The Antigua and Barbuda Diabetes Association (ABDA) is set to join the global community in commemorating World Diabetes Day and Awareness Month in 2025, focusing on the theme ‘Diabetes and the Workplace.’ Observed annually on November 14, World Diabetes Day (WDD) stands as the largest global campaign dedicated to raising awareness about diabetes, emphasizing prevention, early diagnosis, and access to care and treatment. The blue circle, symbolizing life, health, and unity, serves as the global emblem for diabetes, reflecting hope and a collective commitment to improving diabetes awareness and support. With nearly 589 million adults worldwide living with diabetes—40% of whom are unaware of their condition—the campaign highlights the critical role workplaces play in supporting diabetes prevention and care. In Antigua and Barbuda, approximately 11.7% of adults aged 20-79 live with diabetes, underscoring the urgency of the issue. ABDA President Charity Dublin emphasized the importance of workplace wellness initiatives, stating, ‘Healthier work environments can significantly enhance employees’ efforts to lead healthier lives.’ ABDA has outlined a series of activities for November 2025, including media engagements, workplace screenings, public webinars, and health fairs, aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles and supporting individuals living with diabetes. The association also acknowledged its key partners, including the Ministry of Health and various local organizations, for their continued support in this vital initiative.
分类： health
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New QEH discharge system rolls out to speed up bed management
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) has implemented a new system of daily discharge boards across its wards to streamline patient flow, optimize bed management, and keep families informed throughout the care process. The initiative, introduced earlier this month, is being rolled out in phases and aims to provide patients, their families, and healthcare teams with clear insights into expected discharge dates, enabling better planning and coordination.
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Taiwan Donates Occupational Therapy Equipment to Support Mental Health Recovery in St. Kitts and Nevis
In a significant move to bolster mental health recovery, Taiwan has donated a range of occupational therapy equipment to St. Kitts and Nevis. The donation ceremony, held at JNF Hospital on November 12th, 2025, was attended by Ambassador Edward Lin-Wen Tao and Third Secretary Ms. Ping-Yu Feng. The equipment, including craft materials, baking tools, an oven, washing machine, microwave, exercise bike, and treadmill, was handed over to Mr. Curtis Martin, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health. These items are expected to aid psychiatric patients in rebuilding daily living skills and supporting safe indoor rehabilitation at the Day Treatment Center. The initiative is part of the Mental Health System Enhancement Project managed by Ms. Ivy Shih of the TaiwanICDF Technical Mission. The project underscores the importance of not only medical treatment but also restoring independence and dignity in mental health recovery. Dr. Jenson Morton, Director of Health Institutions, highlighted that the upgraded occupational therapy center will offer more diverse therapies benefiting both patients and caregivers. Ambassador Tao expressed pride in Taiwan’s role as a reliable partner in strengthening public health, while Permanent Secretary Martin emphasized that the donation represents an investment in dignity and recovery, reflecting the enduring friendship between Taiwan and Saint Kitts and Nevis.
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Zorgwekkende toename hiv-gevallen onder jongeren en kwetsbare groepen
Suriname is grappling with a concerning surge in HIV infections, particularly among young people under 25 and adults aged 35 to 45, according to recent analyses by the national HIV program. Monique Holtuin, the HIV focal point at the Ministry of Public Health, Welfare, and Labor, revealed that an estimated 8,000 people are living with HIV in the country. While approximately 4,000 individuals are aware of their status and 85% of them are receiving proper care, the other half remains unaware, posing a significant risk for further transmission. Holtuin emphasized the urgency of early testing, especially among youth, who often develop symptoms years after contracting the virus. Children born to HIV-positive mothers are also vulnerable, as some mothers avoid treatment due to stigma, leading to preventable mother-to-child transmissions. The MSM (men who have sex with men) community faces heightened risks due to unprotected contact and societal marginalization. Holtuin highlighted the lack of awareness and misconceptions about HIV, stressing the importance of condom use and regular testing. She advocated for comprehensive sexual education in schools to empower young people with knowledge and encourage behavioral change. Holtuin underscored the need for sustained care, medication adherence, and societal efforts to eliminate stigma, aiming for a future where people feel free to test openly and discuss their health without fear.
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Climate crisis is a health crisis, says WHO chief
GENEVA, Switzerland — The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized the urgent need to integrate health into formal negotiations at the COP climate summits, declaring that the climate crisis is fundamentally a health crisis. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, speaking at a press conference in Geneva, highlighted the critical link between climate change and public health, urging for greater focus on this intersection in global climate discussions.
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Conjoined twins successfully separated in Saudi Arabia
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A wave of hope and gratitude has swept across Jamaica following the successful separation of conjoined twins Azaria and Azora Elson. The life-altering surgery was performed earlier this week in Saudi Arabia by a skilled surgical team from the King Salman Humanitarian Mission. The announcement was made by Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, via social media on Thursday. ‘In our own difficult times, there are blessings for which we are grateful,’ Johnson Smith wrote. ‘For everyone who prayed for little Azora and Azaria, they were separated this morning by the expert team in Saudi Arabia.’ The minister also confirmed that while one of the twins will require additional heart surgery for an unrelated condition, both are currently in stable condition. The twins, who departed Jamaica in July 2025 for the complex procedure, received support from the Jamaican government and international partners, including the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (@KSRelief_EN), which spearheaded the medical intervention. Johnson Smith urged the public to continue praying for the twins, their parents, and all those involved in this humanitarian mission of love.
