Santo Domingo.- The Dermatological and Skin Surgery Institute “Dr. Huberto Bogaert Díaz” celebrated the graduation of its fifty-third class of postgraduate resident doctors in dermatology and venereology, welcoming 13 new specialists. Concurrently, the institute marked the twenty-sixth promotion of dermatological surgeons, graduating 4 new specialized medical professionals.

Dr. Víctor Pou Soares, the general director of the IDCP, presided over the ceremony, joined by esteemed doctors, including Emma Guzmán de Cruz, president of the Board of Trustees to Fight Leprosy; Luisa González de Bogaert, vice president; Dr. Manuel Cochón Aranda, residency coordinator in dermatology; and doctors Mariel Isa Pimentel, president of the Dominican Society of Dermatology, and Elfida Sánchez, deputy director of the IDCP.

Dr. Victor Pou Soares emphasized the significant role played by the IDCP as an educational institution and commended the collective effort made by the institution and its educators to provide high-quality training while delivering excellent medical care to patients. He encouraged the graduates to carry forward the values and knowledge they had gained during their training, becoming leaders and references in the field of dermatology. He also reminded them of their oath as doctors to provide quality care, promote health and well-being, and continue learning and growing in their profession.

The central investiture speech was delivered by Dr. Gabriel Serrano, president and founder of Sesderma and Mediderma Laboratories.

During the graduation ceremony, the “Doctor Huberto Bogaert Díaz Academic Excellence Award” was presented to Dr. Anmarie Li Herrera, recognizing her outstanding academic performance. Doctors Winston Damián Brito Fabian and Laura Mariel Sánchez Almánzar were also honored with the “Doctor Rafael Isa Isa Academic Coordination Award.” Additionally, the Sesderma Doctor Gabriel Serrano Award was bestowed upon graduate Laura Soto.

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Li Herrera expressed gratitude to the IDCP for the academic training and knowledge they had received during their four years of specialization. She expressed pride and satisfaction in being part of this prestigious institution, which serves as a benchmark in dermatology in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Since 1967, the “Dr. Huberto Bogaert Díaz” Institute has trained 380 doctors specializing in dermatology, including 336 Dominicans and 44 foreigners. In the field of dermatological surgery, they have prepared 83 medical professionals since 1988.

Santo Domingo.- The UCE Research Laboratory of Emerging Diseases and Molecular Biology is contributing to a study titled “Dengue and the Immune Environment,” which aims to investigate the effects of classic and hemorrhagic dengue viruses on the immune system. This research is being conducted in collaboration with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the Robert Reid Cabral Hospital, and the Antonio Musa Hospital in San Pedro de Macorís.

The laboratory, established in 2019 with international funding, focuses on researching infectious diseases in the Eastern Region of the Dominican Republic.

The study involves patients who have tested positive for dengue in the participating hospitals. After confirming dengue positivity, the laboratory conducts antigen tests and other research-related tests, sending the results to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. It’s important to note that these tests are conducted solely for research purposes.

The study aims to recruit 10 cases of classic dengue and 10 cases of dengue with alarm signs for a comparative analysis of how the immune system responds to these two types of dengue. This research will provide valuable insights into the immune response to febrile viruses like dengue.

Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, formerly known as Willingdon Hospital, was established by the British for their staff and had only 54 beds. After independence, its control was shifted to New Delhi Municipal Committee. In 1954, its control was again transferred to the Central Government of Independent India.

Also Read:Applications Open: Faculty, Senior Lecturer, Specialist Post At UPSC: Apply Now

RML Hospital Vacancy Details:

Total no of vacancies: 01

The Vacancies are in the department of Neurology.

The date of Walk-In-Interview - 22nd November 2023.

Venue and Reporting Time:- Room No. 104, 1st Floor, Administrative Block, ABVIMS by 9.30 A.M.

For more details about Qualifications, Age, Pay Allowance, and much more, click on the given link:

https://medicaljob.in/jobs.php?post_type=&job_tags=RML+Hospital&location=&job_sector=all

Eligible Candidates (How to Apply)?

Suitable and willing candidate may report in Room No. 104, 1st Floor, Administrative Block, ABVIMS for walk-in-interview by 9.30 a.m. on the aforesaid dates along with duly filled in application form (2 copies of Annexure-I), 4 passport size photographs, original and two set of photocopies of relevant documents. No TA/DA is admissible for attending the interview.

It is requested that the enclosed advertisement may kindly be uploaded on the website www.rmlh.nic.in immediately

All the EWS candidates are requested to submit Income and Asset Certificate issued by any one of the following authorities in the prescribed format as given in Annexure-I.

