Santo Domingo.-  In a commitment to enhance mental health services and improve quality of life, Minister of Health Víctor Atallah, in coordination with First Lady Raquel Arbaje, announced the extended operating hours of the “Cuida tu Salud Mental” Contact Center.

Starting September 1, the center will be open from 8 AM to midnight, including weekends, to provide greater support for those in need. To support this expansion, additional healthcare staff will be hired to ensure the availability of more professionals offering psychological counseling and support.

The center can be reached at 809-200-1400 for consultations with trained behavioral health specialists. This initiative aims to improve access to mental health services nationwide.

Minister Atallah reaffirmed his commitment to transforming mental health services during a visit to the Padre Billini Psychosocial Rehabilitation Center and meetings with the Society of Psychiatry and the Dominican College of Psychologists.

The Ministry of Health is also updating protocols for managing depressive disorders in adults, substance use in children and adolescents, and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in minors. Technical committees composed of various institutions and specialists are overseeing these updates.

Additionally, efforts are underway to update the National Mental Health Plan and Mental Health Law 12-06, with support from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and other institutions, ensuring policies align with international best practices and local needs.

Strategic guidelines for suicide prevention are being developed, reviewed by technical committees and specialized consultancies, and will be implemented through decentralized units, including provincial, municipal, and health area offices.

The Ministry is also preparing a mental health bulletin and a study to characterize homeless individuals, aiming to provide updated information for decision-making and the implementation of appropriate intervention strategies.

Former West Indies cricket captain, Sir Clive Lloyd on Sunday appealed to Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders to focus on combatting prostate cancer. Speaking at his investiture with the Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC) award that coincided with the opening of the summit of regional leaders in Grenada, Sir Clive hoped that the same emphasis ...

Santo Domingo – The Epidemiological Surveillance System (SINAVE) reports that as of week 27, 8,484 dengue cases had been registered, and nine deaths had been reported.

However, it states that as of week 27, only 941 cases and nine deaths have been confirmed in the Dominican Republic.

The provinces with the highest incidence of cases are Santiago (255), Puerto Plata (133), and Duarte (99). The official data for cases can be verified.

The most affected sex is males between the ages of 10 and 19. Six cases were reported last week.

Dengue is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. It is a disease that affects people of all ages, with symptoms ranging from a mild fever to an incapacitating fever, accompanied by intense headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, and erythema.

Malaria
The total number of suspected malaria cases under investigation is 28,007.

Malaria is an acute febrile illness caused by parasites of the Plasmodium genus that are spread to people through the bite of mosquitoes of the Anopheles genus. It is a preventable and curable disease. According to Epidemiology, it is not contagious and cannot be transmitted from one person to another. National data establish that for week 27 of this year -2024, 618 suspected malaria cases were reported, of which 9 cases were confirmed, eight male and one female, within the age group of 10 to 19 years old. These cases correspond to the active outbreaks in the provinces of San Juan, with eight cases, and Azua, with one case.

Covid-19 cases
In the last week, 159 cases of COVID-19 were reported, and as of week 27, 636 cases have been confirmed.

Leptospirosis
In the Dominican Republic, up to week 27, 323 probable cases of leptospirosis were reported; this represents an increase of 318% in the variation of the rate compared to 2023, when it was 154%.

The provinces with the highest incidence are Santo Domingo (55), Monte Cristi (43), Santiago (28) and Distrito Nacional with 15 cases.

The most affected sex is male, within the age group of 20 to 29 years old.

The Epidemiology Department keeps up to date with its weekly bulletins.

Santo Domingo – During one week, week 28, the Epidemiological Surveillance System recorded three maternal deaths from three provinces. Their ages ranged from 21 to 29 years old.

Nine deaths remain from dengue. The system indicates that as of the 28th epidemiological week of the year 2024, 135 suspected cases and 16 confirmed cases have been registered. Dengue is a disease transmitted by the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. It is notifiable.

Maternal mortality
The three maternal deaths came from the Peravia, Espaillat, and Monte Cristi provinces.

The health centers that reported cases were Maternidad Nuestra Señora La Altagracia, Centro Médico Guadalupe, and Clínica Unión Médica del Norte.

Sixty-seven percent or two out of three cases reported this epidemiological week, are of Dominican nationality.

The accumulated number of maternal deaths up to week 28 is 88 deaths, involving women between 17 and 44 years of age who resided in the Metropolitan region with 34 deaths, North Cibao, 15, East 15, Valdesia, eight, El Valle, five, Enriquillo, three, Northeast Cibao, three, Western Cibao, three and Central Cibao, two.

