The Status and Trends of Food Fraud in Tamale, Ghana

Despite its seriousness, food fraud has not received the necessary attention in Ghana’s discourse on food safety. Food fraud is generally considered as the intentional misrepresentation of the contents or identity of food for economic gain. The study was aimed at assessing the food fraud awareness level of participants as well as the foods most likely to be implicated in food fraud cases in Tamale, Ghana. Data was collected from 385 participants, including food business operators and consumers, via a simple random sampling technique using a structured questionnaire. Most participants (54%) were not aware of food fraud and its related activities before the study. Beverages and juices, fruits and vegetables, spices, oils, meat and fish, baked foods, honey, milk, and semi-processed local foods such as groundnut paste, "Dawadawa," “Kulikuli zim,” and “Agushi powder” were all revealed to be implicated in food fraud by respondents. Adulteration was the most common food fraud action, but tampering, substitution, and mislabeling were also identified as ongoing in the study area. “Moora” (Bixa orellana seeds) was revealed as the key adulterant used in most foods. Food fraud, which is a threat to consumer health and well-being, is active in the region and is predicted to increase without strict regulation and increased sensitization about its dangers. The fight against food fraud should be refocused on making food defense systems like vulnerability analysis and critical control points (VACCP) a key aspect of food safety systems to tackle food fraud.

Analyzing the Role and Liability of Paramedics in the Indian Healthcare System

The Nursing and staff serves as backbone of a healthcare system. Despite being central to any healthcare system, not much has been written about them, especially on the issue of their regulations and legal liabilities emanating from their professional activities. Though they are governed by National and State councils, the implications of their acts are different in Civil Law, Criminal Law and under their respective regulations. These differences are primarily the subject matter of this paper.

Inovação em ouvidorias do SUS – reflexões e potencialidades / Innovation in the role of the Office of the Ombudsman of the Unified Health System (SUS) – reflections and potential benefits

Resumo O artigo pretende refletir sobre as potencialidades de práticas inovadoras na concepção e no trabalho das instâncias que compõem o Sistema Nacional de Ouvidorias do Sistema Único de Saúde. Divide-se em duas partes, buscando responder à seguinte questão: Como se pensar e concretizar práticas inovadoras – e mais, que contenham sustentabilidade na sua renovação – quando demandas urgentes da população estão sendo por ela vocalizadas e ouvidas pelo Poder Público, urgências estas ainda mais dramáticas quando situadas na área da Saúde e que devem ser prontamente respondidas, atendidas e solucionadas? Em sua primeira parte, o artigo discorre sobre o polissêmico conceito de inovação, focalizando sua aplicação no campo da administração pública em suas três esferas, e assinala-se a importância de sua estreita correlação com as noções distintas de informação e conhecimento numa sociedade como a que vivemos. Na segunda, desenvolve uma ideia-força de Ouvidoria e, apoiada nesta, uma proposta de conceito operacional de inovação em ouvidoria, considerando o contexto de mudança e transformações em alta velocidade e a complexidade característica da vida contemporânea e as necessidades de manejo de recursos e de desenvolvimento de expertise na gestão da informação.

Abstract This article seeks to reflect on the potential of innovative practices in the design and work of the government bodies that comprise the National System of Offices of the Ombudsman of the Unified Health System. It is divided into two parts, seeking to answer the following question: How to think of and implement innovative practices – which include sustainability – when the people are voicing their urgent demands and these are being heard by the public authorities? These grievances are all the more urgent as they involve the area of Health and can they be promptly discussed, attended and resolved? In the first part, the article discusses the polysemic concept of innovation, focusing on its application in the three spheres of public administration, and highlights the importance of its close correlation with the different notions of information and knowledge in a society such as the one we live in. In the second, it develops a task-force of ideas for the office of the ombudsman and based on this, a draft operational concept of innovation in the role of the office of the ombudsman, considering the context of high speed change and transformations and the complexity inherent to contemporary life and the need for resource management and expertise development in information management.

Reflexiones sobre las funciones jurisdiccionales de la Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia

El propósito de este artículo consiste en identificar y analizar las principales características relacionadas con la Delegatura para Funciones Jurisdiccionales de la Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia. Para tal efecto, se determinarán las posibles problemáticas en lo correspondiente a la constitucionalidad de dichas funciones judiciales, el contenido y alcance de éstas, el desarrollo jurisprudencial que ha tenido la Delegatura a la fecha en lo correspondiente a la teoría del riesgo creado y cómo éste ha impactado en el entendimiento que existía en Colombia en materia de responsabilidad civil de las instituciones financieras y finalmente, una reflexión sobre la protección precontractual de los consumidores financieros por parte de la citada Delegatura.

