Health Archives - Barbados Today
CARPHA introduces new CARICOM-approved hospitality industry standards for the region
Building upon the Caribbean’s innovative and successful partnership between tourism and health, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has launched the first CARICOM (Caribbean Community)-approved health safety and environmental sanitation (HSE) hospitality standards to improve health, safety, and environmental quality in the regional hospitality sector, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
The standards – which include Food Safety and Sanitation; Energy Management; Water Treatment and Management; Sewage Treatment and Management; Solid Waste Management; Integrated Pest Management; and Environmental Management Systems – were unveiled by CARPHA at the Magdalena Grand Beach and Golf Resort in Tobago on Monday, November 14, with the support of senior officials of the Tobago government, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA).
Dr Joy St John, CARPHA’s Executive Director, who earlier this year signed an agreement with the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) to further develop the standards, said these seven regional clean and green standards are a key component for providing assurance to travelers about company commitment to health and safety and towards avoiding or mitigating health threats to the Caribbean tourism product.
Each of the standards is equipped with an assessment checklist to easily guide the industry through a process of recognizing and achieving the standards. Upon completion, after verification by CARPHA, the company will be eligible to receive CARPHA’s Tourism Health Program (THP) Healthier, Safer Tourism Award.
“There is now a verifiable way of having the suite of standards act as a crucial tool for establishing the quality of Caribbean tourism,” Dr St John stated.
Health and tourism professionals throughout the Caribbean have placed a high priority on the well-being and health and safety of the industry’s employees and travelers. Through the intervention of a unique partnership with CTO and CHTA, established by CARPHA in 2014, the Caribbean was well positioned to respond strategically during the pandemic and now during its recovery.
In 2020 and 2021, CARPHA also trained 7,000 hospitality professionals in preventing and controlling COVID-19 in the tourism sector. This contributed to the Caribbean tourism product’s ability to rebound quickly after the end of the “lockdown” phase of the pandemic.
The standards are currently voluntary and certified properties that meet all seven standards will be eligible for a platinum distinction.
Dr Lisa Indar, CARPHA’s Director of the Surveillance Disease Prevention and Control Division – who recently facilitated THP stakeholder training in preparation for the Tobago carnival last month – was congratulated by senior officials for her leadership and commitment to the process of standards development since 2018.
Dr Faith B Yisrael, Deputy Chief Secretary and Secretary for Health, Wellness and Social Protection, Division of Health, Wellness and Social Protection, Tobago House of Assembly, congratulated CARPHA and its partners for developing the standards. She encouraged tourism stakeholders to utilize them and not leave them on shelves gathering dust: “If we pull together and if we actually follow these robust standards … we would all really truly survive whatever is to come next.”
Councillor Tashia Burris, Secretary for Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation, Division of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation, Tobago House of Assembly, said the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that having robust policies, standards and regulations can help save lives and livelihoods.
Neil Walters, Acting CTO Secretary General, believes the standards are another incremental step towards ensuring the future of the region’s tourism sector: “I believe we are laying the foundation for a more sustainable, world-class, regional tourism sector as this very important sector moves forward in its recovery.”
Frank Comito, Special Advisor to CHTA, which has supported the health and safety awards program from its inception, noted that the standards can uplift the tourism industry’s continued commitment to the health and safety of its employees and visitors, “which can help us to deliver our promise to the world and there is no better place for mental, physical and spiritual well-being than in the Caribbean.” (PR)
The post CARPHA introduces new CARICOM-approved hospitality industry standards for the region appeared first on Barbados Today.
2 years 8 months ago
A Slider, Health, Local News, tourism
Agro Processing, Agriculture 2.0
“Grenada’s history and traditional wealth is based on being an agrarian nation where agriculture and agro-processing were key drivers”
View the full post Agro Processing, Agriculture 2.0 on NOW Grenada.
“Grenada’s history and traditional wealth is based on being an agrarian nation where agriculture and agro-processing were key drivers”
View the full post Agro Processing, Agriculture 2.0 on NOW Grenada.
2 years 8 months ago
Agriculture/Fisheries, Business, Environment, Health, OPINION/COMMENTARY, agro processing, food security, marketing and national importing board, mnib, peter andall, tricia simon
Preventing diarrhoeal illness
IN recent weeks there has been an increase in cases of rotaviral gastroenteritis in young children in Jamaica; although alarming, the occurrence is not new to Jamaica and many other countries.
History has illustrated that since the 1970s rotaviral gastroenteritis has been a leading cause of diarrhoeal illnesses amongst young children globally — and in fact in the year 2003 Jamaica experienced 12 deaths of young children attributable to diarrhoea, with eight of the deaths occurring amongst children under three years old. Analysis of samples confirmed that most of the illnesses were linked to rotavirus.
As the name suggests, this type of gastroenteritis is caused by the rotavirus and results in the hospitalisation of approximately 55,000 children each year in the United States and the death of over 600,000 children worldwide. Like most other infectious illnesses, the cases reported are estimated to be a mere 10 per cent of the actual number of the illnesses that exist. Jamaica and other countries that experience similar temperatures and climate often see an increase in the illness during the cooler months of the year, and like many other viruses the rotavirus fares well in the environment and will cause an infection once it enters the body of an individual.
Common signs and symptoms of rotaviral gastroenteritis
The rotavirus causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines; hence most patients will experience diarrhoea, fever, and vomiting. Severe dehydration is also likely to occur in those who are within the susceptible population such as young children, especially those under five years old.
