Limerick-based team highlight innovation
AbbVie has participated in a new national campaign highlighting how scientific innovation is improving standards of care, and offering Irish haematology patients increased treatment opportunities.
The post Limerick-based team highlight innovation appeared first on Irish Medical Times.
2 years 7 months ago
News Archives - Healthy Caribbean Coalition
CIBC First Caribbean Regional Know Your Numbers (KYN) Campaign
On 13th October 2022 HCC collaborated with CIBC First Caribbean to host a Regional Know Your Numbers (KYN) Campaign in twelve (12) Caribbean countries. During the campaign HCC was supported by ten (10) HCC members and supporters to make it a success.
The HCC has been supporting CIBC First Caribbean in executing various workplace wellness programs. The goal for the Know Your Number Campaign is to raise awareness and increase detection of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. During the campaign the following health tests were conducted for the CIBC First Caribbean staff members:
- Blood sugar testing
- Blood pressure testing
- Cholesterol testing
- Body Mass Index
- Body Weight
- Breast Screening (St Kitts and Nevis only)
During the KYN campaign over three hundred (300) persons received health checks.
Also as part of this campaign CIBC First Caribbean in collaboration with the Healthy Caribbean Coalition has produced a series of Health Check videos which can be viewed on the links below.
- Dr. Dawn Alleyne – Asthma
- Dr. Hanbal Yazigi – Cancer
- Dr. Timotheus Dohr – Diabetes
- Dr. Kenneth Connell – Hypertension
- Dr. Keo Forde-St. Hill – Mental Health
Here is a snippet of the HCC/FCIB Know Your Numbers Campaign.
Antigua and Barbuda (Antigua and Barbuda Diabetes Association)
Twenty- four members, 18 females (75%) and 6 males (25%), staff members were tested in Antigua at the CIBC/FCIB Old Parham Branch. Participants were also provided with a form for self-assessment of risk for Type 2 Diabetes, an assessment tool created by the American Diabetes Association. Counseling was provided to staff who either had questions or any abnormal results.
Based on test results, the main concerns were overweight and obesity with reported weight gain especially during the past two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stress was mentioned fairly often including work related stress.
The ABDA team recommends planning future screening programmes and consideration should be made to developing a workplace wellness programme to include stress management.
Click/tap on the images to view the photo gallery.
Barbados (Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados)
Forty-four (44) employees were screened in Barbados for blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, BMI, and visceral fat. Where adverse results were noted, individual consultations were done. Some clients were advised to seek medical attention due to their high blood pressure readings.
Overall, the Know Your Numbers initiative was proven to be successful, as the screening process exposed abnormally high blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and BMI readings, which, before the event would have gone unnoticed. Many employees who were seen became apprised of the need to be more involved in the management of their NCD and the importance of screening and risk factor modification.
Click/tap on the images to view the photo gallery.
Dominica (Dominica Diabetes Association)
In Dominica twenty-five (25) employees of the CIBC First Caribbean and their relatives received health checks. Of the employees, DOMDA tested 5 males and 20 females within the age range of 23 and 59 years old.
From the screening, it was noted that more than 75% of the employees were living with a Non-Communicable Disease. Most common was obesity, followed by being overweight, and then Diabetes and High Blood Pressure. Clients were rather surprised at their BMI and weight readings but with proper education, all were willing to improve their lifestyle.
Overall, the activity was a success. DOMDA recommends that future follow up sessions can be conducted for these employees and their relatives.
Click/tap on the images to view the photo gallery.
Jamaica (Heart Foundation of Jamaica)
During the campaign seventy- nine 79 persons blood sugar, cholesterol and body mass index (BMI) health checks. Sixty-four (64) of which were females while fifteen (15) were males.
It is recommended that all persons with abnormal findings and those known to be diagnosed with NCDs schedule an appointment with HFJ’s Nutritionist and/or visit our hypertensive/diabetic clinic. A three to six months checkup is also recommended for those with normal readings and not known to be diagnosed with the above mentioned conditions. A yearly cardiac checkup or otherwise indicated is also recommended as these conditions can place you at a higher risk for having a heart disease.
No photos were taken.
St Lucia (St. Lucia Diabetes & Hypertension Association)
A total of twenty-one (21) employees were screened for blood pressure, blood sugar, and body analysis by the St. Lucia Diabetes and Hypertension Association (SLDHA) health
team, at the CIBC First Caribbean Bridge Street branch. SLDHA screened nineteen (19) females and two (2) males. 48% (9) of persons had elevated BMI levels, 4.7% (1 person) had elevated blood sugars and 42.8% (9 persons had elevated blood pressure).
The education session was very interactive and well received by the staff.
Click/tap on the images to view the photo gallery.
St Vincent (SVG Diabetes & Hypertension Association)
A total of nineteen (19) staff members took the opportunity to have their health screening done. There were thirteen (13) females and six males. Eighteen (18) people were evaluated for blood glucose. Fifteen (15, 83%) had normal values, while three (3) had prediabetes values.
Their findings were discussed as well as the relevant counseling, such as healthy lifestyle choices and modifications. The topics covered included healthy eating, physical activity, weight loss, stress management, and pamphlets given. Additionally, they were advised to monitor their blood pressure at home and follow up with screenings depending on their readings. Those with abnormal findings were advised to see their doctor for further evaluation.
Click/tap on the images to view the photo gallery.
The Bahamas (Healthy Lifestyle Team, HaLt)
The Healthy Lifestyles Team of the Cancer Society of The Bahamas hosted and facilitated the health checks of participants who presented themselves for health checks. Forty-six (46) participants received health checks and brief counseling regarding their results. They were provided with weight, height, BMI, blood glucose, blood pressure and total cholesterol measurements and the results were documented and dated and presented to each participant for ease of reference. The exercise proved to be quite informative for the participants.
