The director of the National Environmental Protection Service (Senpa), Captain René Rodríguez Álvarez, explained that the seven Dominicans arrested by the military troops were handed over to the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for the Defense of the Environment and Natural Resources (Proedemaren) for their submission to the courts.

Rodríguez Álvarez indicated that 16 animals were seized inside the park and 49 conucos were seized.
Also confiscated were two outboard motors and two boats that were illegally fishing in the Samaná Bay area, as well as seven tools.

The troops, who entered the park through Pilancón, Los Limones, Laguna Cristal and Sabana de la Mar, dismantled 12 shacks.

The intervention operation carried out by the Environment, in coordination with the Public Prosecutor’s Office and under the operational direction of Senpa, includes the participation of the General Directorate of Immigration and other government agencies.

The Army, the Navy and the Air Force of the Dominican Republic, as well as the National Police, the National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD), the National Investigations Department (DNI), the Joint Task Force Ciudad Tranquila (FTC-Ciutran) and the Military and Police Commission (Comipol) are participating in the intervention.

In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Council for Children (Conani), the General Directorate of Livestock, the Social Assistance Plan of the Presidency and the Economic Canteens of the Dominican State.

The military personnel alone exceed 200 men and women, distributed in five task forces, under the command of National Army Colonel Alejandro Santana Mota.

View the full post PWU president urges Government to rethink healthcare strategy on NOW Grenada.

“Different parts of the pumpkin can be used to secure different vitamins and phytonutrients the body needs”

View the full post The benefits of eating pumpkin on NOW Grenada.

Santo Domingo.- The director of SeNaSa emphasized that during his tenure alone, 1,549 codes have been granted to healthcare professionals. Additionally, he mentioned that he continued processing the 132 cases inherited upon assuming office, ensuring compliance with regulations set by the Superintendency of Health and Occupational Risks (Sisalril).

The executive director of SeNaSa stated that the Dominican ARS is currently handling 28 applications, with completion imminent, and only fourteen are awaiting evaluation. “Upon completion of this process, a total of 1,591 professionals from various healthcare fields will have their codes under our administration.”

He specified that these health professionals meeting supervisory body requirements are spread across the country and represent various specialties including family medicine, urology, cardiology, pediatrics, anesthesiology, psychology, proctology, perinatology, rheumatology, neurology, internal medicine, nephrology, hematology, and obstetrics-gynecology, among others.

“We are dedicated to fostering dialogue and collaborating on solutions that benefit our members the most. Our commitment remains ensuring access to quality services that comply with current standards,” stated Dr. Hazim.

He recalled the agreement reached last year with the Dominican Medical College and Sislaril, establishing the requirements for obtaining these codes through various meetings.

Dr. Hazim concluded by affirming SeNaSa’s ongoing commitment to open dialogue in pursuit of continual enhancements in member services.

View the full post Ministry of Agriculture suspends issuance of burn permits on NOW Grenada.

On Thursday, May 2, the following districts will be sprayed: Chelston Cross Gap, Chelston Avenue and Garden, Tamarind Avenue, Chapel Place, Dalkeith Village, Seamen Village, Bullens Avenue, Paddock Road and avenues, Kings Village, Deighton Road, and Gooding Land and avenues.

The fogging exercise for the week will conclude on Friday, May 3, when the Unit visits Dayrells Road, Brathwaite Gap, Gooding Road, Plum Close, Overdene Drive, Ventor Gardens, and surrounding districts.

Fogging takes place from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. daily. Householders are reminded to open their windows and doors to allow the spray to enter. Children should not be allowed to play in the fog.

Members of the public are advised that the completion of scheduled fogging activities may be affected by events beyond the Unit’s control. In such circumstances, the Unit will return to communities affected in the soonest possible time.

The post Fogging schedule for May 2 – 3 appeared first on Barbados Today.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental illness, experiencing emotional distress or harbouring thoughts of self-harm, a new 24-hour mental health hotline is officially here to help. 

