PAHO Director underscores transatlantic partnerships to address present and future health challenges

Cristina Mitchell

17 Oct 2023

Guyana is training more nurses, providing advanced training to doctors, buying higher quality equipment and encouraging surgeons from across the Caribbean to come here to share their expertise as part of a wider plan to gear up the country to become a medical “hub” for the rest of the region, according to Health Minister Dr ...

EVERYONE on the food safety value chain is responsible for ensuring that food is handled and prepared safely.

Consequentially, the Government, farmers and other producers, food transporters, food business operators, food handlers, and customers are all responsible for ensuring a safe food supply nationally.

Responsibilities of the Jamaican Government

Presently in Jamaica there are multi-government agencies with overlapping responsibilities for regulating food safety. The Government of Jamaica therefore needs to establish a regulatory mandate that clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities of each agency. This mandate is needed so that regulatory agencies can be more efficient in carrying out their functions.

A new approach to food handlers' certification in Jamaica is also necessary at this time; this new approach will allow for greater accountability and vigilance at all levels of the food supply value chain. For too long has the food handling industry operated without mandatory requirements, such as the employment of persons trained at the level of a food safety manager within food establishments.

This requirement is particularly important based on the size and nature of the operation. Food safety managers are individuals trained at an advanced level in food safety. According to international best practices, high-risk food establishments employing more than five persons are required by law in many countries to employ a food safety manager. Food safety managers are employed by food industry operators to ensure the implementation of regulatory requirements, enforcement of food safety standards and policies, as well as the evaluation of food handling practices, in order to gain compliance with legal guidelines within the food premises.

As of 2019 it is estimated that worldwide there are 9 million cases of typhoid fever occurring annually, resulting in about 110,000 deaths per year. Whilst the risk of typhoid fever is low in Jamaica, it cannot be forgotten that there have been numerous incidences of the disease reported amongst the local population — and even when symptoms no longer exist, approximately 5 per cent of the reported cases will be chronic carriers. Chronic carriers of typhoid have the potential to make others sick, especially through food and in situations where there is poor personal hygiene and sanitation practices.

A more stringent and comprehensive food handlers' certification system is therefore required, not just to ensure that the nation advances towards having individuals who are trained at a higher level in food safety but also for the institution of a system that will prevent those persons who are carriers of infectious food-borne diseases from being certified as fit for handling food.

Shared responsibility between government, food manufacturers, food processors

To date in Jamaica there is no mandatory or regulatory requirement for food processors and manufacturers to implement a food safety management system within their establishment; yet food recalls, food allergen management issues, the absence of systems to ensure the prevention of food-borne illness, and other related food safety issues are amongst the many problems associated with food manufacturing and processing. Mandatory implementation of appropriate processes and technologies throughout the supply chain, such as in food production facilities, is the most efficient method to guarantee that customers receive food that complies with the essential food safety standards. The implementation of food safety management systems such as Hazard Analysis Cortical Control Point (HACCP), Safe Quality Foods (SQF), and International Standards Organization 2200 (ISO 2200) should not be discretionary and done mostly in food production facilities exporting their goods. Agreeably, the implementation of such systems is not for everyone in the industry, however the health of the population needs to be protected by the implementation of proactive systems of food safety management that identify hazards ahead of time so as to avert any associated risk.

Urbanisation as well as some economic factors have led to more persons demanding cheaper food on the go in Jamaica. Street food vending provides such an option for the Jamaican populace. Street food vending is also enshrined in the culture of many countries including Jamaica, albeit the food safety risks associated with street food operations are no less than those that operate within fixed food establishments. Improper food handling practices, poor hand hygiene practices, improper solid waste management, absence of potable running water, inadequate food protection, failure to observe required temperatures for food, and lack of access to toilet facilities have always been some of the many environmental health challenges associated with these types of operations. The need to regulate the industry and license those establishments which are licensable should no longer be disregarded.

Shared responsibility between government and consumers

Like all other stakeholders in the food safety value chain, consumers have a role to play in ensuring that food safety standards are maintained on the food safety value chain. The time has therefore come for Jamaican consumers to educate themselves about food safety requirements; consumers should also become more vocal on non-compliance issues. In support to the responsibilities of the consumer is the need for the institution of a regulated food establishment rating system nationally. A system that supports publicly displayed scores and ratings of food establishments will encourage food business operators' compliance with regulatory requirements while at the same time allow the consumer to make informed choices prior to conducting business with a food establishment.

