分类： health

In a commendable effort to address the critical need for blood donations, the Digicel Foundation collaborated with the North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) Port of Spain General Hospital Blood Bank to organize an internal staff blood drive on October 28. Held at the Digicel TT head office, the initiative aimed to strengthen the nation’s blood bank reserves and promote a culture of volunteerism among employees.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland, affects nearly all men as they age, with incidence nearing 100% by the age of 90. Dr. Vimal Seetahal, a consultant urologist, is urging men to pay closer attention to this condition, which often goes undiagnosed due to cultural attitudes toward men’s health in the Caribbean. Symptoms include frequent urination, urgency, nocturia, and a weak urinary stream, which many dismiss as a normal part of aging. However, untreated BPH can worsen over time, leading to severe complications. Risk factors include age, genetics, and lifestyle choices such as obesity and diets high in red meat. Diagnosis involves ultrasounds, CT scans, and PSA blood tests. Treatment options range from medication to surgical procedures, including the innovative laser prostatectomy. Dr. Seetahal emphasizes the importance of lifestyle changes, such as reducing alcohol and caffeine intake, exercising, and using natural remedies like saw palmetto, to manage early-stage BPH. He also highlights the need for early detection and a cultural shift in how men approach their health, advocating for routine PSA testing over invasive rectal examinations. Public education and family support are crucial in encouraging men to seek timely medical attention.

The North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) has attributed the recent staffing crisis at the Eric Williams Medical Science Complex (EWMSC) in Mt Hope to ‘unexpected absenteeism.’ This admission comes in response to allegations made by the TT Registered Nurses Association (TTRNA) on November 2, which highlighted a ‘severe staff shortage’ at the facility. The TTRNA described the issue as ‘chronic,’ exacerbated by management’s reduction of the extra duty pool and a hiring freeze that redirects all new hires through the central government campaign. The association warned nurses against working alone and emphasized the need for at least three registered nurses (RNs) per ward, with two being the absolute minimum for safe care. In a media release, the NCRHA dismissed the TTRNA’s claims as ‘reckless, inaccurate, and misleading,’ but conceded that four wards operated with only one RN on November 1 due to absenteeism. The authority maintained that all other wards had a ‘satisfactory’ nurse-to-patient ratio, though it did not specify the exact figures. The TTRNA countered, stating that the NCRHA’s admission of nurses working alone undermines patient safety, particularly with ratios as high as one nurse to 24 patients. International standards, however, suggest a ratio of one nurse to four or five patients as acceptable, with 1:8 being the safe minimum. Studies from the US National Library of Medicine indicate that low/middle-income countries (LMICs) often face even worse ratios, with one nurse caring for over 25 patients. The NCRHA defended its practices, asserting that patient care and safety remain uncompromised and that recruitment efforts are ongoing, with 345 vacancies advertised for enrolled nursing assistants. Despite these efforts, only 34 qualified candidates have been appointed. The authority expressed its commitment to engaging with stakeholders to strengthen the national health system. Calls to NCRHA chairman Dr. Tim Gopeesingh and TTRNA president Idi Stuart went unanswered, with Stuart visiting EWMSC to assess staffing levels firsthand.