View the full post Grenada leads regional charge with PAHO HEARTS initiative on NOW Grenada.

View the full post Major sewer main breach in the south of the island on NOW Grenada.

A Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) orthopaedic technician has been charged under the Cyber Crime Act with transmitting the image of a private area of a person, police said Monday. Mr Treveir “Tratts” Sinclair, 20, of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown pleaded not guilty and was remanded to prison. City Magistrate Fabayo Azore remanded him to prison ...

Santo Domingo.- The National Convergence against Social Security Theft and the Primero Justicia Foundation filed a formal request with the Attorney General’s Office to include ARS Senasa, GBC Pharmacy, its owner Reymon Rodríguez, and former Superintendents Jesús Feris Iglesias and Miguel Ceara Haton in the ongoing embezzlement investigation. The case involves alleged fraud totaling around 41 billion pesos in the State Health Insurance (ARS) system.

Surun Hernández, spokesperson for the groups, criticized the lack of action by the Public Ministry nearly a year after the investigations began, highlighting the involvement of politically connected individuals. The request calls for preventive detention, freezing of bank accounts, and additional investigative measures. Hernández also questioned the rapid expansion of GBC Pharmacy, which grew from 50 to 188 branches in less than three years, suggesting it may have benefited from embezzled funds.

The civil groups stressed that the fraud affects 7.5 million insured members, not just ARS Senasa, and demanded swift and decisive action against all those responsible for the alleged misappropriation of funds, including high-profile political and business figures.

“29 September is recognised as the International Day of Awareness for Food Loss and Waste”

View the full post Cutting food waste, protecting our future on NOW Grenada.

It explains that, due to the accumulation of water and improper food handling or consumption of contaminated water, cases of dengue, leptospirosis, and acute diarrheal disease (ADD), among others, could increase.

The Health Agency emphasized that during the rainy season, there may be an increase in acute respiratory illnesses and epidemics. In this regard, people need to follow local recommendations for both prevention and treatment if they develop symptoms.

Authorities recommend drinking only potable water and avoiding water from unknown sources. They reminded everyone that, if potable water is unavailable, it must be purified by boiling, filtering, or applying 5 drops of chlorine per gallon and letting it sit for 30 minutes. This eliminates contaminants, reducing the risk of illness and health problems.

For domestic water storage, the Ministry recommends applying chlorine to the water stored in tanks using a clean cloth, spreading the chlorine evenly on the walls at the same level as the water, and keeping them covered to prevent the reproduction of mosquito larvae and, consequently, the spread of diseases such as dengue fever.

It also recommends washing and keeping kitchen utensils clean, eating safe foods and storing them properly, washing canned food before opening it, washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly, avoiding contact with contaminated water or animal feces, and avoiding exposure to factors that can cause leptospirosis.

Remind the public to consistently wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after using the bathroom, before eating, and before handling food.

Likewise, use tissues when sneezing to prevent the spread of flu viruses.

Proper waste disposal is also essential. Do not place garbage bags on the sidewalks during rain; instead, place them in containers or wait for the garbage trucks to arrive.

It instructs people not to self-medicate. Suppose they experience fever, diarrhea, vomiting, respiratory illness, or general malaise, among other symptoms. In that case, they should immediately go to the nearest health center, as it is properly stocked with the necessary supplies, equipment, and medications to address any eventuality.

In that same order, he urges maintaining special care with risk groups such as the elderly, people with chronic diseases and mental health disorders, and people with disabilities.

The health agency urges the population to adopt these measures and stay informed through official sources, such as the Dominican Institute of Meteorology (INDOMET) and the Emergency Operations Center (COE).

Pedernales, DR—The Minister of the Presidency, José Ignacio Paliza, spearheaded the implementation of the 911 National Emergency and Security Response System in the province of Pedernales, to ensure medical assistance, citizen safety, and provide a timely and effective response to any emergency in the area.

Paliza emphasized that “today we are implementing a system that brings together more than 30 Government institutions around one essential purpose: saving lives. Over these five years, 911 has embarked on a path of consolidation that has led it to a presence across much of the country, and today it is established in Pedernales, not only due to its tourism development, but also due to the quality of its residents.”