Click/tap on the images to view the photo gallery.
Grenada (Grenada Food and Nutrition Council and SDA Health Ministries)
In Grenada the team conducted body composition Know Your Numbers assessments (weight, BMI, fat percentage, weight of muscle), blood pressure and blood sugar testing. Nutrition tips and counseling was also provided. A total of thirty (33) persons were seen (23 females and 10 males).
The health team encourages staff and their families to have regular health assessments as well as improve their eating habits so that they gradually make changes to a healthier lifestyle.
Click/tap on the images to view the photo gallery.
St Kitts and Nevis ( Lake Health Wellbeing, Ministry of Health and International Cooperation Development Fund (Taiwan ICDF)
Eighteen (18) persons were screened in St Kitts and Nevis. Of this total nine (9) were male and nine (9) were female. Twelve (12) persons also participated in the Breast Examination.
Staff members are encouraged to increase physical activity. The SKN Moves initiative and the healthy workplace challenge that the Ministry of Health has launched is a good place to start to help get staff moving.
It is also recommend that continuous health screenings of blood pressure, blood sugar, protein urea and BMI are done every 6 months to a year for persons who are not diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes; those who are diagnosed are encouraged to follow up with their general doctor monthly or as required. The Capacity Building Project of the Prevention and Control of Metabolic Chronic Diseases in the Ministry of Health can assist in the health screenings.
Click/tap on the images to view the photo gallery.
Trinidad and Tobago (TTNCD Alliance/ Health Net)
The CIBC Know Your Numbers campaign was executed at CIBC’s Port of Spain, #74 Long Circular Road, Maraval and Chaguanas, Sun Plaza, Munroe Road, Chaguanas locations on Thursday 20th October from 9:00am to 12:00pm (simultaneously). Twenty-five (25) persons from each branch were tested.
The service provider, HealthNet, also allocated a doctor to the branches for on-location consultations for the participants. This additional service was welcomed as it added a wholesome approach to the initiative.
Click/tap on the images to view the photo gallery.
The post CIBC First Caribbean Regional Know Your Numbers (KYN) Campaign appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.
2 years 7 months ago
CIBC, Latest, News
Medical News, Health News Latest, Medical News Today - Medical Dialogues |
AstraZeneca PT027 recommended by FDA advisory committee as new rescue treatment for asthma
UK: AstraZeneca has announced that the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Pulmonary-Allergy Drugs Advisory Committee (PADAC) has voted 16 to 1 that the data support a favourable benefit-risk assessment for the use of PT027 (albuterol/budesonide) for the treatment of asthma in people aged 18 years and older.
In adolescents aged 12 to 17 years, the Committee voted 9 to 8 that the data do not support a favourable benefit-risk assessment for the use of PT027 for the treatment of asthma. In children aged 4 to 11 years, the Committee voted 16 to 1 that the data do not support a favourable benefit-risk assessment for the use of PT027 for the treatment of asthma.
PT027 is a potential first-in-class, pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pMDI), fixed-dose combination rescue medication in the US containing albuterol, a short-acting beta2-agonist (SABA), and budesonide, an anti-inflammatory inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). It is being developed by AstraZeneca and Avillion.
In the first half of 2022, the FDA accepted the New Drug Application (NDA) for PT027 and set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act date for the first half of 2023.
Bradley E. Chipps, Past President of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and Medical Director of the Capital Allergy & Respiratory Disease Center in Sacramento, US, said: "Millions of people with asthma rely on their albuterol rescue inhaler to alleviate acute symptoms, but this does not treat the underlying inflammation, leaving patients at risk of severe asthma exacerbations, regardless of their disease severity or level of control. If approved, PT027 could transform the current rescue treatment approach."
Mene Pangalos, Executive Vice President, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, said: "We are pleased that the Pulmonary-Allergy Drugs Advisory Committee has recognised the potential for PT027 to deliver important benefits for people with asthma, as a first-in-class treatment option in the US. We look forward to working with our partner Avillion and the FDA to progress the application and discuss the next steps, including for adolescents and children."
Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory, variable respiratory disease that affects as many as 339 million people worldwide, including over 25 million in the US. Globally, more than 176 million asthma attacks are experienced each year.
The NDA submission was based on results from the MANDALA, DENALI, and TYREE Phase III trials. In MANDALA, PT027 significantly reduced the risk of severe exacerbations compared to albuterol in patients with moderate to severe asthma when used as an as-needed rescue medication in response to symptoms. In DENALI, PT027 significantly improved lung function compared to the individual components, albuterol, and budesonide, in patients with mild to moderate asthma.6
The safety and tolerability of PT027 in these trials were consistent with the known profiles of the components.
Results from the MANDALA trial were published in the New England Journal of Medicine in May 2022.
PADAC reviews and evaluates available data concerning the safety and effectiveness of marketed and investigational human drug products for use in the treatment of pulmonary disease and diseases with allergic and/or immunologic mechanisms and makes appropriate recommendations to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs.
2 years 7 months ago
Front-of-package labelling now, not later
J
ulia
Rowe Porter, epidemiologist with the Ministry of Health, says with the country battling to reduce the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), it is just a matter of time before consumers get additional help in making healthy food choices through the introduction of front-of-package labelling (FOPL).
J
ulia
Rowe Porter, epidemiologist with the Ministry of Health, says with the country battling to reduce the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), it is just a matter of time before consumers get additional help in making healthy food choices through the introduction of front-of-package labelling (FOPL).
Non-communicable diseases — ailments that are not transferable by contact but developed through family genetics, degenerative changes, or unhealthy lifestyle habits — are the leading cause of death, with statistics indicating that an estimated seven out of 10 Jamaicans died from the four major NCDs — cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic lower respiratory disease — in 2018. FOPL is one solution being scouted by health officials and industry players as it indicates that an item may contain excessive amounts of sugars, total fats, saturated fats, trans fats, and sodium.
