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Month: November 2022

Prince Albert and Princess Grace Hospital inaugurate new robotic cardiology space

by: Stephanie Horsman
24/11/2022

Prince Albert II was at the Princess Grace Hospital this week to visit the new robotic navigation room that will treat heart rhythm disorders, making it only the third hospital in the world to have such advanced equipment.

The latest equipment in the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace’s (CHPG) arsenal comes in the form of a new machine that uses magnetic robotic navigation to surgically remove tissue causing heart arrhythmias. It is operated remotely by computer.

Called the Robotic Navigation Room, it was unveiled on Wednesday 23rd November in a ceremony that brought Prince Albert II in for a visit, allowing him to witness how the system works, albeit not on an actual patient but via a “false heart” installed just for the presentation.

Though robotics have been used in these kinds of operations in Monaco since 2006, this next-gen machine uses ultrasound rather than radiofrequency or cryotherapy, better protecting surrounding tissue. It is also far faster than the old method, meaning patients are not under anaesthesia as long.

The CHPG now joins hospitals in the US and Finland in having such a sophisticated treatment option. Upward of 300 ablation operations are done in Monaco each year, with the patient’s average age hovering at about 60.

In additional to the new room, the Prince was on hand as the cardiology department was presented with the label of a European Centre of Excellence in the treatment of arterial hypertension by the European Society of Hypertension.

Going from strength to strength, CHPG is working hard to stay at the forefront of modern methods aimed at keeping the population healthier and longer.

 

 

Photo source: Monaco Communications Department

Dangerous shortage of basic medication in France

by: Elsa Carpenter
24/11/2022

France is running worryingly low on stocks of paracetamol and amoxicillin, a keystone antibiotic. The shortage has led two French health organisations to warn that “all the conditions are met for a major public health crisis”, particularly regarding the treatment of common childhood illnesses.  

A strongly worded joint communiqué from the French Society of Paediatrics (SFP) and the French-speaking Society of Infectious Pathologies (SPILF) was released on Tuesday 22nd November.  

“All the conditions are met for a major public health crisis in paediatrics within a few days,” warned the organisations. “The stocks of alternatives to the paediatric forms of amoxicillin will not be able to last beyond a few weeks.” 

This latest supply shortage comes on the back of a shortfall in paracetamol that has dogged France since early autumn, with the French press reporting empty shelves of children’s Doliprane and other mainstream alternatives in pharmacies across the country, while doctors were warned to only subscribe minimal amounts in other to ensure there was enough to go around.  

Now it’s the turn of amoxicillin, an antibiotic used widely in paediatrics that helps treat bacterial infections such as chest infections, including pneumonia, ear infections and dental issues. It is the syrup form of amoxicillin that is most scarce, and the most favoured among doctors when treating young patients, but it is feared the deficit could spread to other forms of the drug and similar antibiotics in the coming weeks. 

France is Europe’s fourth largest consumer of antibiotics according to the European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption Network, behind Greece, Romania and Bulgaria.  

 

 

Photo source: Unsplash

Monaco’s free buses: National Council seeks to extend the scheme

by: Stephanie Horsman
24/11/2022

The Principality’s trial of a free bus service is due to end this Sunday, but despite a month-long survey of passenger opinion, the government’s findings are not convincing, leading the National Council to call for an extension of the scheme into spring 2023.  

In the last few days, employees from the Alyce Research Office have been on the ground asking passengers questions on the trial period and evaluating the impact of free travel on usage.  

The goal is to determine if the measure is doing what was hoped, namely changing travel habits to lessen overall road traffic, reduce CO2 emissions and increase quality of life for commuters, visitors and residents. 

Initial feedback from 16th November was not terribly convincing. Céline Caron-Dagioni, Minister of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Planning, said of the free test, “The first indicators show us there is no reduction in road traffic. But the test is still in progress and we should not draw too hasty conclusions. For the moment, we tend to see a modal shift of the opportunistic pedestrian who enters the bus sometimes just for a stop. We have to cross-reference this data with the entrances and exits of car parks, which we do not yet have at this stage.” 

As it stands, the free service will come to an end on Sunday 27th November, but the National Council is keen to extend the trial until spring 2023, which members say would allow more time to analyse any changes to habits.  

In a press release, the Council made clear its position: “This would provide the necessary hindsight to analyse the evolution of behaviour in a more relevant way, while leaving more time for residents to change their habits in the long term, by favouring softer mobility for all their travels in the city.” 

When questioned recently on the extension request, Minister of State Pierre Dartout said that the government “has no position and has not yet made a decision.”  