Lifeline Barbados – 536-4500 – was officially launched Friday by the government to offer support for mental health issues.

Already, the helpline has received more than 300 calls since it began operating two months ago, revealing anxiety, depression, social issues, other personal matters, financial challenges, and thoughts of suicide among callers.

“The vast majority of the calls related to suicide ideation were categorised as low risk,” Minister of State in the Ministry of Health Davidson Ishmael told attendees at the helpline’s launch at the ministry’s Culloden Road offices. “What we found interesting and encouraging is that there were several calls from persons who simply wanted to speak to someone.”

Lifeline Barbados was established in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) with the goal of addressing the growing number of mental health challenges faced by Barbadians, particularly following the peak of the COVID pandemic, according to Ishmael.

In recent years, mental health has risen in importance for Barbadians, prompting the government to address the challenge, he said.

Ishmael said: “Barbadians would be acutely aware that we had a period of time in recent years where there was an unfortunate and undesirable spate of suicides which occurred within our island, and which captured the immediate attention of our government and varied stakeholders and partners within the mental health space. This captured attention quickly turned to robust planning, and that robust planning has led us to decisive action in the form of the creation of Lifeline Barbados.”

The hotline began operating “quietly” in February, operating from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily on two shifts, including holidays. Now, with help from the ministry’s partners, training for the hotline operators has been carried out, said the minister.

“The hotline is currently staffed by 15 persons, comprising the hotline manager, four supervisors, and ten hotline operators,” Ishmael said. “The operators who man the phones and interface with the caller will be responsible for providing general mental health information, emotional support and crisis intervention services. Accordingly, I can confirm that the entire hotline staff have been trained to perform their critical functions. With the support of our strategic partner PAHO/WHO, the ministry was able to engage the services of an international consultant to develop the standard operating procedures and to train the staff in the hotline in helpline crisis intervention techniques.”

The minister stressed that although the island’s suicide rate was well below the global average, suicide and self-harm were “fully recognised” as health issues prompting the need for the helpline.  

“Local health statistics show that on average, twice as many persons [have]sought out mental health services at our multiple polyclinics as compared to the pre-COVID years,” said Ishmael. 

“Lifeline Barbados has been established based on international best practice guidelines, and it is anticipated that it will further enhance our national response to mental health challenges, allowing for immediate and appropriate interventions and follow-up. Ultimately, the ministry’s objective is to ensure that all citizens have improved access to quality mental health services that meet their needs, without exposing them to any financial hardships or duress.”

The minister also assured that a complete restructuring of the country’s mental health framework was on the horizon.

(SB)

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Santo Domingo.- The Executive Director of the National Institute for the Protection of Consumer Rights (Pro Consumidor), Eddy Alcántara, announced on Thursday that the initial laboratory studies conducted by the institution on a dozen rice brands sold in the country revealed no presence of harmful metals detrimental to people’s health.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Pro Consumidor headquarters, Alcántara assured that these studies provide assurance that the rice consumed in the Dominican Republic poses no health risks to consumers.

The official elaborated that these laboratory examinations were prompted by complaints appearing in various media outlets alleging contamination of rice with heavy metals like mercury, copper, arsenic, and lead. “However, such concerns have been dispelled by the findings of these studies, which we are disclosing today,” he emphasized in a press release.

Alcántara clarified that the tests encompassed several domestic and imported rice brands sourced from supermarkets, grocery stores, warehouses, and other establishments. “This initial study of the marketed brands in the country ensures peace of mind and food sovereignty,” he added.

As the market surveillance authority, Alcántara affirmed that upon receiving reports from certain media outlets, they promptly collected samples for laboratory analysis. “As soon as we obtained these initial results, we are sharing them with the public,” he affirmed.

He asserted Pro Consumidor’s commitment to conducting further tests on other rice brands available in the national market until a comprehensive review is completed. Alcántara reiterated that if the presence of heavy metals is detected in any other rice brands, the responsible parties will face sanctions, and the product will be removed from the market, in accordance with consumer protection law 358-05.

