“World Food Safety Day which is observed annually on 7 June, aims to raise awareness about the importance of safe food practices and to highlight the global need for safe food”

View the full post World Food Safety Day: 7 June on NOW Grenada.

National Sickle Cell Week from 18-24 June will raise awareness about the disease and Grenada’s special status in discovering this inherited blood disorder

View the full post Plight for patients with Sickle Cell Disease in Grenada on NOW Grenada.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY.

By Wayne Campbell

“The bicycle is an instrument of sustainable transportation and has a positive impact on climate.”- United Nations.

There was a time when the popular mode of transportation was the bicycle. During that golden era no one was overweight or obese. In fact, hypertension was not so common in the population. As the international community inches towards a world operated by Artificial Intelligence many of us are content with our sedentary lifestyles. The truth is we all like and welcome the trappings of modernity. Unfortunately, this comes at a high price of ill-health. This life is characterised with little or no physical activity. In fact, physical inactivity is responsible for a host of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD’s) such as hypertension, cancer and diabetes. According to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018–2030, physical activity has multiplicative health, social and economic benefits and investment in policy actions to increase physical activity can contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. How many of you were aware that the United Nations has designated a special bicycle day?  

Since its establishment in 2018, World Bicycle Day has been marked annually on June 3 by advocates in many countries. The WHO opines that we must acknowledge the uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the bicycle, which has been in use for two centuries, and that it is simple, affordable, reliable and clean. Additionally, the bicycle as a mode of transportation is environmentally-sound as a sustainable means of transportation, fostering environmental stewardship and health.  

World Bicycle Day is set aside to encourage stakeholders to emphasise and advance the use of the bicycle as a means of fostering sustainable development, strengthening education, including physical education, for children and young people, promoting health, preventing disease, promoting tolerance, mutual understanding and respect and facilitating social inclusion and a culture of peace.

The United Nations General Assembly welcomed initiatives to organise bicycle rides at the national and local levels as a means of strengthening physical and mental health and well-being and developing a culture of cycling in society.

Celebrating the Bicycle

The United Nations states that regular physical activity of moderate intensity such as walking, cycling, or doing sports has significant benefits for health. At all ages, the benefits of being physically active outweigh potential harm, for example through accidents. Some physical activity is better than none. By becoming more active throughout the day in relatively simple ways, people can quite easily achieve the recommended activity levels.  According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), safe infrastructure for walking and cycling is also a pathway for achieving greater health equity. For the poorest urban sector, who often cannot afford private vehicles, walking and cycling can provide a form of transport while reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, diabetes, and even death. Accordingly, improved active transport is not only healthy, it is also equitable and cost-effective. The WHO adds that meeting the needs of people who walk and cycle continues to be a critical part of the mobility solution for helping cities de-couple population growth from increased emissions, and to improve air quality and road safety. The COVID-19 pandemic has also led many cities to rethink their transport systems.

Cycling and Sustainable Development

World Bicycle Day draws attention to the benefits of using the bicycle, a simple, affordable, clean and environmentally-fit sustainable means of transportation. The bicycle contributes to cleaner air and less congestion and makes education, health care and other social services more accessible to the most vulnerable populations. A sustainable transport system that promotes economic growth reduces inequalities while bolstering the fight against climate change is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.  On March 15, 2022, the General Assembly adopted the resolution on integration of mainstream bicycling into public transportation systems for sustainable development. It emphasised that the bicycle is an instrument of sustainable transportation and conveys a positive message to foster sustainable consumption and production, and has a positive impact on climate.

The United Nations is adamant that everyone can help limit climate change. This can be achieved from the way we travel, to the electricity we use, the food we eat, and the things we buy, we can make a difference. The world’s roadways are clogged with vehicles, most of them burning diesel or gasoline. Walking or riding a bike instead of driving will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help your health and fitness. It is quite unfortunate that in some societies sidewalks or designated lanes are not readily available for commuters to use. It appears that urban planners are biased towards older modes of transportation and made no accommodation for them; of course the bicycle would be classified as such.

Bicycle Patrol

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) states that it uses sidewalk-level police presence through bicycle patrols. These special operations units offer high-visibility and proactive community policing presence that is budget-friendly for any size department. The JCF adds that bicycles can fulfil several roles in a wider range of environments than patrol cars or SUVs, and can be used in many of the same environments as foot beats with faster response times.

