Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Saturday said there was no increase in the number of COVID-19 cases but publicly-owned hospitals have been told to be on alert so that tests could be done to detect a new strain. He said globally, a new COVID-19 strain, NB 1.8.1, was now circulating and causing some hospitalisations ...

Dominican women usually live in diverse conditions that affect their health. The most frequent are type II diabetes, breast cancer, cervix, mental health disorders, and arterial hypertension.

Addressing these problems requires comprehensive actions aimed at promoting healthy habits, which is the central theme of Bulletin number 20, published by the Ministry of Health.

Women’s health encompasses that of the entire family environment, which is why it is prioritized.

Health is a fundamental human right, and today, it is recognized that not only biology is related to health, but also social determinants, the socio-economic, environmental, and political decisions, according to the official document.

Health policies
It is considered essential in life.
Women to have integral health require regular access to medical controls, sexual and reproductive health education, and comprehensive, timely, and humanized services.

Strategies

The official document confirms that the Maternal Child Program has developed strategies aimed at enhancing the health of women.

Official actions
It works to update care protocols during pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium, strengthen emergency obstetric care and training for obstetricians and residents, and promote obstetric post-event contraception.

In addition, active monitoring of maternal mortality is conducted through the activation of provincial committees and surveillance of avoidable cases. The Ministry of Health insists that work in education in nutrition and sexual health for pregnant women, alcohol syndrome prevention campaigns Fetal (SAF), and alarm signs during pregnancy.

Accompaniment in the stage of gestation, mainly in the communities of limited economic resources.

Gaps persist
Gaps and challenges persist. In 2023, a consensus was established to prioritize the health of women with actions that involve education, economic development, social protection, and the development of a normative framework. For this, the effort of all sectors of society is required, including women themselves as active protagonists of the change, the Ministry of Health assures in their argument.

The institutional response to women’s health challenges extends to the entire national health system, insists public health

WHO calls for urgent action to ban flavoured tobacco and nicotine products

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30 May 2025

Genentech's ranibizumab injection (Susvimo) has received FDA approval for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. The continuous delivery system is intended for patients who have previously responded to anti-VEGF injections.

“The approval of Susvimo for diabetic retinopathy expands treatment options for patients, offering predictable and immediate durability after implantation with only one treatment every nine months,” said Levi Garraway, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer and head of Global Product Development. “Many patients with common retinal conditions seek alternative treatment options like Susvimo that can help preserve vision with longer intervals between treatments than regular eye injections.”

“Susvimo is a compelling new treatment for patients at risk of vision loss from progression of diabetic retinopathy,” said vitreoretinal surgeon, Carl Awh, M.D., Tennessee Retina, Tennessee. “I am delighted to have this far more durable treatment available for my patients.”

The FDA decision was based on positive one-year results from the Phase III Pavilion study. People with DR who received Susvimo refilled every nine months achieved superior improvements on the Diabetic Retinopathy Severity Scale (DRSS). This means there was a reduction in the severity of eye damage caused by diabetes, compared with those under monthly clinical observation who were treated with anti-VEGF injections as needed based on disease progression. Additionally, none of the participants receiving Susvimo required supplemental treatment at one year. Safety was consistent with the known safety profile for Susvimo.

Susvimo provides continuous delivery of a customized formulation of ranibizumab via the Port Delivery Platform, while other currently approved treatments may require eye injections as often as once per month. The Port Delivery Platform is a refillable eye implant surgically inserted into the eye during a one-time, outpatient procedure, which introduces medicine directly into the eye, addressing certain retinal conditions that can cause vision loss.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is currently investigating suspected cases of an infectious skin disease in a section of the Geriatric Hospital.

It said in a statement that it is using all available resources at its disposal, both within the public and private sectors to identify, treat and eradicate the problem at the Beckles Road, St Michael facility.

To contain any spread, the ministry has suspended visiting by members of the public to Units 1 and 2 of the hospital until further notice.

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