The state-owned Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Wednesday said security was being beefed up to counter violent attacks on wounded patients while they are receiving treatment at the Accident and Emergency Department, an apparent growing trend across the Caribbean. GPHC Chief Executive Officer, Robbie Rambarran said security guards would be equipped with more handheld ...

Santo Domingo.- The Minister of Public Health (MSP), Víctor Atallah, announced that the country currently lacks COVID-19 vaccines due to the perception that the disease had “disappeared.”

“COVID-19 seemed to have disappeared, and the influx to vaccination centers was almost zero. We vaccinated nearly 100% of the population, which was a record. A second outbreak was not anticipated,” said Minister Atallah during the presentation of the new edition of the National Epidemiological Bulletin.

Atallah mentioned that vaccines for adults are expected to arrive next week, and information on the distribution centers will be provided. Additionally, he confirmed that vaccines for children, who were pending vaccination, have arrived to prevent a spike in cases among this group.

No Intensive Care Patients or Intubations

Minister Atallah highlighted that there are currently no COVID-19 patients in intensive care or on ventilators. He noted that the number of cases has decreased, with no reported deaths. “Only 300 new cases have been registered, showing a reduction compared to last week,” he emphasized.

He also mentioned that approximately 2,500 hospital beds have been made available, and there has been no overcrowding in health centers. He stressed the importance of wearing masks to prevent the virus’s spread and assured that pharmacies are being supplied to avoid a shortage of medicines. “We continue to monitor to anticipate possible outbreaks,” he concluded.

Launch of the Modernized National Epidemiological Bulletin

On Tuesday, the MSP unveiled a modern version of its National Epidemiological Bulletin in digital format. The updated bulletin features changes in format, design, and content, with a focus on a main theme in each publication.

The primary objective of the new bulletin is to “inform in an easy and accurate manner” about health events in the country, targeting both epidemiologists and the interested public.

During the launch event, Minister Atallah highlighted that the new updates make the epidemiological document more accessible, with an index and chapters navigable through tabs. The bulletin uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) on its cover and includes a QR code for accessing the repository of previously published bulletins, which are available for download.

Weekly Updates and Central Topics

The new bulletin will be updated every Thursday at noon and will be available on the Epidemiology Directorate’s website, https://digepi.gob.do. Each edition will feature a central current topic, described and analyzed in detail within its local, regional, and global contexts, along with surveillance methods and prevention or control recommendations.

Minister Atallah explained that the format of the National Epidemiological Bulletin had not been updated for over 15 years. The new version aims to provide a more modern, readable, and instructive tool that facilitates quicker access and understanding of the document.

The updated bulletin will present mandatory notification events by time, place, and person, along with a summary table of confirmed cases for the week and the most relevant events. It will also feature a relevant scientific article for the ongoing education of epidemiologists and other readers.

This statistical document covers notifiable health events, showing the behavior of diseases such as dengue, malaria, leptospirosis, cholera, respiratory diseases, and rabies. It also includes the incidence of maternal and infant deaths, disaggregated by sex, age, and other indicators.

The government officially launched its eye-testing and spectacles programme which will benefit thousands of vulnerable individuals on Tuesday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC). The programme will see these individuals accessing financial assistance from the government to get their eyes tested and outfitted with the required spectacles. Individuals under 18 years of age, and ...

Samples from Grenada sent to CARPHA last week showed the outbreak of gastroenteritis is caused by sapovirus, salmonella and E Coli

View the full post Sapovirus among causes for gastro outbreak on NOW Grenada.

West Indian Cherries are great to help reduce sickness and diseases that men are susceptible to such as heart disease, cancers and depression, and helps in fitness and endurance

View the full post West Indian Cherries and men’s health on NOW Grenada.

Over the course of the last week, the two entities facilitated a blood donation drive on the grounds of the National Blood Collecting Centre, located at Ladymeade Gardens, St Michael. Sagicor, a leading insurance and financial solutions company, provided the support of its mobile medical unit and team to assist with the collection of blood donations, and Barbadians turned out in their numbers in recognition of World Blood Donor Day, which was celebrated on Friday June 14.

Founder and brand director of Egi Women, Gina Cummins, said they started their relationship with the Blood Collection Centre about a year ago.

“We felt that this year, in continuation of our acts of service and community building, we wanted to find a partner who could help us to amplify the message and the importance of giving blood. Sagicor have willingly come on board with their mobile wellness unit,” she said. “The way we see it is if we give blood on a frequent basis, the Blood Collection Centre will have a ready supply of blood when people need it.”

Executive vice president and general manager of Sagicor Life Inc (Barbados), Paul Inniss said the company was proud to be associated with what he called a fantastic initiative to give blood.