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ANSA Chemicals Jamaica donates 69,800 litres of bleach to support sanitisation efforts after hurricane
In a significant move to bolster public health and safety in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, ANSA Chemicals Jamaica has pledged a substantial donation of 69,800 litres of bleach. This initiative is designed to support sanitation and water treatment efforts in communities across Jamaica that have been severely affected by the hurricane. The donation comprises two types of bleach: 50,000 litres of eight per cent industrial-strength bleach and 19,800 litres of five per cent household bleach, ensuring that even the most remote areas have access to safe, treated water. Stephen Summers, Country Manager of ANSA Chemicals Jamaica, emphasized the company’s commitment to aiding relief and rebuilding efforts, stating, ‘This donation is part of our ongoing commitment to the people of Jamaica in their time of need.’ The distribution will be managed by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), with plans to deliver three to five industrial totes and one container of household bleach daily. Matthew Samuda, Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, praised the partnership, highlighting the critical role of sanitation in preventing public health crises post-disaster. Commander Alvin Gayle, Director General of ODPEM, also welcomed the donation, noting its importance in maintaining public health and safety. ANSA Chemicals Jamaica, a leading provider of chemical products in the Caribbean, continues to play a vital role in enhancing community well-being through such initiatives.
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GPHC successfully completes 28 joint replacement surgeries
The Orthopaedic Department at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has marked a significant achievement by successfully completing 28 joint replacement surgeries during a concentrated three-day initiative. This remarkable feat, which took place from November 7th to 10th, 2025, underscores the department’s growing expertise and efficiency in delivering high-quality orthopaedic care. The surgeries, comprising 18 knee replacements and 10 hip replacements, provided life-changing relief to 22 female and 6 male patients, all of whom have since been discharged. Led by Dr. Kaaleshwar Ramcharran, the dedicated team of orthopaedic surgeons, anesthetists, physiotherapists, nurses, and operating theatre staff surpassed their initial target of 27 procedures, demonstrating exceptional teamwork and commitment. Joint replacement surgeries are among the most transformative medical interventions, offering renewed mobility and quality of life to individuals suffering from severe joint pain or disability. In private institutions, such procedures can cost approximately GY$2.5 million per surgery, highlighting the immense value of GPHC’s initiative to its beneficiaries. The hospital’s management praised the orthopaedic team for their unwavering dedication and compassionate care, emphasizing their role in advancing surgical services, improving patient outcomes, and reducing waiting times for essential procedures. This achievement reflects GPHC’s ongoing investment in enhancing healthcare infrastructure and delivering world-class medical services to the people of Guyana.
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Tackling this epidemic as we did with COVID-19
In response to a surge in nonspecific febrile syndrome cases primarily caused by arbovirus infections, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has announced weekly meetings to analyze the situation and propose solutions. The decision follows a gathering of health experts and scientists at the Palace of the Revolution, where the President emphasized the need for a coordinated approach akin to the nation’s COVID-19 response. The meeting, attended by Deputy Prime Minister Eduardo Martínez Díaz and prominent health specialists, focused on the current epidemiological landscape, particularly the spread of dengue, Chikungunya, and Oropouche viruses. Dr. José Raúl de Armas Fernández reported a decline in febrile cases across eight provinces but highlighted the persistence of arbovirus transmission in 38 municipalities, with Havana being notably affected. Chikungunya cases have surged to 21,681, concentrated in six provinces, while Oropouche cases remain absent since September. Dr. María Guadalupe Guzmán Tirado underscored the global prevalence of Chikungunya and Cuba’s intensified surveillance efforts. Dr. Yagen Pomares Pérez, Director General of Primary Health Care, stressed the importance of early fever detection and patient isolation, drawing parallels to lessons learned during the pandemic. She emphasized the need for hospitalizing vulnerable groups, including children under two, pregnant women, and older adults with comorbidities. Dr. Madelaine Rivera Sánchez, National Director of Surveillance and Vector Control, highlighted challenges in fumigation efforts and called for community participation to enhance vector control measures. The government aims to address equipment shortages and logistical issues to curb the epidemic’s spread effectively.
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Americas lose Measles-Free Status as Canada records sustained cases
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has raised alarms over the resurgence of measles in the Americas, as Canada reports sustained transmission of the disease for over 12 months. This development has led to the region losing its measles-free status, a significant setback in public health efforts. Measles, known for its high contagion rate, is particularly concerning with the winter travel season approaching, increasing the risk of widespread transmission across the Americas. Dr. Sealy, PAHO’s Assistant Director, emphasized the importance of achieving a 95% vaccination coverage for both doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, noting that while the Caribbean maintains strong vaccination rates, there has been a decline in second-dose administration in some areas. PAHO officials are urging countries to bolster vaccination efforts and encourage individuals to report symptoms promptly to prevent further spread. Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, PAHO’s Director, acknowledged the setback but stressed that the situation is reversible, highlighting the ongoing global threat of measles outbreaks. Health authorities remain vigilant as active cases persist in the United States, Mexico, and Venezuela.