 

 

Photo source: Monaco Communications Department

  

Louis and Marie Ducruet announce happy news

by: Elsa Carpenter
24/11/2022

The Grimaldi family tree is growing! Louis Ducruet, the son of Princess Stéphanie, and his young wife Marie have shared the news that they are expecting a baby sometime in 2023.

After photographs were released of 29-year-old Marie looking noticeably pregnant during Monaco’s National Day on 19th November, the happy couple have announced via Instagram that they are expecting their first child together.

“An adventure is about to begin,” they captioned a joint post that featured a smiling photograph of the pair alongside their beloved dog, Pancake, who wore a doggy ensemble emblazoned with the words “Soon To Be Big Brother”.

The young couple wed in 2019 after a courtship of several years that began with a chance meeting in a Cannes nightclub. Both work in the Principality; Louis is the president of the Monaco Sports Federation while Marie heads up Société des Bains de Mer’s Marketing Events and Protocol department.

They are already devoted “parents” to their dog, going so far as to call themselves “Mum and Dad” in their frequent postings of the handsome hound on Instagram.

Louis, who will turn 30 on 26th November, is the firstborn child of Princess Stéphanie of Monaco — Prince Albert II’s younger sister and the third child born to Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace — and Daniel Ducruet, Princess Stéphanie’s first husband. Louis is currently 15th in the Monegasque line of succession. His and Marie’s baby will be the third great-grandchild born of the historic marriage between Prince Rainier and former Hollywood actress Grace Kelly.

 

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A post shared by Louis Ducruet (@louisducruet)

 

Photo source: Louis and Marie Ducruet on Instagram

Southern France a hotspot for tourism this winter

by: Elsa Carpenter
24/11/2022

The south of France inspires images of sun, sea and bare shoulders, but new figures from Airbnb suggest that the region is more than just a summer destination. Like the high society of yesteryear, today’s tourists are choosing the region as a winter escape.

In a newly published report, France-based users of global accommodation website Airbnb have demonstrated a desire for a domestic winter holiday that combines nature, sport and relaxation. The most highly searched keywords of “ski”, “pool” and “beach” fit perfectly with our beautiful region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, so where are the most popular destinations?

Family-friendly skiing

Coming second place in Airbnb’s Top 10 of French destinations for the winter of 2022 is the little-known alpine village of Enchastrayes in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence département. At just over three and a half hours from Nice, the village boasts several local ski resorts with prices much lower than those found elsewhere in the Alps. The closest in Super-Sauze, which is currently offering day passes from 24€ and a week pass for 168€ (a Black Friday deal). Another nearby station is Pra Loup, a 20-minute drive away, that connects up with the Val d’Allos ski area.

Enchastrayes joins a number of other family and budget-friendly resorts in the Top 10, after La Plagne-Tarentaise in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, and Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise (fifth position) and Les Villards-sur-Thônes (ninth) in the same region.

Winter sunshine

Seduced by the promise of warmer climes in colder months, the coastal French Riviera city of Menton also made the list, coming in eighth position.

On an international level, other Mediterranean cities such as Rome (first position), Valencia (third) and Malaga (eighth) have attracted the attention of travellers from France. Further afield, Bangkok (second) and Rio de Janeiro (sixth) scored highly while London (fourth) and Dublin (fifth) proved ever popular.

 

 

Photo source: Red Charlie for Unsplash

 

 

Silversea Cruises starts building second eco-friendly cruise ship

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/11/2022

Ultra-luxury travel brand Silversea Cruises has officially begun construction of Silver Ray, the second ship in the Nova class, holding a traditional steel cutting ceremony at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.

Silver Ray is set to join her sister ship Silver Nova as one of the most environmentally conscious ships ever built when she launches in summer 2024. The cruise line has taken the opportunity to set a new launch date for Silver Nova, which, due to the global situation, is now expected to join Silversea’s fleet on 14th August 2023, sailing a round-trip from Fusina (Venice) on her maiden voyage.

“We are proud to have started constructing Silver Ray in collaboration with Meyer Werft, as we continue to push boundaries in sustainable cruise travel,” says Roberto Martinoli, President and CEO, Silversea Cruises. “As part of Royal Caribbean Group, Silversea has long stood at the forefront of innovation when it comes to environmentally conscious cruising. The launch of the Nova class represents a giant leap forward in this regard and we are introducing pioneering technologies.”

Silversea’s Nova-class ships are set to become the world’s first low-emissions cruise ships with advanced hybrid technology that utilise fuel cells, batteries, and dual-fuel engines that use liquefied natural gas, emitting zero local emissions while in port. A first for Silversea, each will incorporate a horizontal layout and an innovative asymmetrical design, with public spaces and suites spanning the entire length of each ship, and each will enrich guests’ travels with an unprecedented openness to the destination.

 

Photo credit: Ingrid Fiebak-Kremer, Silversea Cruises