"There is evidence that front-of-package-labelling works because persons need to be aware of what they are eating in those packaged foods. The ministry is clear that we want to have it. The issue is really what type because there are different types of presentations with front-of-package labelling and we have to in terms of what we decide on, determine what is best for Jamaica," Rowe Porter told Jamaica Observer
Monday Exchange forum.
A recent study on FOPL in Jamaica found that octagonal warning labels are best in helping local consumers make healthier food choices. Consumers said the octagonal warning presented them with the highest chance of correctly identifying when products were excessive in sugars, sodium, or saturated fats; led to them correctly identifying the least harmful option; and resulted in them choosing the least harmful or none of the products more often.
"There is data that is very clear regarding a certain type of front-of-package-labelling and we need to work with all our stakeholders to settle on the best type. I think it's really just a matter of time before we select the best type, but we need it. It's a matter of empowerment and education," Rowe Porter told the meeting.
"When you have it on the front versus the back it puts it squarely in your line of vision whether or not this is a healthy option for you, we are going there, we are getting there hopefully sooner than later," she added.
In the meantime, family physician Dr Jacqueline Campbell is emphasising that Jamaicans need to be taught how to read food labels in order to make better choices.
"I have so many patients that almost on a daily basis I have to tell them that you see this soda that you love and you drink two or three of them for the day, it's 17 teaspoons of sugar that you are drinking. So we [at the medical practice] have all the soda bottles and we actually put the right amount of sugar in [and place it on display], so if you see soda bottle X you will know that this is actually 17 teaspoons of sugar and we show the patients and they are usually like 'what? I am drinking so much?'," Dr Campbell shared.
"They consume that [many bottles] because it's cold and you have somebody who might be drinking two or three [bottles] for the day and 17 [multiplied by] three is a whole heap of teaspoons of sugar per day. That [level of education and explanation] is going to help persons to make the correlation for themselves why their sugar levels are so high," she told editors and reporters.
According to the family physician, once individuals come to recognise the importance of portions a change in behaviour will follow.
"That is the key thing for the patients, when you [show them] what the serving size is, then they realise that bottle [of beverage can be shared for two persons and more]. That is an 'aha' moment and we need to have more 'aha' moments for the patients so that it's not just an intellectual conversation about this disease…where it doesn't really sink in," she said.
The Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) has, in the meantime, said while it supports the thrust of the ministry in this respect and supports the drive to have FOPL for the food and beverage sectors, the models of major trading partners should be included in the options available.
It has, however, taken issue with the PAHO-led campaign which is pushing for the Caribbean region to adopt the octagonal warning label system first introduced by Chile in June 2016. The JMEA, in noting that that system utilises high-in black warning labels, shaped like stop signs, for processed, pre-packaged food and drinks exceeding PAHO Nutrient Profile Model criteria limits for sugar, sodium, saturated fats, total fats and trans fats, pointed out that while that model is supposedly being considered by several countries, very few countries have introduced this type of warning label.
In pointing out that Jamaica sells many products through major trading partners such as the United States, neither that country, Canada or the United Kingdom uses the Chilean model among others.
It said evidence shows that although the Chilean model has been shown to change consumption, there has been no published evidence that it has changed the NCDs outcome.
2 years 7 months ago
High calorie foods burning out pancreas, warns epidemiologist
JAMAICANS are being urged to make healthier food and lifestyle choices to stave off or control chronic illnesses such as diabetes.
This call comes from medical epidemiologist with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr Julia Rowe Porter, who stressed that "as a country we need to evolve and take our health a little more seriously and…we need to open our eyes and see how can make changes".
Speaking at the Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange held to discuss the observance of Diabetes Awareness Month in November, Dr Rowe Porter warned that diets high in simple carbohydrates, processed foods and those with a high glycemic index are "burning out your pancreas". The pancreas contains glands that release substances to help with digestion and control blood sugar.
"[Consuming] high calorie foods, packaged, processed foods that have a high glycemic index, instead of those foods that take long to prepare, like your ground provisions, are causing a challenge. They are burning out your pancreas," she warned, adding that individuals put stress on their metabolic system when they have high starches, processed foods with low fibre on a regular basis.
"Those things cause your insulin levels... to have to try to catch up with your glucose levels. So you push out more insulin to control your glucose levels if your glucose intake is high…especially if those starches are unhealthy... Every Jamaican, every child, every man, every woman, needs to be eating healthy to decrease their risk of getting diabetes and to control their diabetes if they have it."
Further, Dr Rowe Porter said, contrary to belief, there is no diabetic diet and how people with diabetes should eat, "is really how all of us are supposed to eat".
"We are all supposed to be eating healthy. So culturally, we need to shift in terms of appreciating what a healthy meal ought to look like," she said.
Rowe Porter noted as well that persons should seek to maintain a healthy weight, even though overall wellness and health is the objective.
"The weight is sometimes used as a marker to say that you are going in the right direction, but the physical activity and the healthy eating are really what we ought to be focusing on, because we not there with those two, it is manifested as overweight and obesity," she said.
Being overweight is one of the risk factors for type 2 Diabetes which is the most common in the general population and among children in Jamaica.
According to the 2016/2017 Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey, 54 per cent of Jamaicans are overweight and obese while more than 70 per cent have insufficient resources to access safe, adequate, and nutritious food; and four out of five or 82 per cent report low levels of physical activity.
The statistics also show that 12 per cent of Jamaicans 15 years and older are living with diabetes — a prevalence which increases with age.
Diabetes is the second-leading cause of death in Jamaica and is the top ranked cause of death for women and the third for men.
2 years 7 months ago
Health Connect Jamaica looking to telemedicine to improve service delivery
Health Connect Jamaica (HCJ) is moving to improve its services with decentralised drug delivery and telemedicine, which are expected to eliminate the fear of discrimination and enhance privacy among HIV clients.
