(CMC) – The Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) says regional countries need to take adequate steps to prevent the trans-boundary spread of infectious diseases, describing it as a threat to regional and global health security.

CARPHA held a two-day conference in Trinidad and Tobago last week to discuss the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other public health concerns, reiterating the necessity for regional and global health security to protect and improve health.

It said that Regional Health Security (RHS) encompasses the capacities required for the Caribbean to prepare for and respond to public health threats, risks, priority issues and concerns that transcend national boundaries and potentially impact on economic stability, trade, tourism, and access to goods and services in the region.

“RHS offers a coordinated approach which is especially crucial in the Caribbean as the region, like the Pacific and African small island developing states, is characterised by small, under-resourced populations and varying surveillance, laboratory and human resource capacities,” CARPHA said.

“It is also highly interconnected with porous borders, heavily reliant on tourism, and susceptible to climate change and disasters.”

The agency noted that this combination of factors significantly increases the region’s exposure and vulnerability to disease spread, enabling rapid spread of highly transmissible communicable diseases.

Furthermore, the tropical climate, and abundance of competent vectors make the region particularly vulnerable to vector-borne disease outbreaks.

“Consequently, regional health security and prevention, preparedness and response to public health emergencies need to be improved not only at the national levels, but at the regional level, as functional regional capacities are greater than the sum of the capacities of individual countries for improving RHS in the Caribbean,” CARPHA said.

“The major outcomes of this meeting include the detailing and prioritisation of member states’ current needs, increased awareness of CARPHA’s integrated surveillance and capacity building work and strengthening partnerships. These elements will assist in developing the sustainable RHS Pathway in short order.”

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Santo Domingo.- On National Doctor’s Day, Maria Argentina Germán, the director of Hospital Doctor Francisco Moscoso Puello, extended her congratulations to doctors, particularly those within the center, for their dedicated work and commitment to ongoing training.

Representing the Moscoso Puello Hospital management alongside Deputy Director Dr. Ydalma Santos and Administrator Mr. Jesús Polanco, Dr. Germán encouraged doctors to continue delivering quality, compassionate, and empathetic care.

Geraldine Mir, in charge of the Internal Medicine service, highlighted this day as an occasion to recognize and honor the efforts of healthcare professionals who approach each day with determination, optimism, responsibility, and dedication to providing health to those in need.

Dr. Mir emphasized that doctors should maintain emotional stability and consistent health. She advised aspiring medical students to forge strong patient relationships and emphasized that while medicine requires sacrifices, pursuing the field with passion, humility, and simplicity can lead to success.

This commemoration serves as a fitting tribute to doctors, who dedicate themselves to ensuring citizens’ health and well-being.

The call is for doctors to uphold the ethical principles of medicine, focusing on humanized care to secure citizens’ right to health.

Dominican Doctor’s Day, celebrated every August 18, marks the founding of the Dominican Medical Association, later known as the Dominican Medical College (CMD).

The hospital’s doctors cover various departments, including allergology, pathology, anesthesiology, comprehensive care, cardiology, general surgery, cancer surgery, reconstructive surgery, thoracic surgery, vascular surgery, coloproctology, dermatology, diabetology, emergency, and endocrinology. The list extends to epidemiology, gastroenterology, geriatrics, gynecology, hematology, imaging, infectious diseases, internal medicine, nephrology, pulmonology, neurosurgery, neurology, clinical nutrition, dentistry, ophthalmology, clinical oncology, orthopedics, otorhinolaryngology, pediatrics, psychology, psychiatry, rheumatology, urology, and various specialized units.

Santo Domingo.- Santiago Hazim, the Executive Director of the National Health Insurance (Senasa), has confidently declared that the Dominican Republic boasts the most outstanding healthcare system across Latin America and even extends its influence into parts of North America.

This assertion is firmly grounded in the nation’s achievement of universalizing its healthcare system. Notably, the country’s coverage encompasses expenses up to two million pesos for an array of ailments, treatments, and essential medical procedures.

In a recent interview on the Despierta program with CDN, Hazim bolstered his claim by highlighting the extraordinary scope provided by the Dominican health system. He emphasized that this coverage extends to high-cost illnesses like cancer, organ transplants, chemotherapy, intricate surgeries, and neurosurgery.

