Carib Scope

分类： health

  • Who is unfamiliar with cancer?

    Who is unfamiliar with cancer?

    In the pediatric oncology ward of Cuba’s National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology (INOR), life unfolds with heartbreaking fragility and extraordinary resilience. Here, children play amidst their battles with cancer, while medical professionals wage a daily war against both disease and scarcity. Dr. Mariuska Forteza Sáez, head of INOR’s Pediatric Oncology Department, leads a team that consistently achieves survival rates comparable to developed nations despite severe medication shortages and equipment limitations.

    The Cuban healthcare system faces unprecedented challenges in cancer treatment due to the longstanding US economic blockade. With one cancer death occurring every 20 minutes and 50,000 new cases diagnosed annually, the nation’s medical professionals must constantly adapt treatment protocols when first-line chemotherapy drugs are unavailable. Doctors frequently modify regimens, sometimes using less effective or more toxic alternatives when essential medications remain inaccessible.

    Dr. Luis Martínez Rodríguez, INOR’s director, emphasizes that while 40% of cancers could be prevented through lifestyle changes, the current economic situation has significantly reduced clinical research capabilities. From over 30 clinical trials, the institution now maintains only the most critical studies due to reagent shortages.

    Remarkably, Cuba has developed significant biotechnological capabilities despite these constraints. Dr. Elías Gracia Medina notes that 40% of the country’s cancer drugs are manufactured domestically, building on pioneering work that began with Cuba’s first monoclonal antibody development in the 1980s. The Center for Molecular Immunology (CIM) has become a leader in therapeutic vaccines and antibodies.

    The human impact extends beyond medication shortages. Patients struggle with transportation to hospitals, nutritional challenges, and even power outages affecting medical equipment. Dr. Carlos Alberto Martínez Blanco condemns the sanctions as ‘inhumane and genocidal measures’ that attack fundamental rights to life and healthcare.

    Through telemedicine collaborations with leading centers in Canada, Spain, Mexico, Russia, Japan, and China, Cuban oncology maintains its international connections. The nation’s healthcare professionals continue their sovereign commitment to treat patients, demonstrating that human determination can overcome even the most severe material limitations in the fight against cancer.

  • Fire at B’s Recycling

    Fire at B’s Recycling

    A significant industrial fire at B’s Recycling Plant in Cane Garden, St. Thomas has triggered an urgent public health advisory from the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Emergency services are currently mobilizing to contain the blaze as dense smoke spreads across multiple residential areas.

    The Ministry has identified several communities potentially affected by the hazardous smoke plume, including Arthur Seat, Redman’s Village, Welches, Melrose, Lower Edgehill, Jackson, Clermont, and Warrens. Health officials have issued specific guidance for vulnerable populations, urging individuals with asthma or pre-existing respiratory conditions to avoid these areas until air quality improves substantially.

    Medical authorities have emphasized that anyone experiencing adverse health effects from smoke exposure should seek immediate medical attention at healthcare facilities. Emergency response teams are implementing comprehensive measures to control the fire and minimize potential health impacts on surrounding communities. The situation remains under active monitoring as responders work to extinguish the recycling plant fire and mitigate its public health consequences.

  • Health department will be hands on to ensure food safety at Carnival events, says health official

    Health department will be hands on to ensure food safety at Carnival events, says health official

    Dominican health authorities are implementing comprehensive food safety measures ahead of the Mas Domnik 2026 Carnival celebrations to safeguard public health during the festivities. The Environmental Health Department has announced intensified surveillance operations targeting food vendors and mass gatherings throughout the Carnival season.

    Senior Environmental Health Officer Calma Louis confirmed that environmental health officers will maintain visible presence at major Carnival events including Sunrise and VIVA celebrations. The initiative focuses on collaborative prevention rather than enforcement disruption, working directly with vendors and event organizers to ensure safe food preparation and service standards.

    “Our objective centers on public health protection through cooperative engagement with all stakeholders,” Louis stated during a recent press briefing. She emphasized the department’s request for full cooperation from both vendors and patrons as officers execute their monitoring responsibilities.

    Health officials issued specific guidelines for food handlers, mandating maintained sanitary vending areas and appropriate attire including hair coverings and aprons. The department explicitly prohibited sleeveless garments and shorts in food preparation zones, emphasizing professional presentation standards.

