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Electricite Du Laos Reports LAK 19 Billion Lost to Theft

Officials temper a meter (photo: Vientiane Times).

Electricite Du Laos (EDL) has reported losses of more than LAK 19 billion due to electricity theft and meter tampering.

Laos Confirms 153 New Cases of Covid-19

Attapeu Covid-19 Update

Laos has recorded 153 cases of Covid-19 across the country today.

AXA launches “SmartProtect Plus” Market-first accident insurance covering 3 generations with shared coverage in a single policy

One-stop solution with extensive protection at a daily premium as low as HKD2.4

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 3 May 2022 – AXA Hong Kong and Macau (AXA) today announced the launch of “SmartProtect Plus” as the first in Hong Kong[1] accident insurance plan providing collective protection for a family across generations with a single policy. Insured persons can enjoy extensive and customised protection under the pioneering shared coverage that caters to the distinct needs of all family members, with a premium as low as HKD2.4 per day. Moreover, to ease the burden of customers who have a big family, once the premium for one child is paid, all the children within the same household will be entitled to equal care under shared coverage for free.

George, Marco and Phoebus from P1X3L (from left to right), a young local boy band, are the embassadors for SmartProtect Plus and become the first customers of the innovative personal accidental insurance product. They got the protection from Kenneth Lai, Chief General Insurance Officer, AXA Hong Kong and Macau to enjoy collective protection for their families with a single policy.

George, Marco and Phoebus from P1X3L (from left to right), a young local boy band, are the embassadors for SmartProtect Plus and become the first customers of the innovative personal accidental insurance product. They got the protection from Kenneth Lai, Chief General Insurance Officer, AXA Hong Kong and Macau to enjoy collective protection for their families with a single policy.

The 3 notable features of “SmartProtect Plus” are as follows:

1) Market-first1 shared coverage for family members to receive tailored protection with flexible financing

“SmartProtect Plus” offers an innovative shared coverage option which allows a family of up to 10 members across 3 generations to share one limit by all insured persons, with claims paid as they arise until the limit is reached. The maximum coverage for accidental death and permanent disablement (“ADPD”) is up to HKD2 million[2].

Customers opted for shared coverage can enjoy a premium reduction compared with that of traditional individual coverage. For instance, customers with a family of four can enjoy a premium reduction as much as 32%. On the other hand, individual coverage is available to those who prefer personalised protection with standalone limit to each person insured. Customers apply online now can enjoy up to 25% premium discount[3]!

2) Covering all children by paying the premium for 1 child with extra care for the juniors and the seniors

AXA understands that big families with children face large financial burdens in their daily lives. Therefore, “SmartProtect Plus” provides an exclusive offer for families with more than one child. Under the unique shared coverage plan, once the policyholder pays the premium for one child, all children of the family under the same single policy will be covered for free. Children’s age is extended to 23 years old for unmarried full-time students.

A double allowance for daily hospital cash and home nursing3 is also provided for both children as well as the elderly. A maximum of HKD40,000 reimbursement is available for the elderly who suffers a broken bone.

3) Lifetime protection from infant to elderly with 24/7 coverage worldwide

“SmartProtect Plus” allows first enrolment age as young as 6 months old and up to 80 years old. To guarantee a lifetime protection[4] for the insured, there is no age limit for policy renewal.

With the rise of global citizenship, “SmartProtect Plus” provides 24-hour global emergency assistance services and a global hospital admission deposit guarantee of up to HKD40,000 for the expenses incurred from accidents outside Hong Kong, as immediate relief to the financial constraints or tensions.

To alleviate the impact on the livelihood of the whole family if the breadwinner suffers from serious injury, “SmartProtect Plus” offers “Income or Payment Protection” as an extra yet vital coverage option for the policyholders to receive timely financial assistance if their main source of income is affected.

We also take a further step to enhance protection for sports and outdoor activities lovers. With an optional cover of “Sports Protection”, customers can enhance the coverage for themselves, their sports equipment or sportswear.

Kenneth Lai, Chief General Insurance Officer, AXA Hong Kong and Macau, said, “We understand the importance for our customers to provide extensive care for their children and their aging parents as well as the financial burden that comes along. The market-first shared coverage feature in “SmartProtect Plus” can help ease the burden and mental stress in an unfortunate and unexpected event. As Hong Kong’s largest general insurer, we hope to help our customers and their loved ones overcome challenges in life with essential and comprehensive protection for their safety and good health.”

