Carib Scope

分类： health

  • COE reports 769 alcohol poisoning cases during holiday season

    COE reports 769 alcohol poisoning cases during holiday season

    Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – Health authorities have documented a concerning pattern of substance-related emergencies during the recent holiday period. The Emergency Operations Center (COE) disclosed that 769 instances of alcohol poisoning occurred nationwide throughout Christmas and New Year celebrations, with a disturbing inclusion of 65 adolescents aged 11-17 among the affected individuals.

    The comprehensive data emerged from the final assessment of the “Awareness for Life, Christmas and New Year 2025-2026” initiative, a preventive campaign orchestrated by health officials. In parallel findings, the COE tracked 163 separate incidents of foodborne illnesses during the same timeframe.

    Despite the alarming statistics, authorities confirmed zero fatalities linked to these medical emergencies. In a positive development, officials noted an 8% decrease in alcohol intoxication cases compared to the previous year’s holiday statistics, suggesting that public awareness efforts may be yielding measurable results.

    Geographical analysis revealed pronounced regional disparities, with Santo Domingo Province, the National District, and San Pedro de Macorís recording the highest incidence rates. Additional areas experiencing significant cases included San Cristóbal, La Altagracia, Puerto Plata, La Vega, and Sánchez Ramírez provinces, indicating a widespread national health concern.

    The findings have sparked renewed discussions about public health strategies and underage drinking prevention, with health experts calling for enhanced regulatory measures and educational campaigns targeting vulnerable demographics.

  • Drie vuurwerkslachtoffers met oogletsel behandeld in SEH

    Drie vuurwerkslachtoffers met oogletsel behandeld in SEH

    Suriname’s health authorities have reported a concerning rise in fireworks-related injuries, with three confirmed cases requiring emergency medical attention as of Tuesday evening. All victims presented at the Academic Hospital Paramaribo’s Emergency Department with severe ocular trauma, highlighting a disturbing pattern of eye injuries during the holiday season.

    The most recent incidents include a 32-year-old male who sustained significant damage to both eyes and nasal structures from commercial-grade color and light display fireworks (KLS). In a separate case, a 6-year-old boy suffered left eye trauma from burning incense. Both patients received initial emergency treatment before being referred to ophthalmologists for specialized care.

    This medical emergency follows the first documented case on December 28th, when a 24-year-old man experienced similar ocular damage from fireworks. The consistent nature of these injuries—all involving serious eye trauma—has raised alarms among medical professionals about the dangers of improper fireworks handling.

    With legal fireworks sales and usage permitted until midnight on January 1st, 2026, emergency personnel and Suriname’s Fire Brigade have issued urgent safety recommendations. Health officials are particularly emphasizing the critical need for adult supervision of children and adolescents to prevent additional incidents and potential permanent vision impairment. The medical community continues to monitor the situation as New Year’s celebrations approach their peak.

  • French publication examines garbage disposal problem in DA, says health crisis could be looming

    French publication examines garbage disposal problem in DA, says health crisis could be looming

    The Caribbean nation of Dominica is confronting a severe public health emergency triggered by a systemic waste management collapse. For months, mountainous accumulations of uncollected garbage have plagued municipalities across the island, overwhelming sanitation services and creating fertile ground for disease vectors.

    Despite the government’s deployment of four new garbage trucks, the Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation (DSWMC) has publicly acknowledged its inability to maintain collection schedules. The corporation has shifted to a provisional service plan while apologizing to residents of Point Michel, Soufriere, and Scotts Head for persistent delays. Frustratingly, officials note that collection sites are being rapidly refilled shortly after cleanup operations, indicating deeper behavioral challenges.

    The sanitation breakdown has precipitated serious health consequences. Health authorities report a disturbing surge in leptospirosis cases, a potentially fatal bacterial disease transmitted through rat urine. With rodents proliferating in the waste-strewn environment, the Ministry of Health confirmed 17 infections and one fatality in April 2025 alone. Notably, public health communications about the epidemic have diminished in recent months despite growing citizen concerns.

    Community organizations like the Touna Development Committee have joined cleanup efforts while pleading with outsiders to stop illegal dumping near the Concord River. The situation is further complicated by the continued requirement for taxpayers to pay full waste collection fees despite inadequate service delivery.

