. He explained that the museum was conceived to honour the birthplace of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon industry, which began in 1958. He also noted that President Bola Tinubu supports the project, considering it long overdue, and that multi-level government and private-sector collaboration has been crucial to bringing the project to fruition. The statement added: “The OMRC project is expected to deliver a world-class oil and gas museum showcasing the history of crude oil production in Nigeria, including geological formations, early equipment, tools, and platforms used in the industry’s evolution. “In addition, the research and testing centre will provide facilities for field trials of indigenous oil and gas research prototypes, granting access to university students in oil and gas disciplines to deepen their understanding of local technological advancements. “The OMRC will also facilitate the commercialisation of research by creating an ecosystem for developing home-grown oil and gas technology. Furthermore, it will generate new commercial value chains from museum and research activities, creating employment opportunities for Nigerians.”

While there was high drama in Alexandra Palace on the first day back after the Christmas break, where Damon Heta threw a nine-dart finish, Humphries enjoyed a serene evening. He beat Nick Kenny 4-0 to set up a mouth-watering fourth-round meeting with two-time champion Peter Wright. THE WORLD NUMBER ONE KICKS ON! Luke Humphries comfortably books his spot in the Last 16 with a 4-0 whitewash victory over Nick Kenny, averaging 98.59! 📺 https://t.co/pIQvhqYxEj #WCDarts pic.twitter.com/XAADalXD4Q — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 27, 2024 Kenny was unable to produce the form that saw him beat Raymond van Barneveld in the previous round and Humphries did not need to be anywhere near his best. “It was one of those games I didn’t want to take for granted,” he said. “I expected a tough game and I wasn’t firing, I felt there is so much more to give, I felt there was more to come out of me. “I didn’t want to give anyone an inch because they can take a mile. “I’m not going to give up this world title without a fight, I wasn’t at my best but when someone pushes me I know I can come up with the goods.” Earlier in the day Heta set the tournament alight on its resumption with a stunning nine-dart finish before bowing out. The Australian, seeded ninth, achieved darting perfection in the second set of his match with Luke Woodhouse to earn a cool £60,000 payday. However, his joy was short-lived as Woodhouse won a thrilling battle 4-3, having trailed 3-1. HEROIC HETA HITS THE NINE! 🔥 UNBELIEVABLE SCENES! 🤯 Damon Heta lands the second nine-darter of the tournament to raise the roof at Alexandra Palace! #WCDarts pic.twitter.com/DW6rhvFqez — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 27, 2024 Heta was millimetres away from throwing a nine-darter in the previous round when he missed the double 12, but he made no mistake this time in the first match after the Christmas break. Heta’s feat was the second time a nine-darter has been thrown in the 2025 tournament and the 16th of all time at the World Championship, following Christian Kist’s effort before Christmas. As well as landing the Australian a hefty payday, it also saw a lucky fan in Ally Pally win a £60,000, with £60,000 also being donated to Prostate Cancer UK. There were several other titanic battles, none better than Gerwyn Price’s sudden-death leg victory over Joe Cullen. Price looked like he was going to have an easy night when he coasted into a 3-0 lead, but Cullen hit back to send it to a decider, which went all the way. Cullen landed a ‘Big Fish’ 170 checkout to send the tie to a sudden-death leg on his throw but Price hit some big numbers to steal victory. “That was tough, I just wanted to get over the winning line,” he said during his on-stage interview. PRICE WINS A THRILLER! That might just be the game of the tournament so far! 💥 Gerwyn Price manages to break the Rockstars throw in the final leg of the game, and beats Joe Cullen 4-3 and books his place in the Last 16! 📺 https://t.co/pIQvhqYxEj #WCDarts pic.twitter.com/VnjnJxP0T0 — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 27, 2024 “He kept coming back, the crowd were way behind him. “I thought I was going to lose, but I kept in there right to the end and got the win. “He played some good darts at the right times. I put myself in that position, I got myself out of it and I’m still in.” Seventh seed Jonny Clayton also battled to victory after squandering a 3-0 lead against Daryl Gurney. Gurney then had six darts to send the decider to a tiebreaker but lost his nerve and Clayton stole a 4-3 win. Stephen Bunting and Peter Wright, who was suffering from a chest infection, enjoyed much more safe passages with routine wins over Madars Razma and Jermaine Wattimena respectively.REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Seer, Inc. (Nasdaq: SEER), a leading life sciences company commercializing a disruptive new platform for proteomics, today announced it ranked No. 57 on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 TM, a ranking of the 500 fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies in North America, now in its 30th year. Seer grew 2,440% during this period. Seer’s President and CFO, David Horn, credits increased adoption of Seer’s Proteograph Product Suite, as well as new discoveries made by its customers across neurodegenerative disease, cancer, and metabolic disease, with the company’s 2,440% revenue growth. "This has been an exciting year for Seer, from the launch of our technology access center in Europe, to seeing our Proteograph platform used by astronauts on the SpaceX Inspiration4 mission, to the recent announcement of our co-marketing and sales agreement with Thermo Fisher Scientific,” Horn said. “We’re proud to see continuing validation of our work providing customers and the broader scientific community with the power to enable deep proteomic insights at a scale and price point that hasn’t been possible before." Seer previously ranked No. 5 as a Technology Fast 500 award winner for 2023. Overall, 2024 Technology Fast 500 companies achieved revenue growth ranging from 201% to 153,625% over the three-year time frame, with an average growth rate of 1,981% and median growth rate of 460%. About the 2024 Deloitte Technology Fast 500: Now in its 30th year, the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies — both public and private — in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2020 to 2023. In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company’s operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least US$50,000, and current-year operating revenues of at least US$5 million. