February 2023 - Page 7 Of 29

Bernie Sanders chairs Senate committee looking to fix the health worker shortage : Shots

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is chairing the Senate’s top health committee which is focused on solving the U.S. health care worker shortage.

J. Scott Applewhite/AP

hide caption

toggle caption

J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is chairing the Senate’s top health committee which is focused on solving the U.S. health care worker shortage.

J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Senators are eying the growing shortage of health care workers in the United States as one of the few problems where there is room for bipartisan solutions, even in a deeply divided Congress gearing up for a presidential election cycle.

The shortage that’s only worsened since the pandemic is a prescription for skyrocketing costs, suffering, and unnecessary death, warned Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who is the new chairman of the Senate’s top health committee. He spoke in his committee’s first hearing last week.

“We are going to produce legislation, and I think people will be surprised about the level of bipartisan supporters,” Sanders said in a brief interview during a break from the hearing. He called for the committee to “produce something meaningful.”

The shortage of health care workers of all sorts is a widespread problem, but is especially acute in rural areas and minority communities. Sanders pointed to the startling numbers of Americans living in medical care deserts to illustrate the point. There are nearly 100 million people who don’t have easy access to a primary care physician, almost 70 million with no dentist at hand, and some 158 million people who have few local mental health providers, Sanders said.

Sen. Bernie Sanders is embracing his anger. A new book details what he's angry about

The COVID pandemic contributed to the nation’s existing worker shortage as many left the workforce as the crisis worsened. Some contracted the virus themselves, and large numbers of health care providers died. An investigation by KHN and The Guardian revealed more than 3,600 health workers in the United States died during the pandemic’s first year alone. Many others got burnt out or sought higher-paying jobs elsewhere.

“Despite all of our health care spending, we don’t have enough doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, dentists, dental hygienists, pharmacists, mental health providers, and other medical professionals,” Sanders said, pointing to data that suggest the nation faces a shortfall of about 450,000 nurses and 120,000 doctors in the coming years, and 100,000 dentists now.

While Democrats and Republicans alike acknowledged the shortages hobbling care for hundreds of millions of Americans, any legislative solution must pass not only the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, but also the full Senate and House of Representatives.

Far-right House Republicans have threatened to go so far as forcing the federal government to default on its debts as they demand spending cuts, and high government spending on health care could make new legislation a ripe target.

Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, the committee’s top Republican who is also a doctor, cited a few programs the committee is responsible for updating this year, such as an expiring program that trains many of the nation’s pediatricians. He said funding should reflect what works in the health care system and come “with the appropriate spending offsets.”

“We have to make sure that we’re not wasting the money we’re trying to productively spend,” he said.

None of the senators in the hearing disagreed with the fundamental problem that too many medical professionals are leaving their fields and that educational institutions are not graduating enough new ones to replace them and meet the growing needs of an aging population.

Members on both sides of the aisle recognized growing levels of burnout in the medical professions; increased threats faced by health care workers; the costs and challenges of working underserved areas; and financial incentives that steer younger professionals toward more lucrative specialties and higher-income areas.

Senators agreed on some strategies to boost numbers of health workers, such as encouraging more lower-cost educational options like community college and ensuring that existing programs are extended this year, such as the National Health Service Corps that trains doctors for underserved areas and graduate education programs.

A whiff of partisan thinking drifted into the conversation, with some Republicans focused more on decrying government interference in health care. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, suggested the State Department should do a better job clearing foreign students and practitioners to immigrate here. Cassidy raised electronic health records requirements as a contributor to physician burnout, saying they consume too much time.

Even in those areas, there were signs lawmakers could agree. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., also raised the idea of unjamming the immigrant backlog.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said vaccine requirements were an impediment. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., raised regulations barring some surprise medical bills as harmful to doctors.

“I think the fact that the committee has made this the first hearing means a number of us have bills. We may try to take a bunch of them up together and see if we can combine them into something,” said Kaine, pointing in particular to the idea of expanding loan forgiveness for people willing to go into areas with shortages. “I think there’s great prospects for bipartisan progress on this.”

Some of the senators credited Sanders with the initial progress toward a compromise. He spent his first weeks in his post meeting with committee members from both parties to identify areas of bipartisan agreement.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said Sanders reached out to meet with her and discuss her priorities. They both named workforce shortages as a top issue, she said, adding, “We’ve got good stuff to work on.”