This article purpose is to identify and to analyze the main problems related to the Financial Superintendence of Colombia's office for jurisdictional functions. To this end, it will define the possible issues about the constitutionality of these jurisdictional functions, its content and meaning. Also, it will set out the jurisdictional development of that office for the theory of created risk to show how this conception has had an impact on the understanding of public liability of the financial institutions in Colombia. Finally it will make a reflexion of the pre-contractual protection of financial consumers by the above-mentioned office.

O objetivo deste artigo é identificar e analisar as principais características relacionadas À Delegatura para funções jurisdicionais da Superintendência Financeira da Colômbia. Para este fim, determinar o problema potencial no relativo À constitucionalidade das funções judiciais, o conteúdo eo alcance destes, o desenvolvimento jurisprudencial que tomou o Delegatura até À data no que corresponde À teoria do risco criado e como ele tem impactado no entendimento de que existiu na Colômbia sobre a responsabilidade civil das instituições financeiras e, finalmente, uma reflexão sobre a protecção pré-contratual dos consumidores financeiros pela Delegatura disse.

Conhecimento dos cirurgiões-dentistas de uma cidade do nordeste brasileiro em relação ao código de defesa do consumidor e suas implicações na prática odontológica / Knowledge of dentists of a city in northeastern Brazil in relation to the consumer protection code and its implications for dental practice

A resolução de muitos dos problemas que ocorrem cotidianamente no consultório odontológico requer oconhecimento da legislação pátria, em especial o Código de Defesa do Consumidor. Assim, o presentetrabalho objetiva avaliar o conhecimento e práticas dos cirurgiões-dentistas em relação ao Código deDefesa do Consumidor. Tratou-se de um estudo descritivo, exploratório, transversal, de análise dadosprimários. A amostra constituiu-se de 173 cirurgiões-dentistas atuantes em consultório/clínica particular oulocatários de locais para atendimento odontológico na condição de autônomos. O instrumento de coletade dados foi estruturado com questões fechadas e abertas, com base nos objetivos propostos. Os dadoscoletados foram transcritos e analisados no SPSS Statistics 20.0.0 e as tabelas e gráficos foramconstruídas no Microsoft Office Excel 2007. 173 profissionais aceitaram participar da pesquisa.Observaram-se aspectos como a falta de conhecimento por parte da maioria destes a respeito daslegislações com base nas quais podem ser processados, bem como das esferas jurídicas nas quais estesprocessos podem ocorrer. O tempo de conservação da documentação odontológica e de garantia dosorçamentos é a forma mais comum de esclarecimento dos pacientes a respeito de fatos decorrentes dotratamento. Pode-se concluir que os profissionais necessitam de maior conhecimento sobre a legislaçãoque se aplica nas relações profissionais com seus pacientes.

The resolution of many problems that daily occur on dental offices requires knowledge of Brazilian legislation, particularly of the Consumer Protection Code. The present study aims to evaluate theknowledge and practices of dentists related to the Consumer Protection Code. It was a descriptive,exploratory, cross-sectional analysis of primary data. The sample consisted of 173 dentists that work atprivate office or self-employers in rental dental offices. Data tool of collection was structured with closedand open questions, based on the proposed goals. Collected data were transcribed and analyzed usingSPSS Statistics 20.0.0. Tables and graphics were built using Microsoft Office 2007. 173 professionals agreed to participate. Aspects as lack of legislation knowledge of most part of them were observed underwhich it could be sued, as well as Legal spheres where it can happen. Dental records storage time andguarantee of service proposals are the most common way of awareness among patients about proceduresresulted from treatment. It can be concluded that professionals need more knowledge about legislationthat applies on the relation of professionals with their patients.

A formação da estratégia nacional de educação financeira do governo brasileiro / The formation of national financial education strategy of the Brazilian government

