Carib Scope

分类： health

  • GPHC boasts of being Caribbean’s leading kidney transplant centre; each recipient saves almost GY$90 million

    GPHC boasts of being Caribbean’s leading kidney transplant centre; each recipient saves almost GY$90 million

    The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has established itself as the Caribbean’s premier kidney transplant center, achieving regional medical leadership through innovative surgical programs and substantial cost savings for patients. Health officials announced Wednesday that the Guyanese institution has performed more transplants than any other Caribbean facility in 2025, with 13 procedures completed this year alone.

    GPHC’s transplant program delivers extraordinary financial benefits to recipients, saving patients between US$400,000-$500,000 (approximately GY$87.2-109 million) compared to market rates for equivalent surgeries elsewhere. The hospital has provided these life-saving procedures completely free of charge, including for patients from several Caribbean nations such as Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, The Bahamas, and Trinidad and Tobago.

    CEO Robbie Rambarran highlighted the hospital’s pioneering achievements, including performing the Caribbean’s first kidney transplant on a 20kg infant in 2023 and conducting the region’s first laparoscopic donor nephrectomy in 2024. The institution recently achieved another milestone by completing its first chain transplant surgery—an intricate process involving multiple donor-recipient pairs that demonstrates sophisticated medical coordination.

    Multi-organ transplant specialist Dr. Kishore Persaud emphasized the entirely local nature of these accomplishments: “Culturally, there is sometimes a belief that outsiders can do it better than our own. Today, I proudly sit here to say that these surgeries were performed entirely by the doctors and staff of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.”

    Despite these successes, hospital officials revealed concerning statistics about kidney disease in Guyana. From 2023 to present, GPHC has registered 2,200 individuals diagnosed with kidney disease, with 368 patients currently on dialysis—246 of whom began treatment this year. Rambarran noted that demand for dialysis and transplants “exceeds our capacity,” describing this as a “call to action.”

    Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony indicated that while services remain free for now, the government might eventually charge foreign patients for these “very, very expensive” surgeries as the program develops. The ministry plans to enhance capabilities through international training partnerships with institutions in Spain, Brazil, India, and Canada, and will soon send a doctor to India’s Apollo Hospital to advance HLA testing capabilities.

    Patient testimonials highlighted the exceptional care received. Samantha Ault, who experienced transplants in both Trinidad and Tobago and at GPHC, praised the “amazing transplant team” in Georgetown. David Singh, who previously received treatment in the United States, commended the local doctors’ accessibility: “I’ve never seen a team of doctors that are so loving and caring.” Donor Akeem Ault reported that his experience “changed my entire narrative that I had about hospitals especially Georgetown Hospital.”

  • That belly may be killing you

    That belly may be killing you

    Medical experts from the Grenada Food and Nutrition Council (GFNC) have issued a crucial health alert regarding abdominal obesity, warning that a protruding belly may signal dangerous internal fat accumulation with serious health implications.

    This deep-lying visceral fat, which envelops vital organs, represents a significant threat to metabolic health. Unlike subcutaneous fat, visceral fat is biologically active, functioning almost as an endocrine organ that releases harmful substances into the bloodstream. These substances trigger systemic inflammation, elevate triglyceride levels, and disrupt essential bodily processes.

    The metabolic consequences are severe and multifaceted. Visceral fat dramatically increases triglyceride production, leading to toxic fat accumulation in muscles and liver. This storage pattern promotes insulin resistance, impairing the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar effectively. Simultaneously, fatty deposits infiltrate blood vessels, forming arterial plaque that stiffens vessel walls and contributes to hypertension through elevated cortisol production.

    Additionally, visceral fat stimulates increased fibrinogen production, a substance that thickens blood and promotes clot formation—significantly elevating stroke and heart attack risks. The liver becomes particularly vulnerable, with excess triglycerides potentially progressing to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, and severe hepatic dysfunction.

