• Trying to explain a scene from “The Lion King” to my mom. 
• Missing my mom when she went back to Ohio after a long visit with me and my baby in New York. 
• Describing to a friend how many New Yorkers volunteer to help me carry the baby’s stroller up and down the subway stairs, and how diverse the range of people who help me is, and how it makes me appreciate the no-nonsense communal spirit of this city, where people take care of each other without even breaking their stride.
• Thinking about what an emotional movie “Inside Out” is — I wasn’t thinking about what actually happens in the movie, I was thinking about how the movie made me cry, and I cried.

From these incidents, you might conclude, rightly, that children’s movies are my Achilles’ heel. What might be less obvious is that I’m crying more these days because I recently tapered off antidepressants after nearly 10 years. Escitalopram (the generic version of Lexapro) had long helped improve my mental health with minimal side effects — apart from stopping up my tear ducts. Now I’m in the process of discovering what my mind is like without the assistance of medication.

Read the rest…

Santo Domingo — From the age of 60 onwards, the upward curve that increases the probability of a cerebrovascular accident ( CVA ) begins. However, in recent years, episodes have been observed in patients between 15 and 48 years of age.

This is according to Dr. José Joaquín Puello, a professor of medicine in the field of neurosurgery, who received a tribute this Saturday for his career during the National Symposium on Comprehensive Stroke Management, organized by the Cruz Jiminián Catheterization, Arrhythmia, and Pacemaker Unit.

During his speech, Puello highlighted that approximately 16 to 20 million people worldwide suffer a stroke each year, a figure that is on the rise, with the estimate being that it will reach 77 million by 2030.

In the case of the Dominican Republic, he stated that the prevalence is 183 patients per 100,000 inhabitants, which leads to an estimate that between 20,000 and 22,000 cases occur each year, with a high mortality rate.

“Of every 183 patients with their first stroke , 90 die. We’re talking about an epidemic,” he said.

A stroke, also known as an ictus, is the second cause of death in the country, but it is also the first cause of disability. 

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It occurs when there is an interruption in blood flow to the brain, and can be of two types: 

• Ischemic stroke occurs in 85% of cases when a clot blocks the flow of blood and nutrients, also known as a cerebral infarction.
• Hemorrhagic stroke, commonly known as a stroke, occurs in 15% of cases and occurs after a rupture of blood vessels.

Luis Eduardo Aybar, director of the Sanitary City, also expressed concern about comorbidities that increase risk factors. He cited these as high blood pressure, diabetes, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and a high-fat diet.

“We are facing a true pandemic. Strokes are becoming the number one most important public health disorder ,” he added.

The doctor indicated that he had observed an increase in cognitive disorders after coronavirus infections in 2020, where 38% of patients who were hospitalized with Covid continue to present after-effects to this day, as well as an increase in kidney diseases that keep hemodialysis units full.

1.9 million neurons die every minute

Emergency physician Abilquis Escoto explained the “ABCs of stroke ,” stating that for every minute a patient goes without treatment, they lose 1.9 million neurons.

“For every hour, the brain ages 3.6 years,” he added.

Escoto cited as serious the fact that between 30 and 40% of patients do not recognize the symptoms of a stroke (dizziness, double vision, loss of balance, distorted face), meaning that in the last three months, 90% of patients admitted to the Cruz Jiminián Unit arrive outside the response window.

Similarly, he compared local data with other countries, highlighting that in Europe, between 20 and 35% of patients receive acute treatment for strokes. At the same time, in the Dominican Republic, the figure barely reaches between 2% and 5%.

“Fifty percent of strokes are prevented when blood pressure is kept under control,” he warned.

High cost of treatment

Dr. Minelly Rodríguez, in her talk titled “The Reality of Stroke in the Dominican Republic,” commented that the cost of treating a patient for a first stroke can reach 700,000 pesos, including the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), treatment, and subsequent rehabilitation, representing a burden on the health system of up to 54 billion pesos each year.

