Webremixed Articles for tags: health

Emergency medicine in the Caribbean grapples with change

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS): Emergency medicine in the region is being forced to undergo change. This was the central theme of the keynote address delivered on Monday by Minister of Health, Donville Inniss, at the start of the Caribbean Emergency Medicine Congress in Barbados.

Trinidad government advised to seek dengue fever help from Cuba

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: A former health minister in Trinidad and Tobago has advised his successor to seek the assistance of Cuba to combat dengue fever, which is threatening the lives of hundreds in rural communities. A source at the Ministry has put the number of reported dengue cases at 2,500.

Trinidad and Tobago increases efforts against dengue fever mosquitoes

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: The Ministry of Health in Trinidad and Tobago has reinforced its squad tasked with eradicating the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which spreads the potentially deadly dengue fever virus. The new inspectors brought the total number of sprayers and perifocal operators to 580.

Scorpion poison used in Cuba for treatment of cancer

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

CIENFUEGOS, Cuba (ACN): For the first time in Cuba, scientists are using a natural medicine derived from scorpion toxin for the treatment of cancer. The study is the only one being made in the world and it has shown positive results so far, according to Fabio Linares, head of the Homeopathy Department.

Surinamese child recovers sight thanks to Cuba's Operation Miracle

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

HAVANA, Cuba (ACN): Surinamese Eduard Tasjero Sjegnile, 8, has recovered his sight thanks to a surgery performed by Cuban ophthalmologists, members of Operation Miracle in the CARICOM country. The boy had surgery on his right eye, and next year the Cuban doctors will operate on the other eye.

Involving Caribbean men in combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEAU, Dominica: As part of its sensitisation efforts within the Eastern Caribbean basin, the Peace Corps Eastern Caribbean held a three-day workshop geared at greater participation and involvement of men in fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The workshop dubbed “Men as Partners” was held in St Lucia.

Barbados issues another warning on leptospirosis

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS): The Barbados Ministry of Health has reminded members of the public of the need for continued vigilance in the wake of increasing numbers of persons being affected by leptospirosis. The Senior Medical Officer of Health has advised that leptospirosis can be prevented.

BVI Health Department to embark on risk factor survey

Sat, 13 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

ROAD TOWN, BVI: The Health Promotion Unit in the Ministry of Health and Social Development will embark on a Risk Factor Survey which will seek to influence changes in public policy and promote lifestyle changes aimed at preventing and controlling chronic diseases in the British Virgin Islands.

Residents urged to take preventive steps against dengue fever in BVI

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

ROAD TOWN, BVI: The Environmental Health Division (EHD) is urging the people in the British Virgin Islands to take preventative steps to combat the Aedes aegypti mosquito and reduce the spread of dengue fever in the Territory. Dengue fever is a flu-like illness that is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito.

Guyana threatened by dengue fever outbreak

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Guyana is under threat of a massive dengue fever outbreak and, if this is to be averted, it will take a collaborative effort on the part of all concerned. This was the view of Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy in urging residents to work to avoid what could become a catastrophic situation.

Nevis HIV/AIDS Coordinating Unit receives assistance

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

CHARLESTOWN, Nevis: Youth initiatives organized by the Nevis HIV/AIDS Coordinating Unit, will be the beneficiaries of an undisclosed monetary contribution from the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) Washington DC Chapter. The cheque was presented to Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health.

Research study finds Grenada medical school is best in the Caribbean

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

ST GEORGE'S, Grenada: St George's University School of Medicine, the only medical school in Grenada has received first place recognition as an outcome of a study by Academic Medicine, the journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges. The medical school received the highest first time pass rate.

Mission Miracle flight leaves Guyana for Cuba

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA): The 75th batch of patients, the latest beneficiaries of the Mission Miracle programme, a joint initiative of the governments of Guyana and Cuba, Tuesday left to undergo eye surgeries in Cuba. This is part of phase two of the programme. Phase One screened over 40,000 Guyanese.

Grenada PM announces plans for HIV/AIDS prevention programmes

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

ST GEORGE‘S, Grenada: Grenada joined the the rest of the world in observing World AIDS Day and Prime Minister Tillman Thomas unveiled plans his government has in the pipeline for HIV/AIDS prevention. In his address, Prime Minister Thomas said HIV and AIDS present broad developmental challenges.

Consultation marks thirty years of primary health care in Dominica

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEAU, Dominica: The Ministry of Health conducted a National Consultation on Primary Health Care in Dominica on Monday at the Ross University School of Medicine. The consultation focused on primary health care on the island for the past thirty years, highlighting the achievements made.