Causes and risk factors
There are five main strains of rotavirus that are responsible for over 90 per cent of rotavirus infections in humans. Importantly, the illness is transmitted via the faecal-oral route, hence the reason most cases occur amongst young children, especially those of day-care age. Globally, outbreaks of this illness have also occurred in the adult population, especially amongst those who are immunocompromised and exist in settings where there are poor hand hygiene and sanitation practices. Secondary transmission or person-to-person spread has always been a major route through which the illness is spread. Close contact of ill individuals therefore stands as a major factor in the contraction and spread of the illness.
In early childhood settings, such as day-care centres, common sources of infection that lead to the spread of this illness are toys and other inanimate objects that are shared. Generally, touching a surface that has been contaminated with the rotavirus and touching the mouth area can result in the infection.
Methods of prevention and control
In order to break the transmission of the illness and curtail its spread, the source of the infection must be targeted. A rotaviral vaccine is available, and when administered to children the chances of a child contracting the illness are greatly reduced. However, other measures of prevention and control are necessary.
Due to the fact that the virus can live for several hours on the hands, and for longer on hard surfaces, proper and frequent hand washing and adhering to good sanitation practices should be exercised as these strategies can reduce the spread of the illnesses by more than fifty per cent.
Hand hygiene policies should therefore be promoted and adhered to in public spaces, especially where populations of young children and other susceptible groups exist. Before eating and after using the restrooms are important intervals to which attention must be paid in relation to the washing of hands with soap (antibacterial liquid soap) and water. People who would have come in contact with ill individuals and their caregivers are encouraged to wash the hands as often as necessary; inclusive of times such as after the changing and handling of soiled diapers.
In early childhood settings, dwellings, and other areas where the susceptible population exist, proper cleaning and disinfection of surfaces such as handrails, sleeping mattress, eating utensils and toys are recommended. When disinfection is being carried out in these areas the following solutions have proven useful in deactivating the virus on surfaces:
• Chlorine bleach solution — half cup of regular household bleach in three quarters of a gallon of water, or the use of a 10 per cent iodine solution. One should take into consideration that whichever solution is used, it should be left on the surface for at least 10 minutes
• 70 per cent isopropyl alcohol left on the surface for 30 seconds
• Feeding bottles, eating utensils and toys should be washed and then sanitised in a solution made from two teaspoons of regular household bleach to one gallon of water. The items should be soaked in the bleach solution for at least two minutes then be allowed to air dry.
Other methods of prevention
• Use only safely treated water for drinking, preparing foods, and other purposes such as hand washing.
• Properly wash and sanitise raw fruits and vegetables before consumption.
• Minimise contact with ill people until at least two days have passed after the last episode of diarrhoea and vomiting.
• After each episode of diarrhoea or vomiting, clean toilet bowls and pipe taps thoroughly with disinfecting solutions.
• Do not share the toys, towels and eating utensils of those who have the infection with other members of the household.
• Ill people should not enter a swimming pool for the first two weeks after their last episode of diarrhoea.
Treatment
Rotaviral gastroenteritis can be severe and should be treated with great keenness and proficiency. Sick individuals should:
• Seek medical attention early.
• Consume enough fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Use a recommended electrolyte replacement such as Pedialyte.
• Take fever-reducing medication such as acetaminophen. (This should be done according to guidelines given by a medical professional; aspirin is not recommended).
• Follow up with a health-care provider as necessary.
• Eat smaller and more frequently instead of consuming larger meals.
The benefits of prevention
It might seem difficult to always quantify the financial cost associated with the outbreak of this illness, nevertheless, the current outbreak in Jamaica as well the global mortality and morbidity rates associated with this disease concretise the fact that there are benefits to be derived if attention is paid towards efforts and strategies that can prevent this illness, and ultimately protect the vulnerable population.
Vaccination has undoubtedly proven to be the most effective method of preventing the rotaviral infection amongst young children. However, because children are not the only ones affected by this illness the benefits of hand washing coupled with environmental sanitation must be embraced and promoted, not just in the times of an outbreak but instead in a proactive way. More stringent policies that support and mandate adequate installation and proper use of hand washing facilities in educational institutions and in other places where the vulnerable populations exist, and specially designed training in hygiene and sanitation geared towards educating stakeholders such as caregivers will serve well in reducing future incidence of rotaviral or other infections of a similar nature in Jamaica.
Karlene Atkinson is a public health specialist and lecturer at the School of Public Health, University of Technology Jamaica. She can be contacted by email:karleneatkinson77@gmail.com
2 years 8 months ago
Health literacy through telemedicine
HOW much do you know about your health? The concept of health literacy refers to the degree to which individuals are able to find, understand, and use information to guide their health-related decisions and actions.
An influence on all areas of health care and life, health literacy is one of the first things that our health-care workers learn. It impacts ourselves, our families, our communities, and our environments. Therefore, being health literate is not solely the responsibility of our health-care system and public officials. As individuals, being health literate can make a world of a difference as we aim to live healthy, long lives.
On a personal level, health literacy can be understood as the ability to understand what your doctor or health-care provider is communicating to you about your illness. According to official data, approximately 1,845,296 Jamaicans can read and write, meaning approximately 88.6 per cent of the population is literate. Literacy rates complement health literacy rates directly. If you are unable to read and write it is likely you may not have a high health literacy. Jamaica's lower literacy rate likely means there is a low health literacy rate, even though this number has not been precisely documented.
There are several other socio-economic factors which affect health literacy rates, including:
● low income
● lack of formal education
● age (the elderly are less likely to have high health literacy rates)
● health (those who are unwell may have lower levels of health literacy rates)
Good health literacy keeps you on track with what type of check-ups you may need for your age (for example Pap smears, mammograms, prostate checks); how to manage your illness; and the effect of your medications on your daily life, just to name a few. Your health-care providers are important in helping you become more health literate and communicating your health status to you in ways that you should understand.