“SmartProtect Plus” also provides various benefits such as recovery aids, job-changing subsidy, abuse support, etc. For more information, please visit: https://www.axa.com.hk/en/smart-protect-plus

The above information is for reference only. For details on product features, content, terms and exclusions, please refer to the product brochure and policy provision.


[1] Reference based on AXA’s internal investigation and comparison against similar personal accident insurance products in the existing General Insurance market, and is valid until up to March, 2022.

[2] The maximum coverage for elderly under accidental death and permanent disablement is up to HKD1 million.

[3] Not applicable to Lite Plan

[4] Lifetime renewal is subject to AXA’s underwriting decision and other conditions set forth in General Conditions Clause 11(d) and (e) of the Policy Wording. The renewal premium and terms and conditions may not be the same as the expiring policy.

About AXA Hong Kong and Macau

AXA Hong Kong and Macau is a member of the AXA Group, a leading global insurer with presence in 50 markets and serving 95 million customers worldwide. Our purpose is to act for human progress by protecting what matters.

As one of the most diversified insurers offering integrated solutions across Life, Health and General Insurance, our goal is to be the insurance and holistic wellness partner to the individuals, businesses and community we serve.

At the core of our service commitment is continuous product innovation and customer experience enrichment, which is achieved through actively listening to our customers and leveraging technology and digital transformation.

We embrace our responsibility to be a force for good to create shared value for our community. We are proud to be the first insurer in Hong Kong and Macau to address the importance of mental health through different products and services such as offering free mindfulness practice resources through Mind Charger which is fully accessible to our customers and the public via our holistic wellness platform AXA BetterMe.

AXA also takes part in a wide range of ESG initiatives and programmes both globally and locally. AXA Group established AXA Climate School and Net-Zero Insurance Alliance in 2021 and set out various global green targets such as reaching €26 billion in green investments by 2023 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2025. In Hong Kong, AXA pledges to reduce paper usage via digitisation and is the first insurer to join the ‘Green Monday ESG Coalition’. As of Feb 2022, AXA Hong Kong’s green investments have exceeded HKD4 billion. We strive to contribute to a sustainable future as an investor, insurer and an exemplary company.

THIS PRESS RELEASE IS AVAILABLE ON AXA’S WEBSITE:

#AXA

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFORMATION AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained herein may be forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements that are predictions of or indicate future events, trends, plans or objectives. Undue reliance should not be placed on such statements because, by their nature, they are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be affected by other factors that could cause AXA’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to Part 4 – “Risk factors and risk management” of AXA’s Universal Registration Document for the year ended December 31, 2019, for a description of certain important factors, risks and uncertainties that may affect AXA’s business, and/or results of operations. AXA undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise, except as part of applicable regulatory or legal obligations.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Hong Kong Baptist University joint research reveals that gut microbial enzymes reactivate triclosan which induces colitis

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 3 May 2022 – A Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) collaborative research study has revealed that certain gut microbial enzymes mediate the reactivation of triclosan (TCS) from its inactive glucuronide metabolite. TCS is an antimicrobial agent commonly used in a wide range of consumer products, and it is associated with the development of colitis.

Professor Cai Zongwei, Chair Professor of the Department of Chemistry and Director of the State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis at HKBU, points out that according to the research results specific gut microbial enzymes drive the conversion of TCS metabolites to TCS which increases the chance of developing colitis.
Professor Cai Zongwei, Chair Professor of the Department of Chemistry and Director of the State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis at HKBU, points out that according to the research results specific gut microbial enzymes drive the conversion of TCS metabolites to TCS which increases the chance of developing colitis.

The research results have been published in Nature Communications, an international scientific journal.

Mechanism of TCS exposure leading to colitis previously unclear

TCS is widely used as an antimicrobial agent in consumer products such as toothpaste, mouthwash, hand sanitisers, cosmetics and toys. It is a major environmental contaminant, and it has been shown that TCS exposure increases the risk of colitis.

Once TCS enters the human body, it is rapidly metabolised to form the biologically inactive metabolite TCS-glucuronide (TCS-G), which is easily eliminated from the body. Due to this characteristic, the mechanism of how environmental exposure to TCS leads to gut toxicity in the human body has previously remained unclear.

To answer this question, a research team co-led by Professor Cai Zongwei, Chair Professor of the Department of Chemistry and Director of the State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis at HKBU; Professor Matthew R Redinbo from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and Professor Zhang Guodong from the University of Massachusetts Amherst conducted a research study based on the hypothesis that certain gut microbial enzymes act on TCS-G in the gut, leading to the reactivation of TCS and the subsequent development of colitis.