    Nutritionist Keishon Williams of GFNC identifies multiple contributing factors including chronic stress, sedentary lifestyles, high consumption of refined carbohydrates, ultra-processed foods, and inadequate fiber intake. These elements collectively create the conditions for metabolic syndrome—a dangerous cluster of conditions that dramatically increase cardiovascular and metabolic disease risks.

    The GFNC emphasizes that proactive measures through nutritional counseling and lifestyle modifications can combat this growing health concern. Their recent educational initiative ‘Let’s Chat’ provides comprehensive guidance on addressing visceral fat accumulation and improving metabolic health outcomes.

  • Study Finds Kids Are Trying Alcohol Before Age Ten

    Study Finds Kids Are Trying Alcohol Before Age Ten

    A comprehensive public health study has revealed a disturbing trend of early alcohol initiation in Belize, with the nation now ranking among the highest consumers in the Americas. The research indicates that 15% of surveyed individuals reported their first experience with alcohol before reaching ten years of age, signaling a profound public health challenge.

    Dr. Melissa Diaz-Musa, Director of Public Health and Wellness, presented concerning data showing Belize’s alcohol consumption rates significantly exceed regional averages. “Compared to the region of the Americas, we are graded high in terms of the amount of alcohol we drink,” Dr. Diaz-Musa stated. “We are also considered to be binge drinkers.”

    The study identified typical binge drinking sessions involving approximately eight glasses of alcohol, with men consuming more frequently and in larger quantities than women. Particularly troubling is the finding that 18% of adolescents aged 13-15 reported experiencing intoxication at least once. A cheap, high-concentration rum locally known as “bad man” has been identified as a primary contributor to the problem.

    Dr. Lila Estephan, Non-Communicable Disease Coordinator, emphasized the cultural dimensions of the crisis. “We have to look at our society and our culture. When we have Independence celebrations, when we have a festival, when we have Agric, what do you see mostly? Alcohol,” Dr. Estephan noted. “You will see a lot of people drinking, and it is something we encourage in our society as fun.”

    The health implications are severe, with alcohol serving as a risk factor for over two hundred health conditions. Beyond physical health consequences, the study found significant social ramifications, with marginalized households spending disproportionate amounts of income on alcohol and families experiencing breakdowns.

    Cynthia Williams, Human Development Coordinator, clarified the relationship between alcohol and violence: “Alcohol is not a cause for domestic violence or gender-based violence. It is a factor.”

    Dr. Estephan further explained the addictive nature of alcoholism, stating, “At the end of the day, alcoholism is a disease and an addiction. We cannot blame the consumer. But it makes it much easier and accessible for the person.”

    The findings present a complex public health challenge that intersects with cultural traditions, economic factors, and accessibility of high-potency alcohol products, requiring comprehensive policy interventions.

  • Roll Up Your Sleeve, It’s Flu Season

    Roll Up Your Sleeve, It’s Flu Season

    Health authorities in Belize are reporting significantly elevated influenza activity as the nation enters its cooler seasonal period. Surveillance data from the Ministry of Health and Wellness indicates an unusually high transmission rate, prompting urgent public health recommendations.

    Medical Officer Dr. Javier Novelo, serving as Surveillance Officer for the Central Health Region, revealed concerning statistics: approximately 25% of over 880 conducted flu tests have returned positive results this year. The predominant circulating viruses identified are influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), with RSV presenting particularly severe risks for pediatric populations.

    The epidemiological situation continues to deteriorate with climbing case numbers. Children under five years of age and elderly residents face the highest vulnerability. The ministry’s tracking of severe respiratory infections has documented 71 fatalities nationwide this year, including 21 within the Belize District alone.

    Dr. Novelo emphasized the community transmission risk: “While many individuals can successfully combat these infections, they may inadvertently expose more vulnerable population segments.”

    In response, health authorities are promoting widespread vaccination availability. Flu shots remain freely accessible at all public health facilities for key demographic groups: children aged six months and older, pregnant women, adults with chronic medical conditions, and senior citizens.