Being able to answer the following questions may determine how health literate you are:
•What condition do I have, if any?
•Do I understand what's happening in my body to develop the condition I have?
• How do I treat the conditions I have?
• What medications can I or can't I take? What are the possible side effects of these medications?
•How do I monitor my illness?
•How often should I visit the doctor?
• How can my day-to-day life practices help my illness?
While you can read books, talk to knowledgeable people and search the Internet, telemedicine serves as a useful resource in creating a means of instant communication between you and your health-care providers to help you understand your health and stay healthy to the best of your ability.
How telemedicine can support health literacy
•Reducing the need to travel. This allows those living in remote areas, those who have mobility issues, and those who have hectic schedules to still be able to reach out to their doctors through telemedicine to address any questions or concerns that they may have about their illnesses, medications, among others.
• Accessibility Options. Speaking to a doctor online while taking advantage of accessibility options on devices, such as reading selective text (great for blind patients) and using charts, videos, graphics, and other visual aids (great for younger patients and visual learners), are two great ways that accessing health-care online can support patients in accessing information in a way that they will receive and understand well.
•Provides a Safe Environment. Medical offices may be a bit intimidating for some people. Telemedicine allows you to speak to your provider remotely through call, text, or video call wherever you are most comfortable. Platforms, such as MDLink, will enable you to be at home, in your car, or wherever while being able to chat with your doctor and learn about your illness and treatment. It's essential that you are in optimum conditions to learn and understand your health.
A healthy population is one that understands its health. Understanding our health includes understanding the many resources readily available to us to be educated. In a technological world, resources, such as telemedicine, fit the mould for encouraging and facilitating a Jamaican population knowledgeable and prepared to tackle illness and disease to live a healthy, long life.
Dr Ché Bowen, a digital health entrepreneur and family physician, is the CEO & founder of MDLink, a digital health company that provides telemedicine options. Check out the company's website at www.theMDLink.com. You can also contact him at drchebowen@
themdlink.com.
2 years 8 months ago
Yoga prescribed
Yoga
has been tried and tested for many generations and is a beneficial practice that has stood the test of time. I highly recommend it. There is something for everyone. When you're not sure about what your body can manage, you can check in with your family doctor.
Yoga
has been tried and tested for many generations and is a beneficial practice that has stood the test of time. I highly recommend it. There is something for everyone. When you're not sure about what your body can manage, you can check in with your family doctor.
I had been going to Afya, a yoga studio, on and off — "mostly off", as Sonita reminded me. To be fair, I hadn't been in Jamaica half the time. Fast forward to now, and Afya's new location places them literally five minutes from my clinical practice at 11 Cunningham Avenue. So, I can stop using traffic and 'a little off my path' as excuses. And if I had excuses about the schedule, well, now there are so many options during weekdays and weekends, both in studio and online.
Dropping in on their new 'lunchtime' classes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 12 noon is really refreshing, and helps me feel relaxed, recentred and re-energised, a feeling that takes me through the rest of the week. One Thursday afternoon, I had opted to join the 6:00 pm class with Tina doing kundalini (con-da-leeny) yoga. I had arrived at the studio very early, and had time for a light vegetarian meal and beet juice from a vegetarian store at nearby Seymour Park, and nearly two hours to digest it while I read a book ahead of the session. An interesting thing happened.
Kundalini
I had had an early start to the day (to beat traffic), and it had become a little intense with writing reports and doing updates with the team at work. Sonita, Tina and I engaged in a little chitchat just prior to the session, discussing the various types of yoga — from ashtanga to kundalini to yin and restorative forms, as well as vinyasa flow. I was not familiar with kundalini prior to then, but it quickly became clear that breathing technique was a very important aspect of it. Initially, we spent time breathing through one nostril at a time, while keeping the other one closed with the thumb, and alternating. A quarter way into my hour-long session, I started to feel a burst of energy. Except that it was not quite the right time for my creative juices to be kicking in, with my thinking of articles to write and how I was going to get creative in the kitchen when I got home. Even new work projects popped into my head. I realised I was drifting, and with the help of the calming voice of my instructor, Tina, I brought my attention back to my breathing, listening to and feeling the long breaths enter and leave my body. The power of this kind of deep breathing is why I have recommended yoga and deep breathing exercises to my patients, from those with anxiety to those with lost lung function from long COVID. The lungs are stretchy, but with our usual day-to-day breathing, we don't really use up all that capacity, and deep breathing helps us to deliver more air to our lungs and therefore more oxygen to our blood stream that then gets to the cells or building blocks of our bodies. Oxygen is important for releasing energy and making that energy available to our bodies.
Easy breezy
One of my favourite things about going to Afya for yoga is the smartphone application or app called Momoyoga. I created an account with my e-mail address and can see all the sessions, the types of yoga, and the respective instructors available. I can select a single session or a batch of sessions with a discounted rate, which I can pay at the studio or by online bank transfer. I get a confirmation e-mail when I book, and I can use the Momoyoga app to track how many sessions I have left from the package I purchased.
Dr Yohann White is director and workplace wellness consultant at Para Caribe Consulting. He can be reached at
yohann.white@caribewellness.com
or @ParaCaribeJa on social media.
2 years 8 months ago
Wellness tourism: the new frontier of earning for Jamaica
The
Global Wellness Institute defines wellness as the active pursuit of activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health.
The
Global Wellness Institute defines wellness as the active pursuit of activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health.
There are six to 12 dimensions of wellness. These include emotional, physical, mental, social, and environmental wellness. A nation that believes in the wellness of its people is on the road to great development and growth.