• District Magistrate/ Additional District Magistrate/ Collector/ Deputy Commissioner/ Additional Deputy Commissioner/ 1st Class Stipendiary Magistrate/ Sub-Divisional Magistrate/ Taluka Magistrate/ Executive Magistrate/ Extra Assistant Commissioner.

• Chief Presidency Magistrate/ Additional Chief Presidency Magistrate/ Presidency Magistrate

Also Read:SR Post At SGPGI Lucknow: Check Walk In Interview, All Details Here

PAHO Director signs cooperation agreement with AECID during official visit to Spain

Oscar Reyes

13 Nov 2023

Santo Domingo.- The National Association of Livestock Producers of Meat (Asocarne) has expressed its deep concern over the Dominican government’s decision to grant permits for the importation of meat from Brazil. Brazil has been declared positive for diseases such as “Foot and Mouth Disease” and has had cases of “BSE or Mad Cow,” while the Dominican Republic is considered free from these diseases.

Enrique de Castro, president of Asocarne, highlighted that the importation of meat from a country with such disease risks poses a significant threat to the entire bovine sector, including meat, milk, and cheese production. This move also jeopardizes the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Dominicans who are directly or indirectly dependent on these agricultural activities.

De Castro emphasized that introducing any of these diseases into the Dominican Republic would not only endanger public health but also pose a significant risk to the country’s tourism industry. He mentioned that even a single case of “BSE” on Dominican soil would jeopardize the safety of the entire food system.

The president of Asocarne also pointed out that the Dominican Republic lacks the economic and technical resources to inspect and ensure that imported meat products comply with health and safety standards. He noted that the country has not inspected a single shipment of imported meats in over two decades, deciding to open imports from Brazil even more concerning.

Asocarne estimates that at least 55 meat establishments in Brazil have been authorized to export meat products to the Dominican Republic, with no detailed information provided about the location or types of products approved for import.

De Castro emphasized that the Dominican Republic’s achievements in exporting beef to the United States were the result of years of rigorous processes and investments in structural and procedural adaptations to meet safety standards. The entry of meat from Brazil poses a risk to these efforts and the reputation of Dominican meats.

Asocarne called on the Dominican government to halt the importation process until thorough inspections of Brazilian slaughterhouses, farms, and the entire meat supply chain are conducted. They also requested the establishment of rigorous inspection processes for imported products that could affect the health of the Dominican population.

Furthermore, Asocarne urged the government to demand proof that any outbreaks of diseases affecting cattle in Brazil are reported promptly and that Brazil complies with international trade agreements.

Brazil has faced challenges in various parts of the world, including China, Russia, Thailand, and Arab countries, due to outbreaks of BSE, as noted by Asocarne.

Asocarne’s primary objective is to strengthen animal health in the livestock subsector and promote the development of the bovine sector in the Dominican Republic. They also aim to promote the production and consumption of domestically produced beef. The association brings together producers and companies involved in the meat sector, including those involved in the slaughter, processing, and production of meat products from bovine, pork, and ovine animal species.

Hannah Fegley of Silver Spring, Md., says she spent seven hours on the phone last month — the eighth month of her pregnancy — with insurers, pharmacy benefit managers and half a dozen pharmacies trying to obtain Pfizer’s new RSV shot, called Abrysvo.

The Health 202 is a coproduction of The Washington Post and KFF Health News.

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Respiratory syncytial virus puts up to 2 percent of babies in the hospital each year because their tiny airways don’t tolerate the inflammation. While most recover with supportive care, as many as 300 kids under 5 years old die each year and the majority of them are under 1. A bad case of RSV in infancy can mean a lifetime of asthma.  

Fegley says two of her friends saw their babies land in intensive care last year, a bad one for RSV. So she was eager to get the shot; she has a 4-year-old in preschool who, she says, “brings home every virus.” 

One of KFF Health News’ signature projects is the Bill of the Month, where readers and listeners send us stories about how the U.S. health system is failing them. Often, the problems they encounter connect directly to holes in government policy. Fegley’s story shows how regulators’ recommendations trickle down into a fragmented health system — leaving patients in the lurch.   

The Pfizer vaccine (list price: about $300), confers immunity to the fetus through the mother. As an alternative, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices also recommended AstraZeneca’s Beyfortus (about $500), a monoclonal antibody against the virus to administer to babies after birth. Fegley’s obstetrician didn’t carry the vaccine. So she gave Fegley a prescription to get it at a pharmacy, predicting (correctly) that many pediatricians wouldn’t stock Beyfortus.