These units can be a float in a parade, monitor the crowd along the route, be used in rural and urban search and rescue, provide security in dense pedestrian centres, patrol inside buildings  whether a mall or apartment complex and provide highly-effective crowd control mechanisms at demonstrations.  Fascinatingly, the JCF has a unit which the officers patrol solely on bicycles. Of course many Jamaicans are still divided on this issue of having police officers on bicycles. Interestingly, there is no discrimination along gendered lines as both male and female officers are included in this unit. 

Benefits

Cycling is often recommended as a low-impact and engaging workout for people of all ages. It is an aerobics exercise and helps strengthen your heart, blood vessels and lungs. Like other aerobic exercises, cycling can build up your muscular strength and endurance. Additionally, cycling can improve one’s mental health. Cycling can also be good for your mind. For one, it helps create positive endorphins in your brain. Given that cycling is a relatively low-impact exercise, it’s an ideal form of exercise if you have arthritis and osteoarthritis. This is because cycling does not place a lot of stress on your joints.

However, it is rather unfortunate that in Jamaica it appears that there is a lack of vision regarding the development of green spaces as well as designated parks where families can ride bicycles and have some bonding and fun together. We need to advocate for more cycling trails in the development of housing solutions as this will not only add to the aesthetics of the community but also aids in the physical well-being of all.

Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.

waykam@yahoo.com

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Based on scientific studies, a pregnant woman infected with dengue can pass the virus on to her foetus during pregnancy or around the time of birth

View the full post Ministry of Health secures mosquito nets on NOW Grenada.

Santo Domingo.- The Technological Institute of Santo Domingo (INTEC) and Macrotech, a specialized company in comprehensive health services, have signed a collaboration agreement to promote educational and scientific initiatives that improve the quality of life and contribute to the sustained development of the Dominican Republic.

Dr. Julio Sánchez Mariñez, the rector of INTEC, and Joaquín Toribio, the founder and general director of Macrotech, signed the agreement. The collaboration aims to support educational and scientific activities for students in the Biomedical Engineering program, including internships for students from various fields of study at the university.

Dr. Sánchez Mariñez expressed his appreciation for Macrotech’s support and highlighted the importance of developing technical capacities to design solutions for complex health issues. He emphasized the positive impact of the collaboration on society and sustainability.

Joaquín Toribio, the general director of Macrotech, expressed satisfaction in contributing to the development of technical skills and offering the company’s laboratory practical training in the Biomedical Engineering program. This commitment reinforces their dedication to societal contributions.

The signing ceremony, held at the university, was attended by Macrotech representatives Melissa Bisonó, the commercial director; Esteban Rodríguez, the regional senior marketing manager; and Norelyn Ramírez, the regional communications manager. INTEC was represented by Alliet Ortega, the Vice Chancellor of Administration and Finance; Arturo del Villar, the academic vice-rector; and several deans and faculty members from various areas of study.

The collaboration between INTEC and Macrotech will foster innovation, research, and the development of skills in the healthcare sector, contributing to the advancement of the country’s healthcare system and the well-being of its population.

(AFP) — The virus causing record cases of avian influenza in birds across the world is changing rapidly, experts have warned, as calls increase for countries to vaccinate their poultry.

While emphasising that the risk to humans remains low, the experts who spoke to AFP said that the surging number of bird flu cases in mammals was a cause for concern.

Since first emerging in 1996, the H5N1 avian influenza virus had previously been confined to mostly seasonal outbreaks.

But “something happened” in mid-2021 that made the group of viruses much more infectious, according to Richard Webby, the head of a World Health Organization collaborating centre studying influenza in animals.

Since then, outbreaks have lasted all year round, spreading to new areas and leading to mass deaths among wild birds and tens of millions of poultry being culled.

Webby, who is a researcher at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the US city of Memphis, told AFP it was “absolutely” the largest outbreak of avian influenza the world had seen.

He led research, published this week in the journal Nature Communications, showing how the virus rapidly evolved as it spread from Europe into North America.

The study said the virus increased in virulence, which means it causes more dangerous disease, when in arrived in North America.

The researchers also infected a ferret with one of the new strains of bird flu.

The found an unexpectedly “huge” amount of the virus in its brain, Webby said, indicating it had caused more serious disease than previous strains.

Emphasising that the risk in humans was still low, he said that “this virus is not being static, it’s changing”.

“That does increase the potential that even just by chance” the virus could “pick up genetic traits that allow it to be more of a human virus,” he said.

In rare cases, humans have contracted the sometimes deadly virus, usually after coming in close contact with infected birds.

– ‘Scares us’ –

The virus has also been detected in a soaring number of mammals, which Webby described as a “really, really troubling sign”.

Last week Chile said that nearly 9,000 sea lions, penguins, otters, porpoises and dolphins have died from bird flu along its north coast since the start of the year.