“In my conversation with him just on the floor this week, about what we might be able to do with the workforce issue, I think he was kind of probing to see if we could put together some efforts to just focus on these workforce shortages,” Murkowski told KHN. “There is a great deal of interest in legislating in this space.”

“What it’s going to look like, I can’t tell you yet,” she added.

“We are going to produce legislation,” Sanders said as the hearing ended. “I don’t do hearings for the sake of hearings.”

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

How fitness influencers game the algorithms to pump up their engagement

Social media and misrepresentation can go hand in hand – and that’s especially the case in the loosely regulated fitness and nutrition industry.

We both have experience with personal training, but from different perspectives.

To improve his fitness regimen, Tim has sought out experienced trainers, while Ashley ran an online fitness and nutrition company before getting her doctorate.

She went through all the hoops to obtain credentials – training as a bodybuilder, obtaining certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association and studying nutrition through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. She also used Instagram to grow her business.

And yet both of us realized that individuals with no credentials or expertise were building their own brands on social media – sometimes making more money than those who were credentialed.

It made us wonder: How is this possible?

To explore this, we followed 488 fitness and nutrition influencers on Instagram for six months, analyzing over 50,000 posts, 8 million follower comments and 620,000 influencer replies to figure out how they used words and images to attract and interact with followers.

In our forthcoming Academy of Management Journal article, we explain how just establishing a social media presence doesn’t mean a would-be influencer can easily reach clients, as the social media platform’s algorithm determines who sees what posts, and when. And even if influencers do attract large followings, social media users shouldn’t necessarily buy what the influencers are selling.

The rise of the influencer

Social media use has more than tripled in the past decade, and many young people now aspire to become successful influencers. A Morning Consult poll from 2019 found that 54{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} of Americans ages 13 to 38 said they would become an influencer if given the chance.

But what exactly does it mean to be an influencer?

Influencers are people who use social media to sell products or services – either their own or those of another company or brand. Successful influencers gain better placement in their followers’ social media feeds, obtain brand endorsements, facilitate networking opportunities and cultivate other revenue streams.

They do this by getting social media users to engage with their accounts – to follow their profiles, like their posts and write comments.

Although the algorithms social media platforms use to decide what users see are shrouded in mystery, it’s generally understood that algorithms will boost accounts that have a lot of followers and regularly interact with these followers.

Gaming the algorithm

Successful influencers will leverage these different degrees of user engagement to build and grow their businesses. But they need to be strategic about which images and words they use, since each can influence different parts of the algorithm.

Images generally attract someone’s attention before text, and they’re also processed more quickly than text. So influencers must choose their images wisely.

We found that images that reinforce the influencers’ competence – in the case of fitness influencers, photos and videos highlighting their physiques and ability to perform exercises, or “before and after” photos of themselves and their clients – had the largest effect on their number of followers.

Our data showed that for every image post signaling their competence, fitness influencers boosted their followers by almost 3{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f}. That’s significant when you consider that each additional follower can result in more revenue from sponsors and sales. According to the music licensing site Lickd, Instagram users with 5,000 followers can earn about US$350 per sponsored post, and influencers with 100,000 followers can earn double that.

The trick, of course, is attracting sponsors.

But amassing lots of followers isn’t the only path to ensuring success on social media. Influencers also need their followers to interact with their posts. This is typically much more time-intensive for users than clicking “follow” and mindlessly scrolling. But this sort of engagement can easily sway the algorithm.

Most social media users want to feel they’re building a community, not just spewing their thoughts into a digital void. So successful influencers can cultivate connection by regularly replying to their followers’ comments.

This can be something as simple as “Hey @instagram_girl292, I love that you tried our new product. We are so excited to hear what you think about the next one!”

We found that influencers who project warmth and reply to comments garner 21{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} more positive replies from current and new followers.

Whether you’re selling workout plans or beauty products, it’s important to regularly interact with your followers. <a href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/young-black-woman-filming-a-beauty-and-makeup-vlog-royalty-free-image/1321462216?phrase=social{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f}20media{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f}20influencer&adppopup=true" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Alistair Berg/DigitalVision via Getty Images" class="link ">Alistair Berg/DigitalVision via Getty Images</a>

Buyer beware

It’s important to remember that influencers can project competence without actually having it – and that regular engagement with followers says little about the quality of the product they’re selling.

