View the full post Nexa Credit Union launches Healthier Nation Initiative on NOW Grenada.

View the full post No formal correspondence received regarding US visa restriction on NOW Grenada.

Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of Public Health reported that, up to week 31 of this year, the Dominican Republic has recorded 697 confirmed malaria cases and 165 dengue cases, with no deaths from either disease. In the last week alone, six new malaria cases were detected, mainly in Azua and San Juan, with 68.7% of infections occurring in men.

For dengue, infections are evenly distributed between men and women, though most cases occur in people aged 10 to 19. The provinces with the highest incidence include Elías Piña, Valverde, Espaillat, Monte Cristi, María Trinidad Sánchez, and San Juan.

No new leptospirosis cases were reported this week, although 35 have been confirmed this year, most in men and a significant portion among Haitian nationals. Authorities also confirmed the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and metapneumovirus in the country, and continue prevention, testing, and community education efforts to curb the spread of these diseases.

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Society of Infectious Diseases has advised the public to avoid consuming raw or undercooked seafood, particularly oysters, and to prevent exposing wounds to potentially contaminated water. These measures help guard against Vibrio vulnificus, commonly known as the “flesh-eating” bacteria.

Dr. Yori Roque, president of the organization, urged calm and discouraged spreading unverified diagnoses, noting that other bacteria such as E. coli, Shigella, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Klebsiella can also cause serious illnesses. Vibrio vulnificus naturally occurs in warm marine and brackish waters, especially near the coast, and its prevalence can rise after storms or floods.

Authorities clarified that the recent death in the country is not linked to Vibrio vulnificus. The patient had died from acute dehydration related to gastroenteritis and an abdominal infection of unknown origin. The Ministry of Public Health is awaiting autopsy authorization and microbiological test results from food establishments visited by the patient. For now, there is no confirmed connection to the flesh-eating bacteria, and officials continue to urge calm.

The Caribbean’s medical response to hurricanes, floods and other crises is set to get a major boost with the launch of a regional disaster medicine centre here, aimed at strengthening health systems and training frontline responders, university officials said Wednesday.

The Emergency and Disaster Medicine Centre (CEDMed) of the Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM), is a regional hub dedicated to strengthening medical preparedness and resilience in the face of natural disasters and other crises.

Senior Associate Dean of External Affairs Dr Rhonda McIntyre told the launch at the university’s Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre campus that CEDMed was born out of a clear and urgent need to address medical deficits when natural disasters strike the region.

“Resilience must be built into every layer of our societies, our infrastructure, our institutions, and our people,” she said. “Even in the face of disaster, we have seen a level of unity and cooperation unmatched at other times in our history. It is the spirit of resilience, solidarity, and hope that defines us and fuels the launch of the Ross University School of Medicine, Caribbean Emergency and Disaster Medicine Centre (CEDMed) – a new hub for building capacity across the region.”

Between 2000 and 2023, the Caribbean endured 793 climate events, according to the Central Bank of Barbados’ 2023 Financial Stability Report. Tropical storms made up just over half, and floods accounted for 32 per cent. Dr McIntyre pointed to staggering costs – more than US$181bn ($362bn) in storm-related losses.

“Here in Barbados, 14 recorded events over that period caused nearly US$300m [$600m],” she said, noting that disasters such as hurricanes exacerbate diseases, create lasting mental health challenges, and repeatedly stall regional development.

Senior Associate Dean of External Affairs at RUSM, Dr Rhonda McIntyre. (SB)

Reflecting on Hurricanes Maria and Irma, as well as the strain the COVID-19 pandemic placed on health systems, Dr McIntyre stressed that “institutional preparedness, trained responders, and community resilience are critical”.

While acknowledging that existing frameworks are in place, she said CEDMed offered something “transformative; a commitment to help build knowledge, train hands, and equip healthcare and emergency workers with the skills and strategies our region can rely on when disaster strikes”.

Through specialised training such as emergency cardiovascular care courses, expert partnerships, and disaster medicine programmes, CEDMed aims to fortify regional health systems and improve outcomes during crises, she said.

“The RUSM CEDMed Centre is more than a hub, it’s a beacon of a safer, stronger, and more sustainable Caribbean,” Dr McIntyre declared.

The first phase of the project will focus on establishing the centre and refining training programmes geared towards disaster response. Phase two will expand its offerings, and phase three will deepen partnerships with stakeholders. The centre’s objectives include developing a highly skilled workforce, providing regular refresher training, producing impactful research to guide policy, and building strong community engagement.

“Our vision is a resilient Caribbean health sector ready to meet the demands of emergencies and future disasters. Our mission is to build regional strength through advanced education, hands-on skills development, and pioneering research,” Dr McIntyre said. (SB)

The post Ross University launches regional disaster medicine hub to boost resilience appeared first on Barbados Today.

Washington.- The U.S. State Department announced on Wednesday that it has revoked visas and imposed restrictions on several Brazilian officials, former Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) representatives, and their relatives, citing alleged complicity with the Cuban government in the “Mais Médicos” program. Washington describes the initiative as a form of “coercive labor export” that exploits Cuban medical personnel.

