Santo Domingo.- According to Elbi Morla, the former president of the Dominican Society of Pediatric Endocrinology, there are currently between 1,500 to 2,000 children under the age of 18 in the Dominican Republic who have been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, a chronic disease characterized by high blood sugar levels.

Morla stated that the number of children diagnosed with diabetes has increased since the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. The average annual diagnosis rate has risen from 150 to approximately 250 cases per year.

If left uncontrolled, diabetes can lead to various complications such as blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, strokes, and lower limb amputations.

Morla explains in his book, “My son has diabetes. What should I do?”, that diabetes can be present from birth in some children, but it is more commonly diagnosed between the ages of 5-7 and 10-14. Children with diabetic relatives are more prone to developing the condition, with a 5% risk when one parent is diabetic and a 15-20% risk when both parents are.

The specialist notes that the most common form of diabetes in children is type 1 diabetes, which requires insulin treatment. However, the frequency of diagnoses of type 2 diabetes, which is typically associated with adults, is increasing in obese children and adolescents.

Morla emphasizes five essential aspects of diabetes management in children and adolescents: diabetes education for the patient and their family, a proper dietary plan, insulin administration, exercise, and mental health care.

Clemente Terrero, the director of Robert Reid Cabral Hospital, mentioned an increase in cases of diagnosed diabetes in children. He noted that these children often require hospitalization due to their decompensated condition upon arrival at the hospital. Although he did not provide specific numbers, Terrero stated that diagnoses have become more frequent after the COVID-19 pandemic.

A similar situation was observed at Hugo Mendoza Hospital, where Dhamelisse Then, the hospital’s director, described the number of children arriving at the hospital with ketoacidosis (diabetic coma) as “alarming.” Ketoacidosis occurs when the body lacks sufficient insulin to allow blood sugar to enter cells for energy use.

During a recent colloquium with medical societies and public health authorities, Then stated that the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has been admitting three to four patients per week due to decompensation resulting from ketoacidosis.

Effective Tuesday, 30 May 2023, outpatient clinics will be conducted at the new hospital building (Phase 2)

View the full post Outpatient clinic relocated to General Hospital building Phase 2 on NOW Grenada.

The Vector Control Department will intensify its ongoing fogging operations over the week of 23–28 May 2023

View the full post Vector Control Department intensifies mosquito fogging on NOW Grenada.

Santo Domingo.- The sale of uncertified medicines through social media platforms without any medical endorsement is a growing concern for health authorities in the Dominican Republic. Minister of Public Health, Daniel Rivera, raised the alarm about these “miracle drugs” being promoted without scientific backing, often using influencers or false advertising to attract buyers.

Many of these products are being advertised on social networks, claiming numerous benefits and even employing popular figures and influencers to entice consumers. People often fall victim to scams when purchasing these products. Rivera stressed the need for increased controls and intervention to address this issue, while also urging the public to remain vigilant and ensure that the products they buy or consume have proper regulation and certification.

Rivera cited an example from last year when his own image was used without consent to endorse blood pressure products, a situation he promptly denounced. The responsibility of verifying the regulation and certification of medicines, as well as suspending and removing counterfeit or expired products, falls under the General Directorate of Medicines, Food, and Health Products of the Ministry of Public Health (Digemaps).

The Minister encouraged the public to ensure that health products and services they consume or purchase have the proper regulation, certification, or authorization issued by the Ministry of Public Health to guarantee their quality. He further revealed that 137 centers have been shut down this year for non-compliance with licensing regulations.

The Dominican Republic recently hosted the “Congress of Central American Drug Regulatory Agencies,” where 12 Latin American nations aimed to strengthen controls in the marketing of consumer products. The participating countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama, sought to establish common regulations and controls at the regional level. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reiterated its commitment to providing technical cooperation requested by member states to strengthen drug regulatory authorities in Central America and the Dominican Republic.

Santo Domingo.- On August 4th, the Dominican Republic will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 2003 Pan American Games held in its capital city. However, if the Ministry of Sports and Recreation (Miderec) fails to address the repeated warnings from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the country could face severe international sanctions, including restrictions on its athletes’ participation in global events as a neutral team without their flag and anthem.