    Health officials are urging residents to improve waste sorting practices and adhere to disposal regulations while recommending more frequent collections in critically affected neighborhoods. The government faces mounting pressure to resolve both the logistical challenges of waste management and the accompanying public health crisis before the situation escalates further.

  • Families and Patients Gather for Belize’s First Bleeding Disorders Meeting

    Families and Patients Gather for Belize’s First Bleeding Disorders Meeting

    In a historic gathering marking a significant advancement for national healthcare, Belize hosted its inaugural national meeting dedicated to bleeding disorders on December 14, 2025. The landmark event, convened in San Antonio at the Weston Orange Walk Mennonite Community, united patients, families, and caregivers from across the nation.

    Organized by the Belizean Foundation for Bleeding Disorders, the summit served as a crucial platform for education, support, and community building. Attendees were provided with comprehensive educational resources specifically designed to empower them with enhanced self-management techniques and effective advocacy strategies for navigating life with conditions such as hemophilia and von Willebrand disease.

    The foundation characterized the meeting as a foundational initiative aimed at substantially improving medical care, strengthening patient advocacy, and elevating the overall quality of life for individuals affected by these conditions. A core objective was the establishment of a robust, interconnected support network to foster collaboration and shared experiences among patients and their families.

    Beyond direct patient support, the event also focused on a critical secondary mission: promoting greater public awareness and fostering a deeper understanding of bleeding disorders within the wider Belizean community, aiming to reduce stigma and encourage broader societal support.

  • Stay on track: Join GFNC’s Free Midweek Nutrition Support Sessions

    Stay on track: Join GFNC’s Free Midweek Nutrition Support Sessions

    The Grenada Food and Nutrition Council (GFNC) has launched its 11th annual series of interactive nutrition support sessions, offering sustained guidance for those seeking to maintain their New Year’s health commitments beyond January’s initial enthusiasm. These monthly sessions, held every second Wednesday from 12 pm to 1 pm, provide structured support for individuals pursuing improved dietary habits and lifestyle changes.

    Charisse Bristol, Nutrition Education & Promotion Coordinator at GFNC, emphasizes the program’s design: “These interactive sessions deliver the essential midweek motivation required to maintain focus on health objectives. A single hour can clarify nutritional confusion, sustain momentum, and foster connections with like-minded individuals on similar wellness journeys.”

    The initiative’s effectiveness is grounded in scientific research. A 2022 systematic review in Public Health Nutrition analyzing 31 studies demonstrated that group-based nutrition education, particularly when combined with behavior change strategies like goal-setting and interactive discussions, significantly improves dietary intake and nutritional status. Complementary research published in Obesity Facts (2021) revealed that peer support mechanisms contribute to reduced weight and body mass index (BMI) among participants with overweight and obesity, highlighting the importance of collective accountability in maintaining healthy behaviors.

    Each session enables participants to establish realistic nutrition and physical activity targets, address meal planning uncertainties, receive midweek encouragement, and build supportive community connections. The program is offered free of charge, with registration available through an online form accessible via the Council’s digital platforms.

    The GFNC encourages ongoing engagement through nutrition counseling sessions available via telephone (473-440-2126) or email, alongside promoting local food consumption to strengthen national nutrition security. Additional information about the Council’s mission and programs can be found on their official website and social media channels.

  • Neglect followed by neglect

    Neglect followed by neglect

    Health Minister Lackram Bodoe has committed to re-examining the protracted legal case involving eight-year-old Davyn Ragoo and his family, who have been engaged in prolonged litigation to secure essential medical support. This development follows a front-page news report on December 28 that highlighted the family’s struggle against the state’s legal opposition.

    Davyn belongs to a cohort of children born with microcephaly linked to the 2017 Zika virus outbreak. His mother, Kavita Ramkissoon-Ragoo, was compelled to initiate legal proceedings to draw governmental attention to her son’s medical requirements. Although Justice Joan Charles delivered a landmark ruling condemning the state’s failure to provide adequate medical treatment and support, the administration initially announced intentions to appeal the verdict—a threat that ultimately remained unexecuted.