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America. About Seer: Seer is a life sciences company developing transformative products that open a new gateway to the proteome. Seer’s Proteograph Product Suite is an integrated solution that includes proprietary engineered nanoparticles, consumables, automation instrumentation and software to perform deep, unbiased proteomic analysis at scale in a matter of hours. Seer designed the Proteograph workflow to be efficient and easy to use, leveraging widely adopted laboratory instrumentation to provide a decentralized solution that can be incorporated by nearly any lab. Seer’s Proteograph Product Suite is for research use only and is not intended for diagnostic procedures. For more information, please visit www.seer.bio . Media Contact: Patrick Schmidt pr@seer.bio Investor Contact: Carrie Mendivil investor@seer.bio About Deloitte: Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world’s most admired brands, including nearly 90% of the Fortune 500® and more than 8,500 U.S.-based private companies. At Deloitte, we strive to live our purpose of making an impact that matters by creating trust and confidence in a more equitable society. We leverage our unique blend of business acumen, command of technology, and strategic technology alliances to advise our clients across industries as they build their future . Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Bringing more than 175 years of service, our network of member firms spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte’s approximately 460,000 people worldwide connect for impact at www.deloitte.com . Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (“DTTL”), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the “Deloitte” name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.

Luke Humphries bid for back-to-back World Championship titles on track after winStocks closed higher on Wall Street ahead of the Christmas holiday, led by gains in Big Tech stocks. The S&P 500 added 1.1% Tuesday. Trading closed early ahead of the holiday. Tech companies including Apple, Amazon and chip company Broadcom helped pull the market higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.9%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.3%. American Airlines shook off an early loss and ended mostly higher after the airline briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical issue. Treasury yields held steady in the bond market. On Tuesday: The S&P 500 rose 65.97 points, or 1.1%, to 6,040.04. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 390.08 points, or 0.9%, to 43,297.03. The Nasdaq composite rose 266.24 points, or 1.3%, to 20,031.13. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies rose 22.42 points, or 1%, to 2,259.85 For the week: The S&P 500 is up 109.19 points, or 1.8%. The Dow is up 456.77 points, or 1.1%. The Nasdaq is up 458.53 points, or 2.3%. The Russell 2000 is up 17.48 points, or 0.8%. For the year: The S&P 500 is up 1,270.21 points, or 26.3%. The Dow is up 5,607.49 points, or 14.9%. The Nasdaq is up 5,019.77 points, or 33.4%. The Russell 2000 is up 232.78 points, or 11.5%.( MENAFN - IANS) London, Dec 28 (IANS) Arsenal moved past Chelsea to second place in the Premier League table with a 1-0 win over Ipswich Town at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday (IST). The Gunners' midfield anchor Declan Rice reflected on the absence of Bukayo Saka who is looking at a period on the sidelines with a torn hamstring. “Tonight was different without him - he's been our main man. We're going to have to adapt. It's a great chance for players to step up over the coming months and make their mark,” said Rice to Amazon Prime The Englishman was substituted off after suffering an injury during their 5-1 win against Crystal Palace. The 23-year old was in top form in the ongoing season having scored nine goals and registered 13 assists in all competitions. Arteta, who previously had not given a time frame for Saka's return revealed he will be out for 'more than two months.' "He had a procedure. I said many weeks, so I think it will be more than two months. I don't know exactly how much longer. "It will depend on how the scar tissue starts to heal, the first week or so, the mobility of that. Let's see, it's very difficult to say,” said Arteta in the post-game conference. However Arsenal will be pleased with the return of Raheem Sterling, their only cover on the right flank. "Yes, we have to see this week how he evolves. We probably expected the knee injury to take longer than it has evolved in the last few days. Hopefully that's good news because we need him," the Spaniard added. With the win over Ipswich, Arsenal are now six points behind league leaders Liverpool as they chase their first league title in two decades. MENAFN27122024000231011071ID1109036218 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

