Public health nurses are working in “dangerous and unsanitary” conditions and facing rising threats to their safety, the Democratic Labour Party warned on Monday, as the party’s president called for urgent government action following attacks on nurses.

Senator Andre Worrell chided the administration for what he called “chronic mismanagement, political indifference, and failure to prioritise frontline workers who continue to work under dangerous and unsanitary conditions”.

In a media release, triggered by the recent attack on nurses at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Senator Worrell expressed concern over rising security threats faced by nurses and the lack of security provided for them.

“While they grapple with outbreaks and poor infrastructure, we have seen in recent weeks multiple attacks on nurses while travelling to and from work and at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital,” he said.

“We extend our support to the affected nurses and wish them a full recovery while calling on the government to ensure that counselling and security measures are provided without delay. Adequate security must also be deployed at healthcare facilities to protect both staff and patients.”

Senator Worrell said the situation is “particularly dire” at the Psychiatric Hospital, “where nurse-to-patient ratios have fallen well below international standards due to staff shortages and government austerity.”

“Current staffing levels reportedly see a mere three nurses attending to as many as 54 to 60 patients per ward, with no on-site security present to assist in emergencies. This not only endangers nurses but also places patients at risk and makes it impossible to deliver quality care,” he admitted.

Senator Worrell also addressed the recent outbreak at St Bernard’s Primary School–which health officials suspect is hand, foot and mouth disease–which resulted in the closure of the school for two days last week.

He called for more openness from health authorities: “This approach to public health management must change. We urge the Chief Medical Officer and the Ministry of Health to commit to a transparent approach with timely updates and clear communication to the public, not secrecy and public relations.”

Senator Worrell also urged the ministry to “abandon its top-down defensive approach and instead embrace a culture of inclusion, feedback, and openness. Nurses, patients, and communities must have a voice in shaping the future of healthcare. Ignoring these has led us to this crisis.”

He said the DLP remains steadfast in its commitment to “defending healthcare workers, promoting patient-centred reform, and restoring a system in which health is a right, not a privilege, and certainly not a political afterthought.” (LG)

The post DLP calls for urgent steps to protect frontline healthcare workers appeared first on Barbados Today.

The growing demand for medical care outside the United States and other high-cost markets has strengthened the Dominican Republic‘s position as a regional benchmark for health tourism.

International patients, especially Dominicans residing in the United States and U.S. citizens with limited coverage, come to the country for the combination of clinical quality, short wait times, and competitive prices offered by the country’s private centers.

This was reported by the Dominican Association of Health Tourism ( ADTS ), indicating that the network of member institutions operates under international standards and has bilingual staff, modern infrastructure, and global certifications.

Initiatives such as SENASA’s Larimar plan, which allows Dominicans abroad to receive local care with guaranteed coverage, and “health remittance” projects (prepaid medical packages) further expand the potential market.

“With more than two million Dominicans residing in the U.S. and a significant number of underinsured Americans, the demand for procedures such as preventive checkups, minimally invasive surgery, advanced dentistry, and fertility treatments continues to rise,” they report.

Data from The Commonwealth Fund indicates that some 30 million people in the U.S. lack health insurance, while 45 million have limited coverage, driving the search for affordable, quality alternatives.

For local healthcare providers, this scenario presents a concrete opportunity to expand their portfolio of services geared toward international patients, integrate telemedicine and remote postoperative follow-up solutions, strengthen alliances with insurance companies and medical facility providers, generate foreign currency and specialized employment opportunities, and raise the standard of the national healthcare system.

Backed by its air connectivity, favorable investment climate, and renowned hospitality, the Dominican Republic strengthens its leadership as a health and wellness destination in the Caribbean, offering a cost-effective, high-quality alternative for patients from around the world.

Santo Domingo.— Nineteen tests were positive for the virus in respiratory samples analyzed by the Dr. Defilló National Reference Laboratory, according to the epidemiological bulletin for week 25 of this year.

According to reports, respiratory viruses continue to be detected, with influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) predominating, both with a 10.5% positivity rate.

The bulletin for week 25 records a decrease in COVID-19 transmission, with a positivity rate of 5.3%.

Recommendations

The Ministry of Public Health urges the population to get vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19, especially those in at-risk groups.

It also recommends wearing a mask indoors, washing your hands frequently, and maintaining a well-ventilated room.

It indicates that if the patient experiences a persistent fever or difficulty breathing, they should visit a health center immediately.

It also suggests seeking guidance only from official sources and avoiding the dissemination of unverified information.

Dengue and malaria

In the last four weeks, 16 cases of dengue fever have been confirmed. Through week 24 of this year, 134 cases had been confirmed, and two additional cases were reported last week.