Most mammals are believed to have contracted the virus by eating an infected bird.

But Webby said that what “scares us the most” are indications from a Spanish mink farm, or among sea lions off South America, that the virus could be transmitting between mammals.

Ian Brown, virology head at the UK’s Animal and Plant Health Agency, said there has not yet been “clear evidence that this virus is easily sustaining in mammals.”

While the virus is changing to become “more efficient and more effective in birds,” it remains “unadapted to humans,” Brown told AFP.

Avian viruses bind to different receptors on the host cell than human viruses, Webby said.

It would take “two or three minor changes in one protein of the viruses” to become more adapted to humans, he said.

“That is what we’re really looking out for.”

– Vaccinating poultry –

One way to bring down the number of total bird flu cases, and therefore reduce the risk to humans, would be for countries to vaccinate their poultry, Webby said.

A few nations including China, Egypt and Vietnam have already held vaccination campaigns for poultry.

But many other countries have been reluctant due to import restrictions in some areas, and fears vaccinated birds that nonetheless get infected could slip through the net.

In April, the United States started testing several vaccine candidates for potential use on birds.

France recently said it hopes to start vaccinating poultry as early as autumn this year.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK’s chief veterinary officer, said that vaccinating poultry was not “a silver bullet because the virus changes constantly”.

But traditionally reluctant countries should consider vaccinating poultry more often, Middlemiss told AFP at an event at the UK’s embassy in Paris last week.

World Organisation for Animal Health director general Monique Eloit said that the issue of vaccinating poultry should be “on the table”.

After all, “everyone now knows that a pandemic is not just a fantasy — it could be a reality,” she added.

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Director of the Barbados Drug Service (BDS), Maryam Karga-Hinds, has provided an update regarding some of the drugs which have been affected by recent supply challenges.

Karga-Hinds stated that with respect to the steroid Prednisolone, which is used to treat several conditions, including asthma and Long-COVID, there have been a number of delays in shipment from the contracted supplier, causing the need for a second supplier to be contracted. The shipment of this drug is now scheduled to arrive in two to three weeks. The Drug Service is also currently searching for stock that is readily available.

Additionally, she said there has been an issue with the drug Androcur (Cyproterone), which is used to treat prostate cancer, where the manufacturers have been experiencing shortages with obtaining the raw materials. This has resulted in rationing, leading to buyers not receiving the amounts ordered from the suppliers.

Karga-Hinds noted that the Barbados Drug Service contracted a generic supplier to fill the need, but the product has to be manufactured and the generic is not expected to be ready before the end of June. There is a limited supply on island.

She further stated that in the past few months, there have been significant challenges with Epilim which is used to treat epilepsy. She pointed out that this is not a product which can be easily interchanged.

The local agent has indicated that small quantities of the 300 mg and 500 mg have been shipped, however, the 300 mg strength is scheduled for discontinuation by year-end. The Drug Service is actively looking for a replacement product.

The Director indicated that the supplier of Ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory drug, has advised that a limited supply is available on island and should be ready for sale shortly.

She also shared that a shipment of Ventolin liquid, which is used to treat asthma, is on its way to the island adding that, recently, a quantity of this drug expired and had to be destroyed because of the lack of demand. Ventolin tablet is no longer on the Barbados national drug formulary.

Karga-Hinds expressed regret over any challenges experienced by the public as it relates to availability of medication. She stated that the management and staff of the Barbados Drug Service will continue to do all in their capacity to re-establish supply of the items that are out of stock.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is committed to updating the public with relevant information as it becomes available.

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This call was considered by the medical advisor of the Executive Power, Jorge Marte Baez, as exaggerated because the data available to the authorities do not represent a situation that is cause for alarm.

“There is no doubt that there is an increase in cases, but this is not the first time that there are increases in passing cases in the last two months and that increase lasts for days and fades away. We cannot predict that this time it will be the same, but what we can know is that the number of cases requiring hospital admission remains the same,” said Marte Baez to Diario Libre.

The pneumologist explains that the slight increases in the infections could be due to the sub-variant of Omicron, called XBB.1.5, about which the World Health Organization (WHO) has alerted, which causes mild symptoms and which does not put the life of the patients at risk.

“It is not that we are not concerned, but it seems to me that some people and some entities have perhaps exaggerated this danger a little and are reflected above all in that, in a call to resume the use of masks,” said the doctor when affirming that the State health organizations are alert to any situation that requires a change in the recommendations that up to now have been given to the population.