A crescente importância da educação financeira como objeto de política pública é observada com o lançamento de estratégias nacionais (NS) em vários países no início do século XXI. À frente desse processo está a Organização para a Cooperação e Desenvolvimento Econômico (OCDE) que conta com o apoio técnico de sua Rede Internacional de Educação Financeira (INFE). Para divulgação das NS, a OCDE promove, de um lado, conferências e simpósios internacionais e, de outro, a troca de experiências por meio de estudos, pesquisas e relatórios sobre as iniciativas na área. O envolvimento e a dinâmica de participação da Organização são observados à luz do conceito de comunidade epistêmica de Peter Haas. Algumas experiências internacionais também são analisadas com o propósito de obter um referencial para o estudo do caso brasileiro. Foram identificados alguns avanços pontuais como a realização de audiências públicas durante a fase de elaboração da estratégia nacional de educação financeira na Austrália e nos Estados Unidos. Além disso, merece destaque a experiência irlandesa com a coordenação da ENEF a cargo da Agência Nacional do Consumidor. A estratégia brasileira foi analisada à luz do modelo dos fluxos múltiplos de John W. Kingdon. Nela, registram-se alguns aspectos positivos. No entanto, a principal contribuição deste trabalho é identificar a desigual correlação de forças na representação da sociedade civil na política pública de educação financeira. A desigualdade decorre da predominância de representantes do mercado financeiro no Comitê Nacional de Educação Financeira (CONEF) e na coordenação dos trabalhos da ENEF por meio de uma associação vinculada às instituições financeiras – a Associação de Educação Financeira do Brasil (AEF – Brasil). A ausência de organizações civis de defesa do consumidor é uma lacuna presente nas estratégias examinadas.

The growing importance of financial education as an object of public policy is observed with the introduction of national strategies (NS) in several countries in this century. Ahead of this process is the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) which has the technical support of its International Network on Financial Education (INFE). For disclosure of NS, the OECD promotes, on one hand, international conferences and symposia on the other, exchange experiences through studies, surveys and reports on initiatives in that area. The involvement and participation of the OECD are seen in the light of the concept of epistemic community of Peter Haas. Some international experiences are also analyzed in order to obtain a reference for the study of the Brazilian case. We identified some specific advances such as holding public hearings during the preparation of the national strategy for financial education in Australia and in the United States. Moreover, it is worth mentioning the Irish experience with the coordination of ENEF under the responsibility of the National Consumer Agency. The Brazilian strategy was analyzed in light of the model of multiple streams of John W. Kingdon. It has some positive aspects. However, the main contribution of this work is to identify the unequal balance of power in the representation of civil society in public policy on financial education. The inequality stems from the predominance of financial market representatives in the National Committee for Financial Education (NCFE) and in the coordination of the work of ENEF through an association linked to financial institutions - the Association of Financial Education in Brazil (AFE - Brazil). The absence of civil organizations of consumer protection is a gap present in the strategies examined.

Consumer Protection Act – Awareness.

Background: With the inclusion of health care services under Consumer Protection Act, a spurt in litigations arising out of breach in medical/dental profession is seen. Thus, it becomes imperative for health professionals today to be aware of such laws. Objective: To assess and compare the awareness about Consumer Protection Act among dentists (dentists in teaching institutions and dentists in private practice.) Material and Methods: A questionnaire survey was carried out on a total of 224 dentists [112 dentists in teaching institutions (DTI)] from Manipal and Mangalore and 112 dentists in private practice (DPP) from Udupi and Mangalore, Karnataka, India]. Statistical Analysis was done using SPSS version 10. Chi- square test was used to compare between the categorical variables (P<0.05). Results: A total of 69.6% of DTI and 76.8% of DPP reported to be aware of Consumer Protection Act but subsequent analysis of responses did not reveal the same. Awareness (> 75%) about rules and regulations of Consumer Protection Act was found to be low in both the dentist group. No difference was seen in awareness based on gender, degree and type of practice (P>0.05). Significantly higher percentage of DPP as compared to DTI (90.7% Vs 69.2% ; P< 0.05) were observed to rely upon regular consent. Conclusion: There is a need to raise the awareness of health professionals about such laws so that their increased professional concern and practice conforms to welfare of patients.

Civil liability of dentists based on reports filed to the Regional Council of Dentistry

Civil liability is the obligation to repair the damage that one causes someone else. Dentists must respect legal precepts and comply with the Consumer Protection and Defense Code. In order to prevent legal action, it is important to communicate with the patients and/or their caregiver. Aim: The goal of this study was to assess the number of dentists living in the city of Teresina-PI and in some other capitals of the northeastern Brazil as well as the number of reports filed against dentists to the Regional Council of Dentistry (CRO) between 2002 and 2009. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in the city of Teresina, located in northeastern Brazil, with an estimated population of 802,537 inhabitants. In 2009, 1,938 dentists were registered at the CRO - Piauí, 1,239 of whom belonged to the city of Teresina. The number of reports filed against dentists is presented, using a comparative description of the data by dental specialty and states in northeastern Brazil. Results: Data collection showed that 70 complaints were registered. The majority were against orthodontists (N=16), regarding advertising (N=15) and regarding administrative, ethical or service violation (N=15, 11 of whom were dentists who worked in a nonregistered practice). Conclusions: The number of reports filed against dentists has decreased in Piauí, unlike other states. However, professionals must be aware about communication with the patient and archiving of dental charts and treatment-related documents or exams.

