Santo Domingo.- Around 15% of the global population, or at least one billion people, live with some form of disability. This statistic includes nearly 240 million children, with a significant portion in Latin America and the Caribbean, where approximately 19.1 million children and adolescents have disabilities. However, 70% of school-age children and adolescents with disabilities in this region do not attend school. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, endorsed by the Dominican Republic, aims to ensure equal rights and freedoms for children with disabilities.

In the Dominican Republic, UNICEF highlights that one in ten children between 2 and 17 years old has a disability. The situation is more acute among the 5-17 age group, with 11.3% having a disability. Carlos Carrera, UNICEF’s country representative, points out that these children and their families face numerous barriers, including negative societal attitudes, lack of supportive policies, and limited educational and economic opportunities.

To address these challenges, significant initiatives have been undertaken in the Dominican Republic. In December 2022, 500 families with disabled children received a social protection bonus, spearheaded by First Lady Raquel Arbaje. This effort aims to ensure equal rights for these children and adolescents. Despite such measures, families like Antonia Peguero’s, who has a son with Down syndrome, still face hardships due to economic realities and high living costs.

Efforts to promote inclusive education are underway, with the Ministry of Education and UNICEF implementing pilot projects to transform education services for inclusive learning. This initiative involves the development of a National Inclusive Education Model to enhance inclusive education services in regular and special schools. UNICEF calls for societal change to overcome prejudices and eliminate barriers, ensuring inclusion for all children and adolescents with disabilities.

View the full post International Day of Persons with Disabilities on NOW Grenada.

Emphasis will be placed on four parishes this week when the Vector Control Unit of the Ministry of Health and Wellness continues its fogging exercise.

The programme starts in St Michael on Monday, December 4, with fogging at Lower Burney, Cutting Road, Mount Friendship Road and the environs.

On Tuesday, December 5, the team will journey to St Joseph, where Horse Hill, Orange Cottage, Vaughns Road 1, 2 and 3, Easy Hall, Bowling Alley Hill and the environs will be sprayed.

The following day, Wednesday December 6, attention will shift to St Philip where fogging will occur at Hill Drive, Apple Hall, Bottom Bay Road, Terrace Drive, Bottom Drive, Bay Drive, Ocean Drive and the environs.

On Thursday, December 7, the team will spray the St James districts of Jamestown Park, First and Second Street, Cherry Ave., Frangipani Row, Carnation Row, Orchid Row, Oleander Row and environs.

Fogging culminates on Friday, December 8, with a return to St Michael. The areas to be visited are Bank Hall, Dash Gap with Avenues, Quarry Road, Industry Road, Kew Road and the surrounding districts.

Fogging takes place from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., daily.

Householders are asked to assist in the control of the aedes aegypti mosquito and are reminded to open their windows and doors to allow the spray to enter. Persons with respiratory problems are asked to protect themselves from inhaling the spray.

Pedestrians and motorists should proceed with caution when encountering fogging operations on the street and parents are instructed to prohibit children from playing in the fog or running behind the fogging machine.

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 as soon as possible.

(PR)

The post Four parishes to be fogged this week appeared first on Barbados Today.

Guyana’s Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony and the Ministry of Health on Saturday hailed the contributions of former Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Americas, Dr Carissa Etienne who passed away suddenly on Friday. “The Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony is saddened ...

“The fans will be strategically placed throughout various areas of the hospital and will significantly improve the overall atmosphere”

View the full post ACB Grenada Bank helps beat heat at General Hospital on NOW Grenada.

Posted: Friday, December 1, 2023. 10:14 am CST.

By Zoila Palma Gonzalez: World Aids Day is recognized globally on December 1.

The day is set aside to bring together people from around the world to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and demonstrate international solidarity.

The day is being observed under the theme, “Let communities lead”.

World Aids Day is an opportunity to reflect on the progress made to date, to raise awareness about the challenges that remain to achieve the goals of ending AIDS by 2030 and to mobilize all stakeholders to jointly redouble efforts to ensure the success of the HIV response.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) is hosting a World Aids Day Health fair today in Belmopan.