    The advisory highlighted hand hygiene as critical prevention against foodborne illnesses, particularly after restroom use, monetary transactions, or raw food handling. Symptomatic food handlers experiencing vomiting or diarrhea must immediately avoid food preparation and service areas—a requirement extending to home-based preparers supplying local vending locations.

    Louis reinforced that public health protection begins with responsible practices from every food handler. Simultaneously, patrons received encouragement to exercise personal responsibility by purchasing exclusively from certified vendors and visually assessing stall cleanliness before transactions.

  • Abandoned for decades: Bellevue CEO Suzette Buchanan calls for greater family support

    Abandoned for decades: Bellevue CEO Suzette Buchanan calls for greater family support

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Bellevue Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Suzette Buchanan has issued an urgent appeal for family reunification with mental health patients, revealing that numerous individuals have been effectively abandoned at the institution for up to four decades. During a recent facility tour, Buchanan documented cases of patients who were delivered by relatives and never reclaimed, creating a humanitarian crisis within Jamaica’s primary mental health institution.

    Buchanan provided disturbing specifics, including one female patient left by her children thirty years ago without subsequent contact. While acknowledging the phenomenon of caregiver burnout, the CEO emphasized that treated mental health conditions permit stable functioning, comparable to managing chronic physical illnesses like diabetes or hypertension.

    ‘These individuals are not given opportunities despite treatment success,’ Buchanan stated. ‘Many function normally in communities through medication compliance, attending schools, churches, and maintaining households.’

    The CEO identified persistent stigma and linguistic prejudice as fundamental barriers to family reintegration. She specifically criticized the derogatory use of the term ‘mad’ instead of clinically accurate terminology like ‘mental health condition,’ which perpetuates social exclusion.

    Bellevue Hospital, operational since 1861, has implemented technological solutions to bridge connection gaps. Under Buchanan’s leadership since 2022, the institution launched a virtual communication system enabling global relatives to conduct video visits through social worker facilitation.

    Buchanan’s advocacy has received international recognition, with the Mental Health Foundation Australia naming her International Mental Health Advocate of the Year for 2025. Despite technological advancements and treatment improvements, she maintains that therapeutic intervention alone cannot replace familial bonds and social support systems essential for patient recovery.

    The CEO concluded with an emotional plea: ‘They require loving arms, not institutional confinement. Family participation constitutes a humanitarian imperative, not merely supplemental care.’

  • Mandeville Regional Hospital performs first colonoscopy, expands cancer screening access

    Mandeville Regional Hospital performs first colonoscopy, expands cancer screening access

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a groundbreaking advancement for regional healthcare, Mandeville Regional Hospital has marked a medical milestone by successfully conducting its inaugural colonoscopy procedure. This achievement significantly enhances endoscopic capabilities and fortifies early detection mechanisms for colorectal cancer among communities in Manchester and adjacent parishes.

    The Southern Regional Health Authority formally disclosed this development through a social media announcement on Thursday. The institution confirmed that with the recent installation of a state-of-the-art endoscopy tower and completion of specialized certification training, the hospital is now fully equipped to broaden its screening services and accelerate diagnostic timelines.

    Dr. Andrew Josephs, Surgical Consultant at the facility, projected that upon full operational capacity, the hospital will perform approximately six to ten procedures daily. Initial focus will center on symptomatic patients requiring urgent investigation. Dr. Josephs highlighted the economic burden previously faced by residents, noting that private colonoscopy services ranged from $70,000 Jamaican dollars upward, creating substantial barriers to accessible healthcare.

    Addressing common patient concerns, Dr. Josephs clarified that colonoscopies typically involve minimal discomfort rather than significant pain. He further explained that individuals with normal results may not require repeat testing for seven to ten years, distinguishing colonoscopy from annual screenings like mammograms.

    The medical expert strongly advised residents aged 45-50 to consult healthcare providers regarding appropriate screening alternatives, emphasizing that early detection dramatically improves survival rates. He recommended stool-based blood tests as a preliminary option for those hesitant about endoscopic procedures.

    This medical breakthrough was made possible through philanthropic collaboration between Food For the Poor and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with technical facilitation provided by AA Laquis, the local distributor for Olympus medical equipment.

  • Nieuwe niervergruizer AZP niet volledig operationeel; oplossing binnen 2 weken verwacht

    Nieuwe niervergruizer AZP niet volledig operationeel; oplossing binnen 2 weken verwacht

    PARAMARIBO – Suriname’s healthcare sector faces a temporary setback as the newly installed kidney stone crusher at the Academic Hospital Paramaribo (AZP) is operating below capacity due to a technical incompatibility. Health Minister André Misiekaba confirmed the operational challenges during a session of the National Assembly, responding to inquiries from legislator Ivanildo Plein of the National Party of Suriname (NPS).

