分类： health

The Division of Health, Wellness and Social Protection (DHWSP) in Tobago has announced an extensive drug prevention campaign through its Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Programme (ADAPP), scheduled to run from January through June 2026. The initiative will deliver targeted educational interventions across multiple demographics in six Tobago districts.

The comprehensive program will specifically engage Standard Three primary school students with age-appropriate drug education, refusal skills training, and healthy alternative strategies. Parallel sessions will be conducted for Parent-Teacher Associations, equipping parents with skills to identify warning signs, establish supportive home environments, and facilitate constructive drug-related conversations with their children.

Health center outreach components will incorporate drug screening services, necessary interventions, and referral systems to ensure at-risk individuals receive timely support alongside drug awareness presentations.

A highlight of the 2026 calendar includes Drug Awareness Week from February 9-12, focusing on the connection between substance use and stress. The week will feature interactive sessions with Standard Four students utilizing Trinity SMART videos, Fatal Vision Goggles, and Smoker’s Lung and Mouth Specimens for enhanced learning. February 11 is designated as Drug Awareness Media Day, featuring live interviews across traditional and social media platforms to broaden audience engagement.

The initiative will culminate in a public Expo on February 12 at Lowlands Mall, with participation from multiple stakeholders including the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) and Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA).

The global dietary supplement market, valued in the hundreds of billions, is confronting intensified examination from both scientific communities and regulatory bodies. A recent surge in analytical reporting has brought to light persistent concerns regarding the verifiable efficacy, manufacturing standards, and marketing claims prevalent within the industry.

Unlike pharmaceutical products, which undergo rigorous pre-market testing for safety and effectiveness, supplements often enter the consumer marketplace with significantly less oversight. This regulatory gap, primarily stemming from legislation like the U.S. Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994, places the burden of proof on agencies to demonstrate a product is unsafe after it is already available to the public.

Key areas of concern highlighted by experts include frequent ingredient mislabeling, contamination with undeclared substances, and potent bioactive compounds being sold without adequate dosage studies. Furthermore, marketing language often utilizes carefully crafted ‘structure/function’ claims that suggest health benefits which may not be substantiated by robust clinical evidence, potentially misleading consumers.

The implications for public health are significant. Consumers may inadvertently choose supplements over proven medical treatments, experience adverse reactions, or incur substantial financial cost for products with negligible benefit. Health advocates are increasingly calling for more stringent mandatory testing, transparent labeling requirements, and greater authority for regulatory agencies to remove questionable products from shelves proactively.

This ongoing scrutiny underscores a critical dialogue about the balance between consumer access, industry innovation, and the imperative to ensure product safety and truthfulness in the expansive wellness market.

The San Fernando General and Teaching Hospital has achieved a significant milestone by receiving the coveted Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative accreditation from the Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). This designation makes the South West Regional Health Authority’s flagship institution the first regional health authority to have all its major facilities certified under the international program.

The accreditation ceremony on January 13 featured PAHO/WHO Representative Dr. Gabriel Vivas Francesconi and Health Minister Dr. Lackram Bodoe, who unveiled a commemorative plaque at the facility. The hospital joins other recently accredited institutions including Point Fortin Hospital, Mt Hope Women’s Hospital, Sangre Grande, and Scarborough Hospital, with plans underway to extend the accreditation to Port of Spain General Hospital in the near future.

The WHO/UNICEF initiative establishes rigorous standards for optimal infant feeding practices and mother-baby bonding in maternity facilities. The program aims to protect and promote breastfeeding by transforming hospital protocols to support successful breastfeeding while shielding families from commercial influences.

SWRHA Deputy Chairperson Natasha Moonilal emphasized the transformative nature of the accreditation, noting that the hospital underwent comprehensive changes in care delivery and staff training over recent months. ‘This represents a transformation at every level,’ Moonilal stated. ‘Our medical teams have fully embraced the ten steps to successful breastfeeding, ensuring immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth, early initiation of breastfeeding, and continuous support throughout the mother’s stay.’

Dr. Vivas Francesconi highlighted the need for concerted efforts to discourage milk substitutes, advocating for national legislation to protect against aggressive marketing by formula manufacturers. While acknowledging there is a role for milk substitutes in certain circumstances, Health Minister Bodoe confirmed the ministry is developing regulations for the industry, including front-of-package labeling requirements.

The accreditation coincides with recent government reforms expanding parental protections, including paid breastfeeding breaks and strengthened workplace safeguards against discrimination—measures Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar promoted while encouraging young couples to consider parenthood.

The global dietary supplement industry, valued at over $150 billion, presents consumers with a complex landscape of health promises and scientific uncertainty. A recent surge in public scrutiny is challenging long-held beliefs about the efficacy of these widely available products, prompting a critical examination of their role in modern wellness practices.

Healthcare professionals are increasingly voicing concerns about the regulatory gap that allows supplements to reach the market without undergoing the rigorous clinical testing required for pharmaceutical drugs. This regulatory environment, primarily governed by the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) in the United States, places the burden of safety proof on the Food and Drug Administration after products are already available to consumers.

Scientific research continues to reveal contradictory evidence regarding supplement benefits. While certain supplements like folic acid for pregnant women and vitamin D for deficient populations show clear benefits, many popular products lack conclusive evidence supporting their advertised health claims. Emerging studies suggest that some supplements may even pose health risks when taken in excessive quantities or in combination with prescription medications.

Consumer advocacy groups are calling for enhanced transparency in labeling requirements and manufacturing standards. The current patchwork of international regulations creates significant variations in quality control, with some independent studies finding discrepancies between labeled ingredients and actual supplement contents.

Medical experts emphasize that supplements should complement, not replace, a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. They recommend consulting healthcare providers before beginning any supplement regimen, particularly for individuals with pre-existing conditions or those taking prescription medications. The scientific community continues to advocate for more comprehensive long-term studies to better understand the true benefits and risks associated with dietary supplementation.