The fair is being held at the steps of the National Assembly.

The Ministry will be offering free HIV and Syphilis testing, Hepatitis B testing and glucose and blood pressure checks.

The fair commenced at 9am and ends at 3pm.

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-601-0315.

© 2023, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.

Comments

jQuery(function() {var $breakslider627242429 = jQuery( ".break-slider-627242429" );$breakslider627242429.on( "unslider.ready", function() { jQuery( "div.custom-slider ul li" ).css( "display", "block" ); });$breakslider627242429.unslider({ delay:4000, autoplay:true, nav:false, arrows:false, infinite:true, animation:'fade', speed:0 });$breakslider627242429.on("mouseover", function(){$breakslider627242429.unslider("stop");}).on("mouseout", function() {$breakslider627242429.unslider("start");});});

jQuery(function() {var $breakslider1964479303 = jQuery( ".break-slider-1964479303" );$breakslider1964479303.on( "unslider.ready", function() { jQuery( "div.custom-slider ul li" ).css( "display", "block" ); });$breakslider1964479303.unslider({ delay:4000, autoplay:true, nav:false, arrows:false, infinite:true, animation:'fade', speed:0 });$breakslider1964479303.on("mouseover", function(){$breakslider1964479303.unslider("stop");}).on("mouseout", function() {$breakslider1964479303.unslider("start");});});

jQuery(function() {var $breakslider1595691713 = jQuery( ".break-slider-1595691713" );$breakslider1595691713.on( "unslider.ready", function() { jQuery( "div.custom-slider ul li" ).css( "display", "block" ); });$breakslider1595691713.unslider({ delay:4000, autoplay:true, nav:false, arrows:false, infinite:true, animation:'fade', speed:0 });$breakslider1595691713.on("mouseover", function(){$breakslider1595691713.unslider("stop");}).on("mouseout", function() {$breakslider1595691713.unslider("start");});});

window._taboola = window._taboola || [];
_taboola.push({
mode: 'thumbnails-a',
container: 'taboola-below-article-thumbnails-',
placement: 'Below Article Thumbnails',
target_type: 'mix'
});

The post Ministry of Health and Wellness hosts World Aids Day Health Fair in Belmopan appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.

Want to stay on top of the science and politics driving biotech today? Sign up to get our biotech newsletter in your inbox.

Hello, everyone. Damian here with a rebound for biotech stocks, the potential of Wegovy, and a major change at the FDA.

The need-to-know this morning

• Abbvie said it would acquire ImmunoGen, a maker of cancer drugs, for $10.1 billion. ImmunoGen is being acquired for $31.26 per share, or a 95% premium to its Wednesday closing price. The company markets an antibody-drug conjugate called Elahere used to treat ovarian cancer.

Continue to STAT+ to read the full story…

Santo Domingo.- Yesterday, the United States Embassy made a significant contribution to the Dominican Republic’s efforts to combat African Swine Fever (ASF) by donating laboratory equipment and technical assistance worth US$3 million to the Central Veterinary Laboratory (Lavecen). The donation ceremony at Lavecen was led by Vice Minister Darío Vargas and Acting Minister Counselor of the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo, Ted Bryan.

This donation is part of a larger aid package from the Agricultural Health and Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture, which has provided US$30 million to the Dominican Ministry of Agriculture since ASF was detected in July 2021.

The funds have been utilized for various purposes, including the acquisition of laboratory equipment, PCR test equipment, reagents, and diagnostic support materials. Additionally, they have facilitated the continuous sampling of potentially infected pigs. The support also extends to providing a technical team responsible for offering training and support to local staff, along with training in data collection by American epidemiological experts.

Ted Bryan highlighted the U.S.’s continued support since July 2021, noting that over US$16 million has been compensated to Dominican pig farms that have incurred losses due to the disease. This collaboration underscores the strong partnership between the two countries in addressing agricultural health challenges.