The global reset resulting from the novel coronavirus pandemic has forced the world to experience a new quality of living and positive experiences. Wellness is the word on the lips of global tourism, and Jamaica needs to identify this and create the avenue to earn. This shift to wellness will help guests enjoy the unique experience that a country, its culture, and people have to offer. It stands to engage their physical, emotional, psychological state to awaken a new quality of living and not just existing.
The Global Wellness Report further states that wellness tourism was valued at $4.4 trillion in 2020, and based on the Global Wellness Report of February 2022, Jamaica ranked 107. Our neighbour Cuba earns US$2.7 billion and is ranked 76 in the world for wellness tourism.
Of note, Jamaica has natural resources we can explore without exploiting and over commercialising and still contribute to the gross domestic product earning opportunity for the country. Against that backdrop we need to realise that other countries have white sand beaches, rum, spectacular hotels, too, and music, plus a greater integration of our local holistic treatments. Take, for example, a popular global wellness tourism option – thermal spring treatments. In Europe, these are large earners for specialised spa and thermal clay retail stores. We have the Bath Fountain in St Thomas and Milk River Bath in Clarendon, which have the potential to be major earning opportunities. Bath Fountain's water has healing properties that can help with acne, pain management, and others ailments. Milk River Bath can offer thalassotherapy, which is unique. With structure and proper training, design, and leadership, these can be large earning opportunities for St Thomas and Clarendon.
We have to look at wellness not only as exercising and diet but as a form of real estate and perhaps a beauty product and take seriously the earnings it can bring to the people of this country, how it can improve quality of life, and increase the life expectancy.
It's not too late for Jamaica to be one of the earners in this multi-billion dollar global wellness market. Let's diversify the tourism experience with authentic Jamaican spa treatments and beauty products, marrying them with our natural Jamaican hidden gems so that tourists can experience the true culture and spaces that truly make us a unique destination.
Richard Martin is a certified massage and general beauty therapist who worked in construction and wastewater management before transitioning into the beauty and wellness industry. He trained the first cohort of visually impaired massage therapists in this hemisphere and is the first male spa educator to be certified by the America Hotel Lodging Institute as a certified hospitality educator in Jamaica.
2 years 8 months ago
Health – Caribbean News Service
33 Programme Planners and Health-Care Service Providers Graduate from Clinical Management of HIV Programme
The Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (Guyana), provided 33 programme planners and health-care service providers with the opportunity to complete the Clinical Management of HIV programme offered by the Global Health E-Learning Program, University of Washington.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) supported the […]
2 years 8 months ago
Caribbean News, Health
Medical News, Health News Latest, Medical News Today - Medical Dialogues |
Rare case of developing pleural, pericardial effusion and anasarca with low-dose oral minoxidil: A report
South Africa: A recent case report published in JAAD Case Reports, reports the case of an African woman with frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) in whom pleural, pericardial effusion and anasarca developed three weeks following low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM) therapy.
South Africa: A recent case report published in JAAD Case Reports, reports the case of an African woman with frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) in whom pleural, pericardial effusion and anasarca developed three weeks following low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM) therapy.
For many years, topical minoxidil has been used for treating androgenic alopecia and other hair disorders. The mechanism of action of minoxidil is not clearly understood. Still, animal studies have shown that it affects the hair growth cycle by reducing the telogen phase and prolonging the anagen phase. Lately, there has been increasing evidence to support the successful use of LDOM for treating various types of alopecia. The dosing regimens vary from 0.25 to 5 mg daily to twice daily; side effects are reportedly dose-dependent.
The case in question is of a 40-year-old, healthy, Black South African woman with no comorbidities. She presented with a 2-year history of hairline loss involving the frontal and temporal hairlines. A dermatoscopic examination and histologic findings confirmed the clinical diagnosis of frontal fibrosing alopecia. The patient was given the following treatment:- 5% topical minoxidil, clobetasol propionate ointment, tacrolimus ointment 0.1%, twice daily 100 mg of doxycycline, and 0.25 mg of oral minoxidil (OM) daily. She was informed about the adverse effects of all the medications.
Following three weeks of the treatment, there was swelling in both lower extremities of the patient, which progressively spread to the upper extremities and face; she was advised to discontinue oral minoxidil and present for follow-up; she was admitted to the hospital for additional workup and further management by a cardiologist.
Following various assessments, the authors excluded other causes of anasarca and pericardial effusion in the previously healthy young woman, concluding that low-dose oral minoxidil was responsible for clinical presentation.
Ncoza C. Dlova, University of Kwazulu Natal, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and colleagues stated in their study, "to the best of our knowledge, the occurrence of pleural, pericardial effusion and anasarca with the LDOM use for alopecia has not been reported in the literature."
"Our extensive workup of the patient did not indicate any obvious underlying cause; thus, we conclude that the woman's presentation was a rare side effect and should be documented to alert other clinicians to be careful about this uncommon adverse effect of LDOM."
They added, "we have since advised patients to initiate alternate days of LDOM for one month and, after that, increase it to daily dosages. This case report alerts clinicians to be mindful of this potential side effect."
Reference:
Dlova NC, Jacobs T, Singh S. Pericardial, pleural effusion and anasarca: A rare complication of low-dose oral minoxidil for hair loss. JAAD Case Rep. 2022 Aug 11;28:94-96. doi: 10.1016/j.jdcr.2022.07.044. PMID: 36117778; PMCID: PMC9478873.