In the sample we used for our study, fewer than 20{bf0515afdcaddba073662ceb89fbb62b6b1bf123143c0e06b788e1946e8c353f} of the influencers reported having any credentials.

The fitness industry is especially prone to manipulation. While brick-and-mortar gyms traditionally require their personal trainers to have advanced credentials, such as certifications in fitness or nutrition, there is no industry governing body ensuring that people who call themselves trainers have the necessary background and experience. Therefore, anyone can become a trainer and sell their products and services online and through social media.

In fact, many fitness influencers doctor their images, giving themselves unrealistic and unattainable bodies.

Worse, they may not ever follow through on their promises.

For example, social media influencer Brittany Dawn was sued by thousands of her followers in February 2022 after they claimed she sold them fitness and meal plans she never delivered. Pitching herself as someone who could help people rebuild their relationship with food, Dawn had attracted followers and customers who had struggled with eating disorders. Responding to the criticism, Dawn, whose trial is set to begin on March 6, 2023, said, “I jumped into an industry that had no instruction manual.”

Providing custom meal plans is outside most personal trainers’ scope of expertise, unless they also happen to be nutritionists. But given the lack of industry oversight, few customers knew this. Instead, Dawn, like many other social media influencers, lured followers by posting attention-grabbing photos and interacting with customers in ways that made them feel like they had a personal relationship with her.

That means that it’s up to everyone to do their homework on what they’re buying – and not be blinded by shapely legs, an alluring smile and six-pack abs.

This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation is trustworthy news from experts, from an independent nonprofit. Try our free newsletters.

It was written by: Ashley Roccapriore, University of Tennessee and Tim Pollock, University of Tennessee.

Read more:

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Who are the leading innovators in ultrasonic stimulation devices for the medical devices industry?

The medical devices industry continues to be a hotbed of innovation, with activity driven by increased need for homecare, preventative treatments, early diagnosis, reducing patient recovery times and improving outcomes, as well as a growing importance in technologies, such as machine learning, augmented reality, 5G and digitalization. In the last three years alone, there have been over 450,000 patents filed and granted in the medical devices industry. , according to GlobalData’s report on Innovation in Medical Devices: Ultrasonic stimulation devices.

However, not all innovations are equal and nor do they follow a constant upward trend. Instead, their evolution takes the form of an S-shaped curve that reflects their typical lifecycle from early emergence to accelerating adoption, before finally stabilising and reaching maturity.

Identifying where a particular innovation is on this journey, especially those that are in the emerging and accelerating stages, is essential for understanding their current level of adoption and the likely future trajectory and impact they will have.

150+ innovations will shape the medical devices industry

According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which plots the S-curve for the medical devices industry using innovation intensity models built on over 550,000 patents, there are 150+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.

Within the emerging innovation stage, neurostimulation therapy, smart physiotherapy devices, and real-time IR thermographic imaging are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. Precision radiotherapy, electric atomisers, and bio-active prosthesis coating are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among maturing innovation areas are bioresorbable stent coating and cryogenic tissue treatment, which are now well established in the industry.

Innovation S-curve for the medical devices industry

Ultrasonic stimulation device is a key innovation area in the medical devices industry

Ultrasonic stimulation devices deliver non-invasive pulsed ultrasonic waves to specific areas in the brain to either inhibit or excite neural activity. The devices provide high spatial resolution and can potentially target different sites of the peripheral and central nervous system. It is an emerging therapeutic technique for an array of psychiatric, developmental and neurological disorders, gradually replacing the traditional electric and magnetic stimulation methods.

GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 40+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established medical devices companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of ultrasonic stimulation devices.

Key players in ultrasonic stimulation devices – a disruptive innovation in the medical devices industry

‘Application diversity’ measures the number of different applications identified for each relevant patent and broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.

‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of different countries each relevant patent is registered in and reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.

Medtronic is one of the leading patent filers in the field of ultrasonic stimulation devices. Some other key patent filers in the field include Merz Pharma and Highland Instruments.

In terms of application diversity, Thermalin leads the pack, followed by Merz Pharma and Autonomix Medical. By means of geographic reach, Autonomix Medical holds the top position, followed by Medical Energetics and Cerevast Medical in the second and third spots, respectively.

