The University of Guyana (UG) has introduced a Bachelor of Science Degree in Respiratory Care (BSRC) programme, making Guyana the first country in the Caribbean region to have conceptualised such an initiative in its healthcare education system, officials said Wednesday. It was developed within a record time of 11 months. The programme, a collaboration between ...

Santo Domingo.- On Wednesday, the Chamber of Deputies approved a school food and nutrition bill in its second reading, prohibiting the sale of sugary drinks and processed foods in school cafeterias. The bill, authored by Deputy Nelsa Soraya Suárez, aims to promote healthier eating habits among students by banning the promotion, sale, or distribution of ultra-processed products with high sugar or sodium content, as well as sugary drinks, in school cafeterias.

Article 31 of the bill emphasizes that “food consumed in schools must provide the necessary nutrients for the physical and intellectual development of children.” The law mandates that food served to children in schools must be prepared on school premises. Educational authorities are responsible for ensuring that the necessary physical facilities are in place to implement this provision.

The bill aims to guarantee better control, supply, and quality of school food, while also preventing any risk of food contamination. Until all school kitchens are fully installed, external food providers will continue to offer their services.

Article 57 of the initiative prioritizes the purchase of agricultural products from local sources where the schools are located. The bill aims to support family farming and preserve food culture through collaboration with local producers.

Santo Domingo.- In response to the presence of anthrax in Haiti, the General Directorate of Migration (DGM) has implemented sanitary measures to protect checkpoint staff from potential infection. Director General Venancio Alcántara advised DGM members to regularly sanitize their work areas with alcohol, following guidelines from the Ministry of Public Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

The DGM is also urging those arriving from Haiti to report any symptoms of the disease immediately to health authorities to prevent its spread in the Dominican Republic. The agency has distributed information packets to employees at airports, ports, docks, and especially border crossings, detailing the symptoms of anthrax and its modes of transmission.

Santo Domingo.- Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez assured that anthrax, which has raised health concerns in Haiti, remains under control in the Dominican Republic. He confirmed that no cases of the bacteria have been reported entering the country as of now.

Before attending a session with Attorney General Miriam Germán, Álvarez stated that the Ministries of Health and Defense are overseeing all entry points to prevent the bacteria from crossing into Dominican territory.

On a different note, the Foreign Minister expressed optimism about the new Haitian government led by Garry Conille. He praised Conille’s extensive experience and the skilled team he has assembled to manage the Haitian State.

Regarding the Kenyan-led peacekeeping mission, Álvarez noted that Kenyan troops are now patrolling alongside Haitian police, and results from these efforts are expected soon.

r ...

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Tuesday announced that Guyana has embarked on a plan to make HIV (Human Immuno-deficiency Virus) treatment widely available at all health facilities in order to weed out fears of stigma and discrimination by infected persons going to special treatment centres. “One of the things that we’re doing right now ...

“Breastfeeding is the safest way to feed your baby; post-disaster, water for cleaning bottles and teats is limited”

View the full post Complementary feeding for babies and toddlers post-disaster on NOW Grenada.

Santo Domingo.- Francisco García Espinal, the provincial director of Public Health in Dajabón, has advised the public to practice handwashing, wear masks, and maintain social distancing to prevent anthrax transmission.

García Espinal is awaiting new guidelines and health protocols from the Ministry of Public Health to prevent anthrax cases detected in Haiti from spreading to the Dominican Republic. He emphasized that food imports from Haiti have been under close scrutiny for several months.

“We are continuously monitoring and removing food products from Haiti,” he stated.

While the Ministry of Public Health plans to implement further interventions, García Espinal stressed the importance of following current preventive measures. He urged citizens to remain vigilant and avoid contact with anyone who may be infected.

Anthrax, an airborne bacteria, can infect the airways, causing fever, malaise, and skin sores, which can severely impact the immune system. The disease primarily causes fever, pneumonia, and respiratory issues, and can be fatal if not addressed promptly.

Santo Domingo.- Eddy Alcántara, the executive director of the National Institute for the Protection of Consumer Rights (Pro Consumidor), announced on Monday that the agency will take stringent measures against businesses that expose bottled water to sunlight due to the health risks it poses.

Alcántara highlighted that Pro Consumidor, during a major operation in 2021 at the start of his administration, had already urged business owners, including grocery stores, supermarkets, and warehouses, to avoid exposing bottled water to direct sunlight.

He instructed the departments of Good Commercial Practices, Inspection and Surveillance, and Consumer Education to intensify verification efforts to rectify this harmful practice.

Alcántara warned that if businesses fail to relocate water bottles to appropriate storage areas, stricter measures and sanctions, first implemented in 2021, will be enforced. These measures include recommending the removal of products from establishments that do not comply with Law 358-05 on Consumer Rights Protection.

Research indicates that bottled water exposed to sunlight can release harmful dioxins and chemicals due to sudden temperature changes. To address this, Alcántara instructed inspectors to promptly notify businesses engaging in this harmful practice.

He emphasized that all operations related to inspection, surveillance, and good business practices are ongoing to ensure compliance with consumer protection laws and the directives of Pro Consumidor’s Executive Directorate.

Political decisions taken this year will determine whether a target to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 can be reached, the United Nations (UN) said Monday. Figures from 2023 show a drop in new infections and fatalities and improvement in access to treatment for HIV-positive patient. But while those figures look positive,...