“…Because we are actually giving back to our communities. We are adding value by personally giving of ourselves, and if you think about it, we are actually giving blood to others that need it, when they need it. I am happy that we had a fantastic turnout and contribution by our people,” he said.

Nurse at Sagicor Life Inc Rosanna Springer outlined the importance of giving blood from a medical perspective.

“You can have a mass casualty where multiple persons can be injured and require blood, someone could be having a procedure or operation, a mother could be giving birth and you need to have blood just in case there are any emergencies. You could also just be simply donating to the bank, to ensure that on a national level, we are always prepared,” she said.

(PR/BT)

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The prohibition on smoking medicinal cannabis in Barbados is sparking mixed reactions among patients and doctors, according to Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Authority (BMLA), Shanika Roberts-Odle. 

At present, medicinal cannabis is mostly administered topically through dermal sprays, gels and creams. 

Appearing on a recent radio programme, Roberts-Odle, highlighted the divergent opinions on this policy, its implications and alternatives.

Her comments come amid an ongoing national dialogue around appropriate medicinal cannabis policies. Since legalising medicinal cannabis in November 2019, authorities have taken a cautious approach, prohibiting smoking as a method of administration, while focusing on the growth of an export industry.

“There are significant amounts of persons who I have met who have indicated that for them, there’s a certain level of hypocrisy involved in that particular position,” Roberts-Odle told the programme.

“Doctors that I’ve spoken with have said smoking anything, in their position, is not recommended. Others have said if there is someone for whom that is their preferred method of use, then, as long as they know that their patient is getting what they need and the patient is aware of the risk that they’re taking, they are fine with that.”

This regulatory stance has drawn criticism from some patients who prefer the rapid onset provided by smoking over other delivery methods like topical applications or oral consumption. 

Some medical experts have voiced concerns about the potential health risks of inhaling cannabis smoke. Critics counter that smoking for palliative care provides relief that far exceeds risk to a terminally ill patient. They argue that a paternalistic approach undercuts patient autonomy and the medical benefits that smoking can provide for certain conditions.

Despite the current prohibition, Roberts-Odle noted that many patients, particularly those in palliative care, prefer smoking as a method of administration, sharing that they are “disappointed that they’re not allowed that avenue at this point in time”.

Anaesthesiologist Dr Adrian Waterman acknowledged the appeal of smoking cannabis due to its quick onset of action, crucial for those seeking immediate relief. But he raised concerns about potential lung damage from tar and other particulates in smoke.

“I can understand why some patients will like that route of administration because, especially in the past, it was a much easier route because the plant, basically the raw product, was [involved]…. People would say that it was a faster route of administration and they liked that,” he said.

“Today, with therapeutic development, they have found ways to administer the chemicals in cannabis, whereby we don’t have to use the inhalation route as much to get a faster onset of action.

“Doctors will tell you, especially in the pulmonary field, that they are very concerned when people smoke and that travels into the lungs.”

Roberts-Odle countered by distinguishing between recreational and medicinal cannabis usage, noting that medicinal cannabis typically does not contain additives like “fanta” used in recreational smoking.

“Generally, the tar comes from the additional things that you put in it,” she said. “For medicinal cannabis, what is actually being smoked is just the cannabis… you don’t add ‘fanta’ and those kinds of things.” 

She also addressed the risk of public smoking and secondhand exposure, stating that if legal, there would need to be restrictions on where medicinal cannabis could be smoked to prevent exposure to non-users.

Pharmacist David Workman, another guest, suggested an alternative rapid-relief method without smoking risks: “Drops or a spray under the tongue where there is a rich blood vessel supply and allows for rapid absorption. I can’t say it’s going to be as fast, but it’s going to be fairly quick.”

Roberts-Odle shed light on patient-specific treatment plans, noting that legislation does not restrict what doctors can prescribe medicinal cannabis for, as “its usage continues to grow and your doctor knows you.”

“They’re able to make an informed decision on whether this is good for you and so we have not restricted the kinds of things that they can prescribe you medicinal cannabis for,” she added.

So far, the BMCLA chief revealed, the drug has treated patients with epilepsy, pain, muscle spasms and anxiety. Underscoring responsible usage, she said: “The same way we have to be responsible with any kind of other medicine that we’re using, medicinal cannabis would have to be under those kinds of context as well… everything in moderation and in the correct usage patterns.” (SM)

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St James will be the only parish visited this week when the Ministry of Health and Wellness continues its fogging programme.

On Monday when the team from the Vector Control Unit makes its first stop, Lancaster, Endeavour with Avenues, Apes Hill Development, and environs will be sprayed.

