Diaz, who is a member of the Board of Reef Check, spoke of the quick and timely attention received by doctors Maritza Santana and Rafael de los Santos, assisted by nursing assistants Damaso Marte and Noelia Batista, along with the remote advice of his doctor Pedro Ivan Peralta.

“The care in the emergency was excellent. The personnel on the morning of January 24 took the correct steps,” Marcos Díaz indicated. The hospital’s director, Carolina Burgos, said that the center’s medical team frequently receives patients with stings and other injuries that arise in coastal areas.

Last Tuesday, January 24, after leaving the waters of La Boya, the athlete, Marcos Diaz, explained that he stepped on something with his right foot, which caused him severe pain. Initially, he thought it was a cut, but he quickly identified the spine pricks of the stonefish, a poisonous marine species known for its camouflage and lethal poison.

Knowing the risks, with urgency and the help of the surfing community in the area, the athlete acted quickly, submerging his foot in hot water to neutralize the poison. Díaz highlighted the immediate collaboration of the community, his friends, and the intervention of the health center doctors, which he defined as fundamental to addressing the situation efficiently and preserving the life of the outstanding Dominican swimmer. The stonefish, of rocky and camouflaged appearance, is recognized for its venomous spines capable of injecting a potent poison.

Santiago – A total of 22 patients were admitted yesterday for dengue fever at the Arturo Grullon Children’s Hospital in this city, of which three are in the intensive care unit but in stable condition.

Among those affected were a 17-year-old adolescent and other minors of 10 and 13 years of age who arrived at the hospital in delicate conditions.

The health center’s director, Dr. Mirna López, explained that so far this year there has been a decrease in the number of cases of the disease caused by mosquito bites.

Santiago, DR.- The escalation of dengue cases remains a concerning issue, with 22 individuals currently receiving treatment at the Arturo Grullón Regional University Children’s Hospital. Mirna López, the director of the health facility, disclosed that three of these patients are in intensive care. Notably, these cases were referred to the hospital from Montecristi, Puerto Plata, and Dajabón.

While providing an update, López acknowledged that, unfortunately, one death linked to the disease has been confirmed in the region this year. In response to the ongoing challenge, the hospital is actively preparing various areas to effectively manage and care for patients suspected of having dengue or other related pathologies.

Expressing concern for the well-being of the community, López issued a public invitation to remain vigilant for potential warning signs, particularly in children. Symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, bleeding, and weakness should prompt immediate attention and medical intervention.

Moreover, considering the recent bouts of rainfall in the region, López cautioned that the existing cases may see an increase. She strongly recommended that individuals take proactive measures to prevent the spread of dengue, emphasizing the importance of community awareness and cooperation to curb the potential surge in cases during this period.

Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of Public Health released its Wednesday update, revealing that the country has recorded 1,340 positive cases of COVID-19, with 10 individuals hospitalized “without major complications.”

In the latest weekly report, the agency highlighted the processing of 13,822 samples, emphasizing the robustness of the health system in confronting the coronavirus and its JN variant.

Remarkably, this marks the first time in weeks that Public Health reports hospitalizations due to COVID-19. Additionally, the previous week saw 986 cases, an increase of 193 compared to the week of January 3 to 10.

Encouragingly, no patients are currently in intensive care units (ICU) or on mechanical ventilation, underscoring the health system’s capacity to manage existing cases.

Public Health reiterated that the JN.1 variant is now identified as the predominant strain, present in 14 of the country’s 32 provinces.

Despite the challenges posed by new variants, the Dominican Republic’s epidemiological situation remains stable, attributed to citizen collaboration, the system’s strength, and the effective implementation of preventive measures.

The institution urged the public to stay informed through official sources and adhere to health recommendations to prevent further virus spread.

Since the onset of the pandemic, the Dominican Republic has confirmed 673,268 cases, resulting in 4,384 deaths, with no new fatalities reported since August 2022.

Punta Cana.- Phytosanitary authorities from the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and the United States recently conducted a thorough inspection of the area known as “ground zero” in Los Corales, Punta Cana, where the Mediterranean fly was recently detected. The purpose of the tour was to gather information on the current situation of the pest.

Minister of Agriculture, Limber Cruz, led the delegation, which included international authorities from USDA APHIS, OIRSA, and Plant Health technicians from the Dominican Republic. The team inspected the field, carefully reviewing traps equipped with special attractants for each sex of the flies. The number of captures displayed a decreasing trend, indicating effective control measures.