Shared responsibility between government regulatory agencies and food establishment operators

Surveillance data must guide the operations of a food regulatory system; the Government is therefore responsible for providing laboratory services for testing of food and safeguarding against all associated food safety hazards. Surveillance systems that capture incidence of food-borne illnesses and associated symptoms will also provide valuable information for timely public health response.

All food manufacturers and distributors, as well as others on the food safety continuum, should be required to implement traceability systems. It is therefore imperative that food safety regulators across ministries collaborate and promulgate a national food recall policy for the food industry. A national food recall policy will allow for the rapid identification and withdrawal of unsafe food lots in a timely manner — thereby averting public health catastrophes.

Dr Karlene Atkinson is a public health specialist and lecturer at the School of Public Health, University of Technology, Jamaica.

Speaking at the club's 35th installation ceremony held at Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in St Andrew on October 7, Haughton said the focus stems from unresolved childhood trauma and the resulting troubling behaviours of youth.

"Added to the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter, our children need stable emotional and behavioural support systems to guide them into being productive and well-balanced members of society," Haughton said.

She added: "World Health Organization estimates that, worldwide, about 20 per cent of children and adolescents experience mental and behavioural disorders. Half of all mental illnesses begin by the age of 14 and are unidentified and untreated. I want to stress that children with mental health issues may struggle with low self-esteem, troubled relationships, and poor performance in school. They are the ones we hear about beating another child unconscious for something as simple as stepping on their shoe."

Keynote speaker, consultant psychiatrist Dr Geoffrey Walcott painted a picture of a history of mental health challenges from slavery into post-colonial society, explaining that the minute one begins to dehumanise a group of people it leads to atrocities, much of which are still being played out in today's society.

He further highlighted that most of the uncontrollable behaviour seen in children can be easily diverted, but "they don't end up in the child guidance clinic because nobody recognises bad behaviour as a mental illness, which it is".

"Children, particularly those who are depressed, do not present and tell you that they are sad. [Instead], they punch somebody in the face and box down a boy because him step on him shoes - that's how depression presents in children. But do they get referred?" Dr Walcott questioned.

For the 2023/2024 administrative year KCNK will lend support to the child guidance clinic at the Comprehensive Health Centre in Kingston, as it embarks on an ambitious undertaking to train teachers and other community leaders to recognise and treat with the manifestations of mental health disorders.

In the wake of a loved one’s passing, many find solace in preserving cherished memories through photos, mementoes, or keepsakes. For former journalist Krystal Penny Bowen, the route of memory for her late mother, Sheralene Bowen, begins in the kitchen. The destination is the book, Food: My Mother’s Love Language: Celebrating the Life of Sheralene Bowen, a culinary tribute encapsulating her mother’s delicious recipes.

Bowen has received heartwarming feedback from readers who commend her for the touching tribute to her mother. 

She fondly recalled one of her most cherished memories of working side by side with her mother in the kitchen, a place where they not only prepared meals but also nurtured their bond.

“My mother loved to let me take photos of her food. I think that was the only way that I could be in the kitchen. In addition to that we would work together to get her food orders out. I was often called on to get the supplies or prep the raw materials. I would provide as much support as possible and in some cases, I would even serve the food at the event during her catering jobs,” she said. 

The idea took root in November 2021 when Krystal created a 12-page draft containing her ailing mother’s 12 cherished recipes. Sheralene wholeheartedly embraced the concept and supported her daughter’s effort until she succumbed to cervical cancer just four months later. Krystal was determined to see her dream of publishing the book come to fruition, not only as a culinary compilation but also as a brief glimpse into the multifaceted life of her beloved mother, who was not only a chef but also a devoted mom and active community member.

Krystal emphasised her dedication to commemorating her mother’s life with the utmost respect for her final days and their family. The book primarily focuses on her mother’s remarkable career as a cook and entrepreneur, taking approximately four months to complete. Krystal collaborated with Robert Gibson of Passionate Words Editing Services, whose expertise was invaluable in shaping the book’s layout and appearance.

While the writing process was undoubtedly challenging, Krystal firmly believes it played an integral role in her healing journey by allowing her to share her mother’s incredible persona with a wider audience.

Krystal said: “My mother was an incredible person. She was artistic, funny, kind and loving. She was a social butterfly – she enjoyed socialising, dancing, singing and volunteering. As a cook and chef, she worked in hospitality, in food canteens as well as in several restaurants such as the now defunct BJ’s Café, Wonderland Deli and the University of The West Indies Cave Hill Campus Cafeteria. She catered for The University of The West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, World Cup 2007, QEH Medical Staff as well as for the late Prime Minister of Barbados, The Rt. Hon. David Thompson and then-Attorney General of Barbados, and now Prime Minister of Barbados, The Hon. Mia Amor Mottley. Mom was unable to work for many years due to her declining health, in 2022 she was diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer.”