Furthermore, this comprehensive coverage has yielded tranquility for patients, assuring them protection against various medical conditions, encompassing dialysis and other pathologies. This level of security, Hazim emphasized, is even absent in the United States.

Hazim contrasted the Dominican and American healthcare systems, revealing that in the United States, patients often grapple with substantial hurdles involving costs and prolonged waiting periods for medical care. Conversely, the Dominican health system ensures prompt and accessible care.

Dr. Hazim acknowledged that despite these commendable strides, the Dominican healthcare system still contends with deficiencies. Specifically, he mentioned the need to enhance imaging capabilities, such as X-ray equipment, 3D CT scans, and MRIs. He attributed these shortcomings to a cultural inclination and proximity to the United States, which fosters familiarity with cutting-edge medical technologies and advancements.

He further illustrated the situation, stating that the capacity for expanded coverage requires deliberation. Senasa, for instance, cannot unilaterally decide to cover laparoscopic surgery; an actuarial study by Sisalril (Superintendence of Health and Occupational Risks) is imperative to ascertain the frequency of such surgeries in the country, their costs at different facilities, and subsequently determine an average allocation for each ARS.

In closing, Hazim underlined the paramount importance of upholding the stability of social security and the healthcare system within the nation.

Attach a Leg Grenada charges amputees seeking below-the-knee prostheses EC$3,000 while amputees seeking above-the-knee prostheses will be charged EC$4,500

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During the 6th International Health Tourism Congress, a private investment breakfast in collaboration with the financial sector will be organized. This event will showcase emerging ventures within the flourishing market segment, expected to generate numerous employment opportunities and introduce innovative medical technologies and services.

Cambiaso disclosed that the congress is scheduled for November 1 and 2 at the JW Marriott hotel in Santo Domingo. It will introduce a range of innovations and business prospects, placing particular emphasis on the accomplishments of the Dominican medical community, as highlighted in the program “Esta Noche Mariasela.”

Amelia Reyes Mora emphasized that the event will serve as a nexus for multisectoral leaders, projecting the country as a sought-after destination for health and investments. The congress will foster international accreditations and the global recognition of Dominican medicine.

Notably, the Dominican Republic holds a prominent position as the primary medical tourism hub in the Caribbean, securing the second rank in Latin America and the 19th globally.

At any given time during daylight hours, elderly Chinese gather in large groups to exercise and socialise.

It was one of my thought-provoking discoveries during my visit last month to the East Asian nation where life expectancy is 77.47 years.

At almost every place of interest, delegates of the Seminar for National Press Officers and Journalists from Belt and Road Countries, who were in Beijing from July 12 to July 25, witnessed scores of senior citizens working up a sweat. 

No matter their physical structure or gender, many of them engaged in a variety of exercise routines – some simple, others testing their mental and physical strength. Others engaged in dance sessions, sang or played musical instruments. 

The game Ti Zian Ji, during which players use their feet instead of racquets to hit a shuttlecock, appeared to be a favourite. According to unofficial reports, some Chinese would spend hours playing the game.

But whatever they were doing, these seniors all looked stress-free and relaxed.

It was explained to the 14 delegates that China’s elderly care policy plans request local governments to set up facilities for senior education and leisure, including parks, green spaces, and sporting facilities.

Some of us remarked that we would love to see similar spaces being created for elderly citizens in our own countries.

It made me think that even though the elderly in Barbados flock to the beaches for water therapy and exercise, local authorities could perhaps follow China’s lead and develop additional safe recreational spaces across the island for older folk.

While on a visit to the Temple of Heaven, some of us joined in a dancing session in the recreational area there.

The Temple of Heaven is the place where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties “worshipped the heaven” and “prayed for the good harvest”.

Tour guide Lili Yang said that almost every day, retirees visit the location, which is also used as a public park, to exercise.

“We have a lot of public parks in Beijing provided by the local government and they are open to retired people to go for morning and evening exercise. We have a lot of retired people, so going to the parks is a kind of social life for Chinese local elderly people,” Yang said. 

