分类： health

In September, Jamaica’s Ministry of Health witnessed an overwhelming surge in calls to its mental health and suicide prevention helpline, with over 500 distress calls recorded in a single month. Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton revealed that the 24/7 free and confidential service provided counselling or referrals based on individual needs. This disclosure came in response to inquiries from the Jamaica Observer, following a Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) report highlighting a mid-year spike in suicides, particularly in St. Catherine North. The helpline, staffed by psychologists, offers crisis intervention, psychological support, and referrals for those experiencing suicidal tendencies or mental health challenges. To bolster mental health care, the ministry has trained 47 non-psychiatric healthcare workers under the World Health Organization’s Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP), with more training sessions planned. Additionally, the School Mental Health Literacy Programme, set to resume this month, aims to reduce stigma and improve mental health awareness among students. At the community level, Problem Management Plus providers are being deployed to address mild emotional distress and adverse challenges, with 45 active providers currently in the field. Public mental health clinics, including over 150 adult clinics and 20 for children and adolescents, continue to operate islandwide. Despite a 17% overall decline in suicides from 2024 to 2025, the JCF report noted significant variations across months, parishes, and gender categories. A mid-year surge in July and August, coupled with geographic hotspots like St. Catherine North, underscores the need for dynamic, nuanced prevention strategies. The report calls for enhanced early detection, community engagement, and support networks to address these challenges effectively.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Health and Wellness in Jamaica is intensifying its efforts to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs), as Dr. Brian Kazaara, a psychiatrist at Bellevue Hospital, underscores the critical link between chronic illnesses and dementia. With the local ageing population contributing to a rise in dementia cases, Dr. Kazaara emphasizes that conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and stroke significantly elevate the risk by damaging brain blood vessels and impairing cognitive functions. NCDs like diabetes cause elevated blood sugar levels, harming vascular health, while hypertension and high cholesterol reduce cerebral blood flow, leading to cognitive decline and increased dementia risk. Dr. Kazaara highlights Jamaica’s high prevalence of NCDs, noting that untreated hypertension and diabetes can accelerate dementia progression or diminish the quality of life for older adults, who may struggle with medication adherence. He also identifies physical inactivity, smoking, and poor diet as contributing factors to both NCDs and dementia. Dementia, a neurodegenerative condition primarily affecting the elderly, involves the progressive loss of brain neurons, resulting in cognitive, behavioral, and personality changes. Common symptoms include memory loss, confusion, and difficulty performing familiar tasks. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dementia ranks as the seventh leading cause of death globally and is a major contributor to disability among older populations. The disease’s impact extends beyond individuals to their families, caregivers, and society at large. Dr. Kazaara, who also serves as president of the Jamaica Psychiatric Association, explains that dementia patients often struggle with daily activities such as bathing, cooking, and self-care, placing emotional and financial strain on families. In addition to NCDs, risk factors for dementia include advanced age, family history, and genetic mutations.

In early 2025, Gregory White, a 65-year-old man, experienced a sudden spike in blood pressure after using pesticide. This incident led him to seek medical attention, a decision that potentially saved his life. During the visit, his doctor inquired about his last prostate exam, which he had undergone two years prior. The doctor emphasized the importance of annual screenings, prompting further investigation. Initial blood tests showed normal prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, but subsequent tests revealed a slightly elevated PSA level of 5.6. Although a physical examination suggested no abnormalities, the doctor recommended additional testing to uncover the underlying issue. White was referred to urologist Dr. Dean Wong at Apex Medical Centre, where an MRI and biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of stage 2 prostate cancer. ‘I was concerned; I never expected that,’ White shared with Observer Online. ‘But knowing that it is there, I have to deal with it.’ After discussing treatment options with Dr. Wong, White chose surgery over radiation and underwent a radical prostatectomy in June. Post-surgery tests showed undetectable PSA levels, indicating successful cancer removal. Since the surgery, White has been engaged in functional rehabilitation, focusing on urinary continence and sexual function recovery. Dr. Wong highlighted the importance of early physiotherapy and the use of the Emsella chair, a specialized device for treating urinary incontinence and pelvic floor issues. White is also undergoing pelvic floor strengthening exercises, electromagnetic wave therapy, and sexual rehabilitation, including daily medication and the use of a penile vacuum pump. While he reports no pain from the surgery, urinary leakage remains a challenge. ‘I have to wear pull-ups,’ White admitted. ‘Last two months or month and a half ago I had to have a pad in the pull-ups to hold the urine, and if I’m physical during the day, I would change like three of those pads for the day. Now I’m down to one.’ Dr. Wong emphasized that post-surgery results evolve over time, with functional recovery typically assessed at one year. White remains optimistic about his prognosis as he continues his recovery journey.