    Nurse Lilia Middleton, Manager of the Ministry’s Vaccine Programme, underscored vaccine efficacy and safety: “Vaccinations provide protection at individual, familial, and community levels. They significantly reduce illness incidence, hospitalizations, and serious complications including pneumonia and bronchitis. In some cases, they prevent mortality.”

    Additional preventive measures recommended include consistent hand hygiene, mask usage in crowded settings, self-isolation when symptomatic, and avoiding high-density gatherings. Health professionals note that typical vaccine reactions are generally mild, potentially including injection site discomfort, low-grade fever, or transient fatigue, all manageable with basic care.

  • ARPHA enhances regional monitoring networks for vector-borne illnesses with data analysis training session

    ARPHA enhances regional monitoring networks for vector-borne illnesses with data analysis training session

    Trinidad and Tobago recently hosted a pivotal regional workshop organized by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), marking a significant advancement in the region’s public health preparedness. The intensive two-day session, “Enhancing Vector-Borne Disease Monitoring via Data Accuracy, Nowcasting, and Risk Matrix Utilization,” brought together seventeen public health specialists from nine Caribbean nations including Dominica, Barbados, Jamaica, and Guyana.

    The gathering represented a multidisciplinary coalition of epidemiologists, surveillance officials, statisticians, and environmental health experts working to transform how the region addresses mosquito-borne threats. Dr. Lisa Indar, CARPHA’s Executive Director, framed the initiative’s critical importance: “The same tools that help us anticipate dengue, chikungunya, and malaria are precisely what will enable detection and containment of the next pandemic. This investment in superior data systems and Caribbean-tailored decision tools represents our strategic shift from reactive outbreak response to proactive prevention.”

    Building upon foundational work initiated in Barbados last August, the workshop introduced sophisticated nowcasting techniques—innovative epidemiological methods that compensate for reporting delays and data gaps in disease surveillance. This approach provides health authorities with more accurate, real-time understanding of transmission patterns, enabling earlier detection of emerging threats and more reliable risk assessments.

    Dr. Horace Cox, CARPHA’s Director of Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control, emphasized the interconnected nature of public health threats: “While we cannot predict the next pandemic’s timing or origin, we recognize our environment grows increasingly dynamic and risks continue to escalate. Strengthening our data quality and real-time analysis capabilities directly enhances our regional resilience.”

    The training featured practical exercises integrating epidemiological, entomological, climate, and laboratory datasets. Participants developed skills to translate early warning signals into concrete operational responses, including enhanced surveillance protocols, verification investigations, and rapid vector control measures. A key focus involved aligning early warning outputs with national standard operating procedures to ensure consistent implementation as threat levels intensify.

    Dr. Brian Armour, CARPHA’s Technical Advisor for the Pandemic Fund Initiative, highlighted the regional strategy’s necessity: “Given our geography, population distribution, and tourism dependence, an outbreak in one member state can rapidly evolve into a regional crisis. Pandemic Fund support enables us to develop a comprehensive early warning system integrating indicator-based, laboratory, tourism, and event-based data streams.”

    The workshop also demonstrated how vector-borne disease tools interface with CARPHA’s evolving regional surveillance system, developed through the Pandemic Fund Project. Participants explored technical integration methods that preserve national data sovereignty while enhancing regional coordination. These improvements aim to substantially reduce critical time delays between threat detection, notification, and intervention during public health emergencies.

    This capacity-building initiative directly supports the Pandemic Fund Project’s overarching objectives: strengthening disease surveillance capabilities, developing workforce expertise in data analysis and risk evaluation, and fostering coordinated regional responses to epidemic-prone diseases with pandemic potential.

  • Ex-World Cup goalkeeper Shaka Hislop reveals cancer battle

    Ex-World Cup goalkeeper Shaka Hislop reveals cancer battle

    Former Trinidad and Tobago international goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, now a prominent ESPN football analyst, has publicly disclosed his ongoing struggle with prostate cancer through a heartfelt social media video shared on December 3.