Speaking with the Jamaica Observer in an exclusive interview, director at HCJ Geoffrey Barrow also noted that the organisation will be pushing to highlight its services, as AIDS Awareness Month, which is recognised in December, approaches.
"HCJ will definitely be making sure that its presence is known. We are going to leverage the fact that HIV awareness is coming into the forefront of people's minds in order to ensure that people are aware of the services that we provide," said Barrow last Thursday.
"We hope that people who are actually in need of the service will become aware of us because once folks know about us, they come on board and are able to achieve that optimum level of health care they require," he said.
Pointing to the telemedicine option, which he said will be launched in a couple weeks, Barrow noted that it is well needed as patients will be able to have constant interactions with their health practitioners.
"This will reduce the burden of travelling to the health care, you can have a five or 10 minutes touch base over the phone, in a system that is very protective in terms of your health information. This has been one of the challenges in virtual health-care delivery to ensure that health-care data is actually protected and people feel and understand that people are not able to listen to their conversations and the data we collect is absolutely protected," he said.
Meanwhile, for the decentralised drug delivery, he noted that the HCJ partnered with two clinicians and eight patients in September. The service will be officially rolled out this fiscal period.
"Instead of the client going to the doctor, getting prescriptions, taking prescriptions, and going to the pharmacy, we have created this virtual where the information could be transferred without the client so that when the patient goes to the doctor's office, they can collect their medication at the same time," he said.
"We will be doing all the background work, collecting the medication, dropping it off at the doctor's office so that when the patient goes get their doctor visit, they can pick up their medication at the same time, thereby removing those travel and transportation costs," he said.
According to Barrow, lack of trust is a common issue identified among HIV patients, which HCJ is trying to address.
"For folks who might not have had great experiences prior to HCJ, we are trying to get them to trust the health system again. We are trying to change the services specifically for those clients to ensure that they are cared for, integrated in their own care, and that they know there are several different mechanisms that they can engage with in the health care system. We want to make sure they change their perspectives based on previous experiences," he said.
The HCJ is funded by the United States President Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief through the United States Agency for International Development.
2 years 7 months ago
Jessica Forrester’s journey with diabetes
Jessica Forrester is an introvert who is deeply passionate about modern languages, including Spanish and French. The Manchester-born native is now a first-year student at The University of the West Indies, Mona, where she is pursuing a double major...
Jessica Forrester is an introvert who is deeply passionate about modern languages, including Spanish and French. The Manchester-born native is now a first-year student at The University of the West Indies, Mona, where she is pursuing a double major...
2 years 7 months ago
EdgeChem Paints doing its part in the fight against breast cancer
Seeking to do its part through financial contribution and awareness, EdgeChem Paints turned out with scores of its employees to the ICWI/Jamaica Reach to Recovery Pink Run last weekend. Jamaica has one of the highest breast cancer incidence rates...
Seeking to do its part through financial contribution and awareness, EdgeChem Paints turned out with scores of its employees to the ICWI/Jamaica Reach to Recovery Pink Run last weekend. Jamaica has one of the highest breast cancer incidence rates...
2 years 7 months ago
STAT+: Faze Medicines, a biotech focused on neurological diseases, is shutting down
A biotech company that hoped to use cell biology to address neurological disorders is shutting down.
Faze Medicines was built by VC Third Rock Ventures and launched in 2020 with $81 million from Third Rock, Casdin Capital, and venture funds run by drug giants Novartis, Eli Lilly, and AbbVie.
A biotech company that hoped to use cell biology to address neurological disorders is shutting down.
Faze Medicines was built by VC Third Rock Ventures and launched in 2020 with $81 million from Third Rock, Casdin Capital, and venture funds run by drug giants Novartis, Eli Lilly, and AbbVie.
2 years 7 months ago
Health – The Montserrat Reporter
The Fast-Spreading New COVID-19 Subvariant XBB Is Part of a ‘New Class’ of Omicron
Reprint Note by TMR Editor: We bring this and other articles making some introductory observations to our readers. We bring these for the information and education our readers can get so they are informed and know how to conduct and protect themselves and their families as well as their communities. What we would like to […]
Reprint Note by TMR Editor: We bring this and other articles making some introductory observations to our readers. We bring these for the information and education our readers can get so they are informed and know how to conduct and protect themselves and their families as well as their communities. What we would like to […]
2 years 7 months ago
Medical College announces indefinite suspension for Mapfre and other ARS
Other ARS were joined in the decision to de-affiliate the physicians by the Dominican Medical Association and its specialty medical societies, and as part of the conflict, it is enforcing demands for changes to the social security system.
The doctors added the ARS Mapfre Health for an indefinite period as of Monday, the 15th of this month, to the disaffiliation of the ARS Universal, which started a few weeks ago. “We would like to inform you that effective Monday, the 14th of this month, MAPFRE ARS national services (consultations and elective procedures) will be suspended indefinitely. The new rates of our Specialized Medical Societies will be applied to the treatment of your affiliates in direct payment mode.” According to a CMD statement, a campaign to persuade the members of this ARS to change their affiliation will run concurrently with the suspension of services to Mapfre in the clinics and work centers.
The suspension of services at ARS Monumental in the north, Renacer in the south, and Simag in the east will include them, according to region, they also stated. The statement reads, “We notify the ARS and the National Health Service that going forward, the services provided to patients of the contributory regime in the establishments of the public network must be billed and paid individually to health professionals and not included in the mode of ‘package’ or umbrella agreements with the hospital.” To improve the population’s access to specialized medical care, doctors certified by their respective societies should be allowed to become part of the network of service providers without needing a code issued by the ARS.