He underscored that the regulations stipulate that “products and services must be supplied or provided in such a manner that, when consumed or used under normal or foreseeable conditions, they do not pose any danger, harmfulness, or unforeseen risks to the health and safety of the consumer or user.”

One in five women between ages 55 and 75 will experience a stroke in their lifetime, according to the American Heart Association.

There are two main types of strokes.

With an ischemic stroke, a blockage prevents blood from flowing properly to the brain. With a hemorrhagic stroke, a blood vessel bursts in the brain and causes bleeding, which damages brain cells.

While some risk factors such as age, race and family history can’t be changed, others can be mitigated through healthy lifestyle choices.

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Parag Shah, M.D., a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist who practices at Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville, Florida, shared some specific tips about how women can reduce their risk.

Here are five tips.

Research has shown that air pollution tends to impact women more than men in terms of inflammation, infection and heart disease.

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"According to a recent review, elevated levels of ambient air pollution — even just short-term exposure — can increase the likelihood of strokes," said Shah, who specializes in stroke rehabilitation.

"Health experts recommend checking the air quality in your area and, on high-pollution days, limiting time outside, turning on exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms, and using an air purifier in the home," he also said.

The Mediterranean diet — a plant-based nutrition plan that mimics the regional cuisines of the countries along the Mediterranean Sea, such as Italy and Greece — can reduce the health risks associated with strokes, according to Shah.

"Current research on preventing strokes is exploring an array of lifestyle factors," he told Fox News Digital. 

"This includes the Mediterranean diet, which highlights the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, olive oil and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like fatty fish, walnuts and flaxseed." 

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Practicing exercises that promote heart health and lessen stress can help reduce the possibility of stroke, Shah suggested. 

"Participating in physical activities like yoga, tai chi and strength training, while also giving importance to mindfulness techniques such as meditation and deep breathing exercises, could provide additional advantages in lowering the risk of strokes," he told Fox News Digital.

Sudden confusion, difficulty understanding, slurred speech, double vision, and numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body, are often overlooked signs of strokes, Shah warned.

TIAS AND MINI-STROKE RISKS: CARDIOLOGIST SHARES WARNING SIGNS AND PREVENTION TIPS

"Recognizing these signs is crucial, because quick identification and immediate medical attention greatly enhance the chances of recovery for stroke patients," he said.

Beyond the more obvious "textbook" stroke symptoms, there are some warning signs that tend to be overlooked until it’s too late.

"Factors like pregnancy, giving birth and hormonal changes such as menopause can heighten the likelihood of having a stroke," Shah told Fox News Digital. 

The use of oral contraceptives and hormone therapy can also raise this risk, the doctor added, as can hidden biological factors that make women more susceptible. 

"Scheduling regular health check-ups and staying knowledgeable about stroke symptoms and prevention methods are essential for maintaining good health," Shah said.

"Preventing most strokes is similar to the prevention of heart attacks," Dr. Laxmi Mehta, a cardiologist and director of preventative cardiology and women's cardiovascular health at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, told Fox News Digital.

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In her practice, Mehta typically recommends following the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8, which provides steps to improve or maintain cardiovascular health.  

These include four healthy behaviors and four health factors, as listed below.

1. Quit tobacco. Avoid cigarettes, vaping and other nicotine products, which have been proven to increase the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

2. Eat better. Following a healthy eating pattern that includes plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, lean protein, nuts and seeds can reduce stroke risk.

3. Be more active. Experts recommend participating in 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity weekly.

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4. Get healthy sleep. Adults should aim for seven to nine hours of sleep per night to reduce stroke risk, according to experts.

5. Manage blood pressure. A "normal" blood pressure is defined as a systolic pressure of less than 120 and a diastolic pressure of less than 80, according to the National Institutes of Health.

