Fifteen Surinamese students have successfully earned their medical degrees from Cuban universities and are now preparing to contribute their expertise to the healthcare sector. The group celebrated their academic achievements during an international graduation ceremony held at the Karl Marx Theater in Havana on Wednesday, alongside graduates from 24 other countries. Among the graduates, fourteen were sponsored by Suriname’s Ministry of Health and began their studies in 2018, while one student, Mark Asgar-Ali, pursued dentistry independently, fully funded by his parents. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, all students demonstrated remarkable discipline and perseverance to complete their six-year programs. Elvida Kwadjanie was honored with the título de oro, the highest academic distinction for exceptional performance. The ceremony was attended by Surinamese Ambassador Wendy Paulus-Aminta, First Embassy Secretary Audrey Padma-Vogeland, and family members who traveled to Cuba to witness the milestone. Their presence highlighted the strong ties between Suriname and its students abroad. The newly graduated doctors will soon return to Suriname, where they are expected to strengthen the nation’s healthcare system. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, and Cooperation congratulated the graduates, praising their dedication and commitment. ‘Their achievement is not only a personal milestone but also an investment in the future of our country,’ the ministry stated. The graduates include Amautan Varousca, Ardjosoediro Nicole, Asgar-Ali Mark, Autar Ruchir, Charles Lydia, Dosoe Tatshana, Esajas Eranzo, Fong Tin Joeng Sharoline, Heuvel Xaina, Khemai Wanisha, Kleyenburg Arvin, Kwadjanie Elvida, Ramdas Sivaida, Vorswijk Arno, and Winter Carol-Ann.
分类： health
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Veterinary Team Expands African Swine Fever Surveillance to Barbuda
In a proactive move to shield its pig farming sector from the devastating African Swine Fever (ASF), the Ministry of Agriculture has broadened its surveillance efforts to include Barbuda. This initiative is part of a comprehensive strategy to ensure the health of Antigua and Barbuda’s livestock and maintain regional food security. A delegation from the Veterinary and Livestock Division, spearheaded by Alexandria Dowdey, recently conducted a field visit to Barbuda to gather blood samples from local pig herds. Three farmers on the island voluntarily participated in this regional pilot project, underscoring the community’s commitment to disease prevention. The ASF pilot program is a collaborative endeavor involving the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Ministry of Agriculture. It aligns with the government’s broader objectives of enhancing food and nutrition security through rigorous livestock monitoring and disease control measures. Simultaneously, fieldwork in Antigua has been advancing steadily, with technicians collecting 35 blood samples from four additional farms, edging closer to the target of 80 samples. These samples are slated for specialized testing at Plum Island on November 7. The testing is crucial to verify that Antigua and Barbuda remain free of ASF, a highly contagious viral disease with a near 100 percent mortality rate in pigs. While ASF poses no threat to human health, it represents a significant risk to regional food production and the livelihoods of farmers. By extending surveillance to Barbuda, veterinary authorities aim to bolster early detection capabilities and safeguard the nation’s livestock, a cornerstone of Antigua and Barbuda’s food security strategy.
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Jenny Christopher zwaait nu de scepter bij RGD
The Regional Health Service Foundation (RGD) in Suriname has welcomed a new director, Jenny Christopher, effective November 1, 2025. Appointed by André Misiekaba, Minister of Health, Labor, and Welfare, Christopher will lead the organization responsible for primary healthcare in Suriname’s coastal region. She succeeds Radjesh Radjkoemar, bringing a wealth of experience in education, administration, and policy development. Christopher began her career as a financial analyst and economics lecturer, later becoming a pivotal figure in Suriname’s education system. She served as a training coordinator, deputy director, and curriculum developer at the Institute for Teacher Education (IOL), dedicating years to enhancing teacher professionalism and educational standards. Beyond academia, Christopher has been a policy advisor at the Ministry of Education, a member of the Presidential Education Task Force, and secretary of the board at Anton de Kom University. She has also held supervisory roles, including as president-commissioner of BGVS and chair of the supervisory board of Suriname’s Psychiatric Center. Christopher expressed gratitude for the trust placed in her, stating, ‘It is an honor to lead an organization that plays such a vital role in the preventive and primary health of our community. Together with the RGD team and our partners, we aim to build accessible and high-quality care for all while ensuring the organization’s financial health.’ Her appointment aligns with the Ministry’s strategy to strengthen primary healthcare and modernize RGD’s operations. The foundation’s board and staff have warmly welcomed her, wishing her success in her new role.