    Hislop revealed that his diagnosis came approximately 18 months ago during a routine annual medical examination. Subsequent medical investigations, including an MRI and biopsy, confirmed the presence of an aggressive form of prostate cancer. By mid-2025, the cancer had metastasized to his pelvic bone, necessitating an intensive treatment regimen that recently concluded with over seven weeks of radiation therapy.

    In his moving testimony, the former professional athlete emphasized the critical importance of regular health screenings, particularly for men over 50. He specifically highlighted the increased risk for men of African descent, recommending they begin prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing as early as age 40.

    The football community has rallied in support of Hislop, with nearly 400 messages of encouragement appearing online by midday on December 4. Hislop’s distinguished career included memorable performances for Trinidad and Tobago’s national team during the 1990s and 2000s, most notably his exceptional showing against Sweden in the 2006 FIFA World Cup where he secured a 0-0 draw despite his team playing with ten men for half the match.

    Hislop concluded his message with a note of determination, stating: ‘The journey continues,’ demonstrating his resolve to battle the illness with the same perseverance he displayed throughout his athletic career.

  • Trinidadian footballer Shaka Hislop reveals he has prostate cancer

    Trinidadian footballer Shaka Hislop reveals he has prostate cancer

    Former Newcastle United and Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Shaka Hislop has publicly disclosed his ongoing battle with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. The football pundit shared his personal health journey in a heartfelt video posted to his Instagram account, detailing his diagnosis and treatment to raise awareness among men worldwide.

    Hislop revealed that the cancer was detected approximately 18 months ago during his routine annual physical examination. ‘I consistently insisted on a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test as part of my check-up,’ Hislop explained. ‘This particular time, my PSA levels were elevated, prompting further investigation through MRI and biopsy procedures which confirmed the presence of an aggressive prostate cancer.’

    The former West Ham player underwent a radical prostatectomy—a surgical procedure for partial or complete removal of the prostate gland—on December 6, 2024. However, Hislop’s medical journey continued when follow-up tests six months post-surgery showed rising PSA levels again. Subsequent scans confirmed the cancer had metastasized to his pelvic bone, requiring immediate medication and an intensive seven-and-a-half week radiation therapy regimen which he recently completed.

    Making a special appeal to Caribbean men who statistically face the highest mortality rates from prostate cancer globally, Hislop emphasized: ‘My community, my people, please go get tested. Understand your PSA numbers and track their historical changes. Prostate cancer becomes survivable when detected early, and various treatment options exist. Testing genuinely saves lives—it certainly saved mine.’

    Hislop’s courageous disclosure follows medical research from institutions like Johns Hopkins Medicine which indicates early detection significantly improves prostate cancer outcomes. His advocacy highlights the critical importance of regular health screenings, particularly for high-risk demographic groups.

  • Foreign hurricane relief workers subject to strict health screening protocol – MOHW

    Foreign hurricane relief workers subject to strict health screening protocol – MOHW

    Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Wellness has implemented comprehensive health screening protocols for all international relief personnel entering the country following Hurricane Melissa. This decisive action addresses concerns about potential disease importation while maintaining critical disaster response operations.

    The ministry’s response comes after Opposition Health Spokesperson Dr. Alfred Dawes raised alarms about possible disease transmission through relief workers, referencing cholera outbreaks following the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Dr. Dawes emphasized the need for vigilant screening measures to prevent similar public health emergencies.

    Officials have established a multi-layered defense system against disease transmission. All relief workers undergo pre-arrival verification requiring deploying agencies to certify personnel are medically fit and free from communicable illnesses. Upon arrival, public health inspectors conduct thorough assessments including temperature checks, symptom reviews, and vaccination status verification, with particular attention to countries visited within the previous six weeks.

    The surveillance continues throughout workers’ deployments with mandatory reporting requirements for any illness cases. Emergency medical teams’ temporary housing facilities undergo rigorous inspections to ensure proper sanitation, waste management, and hygiene infrastructure. All monitoring activities integrate with Jamaica’s enhanced post-disaster surveillance system for comprehensive coverage.