The largest concentrations were in Espaillat province, with 14 cases; La Vega, with 12; Puerto Plata, with 11; San Pedro de Macorís, with nine; Duarte, with eight; Monte Cristi, with six; and Santo Domingo, with six.

The latest two cases involve a three-year-old boy from Santiago and a 13-year-old girl from Santo Domingo Este.

Meanwhile, as of last week, 23 cases of malaria have been confirmed, 22 of which are women and one is a man.

The provinces with the highest number of cases are La Altagracia, with five; San Cristóbal, with three; Santo Domingo, with two; San Pedro de Macorís, with two; and La Romana, with two cases.

From week 1 to week 25, a total of 450 confirmed cases of malaria were reported to the National Epidemiological Surveillance System (SINAVE), with 60% of the cases involving men.

According to the Ministry of Public Health report, the hotspots of transmission are centered in San Juan province, with 226 cases, and Azua province, with 183 cases.

Maternal deaths

The epidemiological report indicated that two maternal deaths were reported last week involving women aged 18 and 33.

As of this week, the country has recorded 81 maternal deaths nationwide.

He noted that 46% of the cases came from Santiago, with 15; Santo Domingo, with 12; and La Altagracia, with 10.

Forty-three of the cases are Dominicans, and 38 are Haitians.

Infant Deaths

In the penultimate epidemiological week, 31 infant deaths were reported. In comparison, so far this year, there have been a cumulative total of 809 deaths, which, according to health authorities, represents a 24% decrease compared to the same period last year.

Caribbean health leaders are to call on CARICOM heads of government at their summit to step up their global advocacy on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health, warning that the region is falling dangerously behind international targets as the crisis intensifies.

With the two-day summit — the 49th regular meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community — to get underway in Jamaica from Sunday, the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) issued a call for the leaders to reaffirm their legacy of action on NCDs by attending the upcoming fourth United Nations high-level meeting (HLM4) on NCDs and mental health.

That meeting, scheduled for September 25 in New York during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, will be held under the theme, Equity and Integration: Transforming Lives and Livelihoods through Leadership and Action on Noncommunicable Diseases and the Promotion of Mental Health and Well-being”.

In an open letter and appeal to CARICOM leaders ahead of the summit, HCC President Dr Kenneth Connell called the moment “critical”, noting that the Caribbean continues to suffer disproportionately from NCDs such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancers, chronic respiratory conditions, and mental illness.

He said: “As unnecessary death and disability continue to rise, so do the associated costs of preventing and controlling these diseases which place a significant burden on the limited economic resources of CARICOM states – a crisis worsened by the impact of food and nutrition insecurity and climate-related disasters. Within the context of ageing and contracting populations and increasing economic and climate vulnerabilities, bold action on NCDs focusing equally on prevention and treatment and care is critical to promoting a secure and sustainable future for the Caribbean.”

The HCC head warned that the 2024 Port of Spain Grid and the 2025 WHO Progress Monitor both paint a stark and disturbing picture — the Caribbean is nowhere close to achieving global targets, including Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.4, which aims to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by one-third by 2030.

The coalition, according to Dr Connell, sought to remind leaders of the region’s historic role in elevating NCDs on the global health agenda. In 2007, CARICOM heads adopted the Port of Spain Declaration, laying the groundwork for the first UN high-level meeting on NCDs in 2011. Several CARICOM heads of government were in attendance, giving voice to the Caribbean’s commitment to the issue.

Among the key asks from the HCC are: an explicit commitment from CARICOM leaders to attend the HLM4 and include it in the final communiqué of the forty-ninth regular meeting; endorsement of twelve regional NCD and mental health advocacy priorities led by Caribbean civil society; greater community engagement and investment in sustainable, rights-based approaches to health system strengthening; and leadership in hosting a high-level side event at HLM4 and ensuring representation from youth and people living with NCDs in official country delegations.

Dr Connell stressed that this is not just a health issue but a development imperative.

He said: “CARICOM has been globally recognised for its leadership on NCDs, including most recently with the 2023 Bridgetown Declaration on NCDs and Mental Health. As member states meet in New York on September 25, 2025 for the HLM4, let us collectively demonstrate the leadership of CARICOM. Now is the time to lead again.”  (SB)

The post Health advocates urge CARICOM leaders to renew fight against NCDs, mental health crisis appeared first on Barbados Today.

View the full post Fun and Fitness: EmBodhi National Fitness Expo on NOW Grenada.

“The Grenada Food and Nutrition Council (GFNC) wishes to remind the public that the Curious Little Hands in the Kitchen programme for 2025 has been cancelled”

View the full post GFNC relocation halts Curious Little Hands on NOW Grenada.