Ozone therapy on slipped disks shows positive results in Cuba

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

HAVANA, Cuba, (ACN): The use in Cuba of ozone therapy has been proved to be very efficient in the treatment of slipped disks, as it relieves the pain and disability caused by the condition. The direct application of the gas to the spine or the muscles surrounding, reduces the slipped disk.

Renewed tuberculosis attack feared in Guyana

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Guyana: One of the Guyana's leading newspapers, Stabroek News carried a lengthy article entitled "TB renewed its attack" in which it stated that there was a worrying increase of the disease, which claimed scores of lives several decades ago. Guyana's co-infection (HIV and TB) is climbing.

High tech digitalized x-ray equipment to be produced in Cuba

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

HAVANA, Cuba (ACN): High tech RX 800 digitalized equipment for x-ray examinations will be produced in Cuba for use in the hospitals and polyclinics of the archipelago. Awarded the Design Prize during the recently concluded International Trade Fair, the RX 800 provides images in six seconds.

Cuba's birth rate increased in 2008

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

HAVANA, Cuba (ACN): The sustained increase of the live-birth indicator reported in Cuba from January through October of 2008, compared to last year, is good news and it could turn the demographic course of the country. The statistics were compiled from figures collected in health centers and other data.

Scientists from US hoping to prevent dengue fever outbreak in USVI

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

ST THOMAS, USVI: A team of scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now in the US Virgin Islands hoping to avoid a dengue fever outbreak following the heavy rains that accompanied Hurricane Omar. The entomologists assessed mosquito populations at 22 sites.

Dengue fever diagnosed in 126 residents of Guyana's hinterland

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Dengue fever has been diagnosed in 126 residents in the Rupununi area of Guyana's hinterland. The viral disease is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and manifests itself in fever, rashes, headaches and severe muscle and joint pains.

St Lucia Diabetes and Hypertensive Association to hold Annual Fun Walk

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

CASTRIES, St Lucia: The St Lucia Diabetes and Hypertensive Association will be holding its Annual Fun Walk on November 30, 2008 and it will be the closing event for the Association's annual Diabetes Awareness Month. The Fun Walk is one of two health-related events that the association has organized.

St Kitts-Nevis minister says HIV/AIDS presents a unique challenge

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts(SKNIS): Minister of Health Rupert Herbert stressed that HIV/AIDS presents a unique challenge to St. Kitts and Nevis and the rest of the world. The chief government health official noted that the world has seen many epidemics and managed to cure most successfully.

Fifty more eye patients from Guyana off to Cuba

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA): Fifty patients who had undergone eye screening last week were expected to depart Guyana on Tuesday for Cuba for different types of eye surgery under the “Mission Miracle” programme, which has been re-introduced until the Port Mourant Ophthalmology Centre becomes operational.

Cuban medical brigade returns home from Venezuela

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

HAVANA, Cuba (ACN): Cuban doctors working on an special mission in Venezuela returned to Cuba on Tuesday evening. The more than 400-member medical brigade had worked for more than one year in Venezuela on a research study on people with disabilities who need specialized care.

Voodoo priests enlisted in Haiti AIDS fight

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

JACMEL, Haiti (IRIN): Clement Bouvais, a Haitian voodoo priest, presides over the Temple de Nos Ancetres (Temple of Our Ancestors), a windowless wooden structure painted in fading shades of blue and red on a narrow side street in the southern coastal town of Jacmel.

Primary health care capacity in Guyana continues to be boosted

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA): Guyana said it is making good its commitment to strengthen and build capacity within the health sector with the most recent advancement being the addition of five locally trained surgical doctors. The graduates completed their post-graduate surgical programme.

AIDS patients in Haiti more desperate for food than treatment

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

JACMEL (IRIN): Even before Hurricane Gustav barrelled into the southern coast of Haiti in August, life was a struggle for Destin Domoud, an artist selling his paintings and papier-mâché crafts from a small gallery in the seaside town of Jacmel. Over 60 percent of Haitians live below the poverty line.

Guyana's health minister praises work of Cuban doctors

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

HAVANA, Cuba (ACN): Guyana's government authorities have recognized the help of Cuba in the health sector, for more than three decades, as invaluable. The statement was made during the celebration of the first anniversary of the inauguration of the Comprehensive Diagnosis Center of Diamond.

New study explores alcohol use and HIV risk in the Dominican Republic

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

NEW YORK, USA: Associate professor Vincent Guilamo-Ramos of Columbia University and assistant professor Mark Padilla of the University of Michigan have been awarded a $430,000 grant to develop a venue-based alcohol and HIV-prevention intervention in the Dominican Republic.

