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)

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“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”

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

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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)

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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

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Santo Domingo.- Vice President Raquel Peña dismissed claims that the National Health Insurance (SeNaSa) is facing a financial crisis, responding to concerns raised by the opposition party Fuerza del Pueblo and the Dominican Medical Association.

Peña emphasized that SeNaSa’s finances are stable and that the government continues to support the institution. She cited President Luis Abinader’s recent remarks, stating that while more resources may be needed, there is no crisis. She also noted that nearly two million people have joined the system under the current administration, reflecting progress toward universal healthcare.

Her remarks came during the reopening of the Fencing Pavilion at the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center.

The opposition, however, claims SeNaSa has suffered a decline in management and finances, citing a rise in provider debt from 0.97% in 2020 to 44% in 2024, along with delays in medical services and operational issues. SeNaSa has yet to respond publicly to these accusations.

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