The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has unveiled a set of innovative guidelines aimed at equipping health professionals and other key stakeholders with the tools necessary to identify and counteract vaccine misinformation. This initiative comes in response to the escalating threat posed by false information, which has the potential to erode public trust in immunization and hinder public health advancements across the Americas. The guidelines are tailored for a diverse audience, including health workers, national immunization program managers, health communicators, journalists, educators, and content creators, to enhance their ability to discern and address misleading vaccine-related narratives. Daniel Salas, executive manager of PAHO’s Special Programme for Comprehensive Immunization, emphasized that even brief exposure to vaccine misinformation can significantly impact individuals’ perceptions and their willingness to get vaccinated. The documents highlight common tactics used to disseminate false information, such as the misuse of data, emotional appeals, conspiracy theories, and the selective use of facts to lend credibility to false claims. Additionally, the guidelines provide practical advice on identifying red flags in misleading materials, such as grammatical errors, sensationalist headlines, and excessive use of capitalization. PAHO underscores the critical role of health workers as trusted sources of information and offers recommendations for addressing patient concerns with empathy and transparency. For journalists, the guidelines suggest strategies for balanced, evidence-based reporting to avoid inadvertently spreading anti-science narratives. Educators are provided with classroom activities designed to enhance students’ media, digital, and health literacy, encouraging critical evaluation of information encountered online. PAHO stresses that combating misinformation must be part of broader efforts to build trust and increase vaccination coverage. Salas noted that while addressing misinformation is crucial, it is not a standalone solution. In regions with low vaccination rates, PAHO encourages the use of tools like microplanning and insights into social and behavioral drivers to better understand community perceptions and logistical barriers. Through these guidelines, PAHO aims to bolster vaccine confidence, strengthen national immunization programs, and sustain the Americas’ leadership in vaccination, a cornerstone of public health achievement in the region.
分类： health
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Long-delayed Accident and Emergency at PMH to be completed by late 2025
After years of persistent delays and shifting timelines, the much-anticipated Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department at Princess Margaret Hospital is now projected to open by the end of 2025. Initially announced with high hopes in 2023, the project has encountered numerous setbacks, including equipment delays and repeated revisions to its completion schedule. Originally slated for a 2023 launch, the opening was first postponed to August, then to October, but the facility remains non-operational.
Aubynette Rolle, Managing Director of the Public Hospitals Authority, revealed that the final phase of the project hinges on the installation of a critical cooling system, known as the DX system, which is essential for regulating airflow in the new unit. Earlier plans to utilize the hospital’s existing system were deemed insufficient, prompting the need for this upgrade.
Rolle emphasized that contractors are currently preparing the space for operations, with furniture, fixtures, and equipment being installed. She urged the public to remain patient, assuring that officials are committed to ensuring the facility is fully equipped before opening. While expressing cautious optimism about meeting the new target, Rolle acknowledged potential challenges, particularly in importing necessary components.
The A&E expansion is designed to modernize emergency care and alleviate pressure on the hospital’s overcrowded existing department, which has long struggled with extended waiting times, limited space, and staff shortages. Public frustration has mounted over the repeated delays, as the new facility is seen as a critical solution to improving conditions for both patients and healthcare workers.
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Portland health official cautions public on unsafe coconut water bottling practices
MORANT BAY, Jamaica — Lorenzo Hume, the Chief Public Health Inspector for Portland, has issued a stern warning to the public regarding the potential health hazards associated with improperly bottled coconut water. Speaking at the recent Portland Municipal Corporation monthly meeting in Port Antonio, Hume emphasized the high susceptibility of coconut water to contamination, which can lead to severe food-borne illnesses if not handled correctly.
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I Have A Heart Foundation breaks blood collection record at 13th blood drive
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The I Have A Heart Foundation (iHAH), in collaboration with Margin to Centre (M2C), has achieved a historic milestone with its largest blood collection to date, potentially saving 228 lives. The 13th Blood Drive, held on September 27, 2025, at Emancipation Park in Kingston, saw 111 registered donors contribute 76 units of blood. The overwhelming turnout temporarily exhausted the National Blood Transfusion Service’s (NBTS) blood bag supply, necessitating an on-site replenishment. This event marks the foundation’s most successful drive and the second highest collection for the NBTS this year. Abi-Gaye Smythe, Founder and Managing Director of iHAH, highlighted the growing community awareness of the critical need for blood donations, emphasizing the foundation’s mission to improve lives “one heart at a time.” Dr. Samantha Johnson, Co-founder of M2C, underscored the collaboration’s alignment with their goal to enhance healthcare access for marginalized women. To date, iHAH has collected 354 units of blood, potentially saving 1,062 lives. In response to the community’s enthusiasm, the foundation is considering rescheduling its next drive to an earlier date in 2026. The event’s success was supported by numerous sponsors, including All Power Limited, Juici Patties, and Wisynco, among others. Smythe expressed profound gratitude to donors, volunteers, and sponsors, noting that each donation represents a life saved and a stronger, more compassionate Jamaica.