The graduate of The University of Leicester with a Masters of Art in Media, Communications, and Public Relations urges others to consider documenting their loved ones’ legacies through writing, as it can provide solace during the grieving process.

“Writing a book about your loved one is difficult, but I believe one should do it. My mom meant the world to me. She was my friend, she loved me unconditionally. When writing, think of what was truly special about that parent. For my mother, it was her love of cooking and how she used food to share her love. Food was her love language –it was how she showed her feelings, and she was an incredible cook too,” she shared, encapsulating the profound sentiment behind her tribute to her mother. (PR/BT)

The post Daughter’s tribute to mum’s cooking appeared first on Barbados Today.

Healthcare
professionals worldwide should be acutely aware of the risk of blood clots in
clinical settings. Blood clots, particularly deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and
pulmonary embolism (PE), together with venous thromboembolism (VTE), pose a
significant health threat to patients. These potentially life-threatening
conditions can manifest silently and without warning, making vigilance and
knowledge crucial.

Healthcare providers should recognize the risk factors, which
include prolonged immobility, surgery, trauma, cancer, and certain medications,
among others. Timely risk assessment, prophylaxis, and early detection are
essential components of preventing thrombotic events.

Moreover, understanding
regional and patient-specific factors that may influence clotting risk is
paramount, as individual susceptibility can vary. By staying informed about the
latest research, guidelines, and preventive strategies, healthcare
professionals can play a pivotal role in reducing the global burden of
thrombosis-related morbidity and mortality.

World
Thrombosis Day, a global campaign of the ISTH, provides healthcare
professionals with up-to-date scientific research, news and clinical
recommendations.

I am a vascular
surgeon who works with patients who have different types of blood clots. At an
early age, I realized that I wanted to be a doctor and it stuck with me
throughout my years in school. I have been fortunate to work with many
physician role models and mentors.

I am very happy with where I ended up as a vascular surgeon, who takes care of blood clots in patients. My patients with
blood clots are my true motivators to do this work on this subject every day
and be a part of caring and treatment teams to improve the health of VTE.
DVT/PE patients which is very rewarding.

Blood clots
can either be provoked or unprovoked. Provoked blood clots are associated with
known risk factors, while unprovoked are those where no obvious risk factor can
also be identified. Most blood clots diagnosed are provoked, the commonest
cause being recent hospital admission.

Venous
thromboembolism (VTE) can affect men and women of all ages, races and
ethnicities. People at the highest risk (e.g., people admitted to
hospital, especially those with cancer, having surgery, or with major trauma
and/or immobilization) should receive preventative treatments. So people
admitted to the hospital should ask about their need for VTE prevention.

Blood clots
can affect anyone regardless of location, age, ethnicity or race. The most
important thing you can do to protect yourself from a life-threatening blood
clot is to learn if you are at risk. Know the signs and symptoms and contact
your healthcare professional immediately if needed.

The signs and symptoms of a blood clot, as well as the recommended
treatment, hinge on the location within your body where the clot forms and the
potential harm it might inflict. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) typically manifests
with symptoms such as swelling, pain, warmth, and redness in the affected limb.
On the other hand, pulmonary embolism (PE), can present with chest pain,
shortness of breath, and rapid heart rate, and in severe cases, it can be
life-threatening.

Collectively known as venous thromboembolism (VTE), DVT and PE are
conditions in which blood clots develop within veins. While these symptoms may
vary, prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment are vital for preventing
complications and ensuring the best possible outcome. Recognizing the signs and
symptoms of VTE is crucial, as it empowers individuals to seek medical
attention promptly, potentially saving lives.

Prompt treatment may be life-saving Treatment of blood clots can differ by the patient but typically
includes blood-thinning medication to prevent new clots from forming. There are
three main treatment goals:

1). Prevent the clot from getting bigger.

2). Prevent
the clot from breaking loose and travelling to the lungs.

3). Reduce the chances
of reoccurrence.

Please talk to your healthcare professional about the best
treatment plan for your unique health needs. For an overview of treatment
options, continue reading below.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of the author and not of Medical Dialogues. The Editorial/Content team of Medical Dialogues has not contributed to the writing/editing/packaging of this article.