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Post-Melissa : Health Minister’s Tour of the Great South
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, Dr. Sinal Bertrand, Haiti’s Minister of Public Health, embarked on a critical assessment tour of the Great South region on November 5, 2025. Accompanied by representatives from the World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF, and key Ministry officials, including Dr. Martial Bénèche, Director of the Expanded Program on Immunization, the Minister arrived by helicopter to evaluate the region’s health infrastructure and emergency response efforts. The tour began in Chalon, where the delegation reviewed mission priorities at the WFP regional office. Dr. Bertrand then traveled to Petit-Goâve, one of the areas most severely impacted by the cyclone, to inspect the Municipal Emergency Operations Center and Notre-Dame Hospital. There, he commended Dr. Fred Jasmin and his team for their exceptional management of the crisis and presented six new letters of assignment to strengthen medical staff in critical areas such as surgery and pediatrics. The Minister also visited a shelter housing over fifty displaced children, pledging government support for their medical and educational needs. In Nippes, Dr. Bertrand inspected the construction site of the Nippes Health Directorate’s administrative building and the planned departmental incinerator. He praised the collaboration between Cuban medical specialists and Haitian staff at Sainte-Thérèse Hospital in Miragoâne, where he conducted a thorough evaluation of the maternity, pediatric, and emergency departments. Throughout the tour, essential supplies, including food, hygiene kits, and medical equipment, were delivered to Petit-Goâve and the Grand Sud region to bolster health infrastructure and prevent epidemics. Dr. Bertrand lauded the Nippes Health Directorate for its swift mobilization during the crisis and continued his tour to the South and Grand’Anse departments to further coordinate post-disaster health interventions.
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“The child could not move on the bed”: Boy battles rare illness after school marathon
A 13-year-old boy, Carlton St. Omer, is fighting for his life at the Owen King European Union (OKEU) Hospital in Saint Lucia after being diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare neurological disorder that causes paralysis and can impair breathing. His father, Calton St. Omer, described the past few days as a nightmare for the family, as Carlton’s condition rapidly deteriorated following his participation in a school marathon on October 29. Initially, Carlton exhibited a limp and leg pain, but by October 31, he was unable to move and was rushed to the hospital. Despite extensive tests, including CT scans and blood work, doctors were unable to pinpoint the cause of his symptoms. By November 1, Carlton lost the ability to swallow, move his limbs, and breathe independently, requiring a ventilator. Doctors have recommended that he be airlifted to Martinique for specialized care, with the transfer scheduled for November 6. Carlton’s sister, Abbie John, has launched a GoFundMe campaign titled ‘Save Abbie’s Little Brother – Urgent Help Needed’ to raise funds for the air ambulance and medical expenses. The family is holding onto hope, urging the public for prayers and donations. Carlton’s father also recalled a previous medical episode in April, suspecting a possible connection to his current condition. The family remains focused on securing the urgent care Carlton needs to survive and recover.
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BNU chief expresses concerns over retention as 50 nurses have left over last four months
The Bahamas is grappling with a significant exodus of nurses from its public healthcare system, with approximately 50 nurses departing over the past three to four months. Muriel Lightbourn, president of the Bahamas Nurses Union (BNU), revealed this alarming trend as the union intensifies its push for enhanced benefits and improved retention strategies. While specific details of the new industrial agreement remain undisclosed, Lightbourn expressed optimism that the government will address the union’s demands. She emphasized that nurses are not only leaving for opportunities abroad but also transitioning to other professions that offer better prospects for personal and professional growth. ‘We cannot afford to lose more workers,’ she stated. The previous industrial agreement, signed in 2022 and expired in October, included salary increments, additional insurance benefits, and retention bonuses exceeding $3,000, depending on specific criteria. Entry-level salaries began at $26,000 annually, with potential increases up to $30,000. However, Lightbourn highlighted persistent delays in promotions and confirmations within the public healthcare system, citing the acting director of nursing, who has remained unconfirmed for over nine months, as a glaring example. She described the situation as ‘distasteful’ and ‘a slap in the face,’ questioning the prolonged delays in appointing key positions. Additionally, approximately 24 nurses are still awaiting confirmation and appointment, further exacerbating the challenges faced by the healthcare sector.