Barbados praised for a successful HIV/AIDS project

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

BRIDGETOWN, Bardados, (BGIS): As Barbados prepares to start its second HIV/AIDS Project with the World Bank, an official there is reporting that the first project which closed in December 2007 was “very successful”. Dr Joana Godinho, said there was a very strong institutional structure in place.

Old and new viruses spread by air travel, crowding

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, USA (Reuters): Tourists traveling by plane and the growth of cities are combining to help new and old infections spread around the world, experts said on Monday. Viruses such as Chikungunya and dengue fever are finding new homes or returning to places where they were eradicated.

Smoking on the rise in Barbados especially among teenage girls

Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Smoking is on the rise in Barbados, particularly among young people and especially teenage girls. Dr Anthony Lewegaba of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of the West Indies (UWI) revealed that about 36 percent of youth have tried smoking cigarettes.

Antigua Ministry of Health denies dengue fever outbreak

Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

ST JOHN’S, Antigua: The Ministry of Health in Antigua and Barbuda has denied that the country has recorded 30 cases of dengue fever since the onslaught of the strong weather associated with the passage of Hurricane Omar. The statement added that symptoms for dengue include fever and headache.

Fifty-five new AIDS infections every day in the Caribbean

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: The Director of the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean made some startling disclosures when she addressed the 7th Annual US Chiefs of Mission Conference on HIV/AIDS in Port of Spain on Wednesday. Most of the persons infected are young females.

Belize to get eye care programme from Venezuela

Sat, 18 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

BELMOPAN, Belize: Representatives of the government of Venezuela are meeting with officials in Belize in an effort to launch a programme that will provide free eye care to Belizean residents. The project is completely funded by the government of Venezuela.

Suriname celebrates third anniversary of Operation Miracle

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

HAVANA, Cuba (ACN): Cuba’s Embassy in Suriname hosted a ceremony in commemoration of the third anniversary of the Operation Miracle in Suriname, which started October 10, 2005. The project started by taking patients to Cuban hospitals in Havana and Cienfuegos cities.

Cuban researchers present mangrove-based pill to treat stomach ulcers

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

SAN JOSE DE LAS LAJAS, Cuba (ACN): The results of a study on the use of mangrove trees for treatment of gastro-duodenum ulcers will be presented at a forum to take place in Cuba. Dr Luz Maria Sánchez told ACN that the natural medicine made from of mangrove tree does not cause side effects.

Guyanese receive eye-care screening

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The Cuban and Venezuela governments’ free eye-care programme is now underway in Guyana. The programme, known as Mission Miracle, is providing additional support to persons with acute eye problems. The team is now based at the East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital.

No tainted milk products sold in Suriname

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Fears that melamine-tainted milk powder has been processed and sold to consumers by a local dairy company were Saturday dismissed by Suriname health authorities. On September 22, the government of Suriname imposed a ban on milk and dairy products from China.

Puerto Rico firm recalls frozen beef products due to possible E. Coli contamination

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, USA: Packers Provision, a Puerto Nuevo, Puerto Rico, establishment, is recalling approximately 420 pounds of frozen beef trim that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced on Friday.

Suriname authorities seize tainted milk powder

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Authorities in Suriname say they have confiscated a quantity of milk powder imported from China, which is reportedly tainted with the toxic industrial chemical melamine. While the milk was seized on Monday, a press release informing the public on the matter was not issued until Thursday.

Operation Miracle launched in Barbados with Cuban assistance

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

HAVANA, Cuba (ACN): Operation Miracle, a programme that provides free vision correcting surgery, was launched in Barbados with the treatment of 450 patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The programme is sponsored by Cuba and headed in Barbados by Dr Maritza Miquele.

PAHO team going to Trinidad to look at dengue situation

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: A team of experts from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is due in Trinidad this week to look at reports of an outbreak of dengue in the twin-island Republic. The announcement was made by Health Minister Jerry Narace in Parliament while speaking on the Budget Debate.

Guyana bans Chinese dairy products over melamine scare

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AFP): Guyana on Saturday became the second Caribbean Community (Caricom) member, after Suriname, to pull Chinese dairy products off the market, amid a world-wide alert on Chinese milk tainted with melamine. The Health Ministry said it was targeting specifically 'Milky Evaporated Milk'.

Guyanese assured no cause for alarm over contaminated milk

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Guyanese have been given the assurance by the Food and Drugs Analyst Department that there is no need to be concerned about consuming milk from the Chinese company, Yilli. Infant baby milk and other products have been found to contain traces of melamine.