    The core issue, as detailed by the minister, stems from the supplier providing an incorrect ultrasound device during the installation process last month. This critical component was found to be non-compatible with the lithotripsy system’s core technology, severely limiting its functionality. Consequently, medical staff can only perform the non-invasive kidney stone procedures through improvisation and solely for patients in acutely urgent cases, exacerbating existing lengthy waiting lists.

    Hospital administration anticipates a resolution by the conclusion of February, with expectations for the advanced medical equipment to then achieve full operational status. Minister Misiekaba publicly appealed for patience from affected patients and the general public, emphasizing the institution’s commitment to resolving the supply chain error promptly. “We expect optimal crushing operations to resume within a fortnight,” the minister assured legislators, highlighting the short-term nature of the disruption despite its significant current impact on urological services.

  • Saint Kitts and Nevis Records Zero Maternal Deaths in 2026 Thus Far

    Saint Kitts and Nevis Records Zero Maternal Deaths in 2026 Thus Far

    The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis has achieved a remarkable public health milestone with zero maternal deaths recorded throughout the first six weeks of 2026. Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, who also serves as Health Minister, announced this significant achievement on February 12th, characterizing it as a definitive indicator of the nation’s robust and responsive healthcare infrastructure.

    During his official address, Prime Minister Drew emphasized the profound significance of this accomplishment: ‘Not one pregnant woman who carried life within her has died.’ He elaborated that maternal mortality rates are universally recognized by global health organizations as a critical metric for evaluating the effectiveness of a nation’s healthcare system.

    The Prime Minister attributed this success to the exceptional dedication of medical professionals including physicians, nursing staff, midwives, and allied health workers. He further highlighted strategic governmental investments in enhanced maternal care services, comprehensive prevention initiatives, and substantial strengthening of public health systems as key contributing factors.

    Beyond celebrating this achievement, Dr. Drew urged citizens to embrace healthier lifestyle choices, noting that a healthcare system capable of protecting its most vulnerable populations—pregnant women—demonstrates exceptional strength and resilience.

    The current administration’s deliberate health strategy encompasses multiple components including declining overall mortality trends, expanded pediatric support through the Children’s Medical Fund, and significant infrastructure investments in healthcare facilities. The Prime Minister unequivocally stated that this progress results from intentional policy-making, strategic resource allocation, and the unwavering commitment of healthcare professionals rather than accidental circumstances.

  • US Radiologist donates mammogram equipment to General Hospital

    US Radiologist donates mammogram equipment to General Hospital

    In a transformative development for women’s healthcare, Grenada has achieved a medical milestone with the installation of its first mammogram equipment featuring integrated biopsy capability at the General Hospital. This advanced diagnostic technology was formally donated by prominent US radiologist Dr. Randy Becker, marking a significant upgrade to the nation’s public healthcare infrastructure.

    The donation addresses a critical health priority in Grenada, where breast cancer represents the predominant cause of cancer-related mortality among women. The sophisticated machinery promises to revolutionize early detection capabilities, enabling radiologists to conduct comprehensive breast examinations with real-time precision and manage complex diagnostic procedures more effectively.

    During the handover ceremony last Friday, Health Minister Hon. Philip Telesford characterized the acquisition as an historic achievement in the nation’s healthcare evolution. Minister Telesford emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to rebuilding Grenada’s medical landscape with technology that directly addresses citizens’ most pressing health needs, noting this equipment exemplifies their vision for transformative healthcare delivery.

    Dr. Becker explained the clinical significance of the technology, highlighting its capacity to enhance diagnostic accuracy and streamline patient management. The initiative substantially improves accessibility to essential women’s health screening services, representing a major advancement in preventive healthcare for Grenadian women.

    The Ministry of Health has endorsed this development as a cornerstone in its ongoing efforts to modernize medical services and reduce breast cancer mortality through early intervention and state-of-the-art diagnostic capabilities.