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Long-delayed Accident and Emergency at PMH to be completed by late 2025
After years of persistent delays and shifting timelines, the much-anticipated Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department at Princess Margaret Hospital is now projected to open by the end of 2025. Initially announced with high hopes in 2023, the project has encountered numerous setbacks, including equipment delays and repeated revisions to its completion schedule. Originally slated for a 2023 launch, the opening was first postponed to August, then to October, but the facility remains non-operational.
Aubynette Rolle, Managing Director of the Public Hospitals Authority, revealed that the final phase of the project hinges on the installation of a critical cooling system, known as the DX system, which is essential for regulating airflow in the new unit. Earlier plans to utilize the hospital’s existing system were deemed insufficient, prompting the need for this upgrade.
Rolle emphasized that contractors are currently preparing the space for operations, with furniture, fixtures, and equipment being installed. She urged the public to remain patient, assuring that officials are committed to ensuring the facility is fully equipped before opening. While expressing cautious optimism about meeting the new target, Rolle acknowledged potential challenges, particularly in importing necessary components.
The A&E expansion is designed to modernize emergency care and alleviate pressure on the hospital’s overcrowded existing department, which has long struggled with extended waiting times, limited space, and staff shortages. Public frustration has mounted over the repeated delays, as the new facility is seen as a critical solution to improving conditions for both patients and healthcare workers.
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OPINION: A Global Call, A National Duty: Advancing Mental Health in Antigua and Barbuda
In a groundbreaking address at the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda has called for a global vision to address mental health, marking a pivotal moment for the nation and the Caribbean region. This bold declaration underscores the urgent need to confront mental illness, a crisis long marginalized in health and development agendas. As the founder of WISH – the Wadadli Initiative for Self-care and Healing – Chaneil Imhoff emphasizes that mental health is not merely a personal issue but a human rights, economic, and developmental imperative. The Prime Minister’s speech highlights the necessity of systemic change, starting with the modernization of outdated mental health legislation and the creation of a National Mental Health Plan. This plan aims to unify government, civil society, healthcare providers, and communities in a coordinated effort to tackle prevention, treatment, crisis response, and stigma reduction. Immediate interventions, such as establishing a national suicide hotline and expanding community-based support programs, are critical. WISH is committed to fostering safe spaces and normalizing mental health conversations through digital platforms and school engagement. However, systemic transformation requires collective action from policymakers, professionals, educators, and faith leaders. By acting decisively, Antigua and Barbuda can not only enhance the well-being of its citizens but also inspire global leadership in mental health reform. Mental wellness must become a lived reality, ensuring dignity, choice, and access to care for all.
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Record turnout for ‘Walk for the Cure’ as breast cancer awareness deepens
The Warrens business district in Barbados was awash with a vibrant sea of pink on Sunday as an estimated 20,000 participants gathered for the 2025 CIBC Walk for the Cure. This event marked one of the largest turnouts in its history, showcasing a profound display of unity and commitment to breast cancer awareness across the island. Kemar Polius, Head of CIBC Barbados, expressed his awe at the spectacle, describing it as ‘a sight to behold.’ Reflecting on his experiences with similar events in the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas, Polius emphasized that Barbados’ Walk for the Cure stands unparalleled in the southern Caribbean and possibly the entire region. He highlighted that CIBC Caribbean has raised over US$5 million regionally, including more than BDS$1 million in Barbados, to support cancer-fighting initiatives through the Barbados Cancer Society’s Breast Screening Programme. President Dame Sandra Mason, alongside CIBC managers, participated in the walk for the first and final time as her term concludes on November 29. Dr. Shirley Hanoman-Jhagroo, Medical Coordinator of the Programme, noted the significant progress Barbados has made in raising awareness and reducing stigma around breast cancer. She stressed the importance of turning awareness into action, urging Barbadians to prioritize screenings. Hanoman-Jhagroo also introduced the programme’s new $1 million mammogram machine, designed to provide more comfortable screenings for both women and men. She acknowledged the collective effort of Corporate Barbados and the broader community in making these advancements possible.