TCS concentration uniquely high in the gut

To begin with, the research team sought to determine whether the gut has a different TCS metabolic profile compared to other body tissues. A group of mice were fed food that contained TCS. After four weeks, it was found that the biologically inactive TCS-G was dominant in their liver, bile, heart and small intestine, while the colitis-inducing TCS was dominant in the gut (cecum and colon). The results showed that the gut has a uniquely high concentration of TCS compared to other body tissues.

The research team then analysed the relationship between TCS-containing products and the concentration of TCS in the human body. In a group of human subjects who used TCS-containing personal care products for four months, both TCS and TCS-G were detected in their stool and urine samples, with TCS being dominant in stool and TCS-G being dominant in urine. However, TCS and TCS-G were not detected in the control group who used TCS-free personal care products. The results showed that the use of TCS-containing products leads to a high level of TCS, specifically in the human gut.

Gut microbiota significant in TCS-G conversion

The question remains why the human gut has a uniquely high TCS concentration. To answer this, the research team put forth the hypothesis that gut microbiota participate in the conversion of TCS-G to TCS, leading to the accumulation of TCS in the gut.

To test this hypothesis, the researchers observed that in an in vitro setting, cultured gut bacteria from both mice and humans were able to catalyse the conversion of TCS-G to TCS. To investigate whether the same phenomenon appears in an in vivo setting, the research team found that the inhibition of gut bacteria from mice by applying an antibiotic treatment almost reduced the concentration of TCS in their guts by half, and it increased the concentration of TCS-G by six-fold. The results affirmed that gut microbiota play a significant role in the conversion of TCS-G to TCS in the gut.

Specific enzymes catalyse TCS-G conversion

To investigate the mechanism by which gut microbiota catalyse TCS-G conversion, the research team focused on the intestinal β-glucuronidase (GUS) enzymes produced by gut bacteria in both mice and humans, because they have been shown to catalyse a wide range of metabolite conversions. Using a series of screening techniques, two types of GUS, namely “Loop 1” and “flavin mononucleotide (FMN)-binding” GUSs, were found to be most effective at converting TCS-G to TCS in vitro.

The research team then applied a GUS inhibitor, a drug that inhibits the function of Loop 1 and FMN-binding GUSs, to TCS-exposed and TCS-free mice. It was found that the GUS inhibitor could curb the conversion of TCS-G to TCS by the GUS enzymes. Colitis in TCS-exposed mice was also relieved after the application of the GUS inhibitor. The results support the notion that specific microbial GUS enzymes drive the conversion of TCS-G to TCS, and as a result, the chance of developing colitis is increased.

More stringent TCS controls needed

Professor Cai said: “Our research results clearly defined the mechanism by which gut microbiota are involved in the metabolism and toxicology of TCS, and the study offers a way to prevent the development of colitis following environmental exposure to chemicals.

“Regulatory bodies should consider imposing more stringent controls on the use of TCS. Although the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the marketing of TCS in over-the-counter antiseptic products in 2016, the chemical remains approved for use in a wide range of products. Transparency on TCS ingredients in product labelling and illustrations should also be improved so that consumers can be aware of the potential risks and make informed choices.”

#HongKongBaptistUniversity #HKBU

Top US Diplomat for Asia Postpones Visit to Laos Due to Covid

Daniel J Kritenbrink was US Ambassador to Vietnam from 2017 to 2021.
Daniel J Kritenbrink served as US Ambassador to Vietnam from 2017 to 2021.

US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel J Kritenbrink will postpone his visit to Laos after testing positive for Covid-19.

China and Laos Inaugurate Saysettha Low-Carbon Demonstration Zone

China and Laos Inaugurate Saysettha Low-Carbon Demonstration Zone
China and Laos Inaugurate Saysettha Low-Carbon Demonstration Zone (Photo: CGTN)

The Vientiane Saysettha Low-Carbon Demonstration Zone was officially inaugurated on Friday by video conference.

DiscoverLaos Partners with LUMA Insurance for ASEAN Travel Pass

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 altered many aspects of travel. The need for travel insurance has become more apparent in recent years as destinations reopen and travelers regain their confidence. To best help travelers prepare for their next trip, DiscoverLaos and the Luma ASEAN Pass will help you find the right coverage for your personal travel plans.

Two French-Lao Athletes to Compete for Homeland at SEA Games

Two French-Lao athletes and Lao ambassador to France.

A French tennis player and a kickboxer have been conferred with Lao passports in order to compete at the upcoming SEA Games 2021 in Hanoi, Vietnam.