Heading into the party season, partaking of too many holiday spirits can leave you with an unwelcome hangover — and can also wreak havoc on your gut health.

"In addition to being a significant contributor to weight gain due to high-calorie density, alcohol can also reduce our ability to fight infections and increase the risk of developing diseases, food intolerances and sensitivities — all as a result of poor gut health," said Dr. Gill Hart, biochemist and scientific director at U.K.-based YorkTest, a health and wellness company that provides lab tests for food sensitivities and allergies.

"Gut health" refers to the health of your entire gastrointestinal tract, including all the bacteria within your digestive system. 

THESE ARE THE WORST DRINKS FOR YOUR HEALTH, ACCORDING TO NUTRITIONISTS

When the balance of "good" and "bad" bacteria is thrown out of whack, it can have a ripple effect on all aspects of your health. 

Hart shared with Fox News Digital seven ways that alcohol can impact gut health. She also shared tips on how to reduce those negative effects.

"Alcohol impacts our gut, causing imbalances in our healthy/unhealthy gut bacteria, exacerbating gut permeability and impacting our immune systems," Hart said.

A majority of the immune system — around 70% — is found in the gut, she said.

THE 11 BEST HIGH-FIBER FOODS TO INCORPORATE INTO YOUR DIET

"Since alcohol can compromise healthy bacteria, it’s essential to take steps to protect your gut biome when you drink to protect your immune system," she said.

Hart recommends aiming to stay within drinking guidelines, whatever that means for you.

That might mean having a minimum of three sober days per week, or only having alcohol with or after a meal to reduce absorption.

"Focusing on consuming foods rich in prebiotics, probiotics and fiber can help to restore a healthy gut biome and support your immune system," Hart said.

It’s not always just the alcohol (ethanol) that can irritate the gut. Sometimes other ingredients in alcoholic drinks can have negative effects, some of which aren’t always obvious, Hart warned.

"The grapes, wheat, barley, hops, yeast and other ingredients — such as fruits and dairy in cocktails and mixers — can all irritate your gut, causing inflammation," she said.

Those ingredients can also contribute to food intolerances and sensitivities, causing symptoms such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bloating, low energy, low mood, headaches and even skin issues like eczema or psoriasis.

"Gassy drinks, such as mixers, often include artificial sweeteners that are not usually gut-friendly, so try to avoid these," Hart recommended.

It’s also important to consider the impact of the added sugars that are often present in alcoholic drinks, which are known to contribute to a higher risk of diabetes. 

"Those with type 2 diabetes may have a less diverse and balanced gut biome than non-diabetic individuals," Hart said.

CANCER RISK COULD INCREASE WITH CONSUMPTION OF CERTAIN FOODS AND DRINKS, STUDY FINDS

"Diabetes is the most common known cause of gastroparesis, a condition that affects how you digest your food," she said.

Symptoms of this condition include nausea, heartburn and bloating.

"To reduce diabetes risk, try to reduce or avoid consuming alcoholic drinks that are higher in sugar, such as cocktails, pre-mixed drinks, alcopops, liqueurs, cider, fortified wines and sherry," Hart suggested.

"A key takeaway is the effect of alcohol on the liver, which is also linked to gut health," Hart said. 

"Imbalances in the gut biome are linked to gastritis, which causes the stomach lining to become inflamed, and fatty liver disease, which leads to fatty tissues affecting optimal digestive function," she went on.

While only 60% of liver diseases are caused by alcohol, studies have shown that the most common cause of alcohol-related death in the U.S. is alcoholic liver disease.

An estimated one in eight total deaths among U.S. adults aged 20 to 64 years is attributed to excessive alcohol use, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

EXPERIMENTAL WEIGHT LOSS DRUG COULD HELP TREAT FATTY LIVER DISEASE IN PEOPLE WITH OBESITY, STUDY FINDS

"The best way to reduce the effect of alcohol-related liver disease is to stop drinking alcohol or stick to the recommended Dietary Guidelines for Americans, limiting intake to two drinks or less a day for men and one drink or less for women," said Hart.

