分类： health

A groundbreaking report released on Monday by the World Bank and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) has issued a stark warning: the lack of resilience in primary healthcare (PHC) systems across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) could result in catastrophic losses, both in human lives and economic stability. The report, titled “No Time to Wait: Resilience as the Cornerstone of Primary Health Care in Latin America and the Caribbean,” was unveiled during PAHO’s 62nd Directing Council, attended by health ministers and high-level delegates from the region. The study highlights that a 25–50 per cent reduction in PHC delivery due to a health emergency, such as a pandemic or natural disaster, could lead to up to 165,000 preventable deaths and economic losses ranging from US$7 to 37 billion over one to five years. Among the projected fatalities are 11,300 maternal deaths, 10,000 child deaths, and over 149,000 deaths from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), alongside 14 million unintended pregnancies. Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, PAHO Director, emphasized that building robust PHC and resilience are inseparable. “Without resilient PHC, the next crisis will disproportionately affect the poorest and most marginalized communities,” he stated. The report defines resilience as the ability of health systems to maintain essential services equitably before, during, and after shocks, including pandemics, hurricanes, and floods. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the region’s vulnerabilities, with LAC accounting for 30 per cent of global COVID-19 deaths despite representing only 8.5 per cent of the world’s population. Essential services like maternal care, childhood immunization, and chronic disease treatment plummeted by up to 50 per cent, with some countries experiencing gaps for over two years. The region, prone to hurricanes, floods, and vector-borne outbreaks, remains heavily reliant on hospital-centered, fragmented health systems with insufficient investment in PHC. Jaime Saavedra, World Bank’s Director of Human Development for LAC, stressed that strengthening PHC is one of the region’s greatest health challenges. The report outlines a five-point action plan to build resilience, including expanding equitable care models, embedding public health functions within PHC, and ensuring sustainable financing. PAHO urges health leaders to prioritize PHC resilience as a political and economic imperative.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has raised alarms over a sharp increase in cholera cases in Haiti, particularly in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. Pétion-Ville, a key economic and educational center, has become a major hotspot for the disease. Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, revealed that between September 21 and 25, 40 suspected cases and three deaths were reported in Pétion-Ville alone. This surge coincides with the imminent start of the new school year, heightening concerns about further transmission. In total, 66 suspected cases have been recorded in the capital and surrounding communes in recent days, marking a significant escalation compared to previous weeks. Young adults, who are highly mobile due to work and daily activities, constitute the majority of cases, raising fears of the disease spreading to other areas such as Delmas, Tabarre, and Carrefour. Nationwide, over 3,100 suspected cholera cases have been reported this year. In response, local health teams are conducting investigations, collecting samples, distributing water purification tablets, and launching awareness campaigns in affected neighborhoods like Brisetoux and Bobin. OCHA, in collaboration with Haitian authorities and partners, is intensifying efforts to monitor cases and mobilize health workers to curb the outbreak’s spread.

A recent report by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has unveiled a concerning mid-year spike in suicide cases across the country, despite an overall decline in numbers for 2025. Between January and September, Jamaica recorded 44 suicides, marking a 16.9% decrease compared to the 53 cases reported during the same period in 2024. However, the JCF has cautioned against interpreting this as a positive trend, highlighting a worrying reversal in the latter half of the year. July 2025 saw eight suicides, a 33% increase over July 2024, while August and September experienced rises of 20% and 25%, respectively. Geographically, the data reveals a shift in hotspots, with St Catherine north emerging as a significant area of concern, recording four cases in July alone. The JCF emphasized that suicide is not a uniform national issue but often reflects localized socio-economic or community pressures. Gender remains a critical factor, with men constituting the majority of cases. However, there are signs of a potential increase in suicides among women, as highlighted by the recent suspected suicide of 26-year-old Tyra Spaulding, a former Miss Universe Jamaica contestant. The JCF has called for urgent, gender-sensitive interventions, recognizing suicide as a broader public health and social challenge. The police force has urged stakeholders, including mental health professionals, social workers, educators, and community leaders, to intensify efforts to address the issue. The JCF reiterated its commitment to supporting national partners in strengthening community resilience and providing essential counseling and support services. Individuals struggling with mental health challenges are encouraged to seek assistance through various channels, including the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Helpline at 888-639-5433.

A prominent Jamaican urologist, Dr. Colette Antoine, is advocating for a significant shift in prostate cancer screening practices, urging a move away from the traditional digital rectal examination (DRE) towards the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Dr. Antoine highlights the DRE’s limited sensitivity in detecting early-stage prostate cancer, emphasizing the PSA test’s superior ability to identify potential issues before symptoms manifest. Prostate cancer remains the leading cause of death among Jamaican men and the most prevalent cancer in the country. The PSA test measures levels of prostate-specific antigen in the blood, with elevated levels often indicating the presence of cancer. In contrast, the DRE involves a physical examination of the prostate through the rectum, which can miss cancers located on the front wall of the gland. Dr. Antoine’s stance aligns with the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS), which recently criticized the DRE as an outdated and ineffective method. Historically, the DRE has been more widely promoted in Jamaica due to its cost-effectiveness compared to the PSA test, which is more expensive. However, Dr. Antoine stresses that combining both tests offers the most comprehensive screening approach. Despite the social stigma surrounding the DRE, particularly in Jamaica where homophobic attitudes are prevalent, urologist Dr. Dean Wong notes that many men privately consent to the exam without hesitation. Dr. Antoine observes that asymptomatic men are increasingly receptive to screening, partly due to her being a woman, while symptomatic men are more likely to agree due to the urgency of their condition. Younger men, in particular, are becoming more proactive, often opting for multiple screenings annually.