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From skeptic of the local cannabis industry to a regional entrepreneur
Emmanuel Bria, a Barbadian entrepreneur and representative of Summus Barbados, recently shared his transformative journey into the medicinal cannabis industry during the Cannabliss SVG 2025 conference in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Standing amidst rows of meticulously cultivated cannabis plants at CannaSVG, the region’s largest licensed farm, Bria reflected on his evolving perspective. Initially skeptical about medicinal cannabis, he now champions its potential, provided it is grown and processed under stringent quality controls.
Bria emphasized that cannabis, inherently a medicinal plant, can become harmful if cultivated in toxic environments. ‘The plant absorbs everything in its surroundings,’ he explained. ‘If it’s exposed to contaminants like bacteria, fungi, or toxic elements, it’s no longer medicinal—it’s a time bomb.’ This realization reshaped his understanding of the industry, highlighting the critical need for rigorous testing and sterile cultivation practices to ensure safety and efficacy.
During the conference, Bria engaged with cultivators, manufacturers, and retailers, gaining firsthand insights into the discipline required to build a legitimate medicinal cannabis sector. He stressed that the industry’s primary focus should be on healing and addressing the needs of individuals suffering from chronic pain, post-surgery discomfort, and anxiety. ‘It’s about introducing a clean, safe, and fully organic product into the market,’ he said. ‘Consistent testing and quality assurance are non-negotiable.’
Bria’s journey was as much personal as professional. He admitted to unlearning preconceived notions and relearning the science behind medicinal cannabis. Now, his mission is to educate others in Barbados about its potential and the opportunities it presents. ‘We’re moving forward,’ he said optimistically. ‘It’s about healing people, and we’re going to fix the challenges along the way.’
His story underscores the growing importance of quality control and education in the burgeoning medicinal cannabis industry, as it strives to balance therapeutic benefits with public trust and safety.
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Mother-to-child HIV transmission ending in Barbados – WHO
Barbados is on track to become the 12th Caribbean nation to achieve official recognition for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B by the end of 2025. This milestone follows a pre-assessment conducted by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), which highlighted significant progress and dedication across the island’s healthcare system. The certification process, expected to conclude by year-end, mirrors successful efforts in Belize, Jamaica, and St Vincent and the Grenadines in 2024. Cuba set the precedent a decade ago as the first country globally to eliminate both HIV and syphilis transmission from mother to child. Last week, a PAHO team, accompanied by a regional laboratory expert, collaborated with Barbados’ national health team to conduct a comprehensive pre-assessment. The review, designed to identify gaps and challenges, included visits to key health facilities such as the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, polyclinics, and private medical centers. The delegation evaluated services for pregnant and lactating women, inspected laboratories, and reviewed HIV services, maternal and child clinics, vaccination programs, and disease surveillance systems. Dr. Amalia Del Riego, PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries, emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating that it reflects the strength of Barbados’ HIV and maternal health services and its commitment to ensuring every child has a healthy start in life. PAHO’s support aims to strengthen health systems, promote health equity, and prevent missed opportunities for disease prevention. WHO certification confirms a country’s ability to deliver high-quality, accessible care to pregnant women and newborns, safeguarding them from HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B transmission.
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Free mammograms now available for eligible polyclinic patients
In a significant move to address healthcare accessibility, the Barbados Cancer Society’s Breast Screening Programme has introduced free mammograms for patients at polyclinics across the island who cannot afford the service. This initiative, announced by Dr. Shirley Hanoman-Jhagroo, the Medical Coordinator of the Programme, follows recent donations that have made this life-saving service possible. The announcement was made during the CIBC Walk for the Cure event at Warrens on Sunday. Dr. Hanoman-Jhagroo emphasized that financial barriers have long prevented many women from accessing essential breast screenings, a concern that prompted the launch of this programme. ‘There are no free mammograms on the island, and that has always been a concern,’ she stated. ‘Many women feel they cannot approach the Cancer Society for help, so they remain untreated.’ The programme has now allocated free mammograms to ten polyclinics, with each facility receiving ten screenings initially. Nurses at these clinics will identify and assist patients who cannot afford the service, ensuring broader access to early detection. In addition to this initiative, Dr. Hanoman-Jhagroo highlighted improvements in cancer care services at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH). The Oncology Department, which previously could only treat six patients daily, will soon expand its capacity to 14 patients per day, thanks to the donation of seven new chairs. This expansion is expected to reduce the chemotherapy waiting list from two and a half months to just two weeks, significantly improving patient outcomes. Dr. Hanoman-Jhagroo expressed optimism about the impact of these changes, stating, ‘These improvements will make a real difference for patients who are already dealing with the stress of a cancer diagnosis.’