IN-COUNTRY VALUE (ICV) – ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITIES IN THE COMPANIES OF OMAN

Purpose The objectives of the study are to analyze to the opportunities created for the new entrepreneurs through the In-Country Value (ICV) scheme; to analyze the benefits earned by the entrepreneurs through ICV in the selected companies of Oman and to critically analyze the impact of in-country value in the economic growth of Oman. Design/methodology/approach To carry out this research study, exploratory approach was adopted. Secondary data were obtained from seven selected companies in Oman, and the data was collected from the four perspectives of ICV, and the collected data was analyzed, and the conclusion was drawn. Findings The study reveals that ICV initiatives have brought a great change in the local economy through enhancement of human skills and exploration of the capabilities of human resources and the potentialities of SMEs and the ICV strategy opens opportunities to the new entrepreneurs from the local community to come up with self-employment and encourages local entrepreneurs. Research limitations/Implications The study reveals that the selected companies are following their own pattern of plans, programs, and strategies and there is no uniform pattern to adjudge their performances. The Ministries should define clear guidelines and periodic reports should be generated and should be publicized that will boost up the morale of the budding entrepreneurs and the local Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Social implications The study reveals that the ICV strategy adds value to the growth of local economy and thereby the national economy through the efforts of SMEs of Oman.  Originality/Value No one has ever examined the effect of ICV strategy in the local and economic development of Oman, it is a first-hand study of its kind, and the results will be useful to streamline the strategies for ICV initiatives

May measurement month 2018: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Raised blood pressure (BP) was the biggest contributor to the global burden of disease in 2017, with lack of awareness and adequate control of BP identified as the main drivers of this disease burden. In 2017, an opportunistic BP screening and awareness campaign called May Measurement Month (MMM) in the UK and Republic of Ireland (RoI) highlighted that levels of undiagnosed hypertension and uncontrolled hypertension in the community screened were approximately 23% and 40%, respectively. MMM18 was undertaken to further the campaign's efforts to increase awareness and create an evidence base of population risk associated with high BP. MMM18 BP screenings were conducted in the community at places of worship, supermarkets, GP surgeries, workplaces, community pharmacies, gyms, and various other public places. A total of 5000 volunteers, aged 47.3 (±17.2) years, 60% female were screened. Of all 5000 individuals screened, 1716 (34.3%) were hypertensive, of which only 51.3% were aware of their condition, 42.8% on antihypertensive treatment, and only 51.5% of those on medication controlled to target BP of <140/90 mmHg. Furthermore, obese, overweight, and underweight participants all had significantly higher BP values compared to individuals with a healthy body mass index (BMI). The 2018 MMM campaign in the UK and the RoI confirmed approximately one in three adults were hypertensive, with more than half having uncontrolled BP. In addition, these findings show that people with low BMI are at risk of having high BP. Finally, with only one in two people aware of their high BP, awareness remains a significant public health concern