Barbadians now have access to testing for genetic eye diseases, as it is readily available on the island for the first time.

Dr Charles Pierce is the pioneer behind bringing the testing to the island, after realising the need for more accurate diagnosis in eye diseases among the population.

“There has always been this gap in terms of diagnosis of inherited eye disease. Sometimes you can say “this looks like something, but we’ve never had a genetic confirmation. That is something I want to move forward,” Pierce said.

Pierce has more than 15 years’ experience in the field, having worked in Barbados and the United Kingdom (UK).

Having studied Ophthalmology in the UK, zoning in on diseases affecting the back of the eye, his curiosity was piqued as to what genes are responsible for causing inherited diseases in the Caribbean. There has not been a test on the island, to allow families to know their status as it relates to inherited diseases.

“We are moving into an era of personalized medicine where we can look forward to treat inherited  eye diseases but only if we know the genetic cause. Without this information,  we’re never going to have treatments tailored for people in the Caribbean,” Pierce said.

“In a lot of countries, diagnosis is based on testing patients to identify the gene causing the problem. I wanted to bring that to Barbados.”

Testing for genetic eye diseases in Barbados will allow for a more accurate understanding of the genetic abnormalities and how prevalent they are across the island. Through a simple swab of the mouth, the saliva collected can be analysed for testing.

“The hope is that more people will be able to get a definitive diagnosis. We can hopefully build a library of the different genetic abnormalities that are in our population,  leading  to more research and insight to treatments in the future,” Pierce said.

Persons with an inherited eye disease can experience night blindness and changes to central vision. Currently, patients with low vision manage their disease through habit changes such as wearing of shades, magnification and enlargement of fonts on smart devices.

(PR)

The post Barbados to benefit from new testing for genetic eye diseases appeared first on Barbados Today.

A local company that specialises in providing therapy has welcomed Fontana Roach, a registered counselling psychologist, to its team.

The Relational Practices Ltd, based in St Philip, provides therapy for individuals, couples, adolescents and families managing issues like depression, anxiety, adjustment, family conflict, trauma, self-harm, and crisis intervention.

Roach who holds a Master of Science in Counselling Psychology from The University of The West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, said she was eager to join the team as she has always had a passion for working in the mental health profession.

“I developed a passion for studying human behaviour and mental health and I wanted to help people overcome challenges that were not conducive to their health and relationships,” Roach said.

“As it relates to adolescent health, my own experiences during my adolescent phase and my father’s interest in the area were a major influence in my life. Persons had a way of describing adolescence as one of ‘storm and stress’ or of ‘rebellion,’ and during my studies, I recognised the myths and misconceptions that led to these incorrect perceptions about the adolescent phase.

“If I could help correct these misconceptions, myths, and incorrect perceptions, then the [adolescent] phase would not be described as negatively as it was in the past,” she added.

According to Roach: “We don’t expect babies to be able to walk and talk when they are born as we know that there are particular stages at which these skills and capabilities develop, and we nurture and support them through these phases until they reach the particular milestone. But we tend not to offer the same support to adolescents during their phase of development due to the lack of knowledge and I want to help change that.”

(PR)

The post Family therapy practice welcomes new team member Fontana Roach appeared first on Barbados Today.

The surge in patients presenting to the Accident and Emergency Department for treatment continues into a third consecutive day, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital said Saturday.

At 5 p.m., approximately 40 patients were waiting to be seen by doctors and nurses.

The department remains very busy and medical teams are reporting an increase in the number of patients presenting with respiratory illnesses.

In light of this, the QEH strongly encourages people who find themselves in crowded areas or events to wear a mask, especially over this long weekend.

The Emergency Ambulance Service has also been very busy with increasing calls and responses, bringing several patients to AED for emergency 2 care. This heightened activity has extended wait times in the department especially for non-critical patients.

Management at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital is again appealing to the public if you are unsure about your medical complaint to determine if you need to present to the Accident and Emergency Department, please call the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS/Help Desk) at 536-4800 using regular or whatsapp calls from 9 a.ma to 12 midnight during this surge.

You also have the option of visiting the 24-hour Winston Scott Polyclinic at Jemmotts Lane, St Michael for treatment or your private General Practitioner.

If you present to the AED at this time with medical conditions which are not deemed life-threatening or an emergency, you may experience a longer than desired wait for treatment. However, life-threatening conditions, under AED’s Triage System will continue to be seen and treated immediately. These include patients who for example, have life, limb or sight threatening complaints, gunshot wounds, heart attacks, active seizure activity or a patient who needs resuscitation.

