Guyana plans to ask Cuba to send more health workers here, even as government is poised to invest heavily in training facilities to counter the adverse impact of migration of nurses to other countries, according to Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh. “Our nation continues to be challenged by competition for the services of our healthcare ...

A new digital platform, Litta Reporta, was launched at the weekend to assist authorities at the local and national levels, but the major problem is still expected to be collection of waste although authorities would be aware of the locations. The app was developed by Software Developer, 20-year old Maryam Bacchus, who has been described ...

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)

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The warhead that was in stuck in a five-year old girl’s throat was removed successfully and she on Friday remained hospitalised in a stable condition, the Guyana Police Force said. The girl was reportedly shot by her uncle while lying in bed after a bullet protruded a wall between the two apartments. Investigators said the ...

Minister Teixeira said government last December wrote ...

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Sunday announced that government was preparing to roll out a digital doctor appointments system for the first time in Guyana aimed at reducing overall wait times. “You will be able to have an app on your phone where you can then make appointments with the hospital, and when you ...

Medical Surveillance Officer Dr Dana Gomez in a video broadcast said more people were presenting with symptoms at healthcare facilities and that the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

She did not provide figures.

“Most of the affected individuals experience sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhoea, which usually resolve with treatment of the symptom. Acute gastroenteritis is an inflation of the stomach and intestines and can be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, chemicals or medication,” she stated.

She warned that the “very contagious” strain of the virus also referred to as “the stomach flu most prevalent during the winter season has been circulating and has been the cause of many cases of gastroenteritis globally.”

Gomez is urging the public to take the necessary steps to prevent the spread of the virus, including practicing good hand hygiene by washing hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, especially after vomiting, a bowel movement, and before handling food.

She also encouraged people with gastroenteritis to stay away from schools and places of employment and to seek immediate medical attention.

“The ministry also wishes to remind the public that we are currently in the flu season and persons may experience respiratory symptoms,” she said, adding that several influenza viruses including type A have been isolated and that the public should follow the health requirements to prevent the spread.

The post St Lucia records increase in gastroenteritis cases 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)

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ATLANTA, USA – New research in this week’s MMWR finds that most nursing home residents haven’t received an updated COVID-19 vaccine or the new RSV vaccine.

This year, for the first time, vaccines are available to protect older adults in the United States against all three fall/winter respiratory illnesses: flu, COVID-19 and RSV. Older Americans who are not vaccinated are at greater risk of serious illness.

Leading up to this virus season, and throughout the fall, CDC has worked with other federal agencies, state and local health departments, and health care partners to address vaccine access issues and encourage uptake.

CDC was a key participant in the Long Term Care Facility Summit on October 18, 2023, which was co-hosted by the secretary of health and human services and the director of the office of pandemic preparedness and response policy.

In addition to other activities, CDC regularly:

• Monitors all reports and data about the safety and effectiveness of these vaccines.
• Convenes bi-weekly calls with long-term care partners to address challenges/develop solutions.
• Works to improve equitable access to vaccines by connecting manufacturers with long-term care pharmacies to prioritize vaccine distribution for the Bridge Access Program.
• Distributes a weekly newsletter with respiratory virus resources and information specific to long-term care providers. (e.g., toolkits, FAQs, clinical resources, vaccine confidence resources)
• Supports the education of partners through participation in speaking engagements and webinars.
• Engages with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to identify solutions to address feedback from long-term care partners around billing and reimbursement challenges which have been a barrier to vaccine administration. As a result, CMS issued a letter to plans and pharmacy benefit managers to outline the concerns and provide guidance on ways to improve practices.

Health care providers can continue to do their part by offering recommended vaccinations to residents. Nursing homes are encouraged to collaborate with state, local and federal public health, and long-term care pharmacy partners to address barriers contributing to low vaccination coverage.

Vaccination is a key way to prevent severe disease, hospitalization, and death from flu, COVID-19 and RSV.

The post CDC encourages vaccination against Flu, COVID-19 and RSV appeared first on Caribbean News Global.

Charrandass Persaud – the then governing APNU+AFC coalition parliamentarian who set in motion the virtual collapse of the David Granger-led administration by voting for a People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC)-sponsored no-confidence motion- has fallen seriously ill and was Wednesday evacuated to Canada, according to medical sources. One of the sources said Mr Persaud was suffering ...