Rivera indicated that only through the Directorate of Access to High-Cost Medications, some RD$9 billion have been made available annually to benefit around 15,000 patients with chronic diseases, which in two years adds up to more than 18 billion in that area. While an amount of RD $5,126,266,797 have been invested in infrastructure (construction, reconstruction, and equipment of 179 health centers).

Likewise, he highlighted the investment of more than RD$3 billion in the budget increase of the Essential Medicines and Central Logistics Support program (Promese/Cal), which went from RD$1,568 million in 2022 to RD$3 billion in 2023.

Deep leaks in the walls, areas infested with humidity, and meeting rooms without tables or chairs. Bathrooms with pipes about to collapse, among other problems that the building presents.

It is thought that a building of more than 50 years of construction drags the absence of maintenance as governments usually do. If that is true, so is the lack of funds that would be affecting the Directorate of Medical Emergencies, where, despite the fact that retired General Juan Manuel Méndez was appointed in June 2022, the administration does not start because the funds destined for the management are not arriving, nor has the general’s work team been approved: administration, human resources the spinal cord of the control and the employees who were appointed to it have still not been paid in seven months.

The teams of doctors and paramedics that provide emergency medical care services, which are reported through 9-1-1, are even worse off.

“People think that whenever they get cholera, they will get diarrhea, no. There are 25% who do not feel anything, who can walk without any problem. There is a 25 % that does not feel anything, that can walk without any problem. This is a disease that can be largely asymptomatic,” said the Health Minister.

Rivera assured that there is reasonable disease control in the border area and recalled that the bulk of active cases in Haiti is in Port-au-Prince.

“The control is day by day. If there is a good vaccination there (in Haiti), we believe it will help us in this care,” said the minister.

The head of the Health Cabinet assured that out of 1.2 million cholera vaccines sent to Haiti, 800 thousand people have already been immunized.

“It will help us less. The more of their population is vaccinated, the less risk for us,” he said.

Market visit

The minister made a tour of the Santo Domingo East Municipal Market, located in the El Almirante sector, to verify the sanitary conditions and the handling of the products offered there and to ensure the maintenance of hygiene measures and good food handling to prevent cholera.

The official indicated that most of the food consumed in this area, which is currently the focus of attention for cholera, is dispatched from this market.

La Zurza declares itself free of cholera after a month without infected persons.
“With the cases of cholera that have been registered we have called attention to the care and handling of food and mainly the consumption of safe drinking water, where there is drinking water and good hygiene with vegetables and other products, there will be no contamination by cholera,” said Dr. Rivera.

He said that as of today, there were only four cholera inpatients and that surveillance is being maintained in the hospitals and the tents set up for the detection and attention of suspected cases in the different sectors of the country.

At the end of the visit, he congratulated the workers and administrative personnel of the market for the favorable conditions in which it is located. At the same time, he asked not to neglect and maintain these levels to avoid the spread of the bacteria.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who convinced Guyana’s then People’s National Congress (PNC)-led administration to agree to major electoral reforms, has entered hospice care, instead of seeking more medical treatment. After a series of short hospital stays, the statement said, Carter “decided to spend his remaining time at home with his family and receive hospice ...

During the dissertation, the official highlighted that during the two years of administration (2020-2022), some RD 5,126,266,797.59 had been invested in infrastructure and equipment in 179 health centers, saving the State some 5 billion pesos.

He said that in the Directorate of Access to High-Cost Medicines, the government currently invests some 9,000 million pesos annually to benefit about 15,000 patients with chronic diseases.

He stated that the current authorities found the country in a state of emergency, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, without an efficient protocol, so they sought a rapid and strategic response to implement, given the challenges and needs faced by the nation at that time.

In that sense, he explained the strategies implemented that resulted in the current development of the health sector.

“The health system did not have an emergency plan, and the regulatory and training framework was made more efficient to respond to any pandemic; the first level of care is being renovated, we increased the diagnostic capacity, implementation of mobile hospitals, relations with international organizations and public-private partnership and high training in human resources in health. Through all these initiatives developed by order of our President Luis Abinader, we have achieved what we are today in terms of health,” indicated Dr. Rivera.

In this context, Dr. Rivera said that the government responded quickly to any epidemiological situation that could arise after the passage of natural phenomena, such as the passage through the country of storm Fiona, as well as with preventive actions for smallpox, cholera, and other viruses.

He also detailed the investments made in remodeling, emergencies, new constructions, first-level centers, and specialties such as hemodialysis, oncology units, and diabetic foot, among others.

During his presentation, the official pointed out that President Luis Abinader has a great strategic vision to continue strengthening the health system in the Dominican Republic, such as the healthy municipalities programs with the implementation of the “Change your Lifestyle” Health Routes and the creation of healthy cities in the provinces of San Francisco de Macorís, San Pedro and San Cristóbal.