6. Manage cholesterol. High cholesterol levels have a proven link to stroke risk. A healthy range for LDL ("bad") cholesterol is 100 mg/dL or lower, as published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

7. Manage blood sugar. Excessive levels of glucose in the blood can increase the risk of fatty deposits or clots, which are a factor in strokes.

8. Achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese is one of the biggest risk factors and is linked to nearly one in five strokes, according to the World Stroke Organization.

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an official health alert advisory on Tuesday warning about reports of fake Botox injections that have landed some patients in the hospital.

Along with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and state and local health officials, the CDC said it is investigating a total of 22 cases across 11 states starting in Nov. 2023 through March 2024.

Cases have so far been reported in California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York City, Tennessee, Texas and Washington — all affecting women between 25 and 59 years of age. 

WHAT EXACTLY IS BOTOX?

The women have experienced "adverse effects" after being injected with "counterfeit botulinum toxin," the alert said.

The injections were all given by "unlicensed or untrained individuals" or in "non-health care settings, such as homes or spas."

The women's reported symptoms included blurred vision, drooping eyelids, dry mouth, fatigue, slurred speech, generalized weakness and shortness of breath.

Of the 22 cases, 11 women were hospitalized. 

None of the instances met the "case definition for botulism," the CDC noted.

No deaths have been reported.

Botulism is a "serious and sometimes fatal" illness that occurs when a toxin attacks the body’s nerves, according to the CDC.

Initial symptoms usually include muscle weakness around the eyes, face, mouth and throat — which could also spread to the neck, arms, torso and legs. 

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Other symptoms can include blurred or double vision, difficulty breathing, trouble swallowing, drooping eyelids, slurred speech and difficulty moving the eyes.

It is possible for people to experience some of these symptoms without having botulism.

Dr. Anne Truitt, a board-certified dermatologist in San Diego, California, said that doctors or clinicians injecting Botox or other injectables should ensure that the products come from a reputable source.  

"Injecting an unknown product at unknown concentrations into your body is really dangerous and potentially fatal," she told Fox News Digital.

Dr. Craig Lehrman, director of aesthetic surgery at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, noted that fake Botox has been an issue since the early 2000s.

"Unfortunately, I treat several patients a year who have received non-approved injectables of things they are told to be safe — which ends up having serious consequences," he told Fox News Digital.

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"It has mostly been linked to injections in settings such as someone's home or a poorly regulated med spa."

Botox is made from a specific type of Clostridium botulinum, a bacteria that produces paralysis in the muscles where it is injected, he said.

"The people receiving the presumed counterfeit Botox are suffering from an illness that is similar to botulism, caused by the same bacteria," he said.

There are strict safety criteria for the use and storage of Botox, and serious risks come with the injection of fraudulent or poorly managed products, Lehrman warned. 

"Botulism can carry detrimental effects ranging from infection, to permanent deformity, to serious wound formation."

"​​Cosmetic injections should be an FDA-approved product, administered by licensed providers and in licensed settings," the CDC stated. 

There has been a large increase in the number of people offering these services who are not board-certified in the fields of plastic surgery, dermatology or ENT, according to Lehrman. 

"I would advise potential patients to do their research on the person who will be injecting them — and not just search for the cheapest option," he said. 

"I would recommend going to a center that has rigorous standards of education and a track record of safety."

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In most cases, when administered properly, Botox injections are safe, according to experts.

"Botox has been well-tested and researched for many years," Truitt told Fox News Digital. "Used appropriately, it is safe and one of the best tools to reduce the effects of aging."

"Laboratory-confirmed cases of systemic botulism occurring after cosmetic or therapeutic injections of botulinum toxin are rare," the CDC said in its statement.

To ensure safety, Truitt said it's important to go to a licensed provider, and to avoid "Botox parties" and "pop-up" med spas.

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"The bottom line is that if it sounds too good to be true, then chances are it probably isn't true — or safe," she added.

Anyone who experiences botulism-like symptoms following an injection should seek medical attention, according to health officials.

Fox News Digital reached out to Abbvie (manufacturer of Botox) and the FDA requesting additional comment.

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