The QEH wishes to apologise for the inconvenience, and we will continue to provide updates on the situation.

(PR)

The post QEH: Surge in patients at A&E Department continues into 3rd consecutive day appeared first on Barbados Today.

The following statement was issued by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on Saturday:

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital is again experiencing a surge in the number of patients presenting to the Accident and Emergency Department for treatment with various medical complaints.

At 8 a.m. Saturday, 38, patients were waiting to be seen by our medical team.

The current situation has led to increased wait times in the department. We’re reminding the public, if you present to the AED at this time with medical conditions which are not deemed life-threatening or an emergency, it is possible you may experience an extended wait.

Life-threatening conditions, under AED’s Triage System will continue to be seen and treated immediately. These include patients who for example, have life, limb or sight threatening complaints, gunshot wounds, heart attacks, active seizure activity or a patient who needs resuscitation.

If you are unsure about your medical complaint to determine if you need to present to the Accident and Emergency Department, please call our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS/Help Desk) at 536- 4800 using regular or whatsapp calls from 9am to 12 midnight during this surge.

You also have the option of visiting the 24-hour Winston Scott Polyclinic at Jemmotts Lane, St Michael for treatment or your private General Practitioner.

We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and we will continue to provide updates on the situation.

(PR)

The post QEH sees surge in patients at A&E, advises of long wait times appeared first on Barbados Today.

The Vector Control Unit will continue its fogging programme this week with emphasis on three parishes.

When the exercise starts on Monday, December 11, the team will focus attention on the St John districts of Foster Hall, St Margaret’s Village Road, Glenburnie and the environs.

A return to that parish on Tuesday, December 12, will see fogging at Martin’s Bay, Zores, New Castle, New Castle Hill, and environs.

The following day, Wednesday, December 13, the team will journey to St Philip, where Bottom Bay Road, Bottom Drive, Ocean Drive, Apple Hall, Inch Cape, Harrismith Road, and environs will be sprayed.

On Thursday, December 14, fogging will move to St Michael. Areas to be sprayed are: Danesbury Road, Hinkson Gap, Retreat Road, Spring Garden, Carters Gap, Carlton Terrace, Brighton Beach Road North and South and environs.

Fogging concludes on Friday, December 15, with a return to St Michael. The districts to be visited are Brighton Road, Ashdeane Road, Brighton Terrace, Dodson Land, Rosemont, Deacon’s Farm Housing Area, Birds River, Holders Land, Brandons, Bays Water, and environs.

Fogging will run from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., each day. Householders are asked to assist in the control of the aedes aegypti mosquito by opening all windows and doors to allow the fog to penetrate. Persons with respiratory problems should protect themselves from inhaling the fog.

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 affected communities as soon as possible.

(PR)

The post Fogging programme continues this week appeared first on Barbados Today.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) says it resumed burning medical waste at its Martindales Road facility on Monday, November 27.

Since then, management has received a number of complaints from residents in the surrounding environs about the increase in the level of smoke coming from the incinerator, the QEH said in a statement on Saturday. 

The hospital said it has acknowledged these concerns and is taking them seriously. 

In response, management and the engineering department have decided on the following measures: 

• The creation of a new schedule for burning medical waste as an immediate measure to address environmental concerns raised by residents. Starting next week, incineration will be conducted on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays only; there will be no burning from Friday through to Monday.

• As a temporary measure, the existing incinerator will be outfitted with new ‘after-burners’, the purpose of which is to provide a cleaner burn and a significant reduction in the level of smoke expelled from the plant. These should be installed within the coming weeks.

• The board of management and the management team are actively exploring green, environmentally friendly technologies as a long-term solution for medical waste management at the hospital.

Management at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital apologies for the inconvenience and thanks residents for their patience and understanding, as we work on a more permanent solution.

(PR)

The post QEH: New measures in place for burning medical waste at Martindales Road facility appeared first on Barbados Today.

The Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory has reported an increase in positive samples for dengue fever in Barbados.

As a result, health officials are urging Barbadians to take precautions to avoid contracting the virus, which is transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito.

The laboratory indicated that five positive cases of dengue – three cases of Type 2 and two cases of Type 3 were recorded in August. Additionally, four positive cases of the virus – two cases each of Type 2 and Type 3 – were recorded, so far, for September.