“From our Ministry of Health we have impacted more than 100,000 people with the Health Route journey in 17 provinces, with some 35 services such as: evaluations, general consultation, pediatric, blood typing, diagnostics, treatments and prevention oriented to non-communicable diseases, psychosocial support, delivery of medicines, National Health Insurance (SeNaSa) affiliation among other services.”

The also president of the Health Cabinet highlighted the achievements made in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, with which the country guaranteed vaccination for all citizens and was the third country to apply the third dose. Likewise, the government decided to use the drugs Tocilizumab and REGEN-COV in severe patients and was one of the first in the world with the lowest lethality of the disease.

He also highlighted that the country was one of the five nations with the best vaccination rate, the sixth in Latin America in implementing immunization in children, and the third in the region in carrying out Genomic Sequencing, being recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO/PAHO), for the strategies implemented during the pandemic.

The Minister of Health highlighted the different social programs implemented in the area of health, in which he highlighted the budget increase made in the Essential Medicines Program and Central Logistical Support (PROMESE/CAL), which went from RD 1,568 million in 2022 to RD 3,176 million in 2023 for essential medicines, benefiting around 17,000 low-income patients.

He also mentioned the work carried out by entities such as the National Health Service (SNS), SeNaSa, Uniendo Voluntades, the National Institute of Drinking Water and Sewerage (INAPA), the Ministry of Housing and Buildings, among others.

The Minister of Health held the conference at the UTESA University Convention Center at the invitation of the New Democrats External Sector movement, which officials attended, collaborators of the Ministry of Health, members of Congress, and special guests, among other personalities.

The news comes nearly a year after the announcement that Willis would be stepping away from acting due to a diagnosis of aphasia, a language disorder that impacts the ability to speak, read and write.

A study by researchers with New York City's Columbia University found that one in every 10 adults over 65 has some form of dementia. 

BRUCE WILLIS' DEMENTIA BATTLE: ICONIC STAR'S JOURNEY FROM ACTION HERO TO FAMILY MAN

While most people are familiar with Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common type, FTD is likely not as well-known.

FTD, as defined by Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, is "a group of disorders that occur when nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain are lost. This causes the lobes to shrink. FTD can affect behavior, personality, language and movement."

FTD typically affects men and women between 40 and 65 years of age.

While symptoms of FTD can vary depending on what part of the brain is affected, most people with the condition experience some common symptoms, as listed on the Johns Hopkins Medicine website. 

Behavior or personality changes are often the most obvious indicators. These may include public outbursts or socially inappropriate actions.

People with FTD also tend to have impaired judgment, a lack of empathy and lower self-awareness, Johns Hopkins states. 

Others may notice sufferers losing interest in activities they used to enjoy or withdrawing emotionally from friends and family members.

This type of dementia is also marked by a reduced ability to understand or formulate language.

People may struggle to remember the names of objects, string words into sentences or even recall the meanings of words they used to know. 

They may have trouble planning and organizing — and find that they are easily distracted.

FIRST DRUG PROVEN TO SLOW ALZHEIMER'S WON'T BE AVAILABLE TO MOST PATIENTS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS

Eventually, the person with FTD may end up speaking less frequently out of frustration. The condition can also lead to agitation, irritability and drastic mood swings.

Dr. Tiffany Chow, vice president of clinical development and neurology at Alector, Inc. in San Francisco, California, has spent most of her career working with patients and families living with dementia and investigating clinical trials for these illnesses.

"Most people aren’t expecting dementia to start in their 50s," she told Fox News Digital in an email. 

"The earliest signs of FTD can be so subtle that they're often misinterpreted as a ‘midlife crisis,’ which then delays appropriate medical attention."

Dr Chow said that many family members have told her they remember their loved one acting in a way that was uncharacteristic. 

In one example, someone who had handled tax returns capably for the last 25 years was suddenly unable to organize receipts and other paperwork.

NEW STUDY INDICATES DEMENTIA SIGNS CAN BE DETECTED NEARLY A DECADE BEFORE DIAGNOSIS

There was also a seasoned camper who found herself unable to set up her tent without help.

"The tricky part is that the change doesn't occur overnight, from normal to consistently disabled," said Dr. Chow. 

"Isolated events are noticed maybe every few months, and it's hard to string those together into a major concern until the changes are seen on a daily basis," Dr. Chow also said.

If a clinician isn’t aware of FTD, there’s a risk it will be misdiagnosed as a midlife crisis or a psychiatric condition such as bipolar affective disorder. 

"One of the big challenges in our field is to get the word out to primary care physicians about this relatively rare cause of dementia," Dr. Chow said. 