The investigations and site visits revealed that the Mediterranean fly is well-contained within the same perimeter where it was initially detected. Minister Cruz reassured the public, stating, “There is no need to fear; we have the situation well under control. The technical and support staff from the Moscafrut-RD program, along with experts from other countries, are working diligently.”

Rosa Lazala, director of Plant Health of Agriculture, emphasized that the captures in the traps have decreased, signaling positive results from the ongoing efforts. She commended the hard work of technicians from the MOSCAMED-RD program, the MOSCAFRUT Agriculture team, and international experts.

Lazala mentioned that sterile males would soon be introduced into the country as part of the protocol to address the small infestation of the pest. Additionally, efforts are underway to develop an eradication plan.

The Minister expressed gratitude to OIRSA authorities for providing support materials to the Ministry of Agriculture for inspection, trapping, and monitoring tasks in the area.

Various activities, such as fruit picking, product testing, sampling of possible incidents, sending tests to the laboratory, tree pruning, cleaning, and the placement of new traps, are being carried out in the designated protocol zone.

Last Friday, SGU donated a second Automated External Defibrillator to Grenada Lifeguards for use at the lifeguard tower in front of Camerhogne Park

View the full post Grenada beaches are safer! on NOW Grenada.

Santo Domingo.- Clínica Abreu, at the forefront of cutting-edge medical services, is celebrating a noteworthy accomplishment marked by the successful completion of its first-ever robotic surgeries in gynecology. This milestone serves as a testament to the clinic’s commitment to innovation and excellence in healthcare. Heading the team in the realm of robotic surgery is Dr. José D. Eugenio-Colón, a distinguished Dominican gynecologist renowned for his expertise in minimally invasive procedures..

With an annual experience of over 300-350 minimally invasive surgeries, covering diaphragmatic and cardiothoracic procedures, intestinal resections for endometriosis, fibroids, hysteroscopies, and cystoscopies, Dr. Eugenio-Colón has conducted approximately 1600 endometriosis procedures throughout his career. This wealth of experience significantly enhances the services provided by Clínica Abreu.

Utilizing the advanced Da Vinci robotic system, Dr. Eugenio-Colón and his team have achieved surgical precision and control. Robotic gynecological surgery offers numerous advantages, including smaller incisions, reduced infection risk, shorter recovery times, and a substantial decrease in postoperative pain. This technology is particularly valuable in treating complex conditions such as endometriosis, allowing for precise removal of affected tissue while minimizing damage to surrounding organs.

Moreover, robotic surgery has proven instrumental in preserving fertility and minimizing complications in intricate gynecological procedures. By enabling more precise incisions and minimizing tissue damage, the chances of a complete recovery and maintaining healthy reproductive function are heightened.

The incorporation of robotic surgery at Clínica Abreu not only solidifies its status as a healthcare leader and a premier medical tourism destination in the Caribbean but also broadens its service portfolio with cutting-edge technology. This reaffirms the clinic’s commitment to medical excellence.

“The donation, a significant move to enhance the islands’ healthcare service, is a generous gift from citizens Peter Benjamin and Cyril Sylvester”

View the full post Diaspora continues to support healthcare sector on NOW Grenada.

In 2021, Grenada opposed the Final Standard (FDCRS 5), resulting in vote shortfall of 75% majority needed

View the full post Caribbean still has no warning labels on unhealthy food on NOW Grenada.

Santiago, DR.– In a groundbreaking development, a team of doctors at the Santiago Metropolitan Hospital (HOMS), led by thoracic surgeon Jonathan Vargas, has successfully conducted three robotic lobectomies for lung cancer – a first in the country.

These cutting-edge surgeries contribute to the impressive tally of over 1,700 robotic surgical interventions at HOMS. The hospital has maintained optimal results, with no mortality and minimal complications well below the international average over nearly 11 years of experience.

Dr. Héctor Sánchez Navarro, Deputy Director of HOMS, expressed pride in the hospital’s continued advancement and role as the standard-bearer for robotic surgery in the Dominican Republic. The hospital now encompasses six specialties conducting robotic procedures, with the recent addition of thoracic surgery to existing specialties such as urology, oncology, obesity, gynecology, and colorectal surgeries.

Highlighting the hospital’s support for entrepreneurial Dominican doctors, Dr. Jonathan Vargas, with these three lung lobectomies, has become the country’s first robotic thoracic surgeon. Dr. Vargas was supported in these interventions by international expert Dr. Luis Herrera in thoracic robotic surgery, along with HOMS specialists Juan Félix Capellán, Director of Surgery, and José Álvarez Torres, Medical Director.