Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of Health, supported by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and other health sector partners, is enhancing the Dominican Republic’s ability to handle health emergencies, particularly those involving respiratory viruses.

To achieve this, the Ministry of Health, through its Epidemiology Department, conducted a workshop titled “Framework of National Programs for the Prevention and Control of Diseases Caused by Respiratory Viruses with Epidemic and Pandemic Potential.” The workshop involved collaboration with the National Health Service (SNS), the General Directorate of Livestock, and the General Directorate of Medicines, Food, and Health Products (Digemaps).

The workshop addressed the current status and gaps in the prevention and control of respiratory viruses, aiming to bolster surveillance, expand policy measures, strengthen epidemic response, and improve risk communication and community involvement. It sought to create a unified national strategy for managing influenza and other respiratory viruses with epidemic or pandemic potential.

Key health sector stakeholders, including the Association of Private Clinics (Andeclip), the Dominican Society of Pulmonology, USAID, Promese/Cal, and the National Public Health Laboratory Dr. Fernando A. Defilló, participated in the three-day training, which focused on technical cooperation and response strategies for respiratory diseases.

Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader addressed the Haitian crisis’s impact on the Dominican Republic during a recent meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Abinader highlighted the strain the situation places on the Dominican Republic’s migration, health, and education systems.

At a press conference, Abinader noted that approximately 6.5% of the Dominican Republic’s students, around 147,000, are of Haitian nationality. He also revealed that Haitian migrants account for 14% of hospitalizations and 34% of births in public hospitals, a situation he claimed is unprecedented in global health systems.

Abinader expressed concern over the increased migratory pressure resulting from the crisis, which affects public services and poses security risks. He emphasized the need for additional support from the multinational security support mission (MCS) and resources to strengthen the UN trust fund. The President also highlighted the importance of renewing the MCS mandate in October.

He reiterated the Dominican Republic’s commitment to working with the United States on regional security and stability, while acknowledging differences in perspectives on certain issues.

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Lauriston Mini Stadium field, and the turf wicket and main field at Dover Playing Field are available for recreational activities in Carriacou

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Completed applications must be submitted to the Department of Public Administration (DPA) by email at registry@dpa.gov.gd by 16 September 2024

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Chief Operating Officer of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) Dr Christina Grenidge is expecting major improvements at the healthcare institution as it prepares to welcome significant staffing enhancements aimed at boosting efficiency and improving patient care.

The strategic additions include the roles of patient safety officers, a service improvement manager, nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists.

Greenidge detailed the transformative potential these roles are expected to bring to the hospital. Particularly, the introduction of nurse practitioners is seen as a pivotal move to enhance service delivery in critical areas such as outpatient clinics and emergency rooms.

“They can work in two very important areas of the hospital — outpatient clinics and the emergency room,” Greenidge told The Pulse radio shown earlier this week. She emphasised the need for clear guidelines on their scope of practice within Barbados, noting their established effectiveness in other health systems like in the United States, where they prescribe medications and manage patient care plans in collaboration with physicians.

“Nurse practitioners have made a difference in primary care, helping patients with chronic conditions live healthier lives. They will undoubtedly play an integral role here at QEH,” she stressed.

Moreover, the role of patient safety officers is highlighted as crucial in maintaining and elevating safety standards within the hospital. These specialists will be tasked with overseeing all aspects of patient safety, from monitoring wait times to ensuring compliance with medical care plans.

“Patient safety is at the core of quality healthcare management. These officers will play a key role in monitoring and ensuring adherence to safety protocols, which is vital for patient outcomes,” stated Greenidge, herself a certified patient safety officer.

This staffing overhaul is part of a broader initiative to address the pressing healthcare professional shortage that is not only a local but a global issue, affecting many countries including the United States and Canada. To this end, the Barbados government plans to create 142 new registered nurse positions over the next two years and is looking to recruit internationally, including from Ghana.

The comprehensive plan to reform the nation’s healthcare system was announced by Prime Minister Mia Mottley at a recent Barbados Labour Party meeting at the St Christopher School in Christ Church South.

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A shocking discovery in Christ Church has left sanitation officials fuming. On Thursday, a dead pig was found dumped in a public waste bin in Silver Sands, prompting a stern rebuke from the Sanitation Service Authority (SSA).

“Cut it out,” declared Carl Padmore, public relations officer for the SSA, in response to the incident. He described the situation as “quite disturbing” and “extremely disrespectful”.

The carcass was discovered after a concerned resident alerted the authorities. While smaller animals have become a common sight in bins, this marks a disturbing escalation, according to Padmore.

“We have seen things like chickens already, we would have seen things like animal faeces, but to see this here is extremely disturbing. It shows a lack of respect,” Padmore told Barbados TODAY. “This is the biggest of the animals we have seen thus far, and this is taking disgust to a very high level.”

The SSA spokesman emphasised that proper channels exist for the disposal of dead animals, including a dedicated SSA hotline and services provided by the Ministry of Health. The matter has been reported to both the police and health authorities, and Padmore hopes for swift action against the perpetrator.

“We are going to go all out to investigate this matter, and we are hoping that the guilty person can be dealt with,” he said. “Now, we are not the law, we are not the Ministry of Health, but we will do all in our power to provide them with the necessary information, and if there is a possibility of any type of action, the SSA will support that because this really has gone too far and we can’t tolerate this.”

This latest incident highlights an ongoing issue faced by sanitation workers. Padmore revealed that employees regularly complain about foul odours emanating from bins, suspecting animal remains. In some cases, even human waste has been discovered.

“The workers are annoyed and they have a right to be, when this type of action is happening,” Padmore said. “These are humans removing your waste, and they should be treated with a high level of respect.”

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Tests conducted on the male patient’s sample at the local laboratory and at the CARPHA testing facility in Trinidad, showed he was negative for Mpox

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