Excessive alcohol consumption can also inhibit the production of digestive enzymes, Hart warned, making it more difficult for your body to break down, digest and absorb food.

"This leads to an imbalance in the gut biome, with partially digested food being a cause of bloating and gas," she said.

When planning meals during a "heavy drinking season," she suggests focusing on foods that help to optimize your gut microbiome — "the 100 trillion bacteria that live in your gut that are crucial for your health."

Fermented foods, such as yogurt, kefir, kimchi and sauerkraut, contain probiotics that help to nourish and protect the gut, Hart added.

"The long-term effects of excessive alcohol consumption really are sobering," said Hart. 

"Alcohol is a depressant — it contributes to depression, anxiety and heightened stress levels, and its negative effects on mental health are far more than most of us are ever likely to admit."

High levels of stress can inhibit the digestive system in similar ways to alcohol, she warned — "although the heightened stress levels after drinking alcohol often linger longer, making any dietary efforts to improve gut health after a drinking session less impactful."

To help calm the digestive system and support gut health and immunity, Hart said it’s important to cultivate a "relaxation response."

"Taking time to rest and recharge after a night of drinking alcohol, in whatever way that works for you, is essential to support your mental wellness and gut health," she added.

"While it’s important to keep hydrated when drinking alcohol, drinking more water or soft drinks isn’t going to offset the effect that alcohol has on your gut," Hart said.

"However, if drinking more water — or soft drinks such as kombucha tea or low- to no-alcohol beverages — means drinking less alcohol, then this is the best way to reduce the risk of negative effects that alcohol can have on your gut and overall health."

Hart suggests starting the evening with a zero- or low-alcohol drink, then alternating consuming alcoholic drinks with water to avoid dehydration (and a hangover).

Better yet, low-alcohol or no-alcohol wine and beers make it easier to drink socially without alcohol, which Hart said is a much better choice for your health.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"Aside from reducing alcohol consumption as a whole, simple diet changes such as avoiding sugary and carbonated mixed drinks, replacing alcohol with low- or no-alcohol alternatives, and only drinking alcohol with or after food can reduce the negative effects of alcohol on your gut health," Hart added. 

Additionally, making an effort to consume fermented foods post-drinking is important to restore your microbiome for a healthy gut. 

Hart added, "Taking a closer look at the ingredients in alcoholic drinks and taking a food sensitivity test can also be important to identify any foods in your diet that could contribute to discomfort and poor gut health."

For more Health articles, visit foxnews.com/health

Santo Domingo.- This Wednesday, the Essential Medicines and Central Logistics Support Program (PROMESE/CAL) conducted a reading of the economic proposals for the National Public Tender reference PROMESE/CAL-CCC-LPN-2023 0011. This process will allocate 2.338 billion pesos for the purchase of medicines.

Adolfo Pérez, the director of PROMESE/CAL, stated that this procurement is a part of the institution’s annual planning. It will include not only medicines but also health supplies to ensure the National Public Health System and People’s Pharmacies’ needs are met.

Pérez emphasized the administration’s commitment to transparency in its processes. He expressed confidence that these efforts would lead to the restoration of trust in the state, its institutions, and public servants.

Over the past three years, under the government led by President Luis Abinader, more than 40 billion pesos have been allocated for purchasing medicines and health supplies, including high-cost medications. Pérez also highlighted the effectiveness of adhering to Law 340-06 on Purchasing and Contracting, leading to significant savings for the state while enhancing health coverage.

The event, held at a hotel in the capital, was conducted publicly in the presence of notaries public, bidders, a compliance officer from the Public Procurement Directorate, the PROMESE/CAL purchasing committee, media representatives, and opinion leaders. This public approach underscores the commitment to transparency and integrity in the procurement process.