A return to that parish on Tuesday will see fogging at Wanstead Terrace 1 to 11 Avenues, Oxnards, Oxnards Heights, and surrounding areas.

The following day, Wednesday, fogging will occur at Oxnards Heights, Desert Rose Ridge, Wanstead Gardens Heights, Rose Drive, Lily Drive, Alamanda Drive, Carnation Drive, Begonia, Daisy Drive, and environs.

On Thursday the Unit will visit Independence Drive, Trident Avenue, Sugar Cane Avenue, Pelican Avenue, and neighbouring districts.

The exercise culminates on Friday in Blue Bell Drive, Croton Drive, Orchid Drive, and environs.

Fogging of districts will run from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., each day. Householders are asked to assist in the control of the Aedes aegypti mosquito by opening all windows and doors to allow the fog to enter. Persons with respiratory problems are asked to protect themselves from inhaling the fog.

Pedestrians and motorists should proceed with caution when encountering fogging operations on the street and parents are instructed to prohibit children from playing in the fog or running behind the fogging machine.

Members of the public are advised that the completion of scheduled fogging activities may be affected by events beyond the Unit’s control. In such circumstances, the Unit will return to affected communities as soon as possible. (PR)

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Dr Kristyn Kirton, a resident in internal medicine at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, revealed that nearly 700 stroke cases were documented across the island in 2021 alone. “To put it into perspective, 700 cases might not sound massive in global terms, but for a small island nation like ours, it’s significant,” she told Barbados TODAY.
The statistics indicate that most strokes are caused by brain attacks, known as ischemic strokes, specifically blood clots in the brain, which aligns with global trends. Only about 10 per cent of the cases were attributed to brain haemorrhages. “This data is consistent with what we see worldwide, where ischemic strokes are more prevalent than hemorrhagic strokes,” Dr Kirton said.
She was speaking on the sidelines of a Barbados Physical Therapy Association Symposium on Strokes, at the Horatio Cooke Auditorium of the National Union of Public Workers on Dalkeith, aimed at educating the public on stroke prevention, management and rehabilitation.
Kirton noted that there had been a shift in the demographic affected by strokes. Traditionally seen as a disease of the elderly, strokes are now affecting younger populations.

She said: “When you were growing up, you’d hear about strokes affecting your grandparents. But now, we’re seeing 50-year-olds, 52-year-olds, even people in their late 50s. This is still relatively young, and these individuals are often still active in the workforce. This shift is alarming because it impacts not only health but also productivity and quality of life”.
The implications of this demographic shift are profound, especially with the retirement age being extended.  She pointed to the loss of productive years due to stroke as a significant economic and social issue.
“These are precious years that could have been spent contributing to the economy and supporting families. Now, due to stroke, many of these individuals are unable to work, which has a ripple effect on society,” Dr Kirton emphasised.
Comparing the situation in Barbados to the United States, she noted: “In the U.S., statistics show that someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds. This highlights the global relevance of the issue and underscores the importance of taking action to mitigate stroke risk”.
Despite the lack of more recent data, the 2021 figures show a troubling reality, the medical practitioner suggested. “We see nearly equal numbers of men and women affected by strokes, which is somewhat unusual as certain populations might show a gender bias. This parity indicates that stroke is a widespread issue across our population”.
Adding to the concern is the fact that other non-communicable diseases, such as heart and kidney diseases, also plague the population. “We haven’t even touched on these other diseases yet, which further complicates the health landscape in Barbados,” Dr Kirton said.
She also shared her experiences with patients who, despite being at high risk for stroke, often display a lack of concern for their health. “When working with patients, especially those with diabetes, there’s often a sense of invincibility. They think: ‘My blood sugar is just a little high, or my blood pressure is slightly elevated; nothing will happen to me.’ It’s a dangerous mindset. Many of these patients end up experiencing a stroke, often on what could be the worst day of their lives.”
Dr Kirton also noted a worrying trend among middle-aged patients who, despite being aware of their hypertension, fail to take prescribed medications. “This is a recurring pattern I’m seeing more frequently. These individuals know they have high blood pressure and have been prescribed medication, yet they aren’t taking it. This neglect could lead to severe consequences,” Dr Kirton warned.  “High blood pressure, for example, is often symptomless until it reaches a critical point. Without symptoms, many people don’t feel the urgency to act. It’s not until they experience severe consequences, like headaches or blurred vision, that they seek medical help and start taking their health seriously.”

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Grenada is awaiting the result of samples sent to CARPHA in Trinidad to determine the type of virus or bacteria that is responsible for an outbreak of gastroenteritis

View the full post Health official confirms gastro outbreak on NOW Grenada.