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‘CRH is devastated’: Doctors contradict CEO’s report, call for urgent meeting with Tufton
The Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association (JMDA) has issued a stark warning about the dire state of Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) in St James following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. The association is demanding an urgent meeting with Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton to address what it describes as a “devastated” facility, contradicting official statements from regional health authorities.
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Bodoe denies EWMSC blackout affected services
Health Minister Dr. Lackram Bodoe has confirmed that critical medical services at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) in Mt Hope remained uninterrupted despite an alleged hour-long power outage on November 6. Speaking at the TT Revitalisation Blueprint event in St. Ann’s, Dr. Bodoe stated that he had been in contact with North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) chairman Dr. Tim Gopeesingh, who assured him that backup systems functioned as intended. ‘There was no impact at all. Hospitals always have a standby backup supply, and I’m informed backup supply services were able to continue,’ Dr. Bodoe told reporters. He added that the TT Electricity Commission (T&TEC) was on-site during the incident and that a full report has been requested from the NCRHA chairman. ‘The matter is being investigated, and I will get a full report from the chairman,’ he said, declining further comment until the report is received. The TT Registered Nurses Association (TTRNA) had initially reported the outage on its Facebook page, posting photos of darkened hallways with a caption suggesting that the entire hospital was in darkness, including the intensive care unit, and that generators failed to start. TTRNA president Idi Stuart described the incident as ‘deeply concerning’ and called for a transparent investigation. ‘No hospital in TT should suffer something like what went on today,’ he said, hinting that the association has information about the blackout but will wait for the RHA’s official statement before commenting further. Stuart emphasized that critical care units must never lose power and commended the nurses and medical staff for their tireless efforts to protect patients during the outage. He reiterated the association’s call for a comprehensive investigation and a public report to ensure the issue never recurs. The NCRHA recently announced the completion of the first phase of a major electrical and lighting upgrade at the EWMSC, supported by the TTEC, with the second phase currently underway to replace defective light poles and add new fixtures for full campus illumination.
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Sagicor Cares celebrates one year of transforming community health
Sagicor is marking the first anniversary of its groundbreaking community health initiative, Sagicor Cares, which has been transforming lives across Barbados since its launch in October 2024. This flagship programme, a collaborative effort involving Sagicor’s Wellness Nursing Team, the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) Field Medical Unit, and Cancer Support Services (CSS), has delivered free health screenings, wellness education, and cancer awareness to communities spanning from St Lucy to Christ Church. With visits to eleven of the island’s twelve parishes completed, the initiative is set to conclude its first nationwide circuit in January 2026 with a final stop in St John. To date, 1,310 individuals have benefited from screenings for hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, and cancer risk factors, alongside receiving valuable guidance on healthier living and lifestyle management. The programme has emerged as a shining example of how corporate-community partnerships can effectively bridge gaps in healthcare accessibility, bringing preventative care directly to the people. Paul Inniss, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Sagicor Life Inc. (Barbados), emphasized the profound impact of the initiative, stating, ‘Reaching this milestone is a testament to the power of compassion and collaboration. Through Sagicor Cares, we’ve not only made health services more accessible but also empowered individuals with life-changing knowledge about their health. This is community care at its finest—meeting people where they are, offering hope, and fostering healthier lives.’ Inniss also praised the BDF Field Medical Team and Cancer Support Services for their invaluable contributions, highlighting their expertise and dedication as key drivers of the programme’s success. Looking ahead to 2026, Sagicor has pledged to expand the initiative’s reach and introduce additional health and wellness touchpoints, ensuring even more Barbadians can access essential screenings and education opportunities close to home.
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Exercise outside for better health
Outdoor exercise stands as one of the most beneficial activities for both physical and mental well-being. Across neighborhoods in St Philip, Barbados, and Trinidad, residents are seen embracing the morning sun with walks, chats, and even refreshing dips in the sea. Some start as early as 4 a.m., undeterred by weather or darkness, driven by the undeniable benefits of outdoor activity.