“They dance and they play musical instruments and they do all kinds of activities that help them to entertain themselves. Whether they are dancing, singing or exercising, you can see on their faces that they are very happy with what they are doing. The retired people are very happy that they have these parks where they can go.”

Another highlight of the two-week seminar was the visit to the Yunnan Ethnic Village, located on the south side of Kunming. 

The village is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Yunnan province’s capital and largest. 

Ethnic minority villages, including those of the Dai, Bai and Yi people, have their own folk customs and craft performances. 

During minority festivals such as the Songkran Festival in April and the Torch Festival in July and August, the ethnic village also hosts lively celebrations which thousands travel from far and near to see. 

Tomorrow, we bring the final installment of Anesta Meets China, a five-part series about the experience of Barbados TODAY journalist Anesta Henry in China.

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GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC)— Guyana health minister Dr Frank Anthony has confirmed that two children— ages nine and 11— have died after being infected with dengue.

The children had been receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Georgetown Public Hospital. Dr Anthony said no other child is receiving critical care after being infected with dengue.

Media reports in Guyana said that one of the two children who died was a primary school pupil from Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, who spent five days in the ICU before passing away.

Based on official figures, an estimated 3,453 people in Guyana have been infected with the mosquito-borne disease so far this year, with 2,169 cases considered to be still active patients.

Dr Anthony said that local authorities have been fogging all areas to prevent people from being bitten by mosquitoes and that a substance used to kill mosquito larvae is also being distributed.

The symptoms of dengue include high fevers, head and body aches and nausea.

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Los Angeles.- This past August 4 was International Beer Day, a celebration that originated in a small bar in Santa Cruz, a town in California, United States.

The celebration, which began as a call exclusively for customers, was so well received that it spread worldwide and is held on the first Friday of this month.

Given the recent heat waves, people are increasing their consumption of soft drinks and beer as an alternative to cool down and lower their body temperature.

It is worth mentioning that beer is an alcoholic beverage made from the fermentation of some cereals; even though users consider it a good idea to drink some cold beers, it may be contradictory, as it eventually worsens the heat.

An article published by Healthline pointed out that excessive consumption of sugary drinks, such as soda, coffee, and some drinks made with tea, can lead to intense dehydration.

Therefore, the answer of which of the two beverages is better to consume, in this case, would be beer, as Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health pointed out that sugary drinks should be avoided, while alcohol can be consumed moderately.

Finally, the intake of natural water continues to be the best option to hydrate the body since about 70% of the body is made up of this element.

Likewise, Mayo Clinic recommends consuming at least eight glasses of water a day with the primary objective of avoiding the appearance of dehydration symptoms.

Before the frequent heat waves and high summer temperatures, the professor of the Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics of the online university of La Rioja UNIR, Carmen González Vázquez, talks about the food we should carry out to cope with the summer season.

Before offering more specific recommendations, the expert recalls the importance of hydration.

Although we should always drink water, it is even more necessary in summer and during high temperatures.

Goodbye, “miracle diets.”

The professional recalls that vacations are when most people want to be slim and put on their swimsuits “comfortably.” It is for this reason that “miracle diets” proliferate.

This type of diet, known for restricting the daily energy intake (in kilocalories), is always harmful to our health, especially with high temperatures.

The nutritionist warns that when it is very hot, our body needs to be well-nourished and hydrated.

High temperatures affect our body, causing blood vessels to dilate, increase sweating, stress, and fatigue… If we go on a “miracle diet,” we can have even more negative consequences on our body, such as fluid retention, hypoglycemia, lipothymia, or low blood pressure, among others.

Lack of appetite

Another of the consequences of heat waves on food is the lack of appetite.

Some people do not feel like eating so often during high temperatures, so the nutrition professional gives us some tips to cope with this.

Carmen González indicates that the best thing to do in these cases is to eat small, nutritious, moisturizing meals throughout the day.

We can have six lighter ones if we usually eat three meals and lose appetite in summer.

The expert recalls that sometimes the lack of appetite also generates a lack of thirst sensation, which causes more tiredness. To avoid falling into this loop, we should eat small meals and stay hydrated by drinking enough water.

Eating hot or cold?