Those sanctioned include Brazilians Mozart Julio Tabosa Sales and Alberto Kleiman, who held positions in the Ministry of Health during the program’s operation. According to the U.S., they helped plan and implement the scheme, using PAHO as an intermediary to bypass Brazilian constitutional requirements, evade U.S. sanctions, and channel payments to the Cuban government instead of the medical workers. The State Department noted that dozens of Cuban doctors reported being exploited through the program.

The announcement coincided with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva rejecting reciprocal tariffs on the U.S., calling instead for BRICS unity against what he sees as politically motivated U.S. trade policies. Lula also dismissed a U.S. report claiming Brazil’s human rights situation worsened in 2024, accusing Washington of demonizing its opponents. Meanwhile, Senator Marco Rubio revealed new sanctions targeting Cuba, Grenada, and several African nations under similar accusations.

Thousands of Guyanese nurses, who left their homeland to work overseas for higher salaries, could begin returning to Guyana to take up lucrative job offers, President Irfaan Ali said on Wednesday night. He told his People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) campaign meeting for the September 1 general and regional elections, that once his party is ...

View the full post GFNC in Carriacou: Curious Little Hands in the Kitchen on NOW Grenada.

Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader identified improving tax collection at state-owned electricity distribution companies (EDE) as one of his administration’s biggest challenges. Speaking at a press conference at the National Palace, he highlighted that while many citizens receive subsidies for electricity, others do not, and addressing the EDE’s financial deficit remains critical despite investments in power infrastructure.

Abinader also noted significant progress in electricity generation, forecasting a 15% surplus by the end of his term, with substantial growth in renewable energy capacity.

On another front, the president acknowledged the complexity of the country’s mental health issues, describing them as part of a broader, universal problem. He expressed personal impact over a recent violent attack in Santo Domingo’s Naco neighborhood, where a close associate of First Lady Raquel Arbaje was killed. In response, Public Health Minister Víctor Atallah announced plans to tender construction of two new mental health centers in Espaillat and Azua, along with a pilot program to provide psychological services in hospital emergency rooms.

Colorectal cancer rates have soared among younger Americans, new research has found — and there might not always be obvious symptoms.

The lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) is one in 24 for men and one in 26 for women, according to the American Cancer Society.

It is the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and the fourth in women, but is the second most common cause when the numbers for men and women are combined.

ACTOR WITH COLORECTAL CANCER SHARES SIMPLE SIGN THAT HE IGNORED: ‘I HAD NO IDEA’

While there may be no symptoms of CRC before diagnosis, especially in the early stages, the following signs and symptoms should not be overlooked, experts say.

According to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, some symptoms of the disease can be similar to other causes, like hemorrhoids, infection or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

But a change in bowel habits — including diarrhea, constipation, narrow stools or feeling like your bowels are full even after a movement — can be a sign of CRC.

COLORECTAL CANCER DIAGNOSES SOAR AMONG YOUNGER ADULTS FOR ONE KEY REASON

Fight Colorectal Cancer, a leading patient advocacy group, noted on its website how bowel movements can change due to diet, infections, medications and other medical issues.

A change in bowel movement schedule or stool appearance could also signal CRC.

Fight CRC recommends calling a doctor if your stool is consistently abnormal, if you have sudden urges to pass stool but can’t control it, if the stool is black, clay-colored, red or white, or if there is mucus or pus in the stool.

Skinny, thin or pencil-like stool may also indicate an obstruction in the colon, like a tumor, but can also be caused by other harmless, temporary conditions.

Persistent discomfort in the abdomen is another CRC symptom, the Colorectal Cancer Alliance reported on its site.

This can include feelings of pain, nausea, cramping, bloating or feeling unusually full, even after not eating much.

Severe, "knife-in-my-stomach type" abdominal pains warrant a visit to the emergency room, Fight CRC instructed — but even mild pains shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Blood in the stool, toilet or when wiping with toilet paper can be a major sign of colorectal cancer.

Fight CRC stressed that any amount of rectal bleeding is not normal and should be brought to a doctor’s attention for proper diagnosis.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Since blood in the stool is a common symptom, Fight CRC instructed paying attention to where the blood is found, how often it occurs and whether bowel movements are painful.

Unexplained weight loss can sometimes be caused by cancer and should be brought to the attention of a doctor, according to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.

Weight loss is the result of cancer cells "consuming the body’s energy" as they multiply, Fight CRC explained, as the immune system expends more energy to fight and destroy cancer cells.

This can also lead to feeling fatigue, weakness or shortness of breath.

These symptoms may also be a sign of anemia, which can develop from bleeding somewhere inside the body, like from a cancerous tumor.

Weight loss can also be caused by a tumor blocking the colon or intestinal tract, which prevents proper nutrient absorption.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Paul Oberstein, M.D., medical oncologist at NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center, commented that the most concerning symptoms are those that are persistent or recurrent.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

"These include pain in the abdomen, changes in bowel habits (including thin, pencil-like stools), diarrhea or new constipation, though these symptoms are very general and are usually only concerning if they are sustained," he said.

Alarming symptoms that warrant prompt medical attention include any sign of rectal bleeding or blood in the stool, unintentional weight loss, or new fatigue that is accompanied by evidence of anemia or low blood counts, according to the doctor.