The also medical director of the Centers for Diagnostic and Advanced Medicine and Medical Conferences and Telemedicine (Cedimat) said that a sign of the low danger so far of the new Covid-19 infections is that, in this center, one of the ones that have treated more patients with this disease, exceeding 26,000 in the last month and a half, only two patients have been admitted. The main reason has been that they have chronic conditions.

Pneumologists ask to resume using masks due to the increase of Covid-19 and other respiratory diseases.
HEALTH
Pneumologists ask to resume using masks due to the increase of Covid-19 and other respiratory diseases.
The Dominican Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery bases its call for using masks on the reports issued by pneumologists from this guild, who warn of an increase in Covid-19 infections.

“In recent weeks, the pulmonologists of the society at the national level, we have observed with concern the increase in the number of patients in consultations who are testing positive to Covid 19 influenza, pneumonia and other viral respiratory processes,” says the entity’s statement.

“It is time for our older adults, pregnant women and people suffering from diseases to start protecting themselves again,” said the pulmonologists’ society when reminding that even though the WHO declared the end of the health emergency due to Covid-19, it does not mean that it has ceased to be a threat to world health.

Public Health on alert
The Minister of Public Health, Daniel Rivera, called on the population not to be alarmed by the alert issued by the Dominican Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery about an increase in positive cases of Covid-19 in the country and assured that the situation is under control.

Rivera warned that Covid-19 is already an endemic disease and that permanent and timely monitoring is maintained by the Epidemiological Surveillance System of this institution that, allows the identification of health events and the taking of appropriate and effective decisions.

“It is not necessary to be alarmed; the Ministry has a permanent monitoring of the disease and has always offered the precise details and in case the data varies, the information will also be offered in a transparent manner, and if it is necessary to retake some measures, it would also be officially informed,” said Rivera when asking the citizenship not to be carried of rumors in networks.

Divided population
Citizens consulted by this media about the return of the use of masks reacted in favor and against this recommendation. Still, they indicated that if ordered, they would put them on again.

In this respect, Dionicio Jiménez says he is not currently using them because he does not consider it necessary. However, he is vigilant if the possibility of doing it again arises.

Others like Felix Caset say that they have never stopped using masks and will continue to use them indefinitely regardless of what the authorities say about it.

Meanwhile, owners of establishments with closed spaces said they would follow the rules established by the authorities in their businesses to help prevent contagion, if necessary.

While in the streets, some people are seen walking with their masks on.

The mandatory use of masks in workplaces and different public spaces was established by resolution 000016 of the Ministry of Public Health on June 22, 2020, and lifted on February 16, 2022; however, its optional use was recommended at that time.

With thousands of Haitians entering the country on Mondays and Fridays to participate in the Dajabón border market, Mayor Santiago Riveron alerted the population and, in the next few hours, will meet with Public Health authorities to prevent possible infected people from entering the trade fair.

So far, the Haitian authorities have not officially announced a cholera outbreak, and according to the information received, they have not taken the necessary sanitary measures.

Public Health authorities will meet to discuss the issue EXTERNAL SOURCE

WHAT IS CHOLERA?
Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by ingesting contaminated food or water. People with reduced immunity, such as malnourished children, are at a higher risk of dying if infected.

For this reason, the Ministry took this weekend to this demarcation of the -Ruta de la Salud- (Health Route).

The participating doctors measured glycosylated hemoglobin to determine blood sugar levels more accurately, thanks to the advanced technology glucometers they obtained.

The day
This was the twenty-third version of the -Health Route: change your lifestyle- where municipalities benefited from more than 35 health services and used advanced technology glucometers that contribute with greater precision to detect blood sugar levels and maintain control in people with diabetes.

Detection
The aim is to identify the major chronic diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, to apply preventive measures comprehensively and thus guarantee people access to quality, free, and humanized health services.

Dr. Daniel Rivera insisted that the incidence of diseases can be reversed with healthy lifestyles that include healthy eating, exercise, and reducing salt, saturated fats, alcoholic beverages, and sugar.

Health education
Dr. Rivera said one of the elements of interest in the Ruta de la Salud is that it can guide thousands of people and serve as multipliers in their communities.

Likewise, he said that diabetes and hypertension can be detected since many people have these ailments but are unaware of their condition. “We need 10,000 steps a day to reduce weight because this leads to hypertension, and here in Salcedo, we have the ideal agricultural production for a healthy diet,” said the doctor. However, he insisted that he wants people to be healthy and that it is unnecessary to go to health centers because there is enough health.

He said that digital glucose meters are high-tech devices that measure glycosylated hemoglobin in diabetic patients or for those who wish to monitor their glucose levels. They are part of a significant donation from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration through the Strengthening Project.