Medtronic ( NYSE:MDT – Free Report ) had its price objective upped by Sanford C. Bernstein from $96.00 to $97.00 in a research report released on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. Sanford C. Bernstein currently has an outperform rating on the medical technology company’s stock. MDT has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on Medtronic from $85.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 21st. Evercore ISI raised their target price on shares of Medtronic from $100.00 to $104.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 1st. UBS Group upgraded shares of Medtronic from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating and boosted their target price for the company from $76.00 to $90.00 in a research note on Thursday, August 15th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on Medtronic from $85.00 to $87.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 21st. Finally, Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on Medtronic from $96.00 to $93.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $95.00. Get Our Latest Analysis on MDT Medtronic Trading Up 1.7 % Medtronic ( NYSE:MDT – Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, November 19th. The medical technology company reported $1.26 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.25 by $0.01. Medtronic had a return on equity of 13.79% and a net margin of 13.00%. The business had revenue of $8.40 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.27 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.25 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 5.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Medtronic will post 5.46 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Medtronic A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. State Street Corp grew its holdings in Medtronic by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 60,731,367 shares of the medical technology company’s stock valued at $5,509,155,000 after buying an additional 520,027 shares in the last quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC grew its stake in Medtronic by 3.3% during the third quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 8,582,993 shares of the medical technology company’s stock valued at $772,727,000 after acquiring an additional 275,870 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC increased its holdings in Medtronic by 436.7% in the 3rd quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 7,343,385 shares of the medical technology company’s stock valued at $661,125,000 after acquiring an additional 5,975,110 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in Medtronic by 7.8% in the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 7,120,554 shares of the medical technology company’s stock worth $560,494,000 after purchasing an additional 515,751 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Longview Partners Guernsey LTD boosted its holdings in shares of Medtronic by 2.3% during the 1st quarter. Longview Partners Guernsey LTD now owns 6,635,054 shares of the medical technology company’s stock valued at $578,245,000 after purchasing an additional 147,737 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 82.06% of the company’s stock. Medtronic Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Medtronic plc develops, manufactures, and sells device-based medical therapies to healthcare systems, physicians, clinicians, and patients worldwide. Its Cardiovascular Portfolio segment offers implantable cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices; cardiac ablation products; insertable cardiac monitor systems; TYRX products; and remote monitoring and patient-centered software. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Medtronic Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Medtronic and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Sri Lankan President Disanayaka begins 3-day India visitJaland Lowe, Pitt charge past LSU in second half to move to 6-0

Leos are in for a day of positivity, spiritual growth, and new beginnings. Strong family support, especially from younger members, will boost their spirits. Love life flourishes with deepened connections and potential new romances. Career and education prospects are bright, with opportunities for advancement. Financially, it's a good time for stable investments. Leo natives can expect a day filled with positivity, spiritual growth, and opportunities for new beginnings. Engaging in religious or charitable activities will bring immense satisfaction and peace of mind. Support from your children or younger family members will brighten your day, especially as they show progress in their endeavors. Overall, this day radiates joy and optimism, making it ideal for pursuing personal and professional goals. Love and Relationship: In matters of love, your stars align to bring harmony and happiness. Couples will deepen their connection, enjoying heartfelt conversations and shared activities. Singles may experience a fateful encounter that sparks new romantic possibilities. Expressing your feelings openly will strengthen your relationships, whether romantic or platonic. Education and Career: For students, academic pursuits are well-supported, and this is an excellent day to tackle challenging subjects or prepare for exams. Your diligence will yield positive results. Businesspersons and professionals may find new opportunities knocking at their door. If you’ve been considering launching a new venture or project, the stars encourage you to take the leap today. Money and Finance: Financially, this is a favorable time to invest in ventures that promise long-term stability, especially in areas such as property or technology. Your financial intuition is sharp, so trust your instincts when making decisions. Avoid unnecessary expenses and focus on building a secure foundation for the future. Read more: Horoscope Today, December 13, 2024: Read your today's astrological predictions Health and Well-being: Health remains robust, with vitality and energy levels high. Engage in activities that boost your physical and mental well-being, such as yoga or outdoor exercise. Pay attention to maintaining a balanced diet, and consider incorporating mindfulness practices to enhance your inner peace. Discover everything about astrology at the Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces .