18/10/2011

Other News In Brief

Rifleman Killed In Afghanistan

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed the death of a rifleman in Afghanistan this week. Vijay Rai from 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles was killed by a gunshot wound on Saturday 15 October. Rai was killed when the checkpoint that he and his team were protecting in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province came under insurgent small arms fire. Born in Bhojpur District, Deaurali, in the East of Nepal in August 1990, Vijay was the youngest of five. Rifleman Vijay Rai's family said: "Our family is shocked with the news of Vijay's death in Afghanistan on 15 October 2011. He was the youngest son. He followed his father's and brother's footsteps as his father and elder brother served as Indian Gurkhas and his middle brother is serving with Indian Gurkhas as a Sergeant. He rang his family a day before he was taken away from us. He was very proud to be a Gurkha, and died doing his chosen job. His father and family members are very proud of him." Vijay Rai took over a sentry position on the roof of TCP Rome last Wednesday, and about an hour later the checkpoint was attacked with small arms fire. Rifleman Vijay Rai was hit in the opening burst. He was given medical care on the ground and evacuated to Bastion hospital by helicopter but later died of his wounds.

Funeral Funding For Donors

The British Medical Association has said it will consider a suggestion the NHS should run a pilot scheme funding the funerals of organ donors. BMA medical ethics committee chair Tony Calland said the recommendation, made in a report by the Nuffield Council on bioethics, was an "interesting idea" to increase organ donor rates. In the past the BMA has warned paying people to donate organs or sperm could lead to a less altruistic society. The council's report, which follows an 18-month inquiry, looks at how far society should go in trying to encourage people to donate their bodily materials. Dr Calland said: ‘While the association has generally opposed incentives for organ donation, we have not specifically considered the offer to pay for the funeral expenses of individuals who donate their organs. Despite the progress that the Organ Donation Taskforce is making towards its target to increase donor rates by 50% by 2013, the BMA believes that more needs to be done." He added: "The BMA still believes that one of the best ways to increase organ donation is to move to an opt-out system with safeguards, and we will continue to lobby for this."

Police Dog Obi Wins Award

A Metropolitan Police dog that suffered a fractured skull while on duty during this summer's London protests is to receive a special animal bravery award from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) at the House of Lords. Three-year-old German Shepherd Obi, a police dog based at West Drayton Police Station in Middlesex, was on frontline duties alongside handler PC Phil Wells in Tottenham in August when scuffles between police and protestors erupted in the Capital. Robbie Marsland, UK Director of IFAW, said: "We are delighted to be able to highlight the amazing service given by police dogs such as Obi. We were relieved to hear he has made a good recovery and he is a truly rewarding winner of our special Animal Bravery Award."

(DW/BMcC)

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