2 years 8 months ago
Cardiology-CTVS,Dermatology,Case of the Day,Cardiology and CTVS Cases,Dermatology Cases
PAHO/WHO | Pan American Health Organization
PAHO develops roadmap to curb spread of meningitis in the Americas by 2030
PAHO develops roadmap to curb spread of meningitis in the Americas by 2030
Cristina Mitchell
18 Nov 2022
PAHO develops roadmap to curb spread of meningitis in the Americas by 2030
Cristina Mitchell
18 Nov 2022
2 years 8 months ago
PAHO/WHO | Pan American Health Organization
PAHO/WHO supports Belize in the aftermath of hurricane Lisa
PAHO/WHO supports Belize in the aftermath of hurricane Lisa
Cristina Mitchell
18 Nov 2022
PAHO/WHO supports Belize in the aftermath of hurricane Lisa
Cristina Mitchell
18 Nov 2022
2 years 8 months ago
Social Security sectors hold the first dialogue
The National Social Security Council (CNSS) convened a meeting this Wednesday with representatives from the country’s various health sectors to discuss ways to resolve disagreements between the Dominican Medical Association (CMD) and health risk managers (ARS).
“All the actors had the opportunity to broadly express their points of view respectfully, all their aspirations are legitimate, and now we must try to validate those aspirations with the realities and the public sector’s willingness to build solutions,” said Labor Minister Luis Miguel De Camps after the meeting.
De Camps, president of the CNSS, was accompanied by Daniel Rivera, Minister of Public Health, in a meeting that produced no results. The CMD’s president, Senén Caba, did not attend the meeting, and the doctors’ position is that they will not provide consultation services to ARS affiliates tomorrow and Friday. “With the realization of this first meeting, the dialogue table was formed; we send a clear signal that President Luis Abinader’s Government intends to respond responsibly and quickly to the claims of the sectors,” De Camps added, announcing that an upcoming meeting will be held after “consultations” between the sectors.
Representatives from the CMD, the ARS, the Health Service Providers (PDSS), and the Dominican Association of Private Clinics (Andeclip) attended the meeting. Similarly, the Directorate of Information and Defense of Social Security Affiliates (DIDA), the Dominican Institute for Prevention and Protection of Occupational Risks (Idoppril), and the Security Treasury Social.
Related:
Medical College announces indefinite suspension for Mapfre and other ARS
2 years 8 months ago
Health
Medical News, Health News Latest, Medical News Today - Medical Dialogues |
SC slams UPPSC over delay in filling up 2382 posts of specialist doctors
New Delhi: A Division bench of Supreme Court recently slammed the Uttar Pradesh Government and the State Public Service Commission (UPPSC) for delay in filling up altogether 2,382 posts of specialist doctors
Issuing direction to the authorities to cooperate with each other and issue advertisement for these posts at the earliest, the top court bench comprising of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Abhay S. Oka further clarified that if the UP Public Service Commission and the State fails to sort out the issue by the next date, the court might give the responsibility of recruiting doctors to a separate organization.
"We note with deep regret the manner in which the State Government of Uttar Pradesh has proceeded as also the obvious lack of communication with the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission, where a ping pong is going on. In view of the vacancies un-filled, a large number of 2382 posts were required to be carried forward," observed the bench as it slammed the State and UPPSC for their lack of coordination in filling up the vacant posts of specialist doctors.
"We deprecate the conduct of both the authorities and reject the time period given by the Commission. The two authorities will cooperate and inform whether all information is ready or not for issuance of the advertisement by the next date, failing which we may consider referring this recruitment to a separate organization, if both of them are not capable of doing it," warned the bench.
These observations were made by the bench while it was considering a bail plea filed in connection of the death of a patient who died due to the lack of a surgeon at the Sambhal district hospital. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that while considering the matter, the top court bench back in March, 2022 had slammed the UP Government over the huge vacancies in its District hospitals.
Back then, the Apex court bench comprising of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and M.M. Sundresh had taken note of the fact that even though last year the State Government had tried to fill up 3620 posts of doctors through the State Public Service Commission, only 1881 doctors could be selected, leaving a vacancy of about a little under 1800 doctors, while some of the doctors may have retired over the last one year.
Emphasizing on the point that ensuring the presence of adequate medical facilities at the district levels is among the primary functions of the State Government, the top court had also given the State Government some suggestions for meeting the requirement of doctors in the Hospitals.
During the hearing of the case concerning the recruitment of specialized doctors throughout the State of Uttar Pradesh, the top court bench noted that on 10.06.2022, the State had requested UPPSC to re-advertise the vacancies. However, the Commission took altogether four months time for responding to that letter. Even when the Commission finally responded through a letter dated 19.10.2022, it sought further information from the Government.
Referring to this, the Supreme Court bench noted, "This is the position of the working of the commission when the matter is being monitored by this Court, reflecting on their inefficiency levels."
Following this, on 20.10.2022, the State sent a letter for the same posts and once again the Commission responded on 04.11.2022 pointing out the deficiencies regarding lack of provision for horizontal reservations, lack of subcategorization of physically handicapped category and lack of equivalent criteria for degree/diploma awarded by different bodies.
At this outset, the court took note of the submission that it is only on the submission of the necessary information that an advertisement for selection of vacant posts can be published by the Commission.
Referring to this huge delay, the Court observed, "The schedule given by the Commission takes us almost to the end of next year. We deprecate the conduct of both the authorities and reject the time period given by the Commission."
Directing both the State and UPPSC to cooperate with each other and inform if all the information is ready or not for issuing the advertisement by the next date, the bench also warned that "failing which we may consider referring this recruitment to a separate organization, if both of them are not capable of doing it."
"The solution should be found in a joint meeting to be held from Monday onwards next week, if they are capable of doing so," the bench noted at this outset.
The matter has been listed on 02.12.2022 for further hearing and the Court has directed the authorities "to report back whether all issues for proceeding with the issuance of advertisement have been sorted out or not."