Additionally, all risk managers should standardize the fees that doctors receive for services provided to their patients, according to the doctors. They say that the specialized medical societies, with the support of the Dominican Medical Association, will send the ARS (with a copy to SISALRIL, DIDA, and CNSS) a warning notice about the entry into force of their updated rates, which will begin to apply from December 1 of this year.
2 years 7 months ago
Medical News, Health News Latest, Medical News Today - Medical Dialogues |
MCC Reopens Registration For NEET PG Mop Up Round Counselling, details
New Delhi: Through a recent notice, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has announced the re-opening of the registration process thus further extending the schedule for mop-up round of NEET PG counselling.
Earlier, the MCC had extended the registration to 05.11.2022.
New Delhi: Through a recent notice, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has announced the re-opening of the registration process thus further extending the schedule for mop-up round of NEET PG counselling.
Earlier, the MCC had extended the registration to 05.11.2022.
Now, the MCC has further reponed the mop up round registration, The concerned candidates can check out the extended schedule as follows.
"In light of the Court proceedings in W.P. No. 174 of 2022 along with I.A. before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India and in continuation of the notice no. U12021/01/2022-MEC dated 04/11/2022 it is decided to extend the schedule for Mop-up Round of PG Counselling," stated the MCC notice.
Also it is been decided by the competent authority that the internal seats of Central Universities i.e. AMU, BHU & DU and I.P. Universities (VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital & ABVIMS & RML Hospital) shall be filled by All India Candidates after the exhaustion of Internal Candidates at the respective institutes in the stray vacancy Round, the notice added.
Hence the candidates who wish to apply at the above mentioned universities may exercise the option of choice filling by using the registration unlocking facility as per the schedule below:
S./ No
EVENTS
DATES
1
Fresh Registration/Payment
extended
02:00 P.M of 8th November, 2022 upto 11:00 A.M of 10th Nov., 2022
Payment Facility will be available upto 03:00 P.M of 10th November, 2022
2
RESET Registration Option
Upto 09:00 A.M of 10th Nov., 2022
3
Choice Filling & Choice Locking
Upto 11:55 P.M of 10th November, 2022 as per Server Time
Choice Locking from 03:00 PM of 10th November, 2022 to 11:55 PM on 10thNovember, 2022 , as per Server Time
To view the official Notice, Click here : https://mcc.nic.in/reopeningregistrationmopupround
The MCC had earlier released the seat matrixes for the mop-up round of NEET PG and NEET MDS counselling.
According to the seat matrixes, a total of 9175 MD, MS, PG Diploma and DNB seats are up for grabs in the mop-up counselling; whereas for MDS specialities, 353 seats are available for candidates.
Also Read:9175 NEET PG, 353 MDS seats up for grabs in MCC mop up round counselling
Previous schedule:
S. NoSchedule for AdmissionCentral CounsellingState CounsellingAll India QuotaDeemed + Central Institute11st Round of Counselling15th September to 27th September 202215th September to 27th September 202225th September to 4th October 20222Last date of Joining4th October 2022
4th October 2022
48h October 2022
32nd Round of Counselling10th October to - 18th October, 2022
10th October to - 18th October, 2022
15th October to - 26th October, 2022
4Last date of Joining26th October 2022
26th October 2022
2nd November 20225Mop up Round31st October to 8th November 2022
31st October to 8th November 2022
9th November to 14th November 2022
6Last date of Joining14th November 2022
14th November 2022
17th November 2022
7Stray Vacancy
15th November 2022 to 17th November 2022
15th November 2022 to 17th November 2022
21st November 2022 to 23rd November 2022
Forwarding the list of students in order of merit equaling to Ten times the number of vacant seat to the Medical colleges by the Counselling Authority to the Deemed University for Stray Vacancy Round17th November 20228Last date of Joining25th November 2022
25th November 2022
25th November 2022
9Commencement of Academic Session for PG Courses20th October 2022
2 years 7 months ago
Gov't working to address dialysis crisis — Tufton
MOUNT SALEM, St James — Minister of Health Dr Christopher Tufton says the Government is looking at the necessary framework to facilitate much-needed organ transplants.
The minister, who was referring to the growing crisis of kidney failure, noted that while the process has started it will take some time.
MOUNT SALEM, St James — Minister of Health Dr Christopher Tufton says the Government is looking at the necessary framework to facilitate much-needed organ transplants.
The minister, who was referring to the growing crisis of kidney failure, noted that while the process has started it will take some time.
"We have started the mechanism to put some of that in place. Things like an organ registry, where you list people who are donating, who have received and to track that and so on is a big part of it. All of that has to be grounded in legislation," said Tufton.
Between Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James and the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston, about 12 surgeries are performed in Jamaica per year. This is in contrast to Trinidad and Tobago, which has performed approximately 100 surgeries within the last five years.
"Given the demands now on the system, we would want to do far more than that. But, again, that comes with challenges because, if you are successful in getting a donor, you are going to live on medication for the rest of your life to ensure that compatibility is maintained and so on," explained Tufton during an address to the media following a tour of the Cornwall Regional Hospital Renal Unit last Friday.
An organ registry is the last step in a three-pronged approach to dealing with the emerging crisis. The first stage is screening, which allows for early detection.
"We really want to encourage Jamaicans to go to their health centres and their doctors and, as part of the screening process, examine their kidney functions to know what can be done to sustain it," Tufton encouraged.
He was supported by Ward Sister Heather Headle as they stressed that lifestyle habits are the major contributor to renal failure-causing diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension.
The second stage is dialysis treatment, which the minister said is quite expensive for patients in the private sector. A single treatment could cost between $12,000 and $15,000. Two to three treatments are needed per week.
At Cornwall Regional Hospital, there are 18 machines that treat 104 patients at least twice a week. Each machine treatment lasts approximately four hours. There are 500 people on a waiting list.