This profile is somewhat different from earlier this year, when Types 1 and 3 were the main strains circulating. However, the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory reported that these results were in keeping with the strains that are currently circulating in the Americas.

In light of the increase in cases, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kenneth George, encourages members of the public to report mosquito sightings to the Environmental Health Departments at the polyclinics nearest to them.

“Once those reports are received, the environmental health officers will go out to those districts and carry out investigations,” he said.

The Ministry currently conducts fogging in “problem areas” where it receives several reports about mosquito breeding.

The CMO noted that the likelihood of severe dengue is increased when there are multiple strains of the virus circulating.  He added that severe dengue can include shock syndromes and hemorrhaging.

The Ministry reminded health providers to remain vigilant for the warning signs of severe dengue, which usually occur after the fever has subsided and may include, severe abdominal pain and signs of bleeding, for example, from the gums.

“In addition, all unexplained fevers with accompanying headaches, muscle pains or rash should be reported to your primary care physician. The Best-dos Santos Public Health Lab remains on alert. It is, at this time, able to process excess samples,” Dr George explained.

He pointed out that while the Ministry of Health and Wellness remained committed to reducing the mosquito burden in the country, it could not do it alone and needed the public’s cooperation.

The Chief Medical Officer advised Barbadians to check water they have stored and indoor plants regularly for mosquito larvae, and change the water in the overflow dishes of plant pots every three to four days.

He further suggested that persons wear mosquito repellent during peak biting times – dusk and dawn; wear light-coloured, long-sleeved clothing; and inspect old tyres for water collection and drain them, once necessary.

Mosquito nets should also be used over infant beds, carriers, cribs and strollers; and window and door screens should be installed to keep out mosquitoes.

The Ministry encourages health providers to send samples from persons suspected of having dengue to the public health lab for definitive diagnosis and typing of the specific dengue strains.

(BGIS)

The post Rise in dengue cases appeared first on Barbados Today.

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.

There will be no fogging on Independence Day, Thursday, November 30.

However, several districts in St Philip and St Michael will be targeted when the Vector Control Unit of the Ministry of Health and Wellness carries out its fogging exercise, this week.

On Monday, November 27, the team will be in St Philip in the following areas: Eastbourne #1, Mill Road, Well House, Casuarina Estate and the environs.

The next day, Tuesday, November 28, emphasis will be on the St Michael districts of Lower Burney, Cutting Road, Mount Friendship Road and the environs.

Fogging will occur again in St Michael on Wednesday, November 29. The areas to be sprayed are: Henry Durant Road, Friendship Terrace, Lowland Drive, Mahaica, Storey Gap and the environs.

The exercise will conclude for the week on Friday, December 1, in the St Michael areas of Butlers Avenue, Paradise Road, Chapel Gap, Pioneer Road, Lower Civilian Road, Bush Hall Yard Gap, Ellis Road, Stadium Road and the environs.

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. 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 affected communities as soon as possible.

(PR)

The post No fogging on Independence Day, November 30 appeared first on Barbados Today.

When the Ministry of Health and Wellness continues its fogging programme this week, emphasis will be on St George and St Michael.

On Monday, November 20, the team from the Vector Control Unit will make its first stop in St George where fogging will occur at Waverley Cot Road, Ellerton Gardens, Waverley Cot and the environs.

A return to that parish on Tuesday November 21, will see fogging at Ellerton Road, Walker Road, Ellerton, Blenman Road, Sargeant Road and the environs.

The following day, Wednesday, November 22, the St George districts of Flat Rock, Flat Rock Tenantry, Locust Hall #1, Mayfield Road, and environs will be sprayed.

Fogging moves to St Michael on Thursday, November 23. Areas to be sprayed are: Jackmans, Lears Road, Skeete’s Road, Tamarind Road, Avocado Avenue, Cherry Avenue, Lower Estate Heights, Friendship, Lears Drive, Clarke’s Road and the environs.

The fogging programme culminates on Friday, November 24, in the St Michael districts of Stanmore Crescent, Stanmore Terrace, Ellerslie School Road, Goddard’s Road, Golden Acres, and the environs.

Fogging of districts will run from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., each day. Householders are asked to assist in the control of the aedes aegypti mosquito by opening all windows and doors to allow the fog 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 affected communities as soon as possible.

(PR)

The post Fogging in 2 parishes this week appeared first on Barbados Today.