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Santo Domingo.- Rodrigo Castañeda, the representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in the Dominican Republic, emphasized the need for improvements in the quality of diets and equitable access to food products, despite a decrease in the prevalence of undernourishment and hunger in the country. He pointed out that while the prevalence fell from 8.3% in the three-year period of 2018-2020 to 6.3% between 2020-2022, challenges remain.

Castañeda highlighted the difficulty in finding healthy foods at low cost and in close proximity. He mentioned that a healthy diet costs 60% more than one that fulfills basic food needs and five times more than diets that only provide food energy.

During his presentation on “Impact of food waste on the environment” at the “Sustainable Profits” seminar organized by the National Network of Business Support for Environmental Protection (Ecored), Castañeda shared global statistics, stating that in 2022, 735 million people suffered from hunger, while 1,029 million people were classified as obese. He emphasized that the problem of hunger is primarily an issue of economic access.

Castañeda pointed out that food waste is a significant contributor to environmental issues, with examples such as 12% waste in fish production and 32% in fruits. This waste accounts for 10% of greenhouse gas emissions, and if it were a country, it would be the third most polluting sector globally.

He also highlighted various factors contributing to poverty and inequality affecting food security, including pandemics, economic slowdowns, climate variability, conflicts, and the high cost of healthy diets. Additionally, he mentioned climate change’s impact on soil degradation, excessive pesticide use, and the need for traceability to reduce food waste.

Regarding the Dominican Republic, Castañeda expressed concern about health indicators, stating that 70% of the population is obese or overweight, leading to a significant burden on public healthcare spending. He called for efforts to promote healthier diets and lifestyles.

Castañeda also addressed the issue of food waste in tourist areas of the country, emphasizing the need for collaboration between the public and private sectors to implement initiatives and reduce waste.

Globally, in 2022, 931 million tons of food ended up in landfills, highlighting the urgency of addressing food waste and improving food access and quality.

Everyone is at risk of developing Type 1, Type 2, or gestational diabetes, which affects pregnant women, so it is important to adopt and practice healthy lifestyle choices

View the full post Demystifying diabetes on NOW Grenada.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided Guyana’s Ministry of Health with 13 solar-powered vaccine refrigerators to be used in health care centres in remote areas of the country. US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole D. Theriot handed over the refrigerators worth US$160,000, and the embassy here said the presentation demonstrated the American ...

Santo Domingo.- Rodrigo Castañeda, the representative of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in the Dominican Republic, disclosed that a staggering 70% of the adult population in the country is overweight or obese. He emphasized the need for a healthy diet to combat obesity.

Castañeda highlighted the concerning statistics, noting that even among children, 31% of students are classified as obese or overweight. He pointed out that Latin America and the Caribbean grapple with double the obesity rates compared to Africa and three times more than Oceania, indicating a widespread issue in the entire region.

During a conference on “Sustainable Profits,” Castañeda explained that poor nutrition contributes to various health problems such as hypertension and cardiovascular issues. He also mentioned that FAO and the National Institute for Student Welfare (INABIE) are collaborating to ensure that the school menu for public school students is both nutritious and healthy, as part of their efforts to address this pressing health concern.

Santo Domingo.- The healthcare sector in Santiago, Dominican Republic, is experiencing a significant transformation, thanks to the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Leading health institutions, such as the Clínica Unión Médica del Norte and the Hospital Metropolitano de Santiago (HOMS), have embraced AI to enhance diagnostics, precision in medical interventions, and overall patient care.

A recent visit by a team from Listín Diario, led by its director Miguel Franjul, provided insights into how AI is revolutionizing these medical facilities, making them not only critical healthcare providers for the 14 provinces of Cibao but also attracting patients from the Caribbean islands.

AI has enabled these healthcare centers to achieve more accurate diagnoses and precision in treatments, but its advantages extend beyond. The integration of AI has significantly reduced patient waiting times, lowered risks, accelerated recovery, and facilitated a smoother return to routine life.

Clínica Unión Médica del Norte, spanning nearly 50,000 square meters and equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging tools featuring AI, boasts the ability for AI-enhanced diagnostic imaging and surgical procedures. These innovations ensure better results, shorter waiting times, and higher-quality healthcare. The inclusion of AI covers administrative, healthcare, imaging, and customer service areas, enabling patients to access self-services such as appointments and online authorizations.

Hospital Metropolitano de Santiago (HOMS) is a pioneer in AI adoption, utilizing it in various medical processes, including diagnostic imaging and robotic-assisted surgeries, such as bariatric surgery. Notably, HOMS proudly presents its AI-powered Magnetic Resonance equipment, which acquires high-quality images in less time. It’s the first of its kind in the Dominican Republic and enhances patient comfort and efficiency. HOMS has protocols for comprehensive body scans, improving image quality, visibility, and precision in diagnosis.