The doctor said there are some new checklists and tools available to help patients pinpoint the changes they’re experiencing. Otherwise, there is no single universal screening test for FTD.

CONSUMING ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS COULD INCREASE DEMENTIA RISK: STUDY

"This is very different from Alzheimer's disease, where memory testing and cerebrospinal fluid tests can help in diagnosing the disease," said Dr. Chow. 

"For FTD, the assessment of changes in frontal lobe functions is more complex, requiring an objective history from someone who can help the clinician understand the person's ‘normal’ level of function and how social skills have changed."

Although there is no universal diagnostic test, there are genetic screenings that can flag someone as more likely to develop FTD. 

Dr. Chow said genetic testing is most helpful in diagnosing behavioral FTD and primary progressive aphasia (PPA), which affects patients’ ability to use language. 

For those cases, up to 40% of the patients share a common genetic mutation.

The first step is to meet with a genetics counselor who can explain the potential consequences of learning the results. 

"Sometimes even the people who should know don't want to know — and we all have to respect that," said Dr. Chow. 

Development efforts are ongoing, including clinical trials, but there is no current FDA-approved treatment for FTD, said Chow.

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"For now, to minimize the risk of FTD or any other dementia, people can adopt overall lifestyle improvements such as heart-healthy choices and avoiding head trauma, which also promotes brain health," the doctor said.

The condition typically progresses over time, Johns Hopkins states on its website. 

Patients can also seek treatments to alleviate symptoms, such as speech therapy or the use of antidepressants. 

Eventually, those with FTD may need full-time care.

Approximately 50,000-60,000 people may have FTD, per data from the Alzheimer’s Association, a nonprofit group based in Chicago.

In addition to Bruce Willis, other celebrities that have been diagnosed with dementia over the years have included Ronald Reagan, Rita Hayworth, Robin Williams, Casey Kasem and Charlton Heston. 

By Anesta Henry

Cow-itch vines growing on empty lots have been creating major headaches for some schools across the island and President of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) Rudy Lovell wants landowners to have the offending lots cleared and maintained.

He has complained that cow-itch is becoming a “nuisance” as several schools have been affected already for this school term. One teacher who had a serious allergic reaction, was  ordered by her doctor not to return to the school to which she was assigned.

Lovell charged that some of the offensive lands may even be owned by the State.

“This is a serious matter. The Barbados Union of Teachers is imploring, begging, beseeching, whatever word you want to use, landowners who have lands adjacent to schools that are harbouring cow-itch to clear the lands. This is becoming a nuisance and several schools have been affected. This term alone, Daryl Jordan Secondary, Grantley Adams Secondary, Gordon Greenidge Primary have been affected. 

“Now I am getting complaints from Mount Tabor Primary, I am getting complaints from Blackman and Gollop Primary, from Thelma Berry Nursery, and this is just to name a few,” Lovell said.

He said that the Ministry of Education has been working to address the vexing issue, but admitted that they could only do “so much”.

When contacted, Minister of Environment and National Beautification, Adrian Forde, told Barbados TODAY he would be contacting the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Wellness to investigate the environmental concern being reported by the BUT.

“I would talk to the Minister of Education and find out what the concerns are. I know the Environmental Health offices under the Ministry of Health can also activate certain legislation under the Health Services Regulations as it relates to properties. So it would be a collective effort,” Forde said.

Meanwhile, Lovell said the union believes that landowners have a social responsibility to ensure that their lands do not pose any threat to persons in surrounding areas. The president said this is why the BUT is encouraging landowners who know that their properties are overgrown with bush, to clear the lots.

He said it is unfair to students, teachers and ancillary staff who occupy school plants, to have to be exposed to “this nuisance called cow-itch”.

“And even though we may ask the Ministry of Education to intervene at times, the Ministry of Education can only close the schools. And even after the schools are reopened, in some cases, the lands are not really cleared to the extent that the cow-itch has been totally removed. So we are asking the landowners to do what they are supposed to do by maintaining their properties.

“I know in some cases, schools have been reaching out to the landowners. But the thing is that this is an annual problem. We know that around this time of the year cow-itch grows. Why wait until it impacts or affects the occupants of the schools to then come and clear the fields? Why not be proactive as a landowner and seek to remove the cow-itch from the properties? I received calls on a daily basis with regards to cow-itch, it is a total nuisance,” Lovell said.

The BUT president also indicated that he has been getting multiple complaints from teachers that they have been experiencing allergic reactions as a result of the hazard. 

Forde said he agreed 100 per cent with Lovell’s plea, and revealed that the Government was currently working on legislation that would address landowners being forced to either clear their lots or be subjected to penalties if they refuse to do so.

“The school of thought is that landowners who are not complying to have those persons be given a period of time to do the remedial work.” 