    The Health Ministry maintains that no communicable diseases have been detected among relief workers to date, affirming the effectiveness of these protective measures while ensuring continued international support for hurricane recovery efforts.

  • New linear accelerator brings ‘world-class cancer care’ to QEH

    New linear accelerator brings ‘world-class cancer care’ to QEH

    Barbados has entered a transformative phase in oncology treatment with the operational launch of Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s state-of-the-art Halcyon 4.0 Linear Accelerator (LINAC), marking a significant advancement in the Caribbean’s healthcare landscape. The $10 million radiation therapy system, inaugurated Tuesday, represents the initial step in what Health Minister Senator Jerome Walcott describes as “the transformation of Barbados’ healthcare” system.

    The cutting-edge technology arrives as Barbados confronts a substantial public health challenge: non-communicable diseases and cancer account for approximately 80% of adult deaths, with cancer specifically responsible for 25% of mortality. The system specifically targets prostate, breast, and colon cancers that disproportionately affect the population.

    Medical Physicist Corey Drakes explained the technological breakthrough: “The Halcyon LINAC introduces high-quality CBCT imaging for precise tumor localization. Through intensity-modulated radiation therapy, we can precisely conform radiation to lesions while preserving surrounding healthy tissues, significantly enhancing safety protocols for both patients and medical staff.”

    For patients, this translates to multiple benefits: radiation beams can be shaped more accurately around cancerous areas, minimizing exposure to healthy organs and skin. Treatment sessions become shorter and more comfortable, with reduced side effects. Crucially, patients can now receive world-class radiotherapy without leaving Barbados, remaining close to family support systems during treatment.

    QEH Chief Executive Officer Neil Clarke reported immediate practical benefits, including a dramatic reduction in waiting times for initial oncology consultations from 140 days to under 30 days. “This is life-saving,” Clarke emphasized, noting that six patients have already received treatment through the new system, with plans to address a backlog of over 100 cases within six months.

    The installation positions Barbados as a regional leader in cancer care, with capacity to support Caribbean collaboration, training, and standardized high-quality treatment. Drakes, who underwent specialized training in Washington alongside a radiation therapist, credited the achievement to international partnerships including the International Atomic Energy Agency, Varian Medical Systems, Global Medica, and Washington University Hospital.

    With approximately 150 patients currently dependent on radiotherapy at QEH and ten new cases monthly, the Halcyon system represents both a medical and symbolic victory. As Drakes concluded: “This is a celebration of patients and their courage. Today we begin a new chapter of precision, compassion, and innovation.”

  • Why Barbados cannot slip on vaccines

    Why Barbados cannot slip on vaccines

    The Americas, including Barbados, has relinquished its hard-won measles-free certification, triggering urgent public health warnings from the Ministry of Health and Wellness. This reversal stems from resurgent outbreaks in Canada—a primary tourism source for the Caribbean—highlighting how interconnected global travel networks facilitate disease transmission. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kenneth George emphasized that heightened mobility directly elevates Barbados’ exposure to imported cases.

    Compounding the threat, vaccine misinformation proliferates through digital and social channels, ranging from unintentional misunderstandings to deliberately misleading claims. Notably, skepticism has been amplified by influential figures, including new leadership at the U.S. CDC with a history of vaccine hesitancy. Such misinformation risks delaying or avoiding vaccinations, undermining herd immunity.

    Measles remains a severe and highly contagious disease capable of causing pneumonia, encephalitis, and death. Infected individuals can transmit the virus for days before symptom onset, making containment challenging. Children under five are most vulnerable, though all age groups face risks.

    The proven solution remains the MMR vaccine, administered at 12 and 18 months, which provides 97% lifelong protection. Barbados’ historically robust immunization infrastructure offers a foundation for defense, but sustained success requires public cooperation. Health authorities urge citizens to consult medical professionals—not unverified online sources—and ensure timely vaccinations. Protecting vulnerable populations, including young children and those with chronic conditions, depends on collective adherence to science-based prevention.