HOMS is also equipped with high-precision tomography scanners, allowing for rapid early diagnoses and reducing scan times. AI-driven cardiac resonance procedures minimize unnecessary interventions, enhancing decision-making and patient care. Additionally, the center can accommodate patients weighing up to 400 pounds, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of individuals.

Both healthcare institutions in Santiago emphasize the pivotal role of AI in enhancing medical services, reinforcing the region’s commitment to modernity, precision, and patient well-being.

The Vector Control Unit of the Ministry of Health and Wellness will continue its mosquito eradication efforts this week in the parishes of St Lucy, St Peter, and St Michael.

Fogging will commence on Monday, November 6, in the following St Lucy districts – Maycocks Terrace, Checker Hall Development, Friendly Hall, Husbands Road, Harrisons and environs.

The team will return to St Lucy, on Tuesday, November 7, to fog Clinketts Gardens, Sutherland Road, Fustic Village, Checker Hall Road, Half Moon Fort, Colleton Gardens, Shermans, and surrounding areas.

The Unit will turn its attention to communities in St Peter on Wednesday, November 8, when they visit Six Men’s Development, Colleton Gardens, Retreat Road, and Port St Charles.

The following day, Thursday, November 9, Heywoods Development and Golden Mile, also in St Peter, will be targeted for fogging.

Fogging for the week will conclude on Friday, November 10, when some areas in St Michael will be sprayed, including Free Hill with avenues, Rock Road, Connell Road, Free Hill Crescent, and neighbouring districts.

Fogging takes place from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. daily. Householders are reminded to open their windows and doors to allow the spray to enter.

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 communities affected in the soonest possible time.

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José Iván Encarnación, President of the Dominican Foundation for Integral Development, highlighted the measure taken by the Presidential Commission to support neighborhood development since a fortnight ago, a girl died of the disease in that area.

He thanked the President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, for instructing the director of the Commission for Neighbourhood Development, Rolfi Rojas, to intervene in the neighborhoods of Villa Duarte in alliance with civil society organizations.

“We are carrying out an unprecedented operation in terms of fumigation, cleaning of streets, avenues, alleys and gullies to eliminate the reservoirs where the larvae multiply and then become the mosquito that produces dengue fever,” he said.

He informed that, in addition to dengue, the operation prevents other diseases such as malaria, leptospirosis, chikungunya, and other illnesses that attack marginalized sectors.

In addition to the operation against dengue and other diseases, the Commission for Neighbourhood Development will impact dozens of houses in poor condition in Simonico with the replacement of roof floors paving of alleys, as well as the intervention of the gullies.

Joel La Ho of the Simonico neighborhood council highlighted the workday because it would prevent other children from dying of dengue fever, in addition to the announcement by Rolfi Rojas to start next week in the continuation of the workday with the repair of houses in poor condition.

Some health centers have been forced to suspend elective surgeries due to a lack of beds, the director of a prestigious clinic in Santo Domingo told Hoy. The reality is no different in cities like Santiago and La Vega. People go from place to place looking for a bed in the private sector, and they use primary relationships with doctors, politicians, and journalists to get a bed. In practice, there are none.

One pediatrician has up to 16 patients, another has 10, and this figure is repeated when they are consulted privately.

The private centers that have up to 35% of their beds occupied by patients with dengue are Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Otorhinolaryngology, Abreu Clinic, Plaza de la Salud, Abel González, and the UCE Medical Centre. The Independencia, Alcántara y González, and Rodríguez Santo clinics also have high occupancy rates. In Santiago, Unión Médica, Corominas and the Hospital Metropolitano de Santiago (Homs).

Public centres
The public hospitals with the highest number of patients under 18 admitted with the viral disease transmitted by the bite of the Aedes aegypti are the Robert Reid Cabral and the Hugo Mendoza. Also known as the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti is a mosquito that can spread dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika fever, Mayaro, and yellow fever viruses, and other disease agents. The mosquito can be recognized by black and white markings on its legs and a marking in the form of a lyre on the upper surface of its thorax.

State hospitals
Data released by Robert Reid Cabral indicates that by mid-afternoon on Friday, 63 children with symptoms of dengue fever were admitted. The hospital reported that it has 13 new patients. Three patients are in intensive care. The emergency room is full of patients with fever and other symptoms.

The Hugo Mendoza Hospital has 60 admissions and one in intensive care. The Hospital General de la Plaza de la Salud has 23 minors admitted; six were waiting for beds in the emergency room.

Other viruses
It is not only dengue impacting the Dominican health system but also respiratory infections.

In that order, the authorities call the population to go to vaccination centers to be immunized against the influenza virus.

At least 20 European companies have signaled their intention to participate in the European Union’s (EU) first ever trade mission under the “Global Gateway” partnership initiative with 150 countries, EU’s Ambassador to Guyana, “We would have the very first trade mission coming to Guyana and that trade mission is here under the heading of the ...