“Starting today, the people of Pedernales and its visitors will have permanent outpatient care and the support of the institutions that make up the 911 System. At the most crucial moment, when our lives are at risk, they will find the support of the State and the Government here to respond in a coordinated manner,” he added.

For his part, Randolfo Rijo Gómez, executive director of the 911 System, emphasized: “With the start of operations in Pedernales, the reach of the 911 System in the Dominican Republic extends to 26 provinces, expanding its coverage to 93% of the population. This means that more than 9.4 million citizens now have access to this essential emergency response service.”

“From now on, Pedernales has ambulances, fire trucks, vans, and highly trained personnel to provide timely assistance, seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day. This effort translates into peace of mind for families, confidence for communities, and improved conditions for the province’s development. We urge you to preserve this free service, which will benefit the entire community, by making proper use of it,” Rijo Gómez stated.

The 911 System is the coordinating body for response institutions such as the Directorate of Out-of-Hospital Emergency Services (DAEH), the National Police, the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC), the General Directorate of Traffic Safety and Land Transportation (DIGESETT), and the fire departments, which, along with 25 liaison agencies, will provide timely assistance to the community as well as to the tourism sector, whose potential in the southern region is beginning to develop.

Pedernales Governor Edirda De Óleo stated, “Pedernales exists. How can we not thank our President, Luis Abinader for all the effort he has put into our province? We are beyond grateful to our president and the great government team he leads.”

Juan Manuel Méndez García, director of the Emergency Operations Center (COE) and the DAEH, stated, “We prepared a facility that meets all established standards, and today we have thirteen new and equipped ambulances, staffed mostly by Pedernales personnel. That’s twelve people per ambulance to cover shifts and days off, which means men and women committed to preserving lives in this province.”

Following the rainy season, which has affected the country, infectious diseases may occur that must be prevented.

Rain is a factor in the transmission of infectious diseases because it carries microbes that contaminate the environment, water, and food, says Dr. Clemente Terrero, an infectious disease specialist at the Robert Reid Cabral Hospital.

Water and food can be contaminated with viruses, bacteria, and parasites, which, when consumed, can cause illnesses such as diarrhea, gastroenteritis, and sepsis, the latter being a serious and potentially life-threatening infection.

Humidity can also lead to the proliferation of fungi that cause skin diseases, such as athlete’s foot, the professional assures.

Atmospheric changes caused by rain favor the proliferation of new respiratory pathogen strains and increase disease, Terrero says.
Leptospirosis

Stagnant water can be contaminated with leptospira bacteria, which are transmitted through rat urine, and when human skin comes into contact with the agent.

Terrero specified that this is a disease that can cause leptospirosis, described as a serious, lethal infection with a high mortality rate.

Mosquitoes

Rainfall can create mosquito breeding grounds, particularly in water-filled containers, where Aedes aegypti mosquitoes breed. They transmit several diseases, including chikungunya, Zika, and dengue fever. The latter is considered endemic in the country and causes a high number of illnesses each year, always accompanied by a significant number of deaths.

Another disease that increases with the rains is malaria, which is transmitted by the bite of the Anopheles mosquito. The presence of this vector also increases during rainy periods.
In recent hours, the country has issued alerts for more than 20 provinces, categorizing them as green, red, or yellow due to the rains.

The National Health Service (NHS) reported on Friday that public hospitals have been reinforced as a preventive measure against the effects of an active tropical wave that continues to generate rain across much of the country, ensuring timely care for the population.

The director of SNS Hospital Centers, Yocasta Lara, explained that the Emergency and Disaster Committees were activated in the hospitals corresponding to the Regional Health Services of Ozama, Valdesia, and El Valle, following the weather warnings issued.

He explained that health centers are carrying out prevention and preparedness efforts, including cleaning and maintaining infrastructure, as well as providing medications, supplies, water, and cleaning materials. Security has also been reinforced in the Emergency areas, with inspections of power plants, water and fuel reservoirs, and the safeguarding of medical equipment, computers, and documents.

Likewise, hospital directors in the regions above were instructed to begin medical shifts today at 2:00 p.m.

With these actions, the National Health Service reaffirms its commitment to providing citizens with continuous, quality care, especially during atmospheric events that could put the population’s health at risk.

View the full post Possible widespread use of reused oils on NOW Grenada.