    For years, the case remained in legal limbo, compounding the family’s distress as Davyn grew older without resolved support mechanisms. While Minister Bodoe’s review team has not yet established a timeline or determined specific outcomes, his engagement acknowledges two critical systemic deficiencies.

    Firstly, the case underscores severe gaps in healthcare services for patients with special needs, particularly those affected by Zika and its complications. Addressing these shortcomings would signal a commitment to long-term healthcare reform. Secondly, the situation reveals a misalignment between the litigation strategies of the Attorney General’s office and the public service obligations of government ministries. The pattern of challenging vulnerable citizens in court raises fundamental questions about the state’s fulfillment of its social contract responsibilities.

    The minister’s intervention offers cautious optimism for numerous families facing similar battles, emphasizing that Ramkissoon-Ragoo’s struggle is neither isolated nor uncommon within the current healthcare landscape.

  • Doctor urges lifestyle reset to ease NCD pressure on health system

    Doctor urges lifestyle reset to ease NCD pressure on health system

    Barbados confronts an escalating health crisis as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) surge, prompting urgent calls for systemic lifestyle reforms from medical leadership. Dr. Lynda Williams, President of the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners, has issued a stark warning about this growing epidemic, directly linking it to sedentary behaviors and poor nutritional habits.

    In an exclusive dialogue with Barbados TODAY, Dr. Williams confirmed a noticeable uptick in new NCD diagnoses, though comprehensive post-pandemic data remains under compilation. She identified obesity as the primary catalyst driving this wave of chronic illnesses, emphasizing that childhood-onset obesity leads to particularly severe long-term health consequences.

    The medical expert pinpointed two interconnected culprits: physical inactivity and unhealthy diets. Beyond merely contributing to weight gain, these factors independently trigger conditions like high cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension. Dr. Williams expressed particular concern about rising pediatric obesity rates, noting that children’s dietary patterns are fundamentally shaped within household environments since they don’t control their own food choices.

    Critiquing the traditional Barbadian diet as excessively starchy and laden with saturated fats and sugars, Dr. Williams advocated for robust policy interventions. She endorsed existing measures like sugar taxes but emphasized the critical need for clearer nutritional labeling and improved access to affordable healthy foods. The physician also highlighted intergenerational behavioral patterns, observing that children typically emulate their parents’ sedentary lifestyles and dietary preferences.

    Her prescription for change includes family-oriented solutions: reducing screen time, increasing outdoor activities, and reviving traditional practices like home gardening. Dr. Williams stressed that active living not only improves physical health but also enhances mental wellbeing. She called for urban planning that prioritizes green spaces and exercise-friendly environments to combat diabetes and hypertension rates.

    Looking toward 2026, the medical association president voiced alarm about children consuming primarily fast food diets, warning that excessive salt and sugar intake bodes poorly for the nation’s future health. Her urgent appeal for the new year emphasizes conscious decisions to increase movement, improve nutrition, and model healthier lifestyles for younger generations. While acknowledging the role of schools, Dr. Williams ultimately asserted that effective change requires comprehensive parent education, potentially through nationally coordinated parenting classes.

  • Health Officials Urge Vaccination as H3N2 Nears Belize

    Health Officials Urge Vaccination as H3N2 Nears Belize

    Health authorities in Belize have issued urgent public health advisories as the highly contagious Influenza A (H3N2) strain approaches the nation’s borders. The viral pathogen demonstrates rapid transmission capabilities and poses elevated risks to vulnerable demographics including elderly citizens, young children, and individuals with pre-existing chronic medical conditions.

    The Ministry of Health and Wellness has outlined a comprehensive prevention strategy emphasizing vaccination as the primary defense mechanism. Supplementary protective measures include rigorous hand hygiene practices and voluntary isolation for symptomatic individuals. The ministry further advocates for systemic immune enhancement through nutritional support and organ system strengthening to mitigate viral impact.

    Complementing conventional medical approaches, herbal practitioner Reginald Hamilton, proprietor of Reggie’s Herb and Tea House, advocates integrative viral defense methodologies. Hamilton’s protocol operates synergistically with clinical diagnoses, utilizing customized herbal formulations targeting respiratory health.