To read the court order, click on the link below:
https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/supreme-court-on-up-doctor-vacancies-191289.pdf
2 years 8 months ago
State News,News,Health news,Delhi,Doctor News,Government Policies,Latest Health News
C. difficile bacterium strengthens by cooperating with Enterococcus, other gut microbes
The bacterium Clostridioides difficile tends to “cooperate” with microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract, such as the pathogen Enterococcus, which can help the bacterium thrive, according to a study published in Nature.“I personally have always been fascinated by C. difficile as a pathogen,” Joseph P.
Zackular, PhD, study author and assistant professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, told Healio. “It’s obviously a really big public health concern, causes a lot of disease in
2 years 8 months ago
Nearly 50% of human population suffers from oral diseases, according to WHO
Nearly half of the world's population, or 3.5 billion people, suffer from oral diseases, the majority of them in low- and middle-income countries, the World Health Organization said on Thursday.
Nearly half of the world's population, or 3.5 billion people, suffer from oral diseases, the majority of them in low- and middle-income countries, the World Health Organization said on Thursday.
The most common oral illnesses are tooth decay, severe gum disease, tooth loss and oral cancers, with untreated tooth decay affecting nearly 2.5 billion people, the United Nations agency said.
About 380,000 new cases of oral cancers are diagnosed every year, it said.
HAITI SEES A SURPRISE RETURN OF CHOLERA, AS A GANG BLOCKADE CAUSES A SHORTAGE OF DRINKING WATER
WHO cited large out-of-pocket expenditure and the unavailability of highly specialized dental equipment in primary healthcare facilities as two of the reasons for the high prevalence of oral diseases, especially in poor countries.
"Oral health has long been neglected in global health, but many oral diseases can be prevented," said WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The agency suggested countries include equitable oral health services as part of their national planning and integrate oral health services into their primary health care models, while also improving access to affordable fluoride toothpaste, among other measures.
2 years 8 months ago
Health, associated-press, World, world-health-organization, illness
STAT+: Pharmalittle: Big PBM keeps AbbVie’s Humira on formulary; Lilly CEO says fake tweet means there’s more to do on insulin costs
Good morning, everyone, and how are you today? We are doing just fine, thank you, as we make our way through a three-day jaunt to the corporate nerve center for different gatherings. We are fortified, of course, by cups of stimulation, which we find when and where we can when on the road. Perhaps you can relate.
Meanwhile, as we hunt for still another, here is the latest laundry list of interesting items to help you on your journey today. We do hope you have a meaningful and productive experience. And as always, we invite you to keep in touch. After all, our work is more interesting when you pass along insights, tips, and secrets. …
UnitedHealth Group’s pharmacy benefits manager, OptumRx, will keep AbbVie’s Humira alongside up to three biosimilar medicines next year, Bloomberg News writes. The decision is a partial win for AbbVie, since its rheumatoid arthritis treatment has generated almost $200 billion in sales in nearly two decades. Several competing biosimilar versions are set to debut in the U.S. in 2023, giving prescription drug plans a chance to pit different suppliers against one another for discounts. Optum Rx, which is the third-largest U.S. pharmacy benefit manager and managed $112 billion in drug spending last year, will place biosimilars on its formulary in the same position as Humira.
2 years 8 months ago
Pharma, Pharmalot, pharmalittle, STAT+
Medical News, Health News Latest, Medical News Today - Medical Dialogues |
Maha CET Cell Releases Provisional Seat Matrix For AIQ Quota 15 percent for BAMS, BHMS, BUMS courses
Maharashtra: Maha CET Cell released the seat matrix for the provisional seat
matrix for AIQ quota (15%) in Unaided/Private/Minority Colleges for
BAMS/BHMS/BUMS Courses.
As per the notices, a total of 1402 seats are allocated for
AIQ, and the total intake is 9280 seats.
BAMS –
1. Total intake – 4270
2. AIQ - 644
Maharashtra: Maha CET Cell released the seat matrix for the provisional seat
matrix for AIQ quota (15%) in Unaided/Private/Minority Colleges for
BAMS/BHMS/BUMS Courses.
As per the notices, a total of 1402 seats are allocated for
AIQ, and the total intake is 9280 seats.
BAMS –
1. Total intake – 4270
2. AIQ - 644
College
Intake
AIQ
YMT Ayurvedic College, Kharhgar Navi
Mumbai
100
15
Ayurvedic Medical
College Nalasopara
60
9
Bsd Trust's
Ayurvedic Mahavidyalaya Vagholi, Pune
60
9
Pdea's Ayurved
Mahavidyalaya And Sanshodhan Kendra Pune
60
9
Sumatibhai Shah
Ayurved Mahavidyalaya Hadapsar Pune
60
9
Ayurvedic Medical
College, Peth Vadgaon Kolhapur
60
9
Jj Magdum
Ayurved Mahavidyalay Jaisingpur
60
9
Yeshwant Ayurvedic Mahavidyalaya, Kodoli Kolhapur
100
15
LKRSS Ayurvedic College, Gadhinglaj Kolhapur
100
15
Hon.Shri.Annasaheb Dange
Ayu. Med. Col.
Ashta Sangli
100
15
Sangam Sevabhavi Trust's Ayurvedic College
Sangamner
60
9
Shri Vivekanand Nursing Home's Ayu.Col. Rahuri, A'nagar
60
9
Pravara Med.