The deadline to submit proposals for the position of Communication Specialist (individual or company) is 25 July 2025

View the full post Grenada Hospitals Authority: RFP – Communication Specialist on NOW Grenada.

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic is rapidly establishing itself as a leading regional destination for health tourism, driven by a rising demand for affordable, high-quality medical care outside the United States and other expensive markets. International patients—particularly Dominican expatriates in the U.S. and American citizens with limited insurance coverage—are attracted by the country’s excellent clinical standards, short wait times, and competitive pricing offered by private healthcare providers.

With over two million Dominicans living in the U.S. and a large population of underinsured Americans, the demand for medical services such as preventive check-ups, minimally invasive surgeries, advanced dental care, and fertility treatments continues to grow. According to data from The Commonwealth Fund, nearly 30 million Americans lack health insurance, and another 45 million have limited coverage, fueling the search for affordable, quality care alternatives.

For healthcare providers in the Dominican Republic, this trend presents a valuable opportunity to broaden their services for international patients, integrate telemedicine and remote post-surgery follow-up, build stronger partnerships with insurers and medical facilitators, and generate foreign exchange and specialized jobs—ultimately raising the national healthcare standard.

The Dominican Association of Health Tourism (ADTS) boasts a network of member institutions that adhere to international standards, employ bilingual staff, and maintain modern facilities with global certifications. Innovative programs like SENASA’s Larimar plan—which enables Dominicans abroad to access local medical services with insured coverage—and “health remittance” initiatives offering prepaid medical packages are expanding the market even further.

Thanks to its strong air connectivity, favorable investment environment, and renowned hospitality, the Dominican Republic is strengthening its role as a premier health and wellness destination in the Caribbean, providing a cost-effective, top-quality healthcare option for patients from around the world.

Three nurses at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital were attacked by a patient wielding a sharp object early on Wednesday, in the second violent incident targeting the nursing community in less than a month, prompting renewed calls for urgent action to protect healthcare staff.

The female patient had the object concealed before she attacked the nurses, who received immediate medical and psychological support, the hospital’s communications specialist Shane Sealy confirmed. 

While the injuries were not life-threatening, the incident sparked renewed concerns over the safety of healthcare professionals both inside and outside medical facilities. 

The Barbados Nurses Association (BNA) urged health authorities to install panic buttons on all hospital wards and conduct a comprehensive review of security protocols. 

“And to the public,” BNA President Dr Fay Parris said in a strong appeal, “stop the violence against nurses. They care for you. Let’s care for them.”

“We also urge nurses to take proactive steps to protect themselves. Over the past two weeks, BNA has started facilitating the provision of self-defence sessions and ‘Safety First’ webinars—both eligible for continuing education credits. BNA invites all nurses, nursing personnel and nursing students to make use of this opportunity to learn the skills to protect themselves.” 

The latest attack comes just weeks after a nurse was assaulted near the St Philip District Hospital. The BNA had raised serious concerns then—and is now intensifying its calls for stronger protections.

A BNA team visited QEH in the aftermath of Wednesday’s incident and spoke to injured nurses, according to Dr Parris, who said the BNA was assured the matter is under investigation, that immediate safety steps have been taken, and that counselling is being arranged.

In light of mounting concerns from nurses, the association has invited the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health and officials to a virtual town hall this week to address safety challenges. It is awaiting confirmation of the meeting’s date and time.

After the latest incident, the QEH issued a statement saying that the staff who were attacked, and others present at the time were understandably shaken by the event. 

“Immediate medical attention and psychological support were offered to all affected personnel. The matter is being reviewed by hospital management in collaboration with The Barbados Police Service, and QEH is providing full support to ensure all aspects of the incident are understood,” Sealy said.

QEH Chief Executive Officer Neil Clark added that the safety of staff, patients and visitors remains paramount.

He said: “We take this matter extremely seriously. The safety and well-being of our staff, patients, and visitors is always our top priority.”

Sealy added that as part of its routine commitment to continuous improvement, the hospital will use this incident “to reflect on and further refine existing safety procedures.”

Police Service spokesman Acting Inspector Ryan Brathwaite confirmed to Barbados TODAY that the incident had been reported to the police and investigations were under way. 

(SB)

The post Violence against nurses sparks fresh safety calls appeared first on Barbados Today.

A Grenada lifeguard and SGU medical students responded to a medical emergency, saving the life of an elderly man at Grand Anse Beach on Monday, 30 June

View the full post Lifeguard and SGU students assist in saving elderly man on NOW Grenada.