  • Dominica increases lab capacity under the Pandemic Preparedness Initiative

    Dominica increases lab capacity under the Pandemic Preparedness Initiative

    In a significant boost to regional health security, six Eastern Caribbean nations have received state-of-the-art laboratory equipment valued at approximately $85,000 through a multi-organizational partnership. The donation, formally handed over to Dominica’s National Laboratory, represents a critical component of the regional initiative “Strengthening Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Emerging Health Threats in the Eastern Caribbean.”

    The collaborative effort involves Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with support from the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Bank. Funding was provided through the Pandemic Fund, established in 2022 specifically to enhance pandemic preparedness in low- and middle-income countries, with additional backing from the Fleming Fund.

    At the heart of the donation is the VITEK 2 compact system—a sophisticated microbiological instrument described by Senior Laboratory Technologist Craig Henry as a “nuclear weapon” in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The comprehensive equipment package also includes a vertical freezer, PCR consumables, pipette kits, a microcentrifuge, and various specialized laboratory supplies designed to significantly elevate diagnostic capabilities across the region.

    Henry emphasized the transformative impact of the new technology: “The laboratory can now routinely identify organisms to species level, and for the first time, fungal susceptibility is done routinely. This means clinicians can receive antibiotic treatment options more quickly, greatly enhancing patient outcomes.”

    The equipment’s integrated patient data management system and ability to generate antibiograms will further strengthen antimicrobial stewardship efforts at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital and nationwide. The timing coincides with high-level discussions under the Pandemic Fund, including a recent February 5 meeting between PAHO/WHO, health ministry officials, and development partners.

    Dr. Amalia Del Riego, PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, highlighted the strategic importance of the initiative: “This launch marks a major milestone for the Eastern Caribbean region. By embracing a One Health approach and reinforcing our systems together, we are building a future where countries can detect, respond to, and prevent emerging threats more effectively.”

    The project adopts the One Health framework, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. For Dominica and its regional partners, this equipment donation represents a substantial advancement in national health security infrastructure, better positioning the region to prevent, detect, and respond swiftly to future public health emergencies.

  • Dominica ratifies PAHO/WHO Multi-Country Cooperation Strategy 2026–203, prioritizing regional cooperation in healthcare

    Dominica ratifies PAHO/WHO Multi-Country Cooperation Strategy 2026–203, prioritizing regional cooperation in healthcare

    In a significant advancement for regional public health, the Commonwealth of Dominica has formally endorsed the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization’s (PAHO/WHO) Multi-Country Cooperation Strategy (MCCS) for the period 2026–2031. This ratification positions Dominica alongside fellow Eastern Caribbean states in a unified effort to reinforce healthcare infrastructures through a framework built on solidarity, equity, and resilience.

    The comprehensive strategy, designed to serve Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, functions as a medium-term roadmap for health promotion and sustainable development. Its formulation followed extensive dialogues with member states, regional bodies, development allies, and civil society organizations, crystallizing a shared vision to confront emerging health crises while championing inclusive and equitable healthcare.

    Dr. Kyra Paul L’Homme, Permanent Secretary at Dominica’s Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services, emphasized the strategy’s critical importance during the official signing ceremony. She outlined that the MCCS will catalyze the strengthening of Dominica’s health system via several key pillars: bolstering primary healthcare, enhancing emergency readiness, expanding the health workforce, driving digital transformation, and intensifying the fight against both communicable and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Dr. L’Homme highlighted the strategy’s role in fortifying national resilience and ensuring equitable access to quality health services amidst a volatile global landscape marked by supply chain disruptions and health security threats.

    This collaborative initiative is particularly vital for the Caribbean, a region navigating a complex health environment. Challenges include a high prevalence of NCDs, persistent infectious disease risks, and the escalating impacts of climate change and natural disasters. Health systems are further strained by workforce shortages and financial constraints, which often result in significant out-of-pocket costs for patients.

    In response, Eastern Caribbean governments are pursuing reforms focused on reinforcing primary care, advancing national health insurance, integrating health information systems, and investing in climate-resilient infrastructure. Dominica is already realizing benefits from PAHO’s Smart Hospitals Initiative, with completed upgrades to facilities in LaPlaine, Grand Bay, and Portsmouth, and future projects planned for Mahaut and Wesley.

    Grounded in the core principles of equity, resilience, and sustainability, the MCCS will utilize established regional platforms like the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and CARICOM to foster cooperation. The Government of Dominica has expressed its commitment to ongoing collaboration with PAHO/WHO and regional partners to transform this strategic blueprint into actionable measures, aiming to achieve substantial health improvements for its citizens and the wider Eastern Caribbean community.