The first warning signs will be a patient whose speech is slurred, whose mouth is twisted, or whose half of the body is dead.

Rodríguez urged patients not to stay home, as Dominicans typically self-medicate or drink a tea recommended by a family member or neighbor, and when it comes to stroke, every second counts.

Among the limitations for optimal care, he stated: 

• Shortage in specialized stroke units.
• Limited timely access to thrombolysis or thrombectomy, treatments used to dissolve or remove blood clots in the brain, exceeding the 4.5-hour window after the event occurs.
• Patients living in rural areas and remote provinces are unable to reach the hospital in time because most stroke centers are located in Santo Domingo and Santiago.
• There is a need to improve health insurance coverage for acute and post-stroke care.

Primary care

For his part, Minister of Public Health Víctor Atallah commented that since last year, the focus has been on prevention and primary care to detect patients before a stroke occurs.

To this end, “More Health and Hope” campaigns are being held in various provinces across the country, offering consultations and medical imaging. Improvements have been made to the Hearts Strategy for patients with hypertension and diabetes, and clinical protocols for managing these chronic non-communicable diseases have been strengthened.

“There’s no time for a stroke; we have to get to work,” he said, referring to the window of action that lasts just 4.5 hours after a patient begins to show symptoms of a stroke.

Stroke Prevention
To prevent a stroke, it is crucial to recognize the warning signs and respond promptly. Control your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep. Avoid excessive tobacco and alcohol use, and keep stress under control. If you experience any symptoms, seek immediate attention: with stroke, time is brain.

The DCCCs will be established in District hospitals as per availability of space and logistics; however, based on the feasibility and as per State proposals, DCCCs can be established in other Government health facilities also. Unit cost for establishment of DCCCs may be up to Rs. 1.49 Crores as per requirement and gaps at that facility.

Fund requirement is fulfilled by the State Resource Envelope (RE) of National Health Mission (NHM) and proportion of States/UTs will be as per norms of NHM.

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare conducted a national gap analysis using Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) cancer registry data and planned for establishment of Day Care Cancer Centres (DCCCs) in consultation with States, as per announcement in the Union Budget 2025-26.

Also Read:Union Budget 2025: Health Ministry allocated Rs 99,858 crore, Daycare cancer centres in every district

High-burden districts were prioritized, and proposals were submitted by the States/UTs and finalized by National Programme Coordination Committee (NPCC) to optimize resources and avoid duplication.

As per the announcement of the Union Budget 2025-26, the government plans to set up Day Care Cancer Centres (DCCCs) in all district hospitals in the next 3 years.

Sl No.

Name of State

Approved DCCCs for FY 2025-26

1

Bihar

Saran, Vaishali, Madhubani, Katihar, Gopalganj, Sitamarhi, Supaul, Araria, Rohtas, Saharsa, Banka, Nawada, Munger (Monghyr), Khagaria, Aurangabad - BH, Jamui, Buxar, Jehanabad, Lakhisarai, Sheikhpura and Sheohar

2

Andhra Pradesh

Anantapur, Kurnool, Prakasam, Krishna, Dr. B.R. AmbedkarKonaseema, East Godavari, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Nandyal, Vizianagaram, Annamayya, Palnadu, Kakinada, Bapatla and NTR

3

Karnataka

Bengaluru (Bangalore), Kolar, Dakshina Kannada, Mysuru (Mysore), Ramanagara, Bengaluru (Bangalore) Rural, Chitradurga, Ballari (Bellary), Davangere, Bagalkot, Dharwad, Haveri, Tumakuru, Udupi, Vijayanagara and Vijayapura

4

Rajasthan

Kotputli-Behror, Deedwana Kuchaman, Khairthal-Tijara, Balotra, Beawar, Deeg, Phalodi and Salumber

5

Punjab

Ludhiana, Patiala, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Amritsar and Sangrur