Trust's Ayu Mahavidyalay & Eknath Ayu
Hosp Shevgaon Ahmednagar
100
15
Siddhakala Ayurved
Mahavidyalaya Sangamner
60
9
Shree Saptashringi Ayurvedic College Nasik
100
15
D S Naik Ayurved
Mahavidyalaya Nagaon, Dhule
50
8
Kc Ajmera
Ayurved Mahavidyalaya Deopur
Deopur, Dhule
60
9
KDMG Ayurvedic Medical College Chalisgaon
50
8
Chaitanya Ayurved
Mahavidyalaya Sakegaon
60
9
Ashvin Rural
Ayurved Mahavidyalay Manchihill, Ashvi Ashwi Sangamner
100
15
LRP Ayurved
Mahavidyalaya Islampur,Sangli
100
15
Rural Institute Ayu. Research Centre
Khatav, Satara
50
8
MES Ayurved
Mahavidyalaya Khed Ratnagiri
60
9
SMBT Ayurved
Mahavidyalay Igatpuri, Nasik
100
15
Matoshri Asarabai Darade Ayurved Mahavidyalay Yeola, Nasik
50
8
Sai Ayurvedic College, Vairag Barshi, Solapur
60
9
Swami Vivekanand Ayurvedic College Shrigonda Ahmednagar
60
9
Sant Gajanan
Maharaj Ayurvedic College
Gadhinglaj
60
9
Dr Deepak
Patil Ayurvedic College Kolhapur
60
9
Asvm's Bhimashankar Ayurvedic College Pune
60
9
B.R. Harne
Ayurvedic College Vangani, Ambernath
100
15
Rashtrasant Janardan Swami Ayurvedic College Ahmednagar
100
15
Ideal College
Of Ayurved Palghar
100
15
Ashokrao Mane
Ayurvedic Medical College Vadgaon Kolhapur
60
9
Matoshri Ayurved
Mahavidyalay Eklahare Nashik
60
9
B Mulak
Ayurved Mahavidyalaya Nandanvan Nagpur
100
15
Gramin Ayurved
Mahavidyalaya Navegaon Patur
Akola
50
8
Shree Gajanan
Maharaj Sansthan Ayu.
Col. Pusad Yavatmal
50
8
Apes's Ms Ayurvedic M College, Kudwa
Gondia
60
9
Sunil Ramsinghji Chunawala Ayu. Maha.
Chikhli,Buldhana
60
9
Jupiter Ayurvedic Medical College Nagpur
40
6
Skr Pandav
Ayurved Mahavidyalaya Nagpur
60
9
MUPS Ayurved
Mahavidyalaya Risod Degaon, Washim
60
9
Smt. Vimladevi Ayurvedic College Chandrapur
60
9
ASPM Ayurved
College And Research Institute Sagwan Buldhana
60
9
Dr.R.N.Lahoti Ayurvdic College & Res.
Inst. Buldhana
60
9
Dr. Rajendra Ghode Ayu. Mahavidyalaya Amravati
60
9
B Mulak
Ayurved Mahavidyalaya, Butibori Nagpur
100
15
Datta Meghe
Ayurved Medical College Nagpur
100
15
Smt. Shanlinitai Meghe Ayurved College
Bhilewada Bhandara
60
9
CSMSS Ayurved
Mahavidyalaya Kanchanwadi Aurangabad
100
15
Late Babruwan Villalrao Kale Ayurved College Latur
60
9
BSPM's Dhanwantari Ayu. Mahavidyalaya Udgir,
Latur
60
9
BSS's Ramrao
Patil Ayu. Mahavidyalaya, Purna Parbhani
40
6
Aditya Ayurved
Mahavidyalaya Beed
50
8
Sau. Shantadevi Vedprakash Patil Ayurved
Mahavidyalaya Hingoli
100
15
Shiva Trust's
Yeshvantrao Chavan Ayurved Mahavidyalaya Aurangabad
100
15
Dr.Vedprakash Ayurved
Mahavidyalaya Revgaon, Jalna
60
9
Anand Ayurved
Medical College Vaijapur, Abad
60
9
Sai Ayurvedic Medical College And Research Aurangabad
60
9
Dhaneshwari Ayurvedic College Aurangabad
60
9
BHMS -
1. Total intake – 4780
2. AIQ – 723
College
Intake
AIQ
Smt. Chandaben M Patel Homoeopathy College Mumbai
100
15
Yerala Med.
Trust's Homoeopathy Col.,
Kharghar New Mumbai
100
15
Virar Homoeopathic Medical College Virar
75
11
Sai Homoeopathic Medical College Bhiwandi
75
11
Chandrakant H Keluskar Homoeopathy College Alibag
50
8
Kes Loknete Adv. Datta Patil
Hom. Med. Col.
Vengurla
50
8
Dapoli Homoeopathicmedical - Apti, Dapoli
Ratnagiri
50
8
Dhondumama Sathe
Homoeopathy Medical College
Pune
100
15
Lfpef's Homoeopathic Medical College Chinchwad
100
15
J J Magdum Homoeopathy Medical College Jaysingpur
100
15
Sjpes's Homoeopathic Medical College Kolhapur
75
11
V Y Chavan Homoeopathy Medical Colllege Kolhapur
50
8
Eb Gadkari
Homoeopathy Medical College
Gadhinglaj
50
8
Set's Sawkar
Homoeopathic Medical Col
& Samarth Hosp
Satara
100
15
Gulabrao Patil
Homoeopathic Medical College Sangli
100
15
Gandhi Natha
Rangaji Homoeopathy Medical
College Solapur
50
8
Ahmednagar Hom.
Med. Col. Savedi
Rd Ahmednagar
100
15
Mhf's Homoeopathic Med. Col. Sangamner, Nagar
100
15
Kakasaheb Mhaske
Homoeopathy Med. Col.
Ahmednagar
100
15
Motiwala (Minority) Homoeopathy Medical College
Nasik
100
15
Kba (Minority) Hom. Med. College Chandwad
100
15
Kdmg Homoeopathic Medical College Shirpur
Dhule
75
11
Vamanrao Ithape
Hom. Med. Col.