He said if this fails, the Government would do the cleaning and bill the charges to the landowner whether it is through the land tax bill or by some other means. 

“The legislation hasn’t been drafted yet but there are definitely plans to deal with this issue. Really and truly this is not how we should be operating as Barbadians, this is not who we are as a people,” Minister Forde said.

anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb

The post Teachers’ union pleads with landowners to clear lots near schools of vines appeared first on Barbados Today.

The official assured that the ministry’s and the community’s joint interventions, vaccination, house-to-house visits, and the epidemiological fence will be maintained.

“Thank God, many of these cases that appear are mild, which is why hospitalization remains well controlled and low,” he said, adding that this does not mean that the disease’s overall situation has been resolved. “We’re not going to say it’s under control; that’s impossible,” the minister declared. Rivera stated that “it depends on people washing their hands before and after going to the bathroom, and before each meal, cooking food well because many of the people we have detected with cholera consumed poorly cooked food or in inadequate outlets in order to achieve control levels”.

“We’re doing well, the population is cooperating with vaccination,” he said. The goal is to have 24 thousand doses applied by the end of this week. The official reiterated that it is “an individual decision” and praised those who “take care of cleanliness and hygiene in their homes.”

The consequences of having an unsafe abortion, whether because the woman ingested pills or another substance or because it was induced by another person, can range from emotional consequences to permanent anemia, mutilations, irreversible damage to the uterus, and even death.

This is how Dr. César López, president of the Dominican Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, explains it, noting that in cases like this, where a woman’s life is put in danger, especially if she is an adolescent, no one is innocent, and there are responsibilities from all sectors, including a lack of sexual education in schools and the family itself. “Provoking or inducing an abortion will always be dangerous, and even more so if all the conditions that must be met, such as asepsis, correct anesthesia, and the expertise of the doctor who performs it, are not met,” he explained.

However, recent studies have shown that abortions are safe if performed between 70 days of gestation. Abortions are considered safe when they are “performed using a method recommended by WHO that is appropriate to the pregnancy duration and the person providing or supporting the abortion is trained,” according to experts such as Fathalla. “The WHO definition recognizes that the people, skills, and medical standards considered safe in the provision of induced abortions are different for medical abortion (which is performed with drugs alone), and surgical abortion (which is performed with a manual or electric aspirator), and that skills and medical standards required for safe abortion also vary depending upon the duration of the pregnancy and evolving scientific advances”.

The same studies state that abortions are considered less safe if they meet either the method or the provider criterion but not both. As a result, abortion is considered less safe when performed using outdated methods such as sharp curettage, even if the provider is trained, or when women using tablets lack access to proper information or a trained person if they require assistance.

14, 2021) – Doctor Alejandro Cambiaso, president of the Dominican Association of Health Tourism (ADTS), and Amelia Reyes Mora, president of AF Comunicación Estratégica, announced the celebration of the most important medical tourism event in Central America and the Caribbean, the “VI International Health and Wellness Tourism Congress,” which will be held on November 1 and 2 of this year, at the JW Marriott Hotel, in Santo Domingo.

“The activity features important conferences and panels with renowned national and international speakers, aimed at the top players of the sector, such as health centers, dentistry, clinical and pharmaceutical laboratories, hotels, insurers, banks, investment funds, investment, airlines, medical facilitators, government, transportation, legal advisors, accreditors, among others,” said Dr. Alejandro Cambiaso.

Medical tourism annually mobilizes more than 21 million people worldwide, presenting an annual growth rate of approximately 20%, constituting a market that oscillates between 74 and 92 billion dollars, according to Patients Beyond Borders.

“This international congress constitutes a platform for multi-sector integration, innovation, networking, business development, and investment opportunities, and public-private synergies at a local and international level,” expressed Amelia Reyes Mora.

The 2020-2021 Medical Tourism Index, the top ranking of the sector, included nine Latin American nations among the 46 most attractive countries for Americans to receive health services: Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Panama, Jamaica, Mexico, and Guatemala, which motivates us to draw up joint strategies to strengthen our regional positioning.

This prominent event, which was organized by the ADTS and the Communication and Public Relations firm, AF Comunicación Estratégica, has brought together in its last two recent editions more than 800 participants and around 70 local exhibitors, Canada, Costa Rica, the United States, India, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Panama, Spain, Colombia and Caribbean islands and more than 110 sponsors.

For more information about the event, registrations, and sponsorships, access the web portal: https://congresoadts.com/  (809) 567-2663.

About the Dominican Health Tourism Association (ADTS, for its acronym in Spanish): The Dominican Health Tourism Association is a non-profit organization that promotes the Dominican Republic as an ideal place for health tourism, because of its high-quality, cost-effective medical, dental, and wellness services, hospitality conditions, attractive geographical position, and climate.