Importância das informações prestadas aopaciente antes, durante e depois do tratamentoendodôntico: abordagem à luz do Código deDefesa do Consumidor / Importance of the information provided topatient before, during, and after endodontictreatment considering the Consumer?s DefenseCode

Introdução: O Código de Defesa do Consumidor completa 20 anosde vigência e deve ser adequadamente compreendido por todosos prestadores de serviços, inclusive os da área da saúde. Nessedocumento, os direitos e as obrigações estabelecidos para cada parte(profissional e paciente) estão elencados em seu conteúdo e os aspectoslegais relacionados à oferta, execução, entrega e garantia dos produtose serviços prestados na prática odontológica são de observânciaobrigatória para evitar problemas nas relações de consumo. Objetivo e revisão de literatura: Abordar os fatores de responsabilidadelegal do cirurgião-dentista, especialmente à luz do Código de Defesado Consumidor, por meio de uma revisão de literatura, uma vez queo profissional pode ser questionado em demandas ético-disciplinarese/ou judiciais em decorrência de falha na prestação de informaçõesao paciente sobre o tratamento endodôntico. Conclusões: Aresponsabilidade do cirurgião-dentista acerca da prestação de serviçosendodônticos encontra obrigações em todas as fases do tratamento, atémesmo em determinado período depois de finalizados os procedimentosclínicos. Portanto, torna-se prudente que o profissional estabeleça umminucioso plano de tratamento, utilize um termo de consentimentolivre e esclarecido, encaminhe o paciente ou realize a reabilitação finalo mais rápido possível e determine critérios para proservar os casosque julgar necessário, estabelecendo uma periodicidade de retorno enecessidade de avaliação radiográfica.

Introduction: The Consumer?s Defense Code was published twentyyearsago and must be properly understood by all service providers,including those of health care area. In this code, the rights andobligations established for each side (professional and patient) arelisted in its contents. Besides that, the legal aspects related to thesupply, implementation, delivery, and warranty of products and servicesoffered by dental practice must be obligatorily observed to avoidproblems in consumer relations. Objective: Since the endodontistcan be ethically and/or legally demanded due to patient?s lack ofinformation about the endodontic treatment performed, this paper aimsto discuss, through a literature review, the dentist?s legal responsibilityespecially considering the Consumer?s Defense Code. Conclusions:The clinician?s responsibility when performing endodontic proceduresis demanded at all phases of treatment, even at a certain period afterthe completion of clinical procedures. Therefore, the clinician shouldbe cautious about establishing a comprehensive treatment planning;employing an Informed and Clarified Consent form; either referring thepatient or executing the final rehabilitation as soon as possible; andalso determining a follow-up criterion of the cases judged necessary,establishing a follow-up appointment frequency and the necessity ofradiographic evaluation.

A review of second medical opinion cases and its attribute to medical negligence: A retrospective study.

Today the number of cases of medical litigation is increasing and already it has become a great problem for surgeons, anaesthetists and obstetricians. The general practitioners and physicians are also facing the problem and in coming years the profession may turn into a nightmare. SMS Medical College is the biggest and oldest medical teaching institution in Rajasthan. The department of Forensic Medicine handles all types of medico legal works and there is a separate established Medical Board under the chairmanship of the Head of the department. Here we receive second opinion cases from different law enforcing agencies including the hospital and public administration. In this paper we have reviewed the second opinion cases with a primary focus on medical negligence cases in the time period of 2005 t 2009. Total 55 cases were identified out of which 42 were dead and 13 were alive. Maximum numbers of cases were observed in the age group of 21-30years. The number of female cases outnumbered the number of males. Maximum numbers of cases were related to surgical practice (OG-21, Surgery-8, Ortho-6, Neurosurgery-3, ENT-2, Opthal-1 and Urology-1).

Consumer protection act (CPA / COPRA) related to medical profession.

With the fast pace of commercialization and globalization on all spheres of life, the medical profession is no exception. Since the passing of the Consumer Protection Act in 1986, the doctor-patient’s relationship has deteriorated significantly and litigation against doctors is increasing day by day. This review article enlightens medical practitioners regarding Consumer Protection Act and how to prevent litigations.