Nationally, there are up to 900 people who need dialysis each year and Tufton said the numbers are increasing.
"This means that, even with your best efforts to get more machines, you are always going to have a waiting list and it is a crisis at this rate," declared Tufton.
2 years 7 months ago
'You're going to help a lot of people but...'
The
passing of a newly diagnosed HIV patient was too impactful to top any other touching experience for a Health Connect Jamaica (HCJ) case manager who was rooting for the client to do well during treatment.
The
passing of a newly diagnosed HIV patient was too impactful to top any other touching experience for a Health Connect Jamaica (HCJ) case manager who was rooting for the client to do well during treatment.
The case manager, whose name is being withheld for confidentiality purposes, shared her heartbreaking and heart-warming stories during an exclusive interview with the Jamaica Observer last Thursday, ahead of AIDS Awareness Month which is recognised in December.
The case manager, who has been in the field for eight years, said the client was an elderly woman in her mid-60s and was newly diagnosed last year but was poorly managing the diagnosis.
She also said the client had a lot of socio-economic problems.
"She received plenty interventions from the contact investigator and I, who would have tried our best to assist her where we can — checking in with her to ensure that she has food, support, taking the medication, but I guess she wasn't motivated enough to push through and she ended up passing, and that was quite rough for me because I would have wanted her to get through it," said the case manager who has been working with HCJ for a year.
"We had moments when she was doing well — really doing well — but something would happen at home and throw her back from point A," she said as she smiled, seemingly reminiscing on the good relationship she shared with the woman.
According to the case manager, the woman's failure to take the prescribed medication caused her to develop health conditions which led to her death.
"That was a bit challenging, and speaking to her children and hearing how distraught they were and the sadness that came with her death has been a rough one for me," she said.
She mentioned that during treatment the client became more welcoming and friendly, even though she was a bit bad-tempered in the early stages. She also said the experience has taught her that, even though she might not be able to help everyone to go through treatment well, her efforts are enough.
"When we had our initial conversation she was very cantankerous, she wasn't in any talking. Her children would always say, 'Don't pay her any mind, this is how she is,' but when you go and visit her, she was a pleasure to speak to, very welcoming, kind, and though she didn't have much, she was always offering. I realised that roughness that we first encountered was centred on the fact that I was a new person. But she was a good person, very nice to talk to," she said.
"The feeling is usually the same, it doesn't get easier. At the end of it I usually question myself about whether I did enough or not. But speaking with my colleagues and assessing all I would have done, I came to the conclusion that as a case manager you're going to help a lot of people, but you won't help everybody, and if I'm helping the majority then that is comforting for me," she added.
For her heart-warming story, the case manager pointed to another newly diagnosed client who thought she had a mere skin issue.
"I had a client who came to us last year, newly diagnosed and completely distraught because, imagine going to your doctor for a skin issue and being referred to a dermatologist for the same skin issue and only to find out it was more than a skin issue. She was quite distraught about it because, as you can imagine, your skin is changing. People are seeing that and you're super conscious about that," she said.
She said after encouraging her to take her medication, the client who adhered, became virally suppressed after a year.
"Her skin is getting better and she is in a way better place. Just talking to her now and how positive she is and not so self-conscious puts a smile on my face," she said.
The HCJ is funded by the United States President Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief through the United States Agency for International Development. Established in October 2019, HCJ facilitates the linkage of private sector services and data to the public database, helping Jamaica account for people living with HIV who were never linked to care within the public system.
2 years 7 months ago
ICWI Pink Run almost doubles $5-m target set for 2022
THE Insurance Company of the West Indies (ICWI), title sponsors of Pink Run — a five-kilometre road race to raise funds for Jamaica Reach to Recovery (JR2R) — is reporting a record-breaking $9 million in net proceeds raised from the 20th staging on October 30 at Hope Gardens.
"Our teams were laser focused on ensuring we met the $5-million target needed for Reach To Recovery to continue to lend support to persons battling breast cancer, but this news is phenomenal. It marks the largest amount raised in a single year for this worthy cause," said president of ICWI Paul Lalor.
Carolind Graham, chair of JR2R shared Lalor's sentiment and added, "The sum was achieved through the registration of over 6,000 people, sponsorship from a number of companies, donations from the public, and profits from fund-raising merchandise sold. Our hearts are full and we are grateful and ready to continue the work we do through a spirit of volunteerism."
After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the funds raised this year signals some $27 million raised since 2015 when the insurance company became the title sponsor.
Vice-president of ICWI and head of the Pink Run Planning Committee Samantha Samuda expressed that corporate sponsorships are necessary to the success of JR2R as they have a significant impact on the lives of hundreds of breast cancer warriors in significant ways.
"ICWI, along with our other corporate sponsors, will continue to support this organisation because the work they do is so vital to so many persons battling this dreadful disease. We also urge Jamaicans at home and abroad to donate whatever they can, whenever they can. The donation portal on the Reach To Recovery website will remain open all year round."
The Pink Run Secretariat is anticipating that the family fun run, which raised just over $5 million at its last staging in 2019, should witness in excess of the 7,000 registrants in 2023.
According to Graham, "2023 will be bigger and better".
Samuda advised that the Pink Run organising committees have already started to put plans in place for 2023 to correct the hiccups experienced during this year's staging.
"We did quite a few things differently this year and we see where there is room for improvement. Our teams have already started to plan with these challenges in mind to ensure they are ironed out ahead of next year's event."
Donations to Jamaica Reach To Recovery can be made by clicking the donate tab on their website, www.pinkrunjm.com.
2 years 7 months ago
Debunking Cloud Cost and ROI Hogwash for Healthcare
The hogwash started in The Wall Street Journal with a contrarian take on a recent KPMG technology report. But cloud operates in a fundamentally different paradigm from the IT infrastructure of the past, and embracing big change is rarely free or easy. But the rewards of evolving are obvious and far too great to ignore.