Pharmacies typically stock RSV vaccines because the CDC also recommends them for people over 60 — a large and lucrative market, even though scientists and public health authorities agree the more obvious use is in infants. There are two different RSV vaccines approved for older Americans: the Pfizer shot, which is also approved for pregnant women, and a GlaxoSmithKline shot that is not. 

Fegley’s insurer uses CVS-Caremark as its pharmacy benefits manager, which of course uses CVS Pharmacy. (Both are part of CVS Health Corp.) And CVS, she discovered, only stocks the GSK vaccine. 

(Is your head spinning yet? Hers was. And she is health-care literate —  a social worker whose husband is a doctor. “We’re told we have choice, but we really do not,” she said.) 

After a phone complaint, a Caremark representative granted Fegley an “override” allowing her to try other pharmacies. She called them, but many said they’d only give the Pfizer shot to people 60 and over.

“We’re currently completing the final steps needed to offer the maternal RSV vaccine and hope to make it available at our pharmacies soon,” said Matt Blanchette, a CVS Health spokesman representing Caremark and the pharmacy. “Patients should check with their insurer to confirm if the vaccine is covered by their individual plan.”

One smaller pharmacy said by phone it had a dose for Fegley, but when they checked her insurance at the counter, it was denied. She filled out forms to get a shot at both Costco and Walgreens. Denied. 

She didn’t want to pay $300 or more for the shot out-of-pocket because she knew that under Obamacare, most insurers must cover all ACIP-recommended vaccines free of charge. So how can it be so hard to obtain a shot that the FDA and CDC say can save babies’ lives? Let us count the ways.

• One: The Affordable Care Act gives insurers more than a year after a new vaccine wins ACIP’s stamp of approval to start covering it. 
• Two: To keep costs down, pharmacies try to get deals on similar products by contracting with just one drugmaker. GSK didn’t finish its application to the FDA for approval to give its shot to pregnant women.
• Three: Many pharmacies don’t like giving pregnant women shots, fearing liability.
• Four: Both obstetricians (for the Pfizer shot) and pediatricians (the monoclonal antibody) have a hard time stocking such expensive medicines  — particularly with insurance reimbursement uncertain.

“Cost is the big issue,” said Steven Abelowitz of Coastal Kids, a big California group practice. “For us, it was a tough, risky decision: We’ve spent millions to order batches and we don’t know if we’ll get reimbursed,” he said. “Smaller practices just don’t have the money.”

There’s a happy-ish ending: This month, a Caremark representative left Fegley a voice mail saying she had an override to get the Pfizer vaccine at Costco for $105 out of pocket. If she wanted it free, the rep added, she should contact her husband’s employer. 

With some resentment, she says, she paid for the shot.

This article is not available for syndication due to republishing restrictions. If you have questions about the availability of this or other content for republication, please contact NewsWeb@kff.org.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.

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USA.- The Valneva group’s chikungunya vaccine has received approval in the United States, marking the first vaccine against this mosquito-borne viral disease in the Americas.

Chikungunya infection typically presents with symptoms such as fever, joint pain, and sometimes a rash. Severe joint pain can persist for an extended period, even years.

Over the past 15 years, there have been at least 5 million recorded cases of chikungunya virus infection, making it an emerging global health threat, according to the FDA.

The highest risk of infection is in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Southeast Asia, and parts of the Americas since late 2013.

The vaccine, administered in a single dose, contains an attenuated version of the chikungunya virus, a commonly used technique in vaccine development. Common side effects include headaches, muscle aches, fatigue, and occasionally nausea, with rare cases of more severe reactions.

Before this vaccine, there were no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments for chikungunya, a disease whose name originates from the African Makonde language, meaning “to bend over in pain.”

Chikungunya is transmitted by mosquitoes, requiring a vector for transmission, and individuals typically develop lifelong immunity after recovering from the disease.

Valneva has also submitted an application for authorization to the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

The transformation of the building will see an additional 70 to 80 bed spaces, which will take the bed count past 260.

Dr Tufton, who was touring the facility on Thursday, told the Jamaica Observer that the ministry had not done enough for the hospital structure.

"The focus of the tour and the discussion is around how we will improve the infrastructure here at Sav hospital," Dr Tufton admitted.

"Truthfully, we haven't done as much as we'd like to for the hospital infrastructure in the parish of Westmoreland, so we now have a new management team. We have a team that is ready to lead the process."

In October, the chief medical officer for the hospital Camille Lewin stated that they were in a "real crisis" as bed spaces were lacking.