Ultrasonic stimulation devices have become crucial neuromodulation therapeutic tools for patients with brain disorders. The technology has drawn considerable attention for its advantages, such as deeper penetration and no tissue heating. The rapidly ageing population with brain disorders and limited availability of effective surgical and medication alternatives is likely to drive the overall growth of this market.

To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the medical devices industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Medical Devices.

Today star Jenna Bush Hager shares her healthy diet and workout routine

Jenna Bush Hager has opened up about her healthy diet, from her morning powdered greens to her love of turkey tacos, after undergoing a physical transformation last year.

In a new interview with Women’s Health, the Today star shared how she has recommitted to eating foods that keep her energized after realizing her packed schedule was keeping her from properly fueling herself.

‘I have to be really cognizant of what I put in my body, and I think I realized [in the past] that I wasn’t doing that to the best of my ability,’ Bush Hager, 41, told the outlet. ‘My kids were eating really healthy, and I was just grabbing whatever I could.’

The Read with Jenna book club founder shared that she starts her mornings with a breathing meditation before having not one, but three different beverages for breakfast.

Jenna Bush Hager, 41, opened up about her diet in a new interview with Women’s Health

The Today host shared that she starts her mornings with a breathing meditation before having not one, but three different beverages for breakfast

She explained that she reminds herself to drink as much water throughout the day as she can. She keeps a bottle of water by her coffee machine and makes herself ‘chug it’ while she is waiting for her coffee to brew.

In addition to her water and coffee, she has a scoop of Amazing Grass Green Superfood Powder in a glass of water, which has two servings of fruits and vegetables.

Bush Hager has a paid partnership with the brand, and she recently shared a sponsored video of herself making her morning green drink on Instagram.

The mother of three, who practices intermittent fasting, doesn’t have anything else for breakfast before heading to the NBC gym, where she will do a Peloton class or lift weights before work.

She also works out with dance fitness instructor Amanda Bartolomeo, whom she has been training with since last year.

‘I’m obsessed with jumping on mini trampolines or doing dance cardio,’ she told Women’s Health. ‘But those things are hard to do before work.’

For lunch, she likes to have a hearty salad, and while the ingredients may vary from day to day, she always makes sure to include protein, beans, broccoli, and other veggies.

She did not inherit her love of broccoli from her later grandfather, former President George H.W. Bush, who famously hated the vegetable and was vocal about his distaste for it.

Bush Hager has water, coffee, and a scoop of Amazing Grass Green Superfood Powder in a glass of water, which has two servings of fruits and vegetables

Bush Hager then heads to the NBC gym, where she will do a Peloton class or lift weights before work. She also works out with dance fitness instructor Amanda Bartolomeo (pictured)

Bush Hager noted that she’s ‘not a huge snacker,’ but when a craving strikes, she will grab a Chobani yogurt and add peanut butter and almonds.

After a day of work, she will sit down to dinner with her husband, Henry Hager, and their three children, Mila, nine, Poppy, seven, and Hal, three.

Typical family meals include fish and broccoli or the Texas native’s personal favorite, tacos with lean turkey.

‘My kids are usually like, tacos again?’ she admitted. ‘But I’m like, [they’re] the best.’

Bush Hager’s interview with Women’s Health comes a year after she discussed her new workout regimen on the Today show in January 2022.

She was talking about new year’s resolutions when her fourth-hour co-host Hoda Kotb commended her on her appearance, saying viewers have been writing in about how great she looks.

‘Can I tell you something that I’ve noticed and our viewers have noticed over the past few weeks?’ Kotb said. ‘People have noticed that there’s like a transformation that’s been happening with you. You are — they are just saying, “Jen is looking amazing. She’s never looked this good.”‘

‘That’s so sweet,’ Bush Hager replied, but Kotb wasn’t done gushing.

Bush Hager likes to have protein-packed salads for lunch and tacos with lean turkey for dinner with her husband, Henry Hager, and their three children, Mila, Poppy, and Hal

Bush Hager opened up about her six-month physical transformation last year, saying she started working out in the morning. She is pictured in August 2021 (L) and December 2021 (R)

Bush Hager showed off her figure while dressing up as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader for the Today show’s Halloween special in October 2021

‘Something is happening,’ she insisted. ‘I think for someone like you and me who constantly is berating and belittling, I think one of the things we should do in January is celebrate when something good happens. Celebrate it!’

Bush Hager, who welcomed her third child, Hal, in 2019, explained that getting back in shape has been a process for her.