2 years 7 months ago
They will establish fixed points for blood donors
To increase the speed of blood collection, processing, dispatch, and delivery on a national scale, the National Blood Center intends to disseminate fixed collection points throughout the nation and at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD).
Its director, hematologist Pedro Sing Urena, reported that 5,344 blood components—out of a total of 7,171 produced—were delivered by the Blood Center between January and October of this year to respond to medical emergencies at the state hospital network nationwide. He explained that the distribution of these centers is anticipated within the projections for next year.
According to its most recent statistical report, during those nine months 7,810 new donors were found who gave 5,907 units of blood freely and spontaneously, bringing the total number of its fixed donors to 11,452.
For a total of 5,100 globular packages produced and 16 platelets in the standard modality, 3,088 were collected from this total in extramural institutions (3,088 total) and 2,819 were collected from the Hemocentro headquarters (2,819) (intramural).
2 years 7 months ago
Post-‘Roe,’ Contraceptive Failures Carry Bigger Stakes
https://khn.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/scifri202211041.mp3
“No one walks into my office and says, ‘I plan on missing a pill,’” said obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Mitchell Creinin.
https://khn.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/scifri202211041.mp3
“No one walks into my office and says, ‘I plan on missing a pill,’” said obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Mitchell Creinin.
“There is no such thing as perfect use, we are all real-life users,” said Creinin, a professor at the University of California-Davis who wrote a widely used textbook that details contraceptive failure rates.
Even when the odds of contraception failure are small, the number of incidents can add up quickly. More than 47 million women of reproductive age in the United States use contraception and, depending on the birth control method, hundreds of thousands of unplanned pregnancies can occur each year. With most abortions outlawed in at least 13 states and legal battles underway in others, contraceptive failures now carry bigger stakes for tens of millions of Americans.
Researchers distinguish between the perfect use of birth control, when a method is used consistently and correctly every time, and typical use, when a method is used in real-life circumstances. No birth control, short of a complete female sterilization, has a 0.00% failure rate.
The failure rate for typical use of birth control pills is 7%. For every million women taking pills, 70,000 unplanned pregnancies could occur in a year. According to the most recent data available, more than 6.5 million women ages 15 to 49 use oral contraceptives, leading to about 460,000 unplanned pregnancies.
Even seemingly minuscule failure rates of IUDs and birth control implants can lead to surprises.
An intrauterine device releases a hormone that thickens the mucus on the cervix. Sperm hit the brick wall of mucus and are unable to pass through the barrier. Implants are matchstick-sized plastic rods placed under the skin, which send a steady, low dose of hormone into the body that also thickens the cervical mucus and prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg. But not always. The hormonal IUD and implants fail to prevent pregnancy 0.1% to 0.4% of the time.
Some 4.8 million women use IUDs or implants in the U.S., leading to as many as 5,000 to 20,000 unplanned pregnancies a year.
“We’ve had women come through here for abortions who had an IUD, and they were the one in a thousand,” said Gordon Low, a nurse practitioner at the Planned Parenthood in Little Rock.
Abortion has been outlawed in Arkansas since the Supreme Court’s ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization in late June. The only exception is when a patient’s death is considered imminent.
Those stakes are the new backdrop for couples making decisions about which form of contraception to choose or calculating the chances of pregnancy.
Another complication is the belief among many that contraceptives should work all the time, every time.
“In medicine, there is never anything that is 100%,” said Dr. Régine Sitruk-Ware, a reproductive endocrinologist at the Population Council, a nonprofit research organization.
All sorts of factors interfere with contraceptive efficacy, said Sitruk-Ware. Certain medications for HIV and tuberculosis and the herbal supplement St. John’s wort can disrupt the liver’s processing of birth control pills. A medical provider might insert an IUD imprecisely into the uterus. Emergency contraception, including Plan B, is less effective in women weighing more than 165 pounds because the hormone in the medication is weight-dependent.
And life is hectic.
“You may have a delay in taking your next pill,” said Sitruk-Ware, or getting to the doctor to insert “your next vaginal ring.”
Using contraception consistently and correctly lessens the chance for a failure but Alina Salganicoff, KFF’s director of women’s health policy, said that for many people access to birth control is anything but dependable. Birth control pills are needed month after month, year after year, but “the vast majority of women can only get a one- to two-month supply,” she said.
Even vasectomies can fail.
During a vasectomy, the surgeon cuts the tube that carries sperm to the semen.
The procedure is one of the most effective methods of birth control — the failure rate is 0.15% — and avoids the side effects of hormonal birth control. But even after the vas deferens is cut, cells in the body can heal themselves, including after a vasectomy.
“If you get a cut on your finger, the skin covers it back up,” said Creinin. “Depending on how big the gap is and how the procedure is done, that tube may grow back together, and that’s one of the ways in which it fails.”
Researchers are testing reversible birth control methods for men, including a hormonal gel applied to the shoulders that suppresses sperm production. Among the 350 participants in the trial and their partners, so far zero pregnancies have occurred. It’s expected to take years for the new methods to reach the market and be available to consumers. Meanwhile, vasectomies and condoms remain the only contraception available for men, who remain fertile for much of their lives.
At 13%, the typical-use failure rate of condoms is among the highest of birth control methods. Condoms play a vital role in stopping the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, but they are often misused or tear. The typical-use failure rate means that for 1 million couples using condoms, 130,000 unplanned pregnancies could occur in one year.
Navigating the failure rates of birth control medicines and medical devices is just one aspect of preventing pregnancy. Ensuring a male sexual partner uses a condom can require negotiation or persuasion skills that can be difficult to navigate, said Jennifer Evans, an assistant teaching professor and health education specialist at Northeastern University.