The situation parallels the challenges faced by Russian athletes following a 2019 sanction for violating the World Anti-Doping Code. In a communication/ultimatum sent by María José Pesce, the director of WADA’s Latin American office, to Miderec and the Dominican Olympic Committee (COD) on May 4th, it was stated that unless 15 suggested corrective actions are taken by August 4th, the non-compliance chapter of the World Anti-Doping Code will be activated, leading to significant consequences for Dominican athletes and the country as a whole.

The core issue revolves around the lack of financial allocation to the National Anti-Doping Agency, with an estimated annual funding of no more than RD$10 million. Failure to comply with the World Anti-Doping Code can result in the withdrawal of all financial and logistical assistance from WADA. Additionally, the suspension of recognition by the Olympic and Paralympic Movements could be imposed, preventing the country from organizing official competitions and participating in specific events.

The alert from WADA comes at a crucial time as the Dominican Republic prepares to participate in the upcoming Central American and Caribbean Games in El Salvador and faces potential disqualification from major events such as the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, and the qualifying competitions for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

To avoid such consequences, WADA’s letter emphasizes the need for financial resources to meet the requirements of the World Anti-Doping Code. This includes addressing the recommendations outlined in the audit conducted in the country in December, implementing a control distribution plan, conducting a risk analysis, complying with technical analysis documents, and establishing an adverse results management unit.

The urgency of the matter necessitates action from Miderec and the COD to ensure compliance and secure the future participation of Dominican athletes in international sporting events.

The Grenada Edition of the ECCB’s 40th Anniversary Lecture Series starts at 7 pm on Wednesday, 31 May 2023, at the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort

View the full post ECCB’s 40th Anniversary Lecture Series Grenada Edition 31 May on NOW Grenada.

The office of the Chief Pharmacist and Pharmacy Inspector has been temporarily relocated to the ground floor of the new wing (phase 2) of the General Hospital, St George’s

View the full post Temporary Relocation of Chief Pharmacist and Pharmacy Inspector’s Office on NOW Grenada.

The founder of a small Boston-area addiction treatment empire knew he was under scrutiny; the Globe and STAT News published investigations in 2017 and 2019 into his questionable business dealings, and the Massachusetts attorney general’s office announced shortly after that it was examining alleged scams involving addiction treatment.

Still, Cleggett did little to hide his excess, nor did he seem to hit the brakes on new ventures. He opened business after business; took lavish vacations to Yellowstone, Mont., and Aruba; dined on caviar at expensive hotels; and got married at the luxury Chatham Bars Inn on Cape Cod. His Facebook page, filled with glowing shots of his family by the seashore and in the Virgin Islands, screamed success.

Continue to STAT+ to read the full story…

Santo Domingo.- Elizabeth Silverio, the self-proclaimed “neuroscientist,” has gained attention following a report by journalist Nuria Piera, questioning the validity of her claimed title and raising the possibility of her facing up to 20 years in prison, as suggested by experts.

Legal expert Amadeo Peralta explained that while the new Penal Code has not yet been approved, there is a specific law governing the medical professions. Individuals found practicing medicine illegally could face penalties of up to 10 years in prison for violating General Health Law No. 42-01 and its regulations, which establish the framework for the national health system.

Peralta clarified that the law in question is of “public order” and grants the Ministry of Public Health the authority to investigate and file corresponding complaints with the Public Ministry and the courts.

He emphasized the need for authorities to pay attention to the clear fraudulent intent and the potential economic benefits sought by those posing as healthcare professionals. Their actions put the health and lives of many citizens at risk, and cases resulting in death should be thoroughly investigated to potentially charge them with manslaughter.

Peralta argued that the alleged “eminence in neurosciences” could face legal consequences for violating Article 156, paragraph 7 of the General Health Law No. 42-01 and its regulations, as well as Article 258 of the Penal Code. Additionally, measures such as the closure of establishments used for the illegal practice of medicine, similar to the Kongland Center for Neurocognitive Therapies and Psychopedagogies directed by Elizabeth, could be implemented.

Similarly, lawyer Félix Portes expressed that the individual under investigation not only faces potential imprisonment but could also be required to pay fines of up to 10 times the minimum wage.

According to Nuria Piera’s report, discrepancies in the titles presented by Silverio, including spelling mistakes, raised doubts about their authenticity. This was further confirmed when authorities from one of the universities from which she claimed to have graduated denied her claims upon verification.

A 12-member humanitarian medical mission from Palestine is currently offering its services at the General Hospital in St George’s

View the full post Palestine medical team on one-week mission  on NOW Grenada.