Of the 88 deaths reported, 45%, or 40 out of the 88 deaths, were Haitian women in labor.

Concern
Maternal and neonatal mortality remains a major concern, with many preventable deaths that have not decreased significantly in recent years. The World Health Organization stresses the importance of adequate maternal care for short- and long-term well-being. Although there has been progress, challenges persist.

Dengue fever
To date, 8,602 suspected cases of dengue have been reported.

The last week, 13.3%, or 18 of the 135 cases reported in the last week are concentrated in Hermanas Mirabal, 12.6%, or 17 of 135 in Duarte province and 10.4%, involving 14 of 135) in Santiago province. The cumulative incidence is 17.05 per 100,000 inhabitants, the province with the highest cumulative incidence is Hermanas Mirabal with 655.16 suspected cases per 100,000 inhabitants. A total of 8,602 suspected cases of febrile illness have been reported. Of the total number of suspected cases. Fifty-three percent of the suspected cases (4,523 out of 8,602) were male and affected the 10-19-year-old age group.

A total of 83.2% of the cases received care in a health facility, with 54% showing alarm signs and 45% without. Up to week 28, 4,475 dengue tests have been processed at the National Public Health Reference Laboratory.

This is a communicable disease indicator that is monitored by the authorities. Notification is mandatory.

View the full post Ministry of Education supports children with Autism Spectrum Disorder on NOW Grenada.

During a live address on Wednesday night, President Biden spoke of his decision to exit the 2024 race, endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination, and announced his intent to stay in office for the rest of his term, which is 178 days at this point.

He did not, however, mention his health status or his recent COVID battle.

Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s personal physician, told reporters on Thursday that Biden’s health and mental cognition were both "excellent," yet some experts have been expressing concerns that remaining in office could take a physical and mental toll on the president.

DOCTORS REACT AFTER BIDEN'S LIVE ADDRESS TO THE NATION: A CONCERNING 'LACK OF EMOTION'

Here's what some doctors are saying.

Health experts said the high-pressure nature of the presidency could pose "significant health risks" for Biden, who has recently displayed signs of cognitive challenges.

"I am definitely concerned about the stress, and am worried he could be depressed while apparently continuing to fail cognitively," Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, told Fox News Digital on Thursday.

He has not treated Biden. 

He also said, "I am furious that the White House is in denial mode and is not giving us any details, and that the White House doctor is not coming forward," adding that he "feels compassion" for the president.

BIDEN HEALTH CONCERNS PERSIST AS HE MAKES FIRST APPEARANCE AFTER ENDING CAMPAIGN

Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon and longevity expert, reiterated that the "immense, demanding and relentless" stress of the presidency can significantly impact physical and cognitive health.

"For President Biden, who has a history of cognitive issues, the toll of such stress is particularly concerning," he told Fox News Digital, expressing his professional opinion. Osborn has not examined or treated the president. 

Stress can worsen cognitive issues by causing a spike in cortisol, the primary stress hormone, Osborn said.

"Prolonged exposure to high cortisol levels can accelerate the deterioration of brain regions, such as the frontal and temporal lobes, which are crucial for cognitive functions like memory, decision-making and impulse control," he said.

"This suggests that the demanding nature of the presidency could further accelerate any existing cognitive decline in President Biden, potentially diminishing his ability to fulfill the complex and high-stakes responsibilities of his office."

AFTER BIDEN DROPS OUT OF RACE, DOCTORS REVEAL WHY THE DECISION MAY HAVE BEEN BEST FOR HIS HEALTH

Dr. Earnest Lee Murray, a board-certified neurologist at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tennessee, also surmised that in the presence of any type of dementia, it may be more difficult to process stressors and handle stressful situations, which can lead to worsening cognitive abilities. 

"In the long run, this can affect overall physical health," Murray told Fox News Digital.

Even with cognitively healthy presidents, Murray said, the high-pressure job has been known to have physical ramifications. (Murray and other doctors referenced here have not treated Biden.)

"If you look through presidential history, [you can] compare pictures of presidents at the beginning of their term to pictures of them at the end of their term," he said. 

"It's obvious that the aging process has likely occurred at a faster rate than the normal population due to the immense pressure and stress the presidency brings on a daily basis," he also said. 

"This would be accentuated in someone with cognitive limitations."

Although continued public scrutiny could also lead to increased stress, the fact that Biden has bowed out of the presidential race means that a significant stressor in his life has been eliminated, according to Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist and author based in New York City.