    “My practice complements rather than contradicts conventional medicine,” Hamilton explained. “I utilize medical diagnoses to develop targeted botanical interventions that support organ system function through specific cleansing and enhancement protocols.”

    His respiratory tea formulation incorporates Peter Seco, sage, and eucalyptus extracts, with detailed preparation instructions for optimal potency. The herbalist emphasizes a detoxification philosophy centered on three principles: arrest, uproot, and discharge—employing laxative formulations to facilitate mucus expulsion and systemic cleansing.

  • 72 Children, One Reality: Cancer in Belize

    72 Children, One Reality: Cancer in Belize

    BELIZE CITY – A deeply personal story of one child’s cancer battle has catalyzed national awareness around pediatric oncology in Belize, where official health data reveals 72 children have received cancer diagnoses over the past five years. These diagnoses create profound emotional distress and impose severe financial burdens on affected families, exposing systemic healthcare challenges in the Central American nation.

    Amidst this crisis, structured support mechanisms are emerging. The Belize Cancer Society has positioned itself as a critical intervention agency, providing comprehensive assistance with medical logistics, international travel coordination, and financial aid. “The moment a child receives a cancer diagnosis, families experience complete overwhelm. Our mission at the cancer center is to immediately step into that chaos with structured support,” explained Kim Simplis Barrow, President of the Belize Cancer Society.

    The organization facilitates navigation through complex healthcare systems and ensures timely access to treatment. “We deliver essential information and guide families through every step—from Belize to overseas care centers. Our response is typically immediate, without unnecessary delays,” Barrow emphasized.

    On the governmental front, Dr. Natalia Largaespada Beer, Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Health and Wellness, confirmed that chemotherapy treatments are fully funded at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, with the government having eliminated the General Sales Tax on cancer medications to reduce financial barriers.

    Significant treatment advancements have emerged from pandemic-driven innovations. A coalition of healthcare providers now delivers specialized chemotherapy within Belize—a development initially necessitated by international border closures but now becoming a permanent enhancement to domestic care capabilities.

    Despite these improvements, critical limitations persist. Complex diagnostics and long-term treatment protocols still require international referrals, creating additional strain on families. Addressing this gap, a transformative project is underway: construction of a new pediatric cancer wing, supported by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, scheduled for completion in 2027. This facility promises to localize comprehensive childhood cancer care, fundamentally transforming treatment accessibility in Belize.

    “This initiative represents a monumental shift—it’s about bringing complete childhood cancer care home to Belize,” Barrow stated, highlighting the project’s potential to revolutionize pediatric oncology in the nation.

  • Suriname zet stap richting gereguleerde integratie van traditionele geneeskunde

    Suriname zet stap richting gereguleerde integratie van traditionele geneeskunde

    Suriname has reinforced its commitment to incorporating traditional and complementary medicine into its national healthcare framework following participation in the World Health Organization’s second global summit on traditional medicine. The high-level gathering, convened in New Delhi, India, assembled delegates from over one hundred nations to advance the implementation of the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034.

    The conference culminated in the adoption of the Delhi Declaration, which formally recognizes traditional medicine as both a shared bio-cultural heritage and an integral component of national health systems worldwide. This landmark document emphasizes evidence-based integration, rigorous regulatory standards, patient safety protocols, and meaningful engagement with indigenous communities and traditional knowledge holders.

    Suriname’s multidisciplinary delegation included officials from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Labor, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation, and the National Assembly. The nation used the platform to reaffirm its phased, responsible approach to integrating traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine within its healthcare architecture.

    On the sidelines of the summit, Surinamese representatives engaged in bilateral discussions with Indian counterparts to explore enhanced cooperation in traditional medicine. India has expressed willingness to provide technical support in regulatory development, capacity building, and knowledge exchange, with particular attention to Suriname’s multicultural demographic landscape.

    This participation signals accelerated parliamentary consideration of Suriname’s draft legislation on the Regulation and Development of Traditional and Integrative Medical Systems Industry. The move aligns with broader policy initiatives aimed at ensuring safe, regulated, and inclusive application of traditional medical practices across the nation’s diverse population.