Historically, women have had little to no say in whether to engage in sexual intercourse and limited autonomy over their bodies, complicating sexual-negotiation skills today, said Evans.
Part of Evans’ research focuses on men who coerce women into sex without a condom. One tactic known as “stealthing” is when a man puts on a condom but then removes it either before or during sexual intercourse without the other person’s knowledge or consent.
“In a lot of these stealthing cases women don’t necessarily know the condom has been used improperly,” said Evans. “It means they can’t engage in any kind of preventative behaviors like taking a Plan B or even going and getting an abortion in a timely manner.”
Evans has found that heterosexual men who engage in stealthing often have hostile attitudes toward women. They report that sex without a condom feels better or say they do it “for the thrill of engaging in a behavior they know is not OK,” she said. Evans cautions women who suspect a sexual partner will not use a condom correctly to not have sex with that person.
“The consequences were already severe before,” said Evans, “but now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned, they’re even more right now.”
This story is a collaboration between KHN and Science Friday. Listen to the conversation between KHN senior correspondent Sarah Varney and Science Friday producer Shoshannah Buxbaum.
KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.
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2 years 7 months ago
Men need not dread the DRE
Every
year we recognise
Prostate
Cancer Awareness Month and I applaud the efforts of community-based organisations, service clubs, government agencies in raising consciousness about this deadly disease among the male population.
Every
year we recognise
Prostate
Cancer Awareness Month and I applaud the efforts of community-based organisations, service clubs, government agencies in raising consciousness about this deadly disease among the male population.
It is frequently said that some men are not keen on healthy lifestyle choices, and as such health checks are not undertaken in a timely manner. As such conditions such as prostate cancer are often detected in the advance stages, resulting in financial hardship, especially for medical care; prolonged suffering; and ultimately death. Jamaicans need to be constantly reminded that, if detected early, prostate cancer can be effectively treated.
There are two main screening procedures for prostate cancer:
(1) digital rectal examination (DRE)
(2) prostate specific antigen (PSA) test
However, men seldom utilise these services, despite being available in the public and private health sectors.
Truly, there is no lack of education campaign to sensitise and mobilise men with a view to increase acceptability of these screening options. A point to note is that the attitude towards prostate cancer screening is sometimes influenced by cultural belief systems of at-risk males (generally of African descent, age 40 years and older, have a family history of prostate cancer and obesity inter alia).
Having observed the reluctance among males towards the DRE, a group of fourth-year nursing students at the University of Technology, Jamaica investigated the phenomenon. The knowledge, attitudes and practices of male employees at a selected university regarding DRE were examined. Of the 135 males surveyed, 50 per cent were from the age group 40 years to over 60 years and 62 per cent held a bachelor's degree or a higher level of education.
They found that, while 60 per cent of the males surveyed were aware of the DRE, 37 per cent had limited knowledge of what the procedure entails. Equally important were the findings of the study which revealed that 88 per cent of the males felt that the DRE is an important screening test that men should embrace, generally.
Some 46 per cent of the males maintained neutral attitudes toward the DRE, 20 per cent expressed negative attitudes toward the procedure. Further, 19 per cent expressed morbid fear of the procedure which involves a digit/finger being inserted into the rectum in order to feel the prostate. This negative attitudes and level of fear among the males were associated with the view that an examination result may be positive for cancer and other abnormalities.
So why is acceptability of the DRE so low among Jamaican men? Despite being aware, and having some knowledge of the procedure, only 18 per cent of the males surveyed had the procedure performed. It is true that some males feel that the procedure is intrusive and associate it with homosexual practices. The findings of the study, however, revealed that 87 per cent of the males surveyed did not agree that homosexual practices were associated with the examination. In addition, 8 per cent of the males argued that their reluctance to have the procedure done was due mainly to the discomfort felt during the procedure.
On a positive note, of the males surveyed, 51 per cent agreed that they would encourage a friend to do the DRE in order to screen for prostate cancer.
While the findings of the study cannot be generalised to other populations, it has shown that more work needs to done to positively affect the attitudes of males regarding the DRE. As has been noted, DRE can result in early detection of prostate cancer; thereby reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. Improving acceptability of the procedure among males is paramount, even as we seek to improve their quality of life.
Dr Adella Campbell is associate professor and dean of the College of Health Sciences at the University of Technology, Jamaica.
2 years 7 months ago
Epidemiological alert due to heavy rains in the country
Santo Domingo, DR
Due to the heavy rains that occurred last Friday, November 4, the General Directorate of Epidemiology (Digepi) presented a warning for the control and prevention of possible diseases that may arise.
Santo Domingo, DR
Due to the heavy rains that occurred last Friday, November 4, the General Directorate of Epidemiology (Digepi) presented a warning for the control and prevention of possible diseases that may arise.
Given the forecasts made by the National Meteorological Office (Onamet), on the follow-up of the rains, Digepi gave the warning about the diseases caused by the bad weather: wound and skin infections, leptospirosis, gastrointestinal problems (in case of consumption of contaminated water), mosquito bites, traumas, injuries, tetanus, acute respiratory infections, conjunctivitis, and even Covid-19.
At the same time, it gave recommendations for the general population and health authorities to take early measures to prevent the situation and strengthen response and control measures.
Digepi urged the population to stay away from contaminated water, avoid garbage accumulation, and continue applying hygiene measures at work and home.
It also urged Provincial Health Directorates and Health Area Directorates to organize rapid response teams in collaboration with municipalities and to intervene in possible outbreaks in emergency areas.
Other recommendations to the population
Public Health also recommends that the population use adequate means of protection when exposure is necessary (plastic boots, gloves).
Eliminate the presence of rats and mice in homes and common or recreational areas, wash canned food, protect drinking water, wash hands after using the toilet and before each meal, cook food and wash fruits and vegetables before eating them, and cover stored water.
2 years 7 months ago