AFTER BIDEN’S 'TERRIBLE' DEBATE, HEALTH EXPERTS WARN OF DENIAL DANGERS, CALL FOR INVESTIGATION OF SYMPTOMS

"Biden might actually feel a bit of relief now that he has stopped running for president," he told Fox News Digital.

"The intense pressure and stress from constant attacks by the opposing side and scrutiny from within his own party will be lessened significantly, and he will likely be better able to focus on his role and responsibilities," Alpert added.

Doctors who shared professional opinions with Fox News Digital agreed that in their view, Biden should receive ongoing medical care and monitoring.

"Given the noticeable decline in the president's health, my hope would be that he is closely monitored by his physician and that the team brings in any experts necessary to properly evaluate any new issues that might arise in coming months," Alpert said.  

"President Biden should be given full treatment and support that's honest and transparent, as the remainder of his term plays out."

Neurologist Murray said that a patient of his with a certain degree of dementia "needs fairly consistent supervision."

He added, "I would not recommend making large financial decisions or higher-level executive decisions without advice from family members who are looking out for the best interests of the patient." 

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It is essential that the president receives appropriate medical care and stress management for the remainder of his term, Osborn said.

"While President Biden's commitment to serving his country is commendable, the potential health risks associated with continuing in such a high-pressure role cannot be ignored," the neurosurgeon said.

It is crucial for Biden to prioritize health and well-being, according to Osborn, even if it means stepping back from demanding roles. 

Healthy lifestyle behaviors — such as daily exercise, stress management, and proper nutrition and supplements — are also important, he advised, as well as a "robust support system of professionals, including a neurologist who specializes in Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease and a physical therapist."

"These are crucial steps in maintaining his health and, by extension, the effective governance of the nation, which he otherwise places at extreme risk," Osborn added.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews/health

In response to earlier outreach from Fox News Digital, the White House press office said that "health was not a factor" in the president's decision to withdraw from the 2024 race. 

"He looks forward to finishing his term and delivering more historic results for the American people," the White House said in its statement.

The University of Guyana (UG) has introduced a Bachelor of Science Degree in Respiratory Care (BSRC) programme, making Guyana the first country in the Caribbean region to have conceptualised such an initiative in its healthcare education system, officials said Wednesday. It was developed within a record time of 11 months. The programme, a collaboration between ...

Santo Domingo.- On Wednesday, the Chamber of Deputies approved a school food and nutrition bill in its second reading, prohibiting the sale of sugary drinks and processed foods in school cafeterias. The bill, authored by Deputy Nelsa Soraya Suárez, aims to promote healthier eating habits among students by banning the promotion, sale, or distribution of ultra-processed products with high sugar or sodium content, as well as sugary drinks, in school cafeterias.

Article 31 of the bill emphasizes that “food consumed in schools must provide the necessary nutrients for the physical and intellectual development of children.” The law mandates that food served to children in schools must be prepared on school premises. Educational authorities are responsible for ensuring that the necessary physical facilities are in place to implement this provision.

The bill aims to guarantee better control, supply, and quality of school food, while also preventing any risk of food contamination. Until all school kitchens are fully installed, external food providers will continue to offer their services.

Article 57 of the initiative prioritizes the purchase of agricultural products from local sources where the schools are located. The bill aims to support family farming and preserve food culture through collaboration with local producers.

Santo Domingo.- In response to the presence of anthrax in Haiti, the General Directorate of Migration (DGM) has implemented sanitary measures to protect checkpoint staff from potential infection. Director General Venancio Alcántara advised DGM members to regularly sanitize their work areas with alcohol, following guidelines from the Ministry of Public Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

The DGM is also urging those arriving from Haiti to report any symptoms of the disease immediately to health authorities to prevent its spread in the Dominican Republic. The agency has distributed information packets to employees at airports, ports, docks, and especially border crossings, detailing the symptoms of anthrax and its modes of transmission.

Santo Domingo.- Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez assured that anthrax, which has raised health concerns in Haiti, remains under control in the Dominican Republic. He confirmed that no cases of the bacteria have been reported entering the country as of now.

Before attending a session with Attorney General Miriam Germán, Álvarez stated that the Ministries of Health and Defense are overseeing all entry points to prevent the bacteria from crossing into Dominican territory.

On a different note, the Foreign Minister expressed optimism about the new Haitian government led by Garry Conille. He praised Conille’s extensive experience and the skilled team he has assembled to manage the Haitian State.

Regarding the Kenyan-led peacekeeping mission, Álvarez noted that Kenyan troops are now patrolling alongside Haitian police, and results from these efforts are expected soon.