Sangamner
100
15
Kssm's Dhanwantari Hom. College Nasik
50
8
Anantrao Kanse
Hom.Med.College,Alephata Junnar, Pune
100
15
Pspm's Mahila
Homoeopathic Medical College
Solapur
100
15
Chamundamata Hom.
Med. Col. Jalgaon
50
8
Dr Ulhas
Patil Homoeopathic College Jalgaon
100
15
Sharadchandraji Pawar
Homoeopathy Med. Col.
Ahmednagar
100
15
Stgc Trust
R.R. Patil Homoeopathic Medical College Sangli
50
8
Ratnadeep Homoeopathic Medical College Jamkhed Ahmednagar
100
15
Atal Bihari
Vajpeyee Homoeopathic Medical College Jalke Ahmednagar
60
9
Mahalaxmi Hom.
Med. Col. &
Research Centre Satara
60
9
Nootan Homoeopathic Medical College Sangli
60
9
Late Mrs.
Housabai (Jain) Homoeopathic Medical College Kolhapur
100
15
Rashtrasant Janardan Swami Homoeopathic College
Ahmednagar
100
15
Matoshri Asarabai Darade Hom. Med.
College (New) Yeola,
Nasik
60
9
Shree Prakashchand Jain Homoeopathy Medical
College Jamner Jalgaon
100
15
Antarbharti Homoeopathy Medical College Nagpur
50
8
Purushottam Bagla
Homoeopathy Med. Col.
Chandrapur
50
8
Panchsheel Homoeopathic Medical College Khamgaon
100
15
Gondia Homoeopathy Medical College Gondia
50
8
PJN Institute Of Homoeopathy Medical College Amaravati
70
11
Takhatmal Shrivallabh Homoeopathy Med. Col.
Amaravati
75
11
Homoeopathy Medical
College, Akot Road
Akola
50
8
Shree Janata
Homoeopathy Medical College Akola
50
8
Shraddha Homoeopathy Medical College K.Zamre Washim
100
15
DKMM (Minority) Homoeopathy Medical College Aurangabad
100
15
Foster Development Homoeopathy Med. Col.
Aurangabad
100
15
Shree Bhagwan
Homoeopathy Medical College Aurangabad
100
15
S M Padamshriji Kadam
Homoeopathic Med. Col.
Nanded
100
15
Sonajirao Kshirsagar Homoeopathy Med. Col.
Beed
100
15
P D Jain Homoeopathic College Parbhani
100
15
KSPM's Vasantrao Kale Homoeopathic Medical College Latur
75
11
Guru Mishri
Homoeopathic Med. Col.
And Hosp. Jalna
100
15
Sayali Chartitable Trust's College Of Homoeopathy Aurangabad
100
15
Ssvp Homoeopathic Medical College Hatta
Hingoli
60
9
Mauli Homoeopathic Medical College Latur
60
9
Jiiu's Omar
Homoeopathic Medical College Jalna
100
15
BUMS –
1. Intake – 230
2. AIQ – 35
College
Intake
AIQ
A G Unani Medical College, Akkalkuwa Nandurbar
60
9
Iqra Edu.
Soc's Unani Med.
College Jalgaon
60
9
Al-Ameen Unani
Medical College Malegaon
60
9
Yunus Fazlani
Unani Medical College Kannad
50
8
To view the notice, click on https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/collegewise-vacancy-for-aiq-quota-ahu-191247.pdf
2 years 8 months ago
State News,News,Maharashtra,Medical Education,Ayush Education News,Latest Medical Education News
Strengthening the power of play
“Sandals Foundation and Catherine Cecilia Foundation gifts learning and play resources to schools”
View the full post Strengthening the power of play on NOW Grenada.
“Sandals Foundation and Catherine Cecilia Foundation gifts learning and play resources to schools”
View the full post Strengthening the power of play on NOW Grenada.
2 years 8 months ago
Business, Education, Health, PRESS RELEASE, Travel/Tourism, Youth, calisha purcell-charles, davis adams, deleon forrester, sandals foundation, sandals grenada resort, south st george government school, the catherine cecilia foundation
Medscape Medical News Headlines
Haiti Cholera Outbreak Worsens, COVID-19 Cases Rise in Americas: PAHO
The cholera situation in Haiti continues to worsen while COVID-19 cases rose over the past week, the Pan American Health Organization said on Wednesday. Reuters Health Information
The cholera situation in Haiti continues to worsen while COVID-19 cases rose over the past week, the Pan American Health Organization said on Wednesday. Reuters Health Information
2 years 8 months ago
Infectious Diseases, News
PAHO/WHO | Pan American Health Organization
Countries must be vigilant of “triple threat” of COVID-19, influenza and RSV as holidays approach, PAHO Director says
Countries must be vigilant of “triple threat” of COVID-19, influenza and RSV as holidays approach, PAHO Director says
Cristina Mitchell
16 Nov 2022
Countries must be vigilant of “triple threat” of COVID-19, influenza and RSV as holidays approach, PAHO Director says
Cristina Mitchell
16 Nov 2022
2 years 8 months ago
Collaborative project focuses on improving access to breast cancer care in Argentina
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network- a non-profit alliance of leading cancer centers across the United States-;is launching a collaborative project with the Latin American and Caribbean Society of Medical Oncology in Buenos Aires, Argentina, today.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network- a non-profit alliance of leading cancer centers across the United States-;is launching a collaborative project with the Latin American and Caribbean Society of Medical Oncology in Buenos Aires, Argentina, today.
2 years 8 months ago