‘I will say I think I have figured out what works for me,’ she said. ‘And I think the hard thing is I think we expect things to happen overnight. This has actually been almost six months.’

The mother of three credited her toned physique to her grueling early-morning workouts with her personal trainer.

‘The difference is I wake up before the show and work out — and really work out. I work out with an awesome woman named Amanda. Donna joins me sometimes,’ she said of Today contributor Donna Farizan.

‘Donna is a great inspiration,’ she added. ‘She gets up at the crack of dawn and meets me. And another friend of mine comes.’

While Bush Hager was feeling good, she encouraged others who are struggling with their weight to be kind to themselves.

‘Here’s the other thing — anybody that’s either gained weight during the pandemic or had babies and gained weight, it just takes time, and you have to give yourself that grace,’ she said. ‘Because my body isn’t 18 anymore.’

Ohio to open a clinic amid growing health concerns over train derailment

The rail company already faces multiple class-action suits from members of the East Palestine community over the incident, which forced residents within roughly a mile radius to evacuate their homes.

Some residents say they have suffered health issues, while others say they have found dead animals, including fish and chicken, in the area. For the most part, those suing the rail company say they that have lost income because of the evacuations, that they were exposed to cancer-causing chemicals and that they no longer feel safe in their homes.

The Environmental Protection Agency classifies vinyl chloride, the chemical that was released, as a carcinogen that can increase one’s risk of liver cancer or damage with routine exposure.

One of the class-action lawsuits alleges that the rail company “discharged more cancer causing Vinyl Chloride into the environment in the course of a week than all industrial emitters combined did in the course of a year” in the U.S.

Norfolk Southern has said it was “unable to comment directly on litigation.” In a public update Thursday, it said that in addition to continuing cleanup work, it was distributing more than $2 million in financial assistance to families and businesses to help with the costs of the evacuation. It also said it was creating a $1 million fund for the community. The company did not immediately respond to a request for further comment Monday.

Ohio to open a clinic amid growing health concerns over train derailment

In an open letter, Shaw promised to stay in the area “as long as it takes to ensure your safety and to help East Palestine recover and thrive.”

As of Sunday, the EPA had evaluated the indoor air in more than 530 homes in conjunction with Norfolk Southern and had not detected vinyl chloride above levels of concern in any of them. Meanwhile, Gov. Mike DeWine said Thursday that the municipal water was safe to drink, based on the results of sampling and tests done by the EPA, Norfolk Southern and other agencies.

In an apparent bid to demonstrate the water was safe to drink, the state EPA shared a photo on Twitter of agency officials and politicians, including East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway, “enjoying a glass of clean water.”

It said they were “happy to see good data results that show the water in the village is safe to drink.”

Still, as concerns grow, Tuesday’s clinic will allow residents to get health assessments and have their concerns addressed.

“Last week, I was in East Palestine and listened as many area residents expressed their concerns and fears,” state Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff said in a statement provided by the department. “I heard you, the state heard you, and now the Ohio Department of Health and many of our partner agencies are providing this clinic, where people can come and discuss these vital issues with medical providers.”

The clinic will be at First Church of Christ at 20 W. Martin St. Registered nurses and mental health specialists are expected to be on site. A toxicologist will be either at the clinic or available by phone, the Health Department said in a news release. A mobile unit operated by the Community Action Agency of Columbiana County will also be parked outside the church to accommodate more appointments, it said.

Community members can start scheduling appointments Monday by calling 234-564-7755 or 234-564-7888, the Health Department said.

In a recent letter addressed to Shaw, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Norfolk Southern would need to uphold its stated commitments to those affected by the derailment.

“The people of East Palestine cannot be forgotten, nor can their pain be simply considered the cost of doing business,” he said.

Meihua International Medical Technologies Co., Ltd. Enters Into Cooperation Agreements with Hainan’s Qionghai City and Hainan Free Trade Port Boao Hope City to Build Technology Park and Medical Research and Development Center

YANGZHOU, China, Feb. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Meihua International Medical Technologies Co., Ltd. (“MHUA” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: MHUA), a reputable manufacturer and provider of Class I, II and III disposable medical devices with operating subsidiaries in China, today announced the Company, via its subsidiary company Hainan Guoxie Medical Technology Co. (“Hainan Guoxie”), has entered into cooperation agreement (the “Qionghai Agreement”) with Qionghai City of Hainan Province to build technology park project. Hainan Guoxie also entered into cooperation agreement (the “Hope City Agreement”) with Hainan Free Trade Port Boao Hope City (“Hope City”) to build MHUA a medical research and development center in the Hope City.