"Our hospital has a capacity of 190, this month we're at 284, plus five babies. Last weekend we got to 291," Lewin explained then.

Dr Tufton revealed that the COVID-19 outpatient facility will be transformed into wards.

He, however, pointed at one challenge that lies ahead.

"The challenge there is how do we relocate the outpatient clinics which are now in the COVID wards?"

He said they will seek to re-engage the municipality to seal that arrangement once more.

Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor Ian Myles said he, too, is excited for the upcoming plans for the hospital.

"Today is a great day for the parish of Westmoreland. Westmoreland has been in the news, especially this hospital, for quite some time now for overcrowding. With the minister just announcing that we are going to see expansion and upgrade to this facility, that in itself sends chills through my body," Myles expressed.

Many medications can affect your oral health. In addition to prescribed and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements can also cause oral health issues. Many of the common adverse effects of medication use that are seen in the oral cavity are dry mouth, abnormal bleeding of the gums, gingival enlargement, and soft tissue reactions. However, these side effects can be minimised by good oral hygiene practices, including regular brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste and flossing.

Some common oral side effects include:

Dry Mouth: Antihistamines, blood pressure and heart medications, antidepressants and other drugs can cause a decrease in saliva, leaving your mouth prone to soft tissue inflammation, pain and infection. Tooth decay can also develop, and chronic dry mouth can create problems for people who wear dentures. Alleviate dry mouth by drinking more water or using sugarless lozenges or gum to stimulate the flow of saliva. Artificial saliva or, in some cases, medication may be recommended by your dentist or physician.

Gum tissue overgrowth: Also referred to as "gingival hyperplasia", gum tissue overgrowth is associated with anti-seizure medications, immunosuppressant drugs such as those taken by organ transplant patients and calcium channel blockers taken by heart patients. Studies suggest that gum tissue overgrowth can be controlled if meticulous oral hygiene is started at the same time or before medication is taken. Tissue overgrowth can complicate oral hygiene. Sometimes, a gingivectomy (a procedure used to remove excess tissue) may be necessary.

Soft-tissue reactions: Oral sores, inflammation or discolouration of the soft tissue can result from taking medications prescribed for blood pressure control, immunosuppressive agents, oral contraceptives and some chemotherapeutic agents. Your dentist may recommend an oral hygiene programme to limit the discomfort associated with such side effects.

Abnormal bleeding: Reduced blood clotting is a result of aspirin and prescribed anticoagulants, like heparin or warfarin. These medications are prescribed to treat strokes or heart disease, but can cause bleeding problems during oral surgery or periodontal treatment. If you're having dental treatment, talk to your dentist about these medications, especially if the dental procedure involves bleeding.

Tooth discolouration: Intake of tetracycline products when teeth are developing can cause permanent staining in those teeth. Cosmetic dentistry techniques like veneers, crowns, bonding procedures, or, in some cases, bleaching may be used to lighten teeth with tetracycline stains.

Oral candidiasis: Certain inhaler medications used for asthma may lead to a yeast infection in the mouth. Rinsing your mouth out with water after using an inhaler can help prevent this side effect.

Preventing oral health problems

Some suggestions include:

• Avoid fizzy soft drinks, which are highly acidic and can erode tooth enamel. Drink fluoridated tap water instead.

• Cut back on sweet or sticky foods such as biscuits or popcorn.

• Chew sugar-free gum to encourage a steady flow of saliva.

• Pay careful attention to your tooth brushing and flossing habits. Brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day and floss once a day. Be gentle when cleaning your teeth to avoid damaging the gums.

• If your medication is acidic, rinse your mouth with water after taking it and avoid brushing your teeth for at least 30 minutes.

• Visit your dentist at least once or twice a year.

• Ask your doctor, dentist or pharmacist about the medicines you take and if they may affect your dental health.

•Minimise your intake of alcohol.

• Consider quitting smoking. Speak to your doctor or dentist about support available to help you quit.

• If you have a drug or alcohol dependence problem, consider talking to your doctor about support services or entering a drug treatment programme.

Your doctor and dentist may offer further self-care suggestions. Follow the suggestions carefully.

Dr Sharon Robinson, DDS, has offices at Dental Place Cosmetix Spa, located at shop #5, Winchester Business Centre, 15 Hope Road, Kingston 10. Dr Robinson is an adjunct lecturer at the University of Technology, Jamaica, School of Oral Health Sciences. She may be contacted at 876-630-4710. Like their Facebook page, Dental Place Cosmetix Spa.