6

Meghalaya

West Jaintia Hills, West Garo Hills and West Khasi Hills

7

Assam

Karimganj, Hailakandi, Marigaon, Hojai, Baxa, Bongaigaon, Udgalgiri, Dhemaji and Chirang

8

Tripura

North Tripura, Gomati and Dhalai

9

Dadara Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu

Daman, Dadra & Nagar Haveli

10

Delhi

Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya Hospital (South Delhi) and Rao Tularam Hospital (South West Delhi)

11

Ladakh

Leh and Kargil

12

Lakshadweep

Lakshadweep

13

Jharkhand

Bokaro, Deoghar, Dhanbad, Dumka, East Singhbhum, Godda, Hazaribag, Khunti, Koderma, Latehar, Lohardaga, Pakur, Palamu, Ranchi, Saraikela and Simdega

14

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

North and Middle Andaman

15

Arunachal Pradesh

Lower Subansiri, West Siang, East Siang, East Kameng, West Kameng, Lohit and Tirap

16

Chhattisgarh

Mahasamund, Kondagoan, Sukma and Gaurela Pendra Marwahi

17

Gujarat

Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Banaskantha, SabarKantha (Himmatnagar), Surendranagar, Dahod and Valsad

18

Haryana

Gurgaon, Jind, Sirsa, Panipat and Rewari

19

Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu, Shopian, Reasi, Samba, Ramban and Kishtwar

20

Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram and Pathanamthitta

21

Manipur

Imphal East, Kakching and Jiribam

22

Mizoram

Aizawl, Champhai and Lawngtlai

23

Nagaland

Phek, Wokha, Mon and Tuesang

24

Puducherry

Indhra Gandhi Govt General Hospital and Indhra Gandhi Govt Medical College and Research Institute, Karaikal

25

Sikkim

South Sikkim

26

Telangana

Rangareddi, Nalgonda, Khammam, Mehbubnagar, Nizamabad, Medak, Medchal, Adilabad, Sangareddy, Suryapet, Mahabubabad, BhadradriKothagudem, Nagarkurnool, Siddipet, Kamareddy, Vikarabad, Wanaparthy, JogulambaGadwal, Jangaon, Mancherial, Nirmal, Jagtial, Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhoopalpally, Narayanpet, Komaram Bheem Asifabad and Mulugu

27

Uttar Pradesh

Moradabad, Bareilly, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Saharanpur, Jhansi, Bijnor, Jalaun, Pratapgarh - UP, Unnao, Bulandshahr, Sultanpur, Fatehpur, Firozabad, Muzaffarnagar, Rampur, Kushinagar (Padrauna), Etawah, Ghaziabad, Lakhimpur (Kheri), Kanpur Dehat, Shahjahanpur, Budaun, Deoria, Etah, Hardoi, Mainpuri, Rae Bareli, Kannuaj, Auraiya, Azamgarh, Mathura, Gonda, Kaushambi, Banda, Faizabad, Farrukkhabad, Sitapur, Pilibhit, Basti, Hathras, Jaunpur, Maharajganj, Lalitpur, Amroha (JP Nagar), Ambedkarnagar, Sidharthnagar, Barabanki, Bahraich, Sant Kabir Nagar, Sambhal (Bhim Nagar), Mirzapur, Mahoba, Ballia, Chitrakoot, Amethi (Chatrapati Sahuji Mahraj Nagar), Sant Ravidas Nagar, Hamirpur - UP, Ghazipur, Baghpat, Mau, Balrampur - UP, Shamali (Prabuddh Nagar), Sonbhadra, Hapur (Panchsheel Nagar), Shravasti, Chandauli and Kanshiram Nagar (Kasganj)

28

West Bengal

Mursidabad, South 24-Parganas, Paschim Medinipur (West Medinipur), Malda, PurbaBardhaman, Bankura, Puruliya and Nandigram