Pursuant to the Qionghai Agreement, Hainan Guoxie plans to invest in the construction of a medical industrial park in Hainan Province for the will be focused on the development of minimally invasive interventional medical devices, new materials and surgical robotics technologies. Hainan Guoxie and Qionghai City government reached preliminary agreement to bid for the usage of nearly 574,080 sq ft of land around Hope City for the construction of a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) medical industrial park. The Company anticipates making a more detailed public announcement of the land use right purchase information in about one month’s time.

Pursuant to the Hope City Agreement, the planned MHUA medical R&D center will carry out the research and development of stem cell to human targeted therapies and rehabilitation training projects.

Presently, Hope City is the only special medical parkin China, which was approved by China State Council in 2013 and offers a series of special policies such as “licensed medical treatment, licensed research, licensed operation and licensed international medical technology exchange,” and is a key project for the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port. At present, there are 20 medical institutions involved in more than 10 projects under construction or planned in the pipeline, with 51 medical academicians forming the expert advisory team. In addition, Hope City has established cooperation with 30 of the top international pharmaceutical and medical devices enterprises, serving as one of the main channels for the importation of innovative products into China. The volume of licensed medicines and medical devices imported has exceeded 200 categories, effectively facilitating the advancement of medical technology, devices and medicine development in China to catch up with the international market.

MHUA’s project is highly valued by the local government of Hope City, who recently paid a special visit to the Company’s headquarters. Mr. Liu Yongjun, chairman of MHUA, commented: “Hainan has many advantageous conditions as China’s national free trade port, which will provide many convenience for MHUA’s products exporting to foreign markets, new product research and development, and taxation, among other things. It is a great honor for us that Qionghai City and Hope City selected the Company as one of the contracted companies to promote medical industry projects locally. MHUA will strive to improve the level of intelligence, information technology, digitalization and innovation, and accelerate the transformation and upgrade of our business, in order to promote the Company’s high-quality development and create sustainable value for our shareholders.”

About Meihua International Medical Technologies Co., Ltd.

Meihua International Medical Technologies is a reputable manufacturer and provider of Class I, II and III disposable medical devices with operating subsidiaries in China. The Company manufactures and sells Class I disposable medical devices, such as eye drop bottles, medicine bottles and anal bags, and Class II and III disposable medical devices, such as identification tape, gynecological examination kits, inspection kits, surgical kits, medical brushes, medical dressing, masks, disposable infusion pumps, electronic pumps and puncture kits, which products are sold under its own brands and also sourced and distributed from other manufacturers. The Company has received international “CE” certification and ISO 13485 system certification and has also registered with the FDA (registration number: 3006554788) for more than 20 products. The Company has served hospitals, pharmacies, medical institutions and medical equipment companies for over 30 years, providing more than 800 types of products for domestic sales, as well as 120 products which are exported to more than 30 countries internationally across Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa and Oceania. For more information, please visit www.meihuamed.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When the Company uses words such as “may,” “will,” “intend,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate” or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the following: the Company’s ability to achieve its goals and strategies, and its ability to fully execute on the planned agreement, the Company’s future business development and plans of future business development, including its ability to successfully develop robotic assisted surgery systems and obtain licensure and certification for such systems, financial conditions and results of operations, product and service demand and acceptance, reputation and brand, the impact of competition and pricing, changes in technology, government regulations, fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China, and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing and other risks contained in reports filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in its annual report on Form 20-F, as filed with the SEC on July 29, 2022, as well as its current reports on Form 6-K and other filings, all of which are available for review at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.

For more information, please contact:

Janice Wang
Wealth Financial Services LLC
Phone:
+86 13811768599
+1 628 283 9214
Email: services@wealthfsllc.com

Cision

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/meihua-international-medical-technologies-co-ltd-enters-into-cooperation-agreements-with-hainans-qionghai-city-and-hainan-free-trade-port-boao-hope-city-to-build-technology-park-and-medical-research-and-development-center-301751576.html

SOURCE Meihua International Medical Technologies Co., Ltd.

The rise of the influencer

Gaming the algorithm

Buyer beware

Subscribe to our Newsletter