29

Maharashtra

Ahilya Nagar, Akola, Aurangabad - MH, Jalgaon, Beed, Bhandara, Buldhana, Dhule, Gondiya, Hingoli, Jalna, Kolhapur, Solapur, Dharashiv, Latur, Wardha, Nagpur, Nanded, Nandurbar, Parbhani, Palghar, Thane, Raigarh - MH, Sangli, Washim and Yavatmal

30

Himachal Pradesh

Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kinnaur, Kullu, Lahaul & Spiti, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmour, Solan, Una, Khaneri (Rampur), Nadaun, Rohru, Sarkaghat, Paonta Sahib and Nurpur

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

Also Read:Telangana to Set Up Cancer Care Centre in All Districts

The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) recommends vaccination as the best way to prevent hepatitis, as well as maintaining good hygiene practices.

The Dominican Health Agency reminds us that hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can be caused by various factors that lead to serious liver diseases and liver cancer.

Among the most common types of viral hepatitis are types A, B, C, D, and E.

As a primary form of prevention, the Ministry of Health encourages vaccination, especially against hepatitis A and B, as well as maintaining basic hygiene practices such as hand washing, drinking safe water and food, and avoiding contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected individuals or with sharp objects.

In the Dominican Republic, the prevalence of hepatitis B and C is a cause for concern, although specific data may vary. The Government of the Dominican Republic, through the Ministry of Public Health (MSP) and the National Health Service (SNS), has implemented strategies to prevent and eliminate hepatitis B, with a particular focus on pregnant women and newborns.

These actions include the provision of free vaccines and treatments, as well as the distribution of anti-B immunoglobulin to newborns of mothers who carry the virus. Additionally, protocols have been established to facilitate the timely detection and treatment of the disease, with the aim of achieving the elimination goals by 2030.

Dengue

Two new cases of dengue fever have been confirmed, bringing the cumulative total to 147 and the incidence rate to 2.54, representing an 85% reduction compared to last year.

Regarding malaria, eight cases have been confirmed, bringing the total number of cases this year to 629. The incidence of this disease is 10.87, a decrease of -8 percent.

No cases of leptospirosis were reported this week; the total to date is 23, with a cumulative incidence of 0.40, representing a 17 percent reduction in cases. The number of cholera cases recorded this year remains at zero.

Maternal and infant deaths

Maternal death reports for the current 28th epidemiological week show three deaths, one of them a Dominican woman and two Haitian nationals. The total number of maternal deaths confirmed to date is 89 this year; last year, 100 deaths were recorded for the same period, reflecting an 11% decrease.

Thirty-seven infant deaths have been confirmed this week, compared to 43 last year in the same epidemiological week. The cumulative total of infant deaths is 943 this year, compared to 1,192 last year, indicating a continued decline in this indicator.

Countries of the Americas move toward a joint approach to manage health workforce migration amid growing shortages


Cristina Mitchell

25 Jul 2025

Santo Domingo.- The National Institute for the Protection of Consumer Rights (Pro Consumidor) and the General Directorate of Medicines, Food, and Health Products (Digemaps) have banned the sale and distribution of Colgate Total Prevention Active Clean Mint toothpaste imported from Brazil, citing adverse health effects.

According to a joint statement from Pro Consumidor director Eddy Alcántara and Digemaps head Leandro Villanueva, the product’s health registration number PC2024-1539 has been suspended due to non-compliance with safety standards. As a result, its commercialization in the Dominican Republic is now prohibited.

The decision follows reports from Brazilian health authorities linking the toothpaste to oral issues such as irritation, canker sores, and mouth ulcers. Similar health complaints have also been reported in the Dominican Republic, prompting an immediate recall operation by inspectors from both agencies.

The withdrawal comes after a surveillance meeting with Colgate-Palmolive representatives last week. Authorities emphasized that this measure aims to protect public health and will apply to all affected batches of the product currently on the market.

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