分类： health

In a significant move to combat the HIV epidemic, Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Wellness is preparing to launch a pilot programme for lenacapavir, the first US Food and Drug Administration-approved injectable HIV prevention drug. This initiative, described by former US President Bill Clinton as a “genuine chance to end” the global HIV crisis, aims to provide a long-acting alternative to daily oral pills. Lenacapavir, administered twice a year, will be offered free of charge in Jamaica’s public health system, targeting vulnerable populations. Dr. Nicola Skyers, senior medical officer of the National HIV/STI programme, emphasized the drug’s potential to address adherence challenges, particularly among younger individuals less accustomed to daily pill regimens. The pilot will also include cabotegravir, another injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) taken every two months. While the cost of injectable antiretrovirals remains high, Jamaica is exploring partnerships to make these treatments more accessible. Lenacapavir, set for rollout in the US by year-end at $28,000 annually, will be available in 120 low- and middle-income countries by 2027 at a reduced cost of $40 per person, thanks to collaborations between the Clinton Health Access Initiative, the Gates Foundation, and Wits RHI. The World Health Organization has endorsed lenacapavir as a transformative preventive measure, with WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus calling it “the next best thing” to an HIV vaccine. In Jamaica, where approximately 26,000 individuals live with HIV/AIDS, young adults have expressed enthusiasm for the injectable option, citing convenience and effectiveness over daily oral PrEP.

Jamaica’s public health sector witnessed a significant enhancement on Monday with the donation of vital medical equipment worth over $34 million. Esteemed philanthropist Carol Picart, in partnership with the National Health Care Enhancement Foundation, contributed two ventilators valued at $11.57 million and an endoscopy unit, including a gastroscope and colonoscope, priced at $23 million. The ceremonial handover took place at Kingston Public Hospital (KPH). The donated equipment, which will also benefit Cornwall Regional and Black River hospitals, is expected to play a pivotal role in diagnosing and treating various medical conditions, including ulcers, gastritis, and colorectal issues. Picart emphasized her commitment to improving Jamaica’s life expectancy and reversing the declining birth rate, attributing these challenges to insufficient resources. She drew parallels to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, highlighting her desire to give back to society. Recent data from the World Health Organization (WHO) underscores the urgency of such initiatives, revealing a decline in Jamaica’s life expectancy from 72.3 years in 2000 to 70.1 years in 2021. Additionally, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reports that Jamaica’s fertility rate has plummeted to 1.3 children per woman, well below the replacement level of 2.1. Krystal Lee, the junior minister of health and wellness, expressed profound gratitude for the donation, acknowledging the ongoing efforts to transform Jamaica’s healthcare system. She stressed the importance of public-private partnerships in bridging gaps in primary healthcare and called for continued collaboration to achieve national health goals. Lee also outlined the ministry’s plans to equip healthcare facilities with additional resources, emphasizing the critical role of health in fostering national development and prosperity.

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.

A groundbreaking report released on Monday by the World Bank and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) has issued a stark warning: the lack of resilience in primary healthcare (PHC) systems across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) could result in catastrophic losses, both in human lives and economic stability. The report, titled “No Time to Wait: Resilience as the Cornerstone of Primary Health Care in Latin America and the Caribbean,” was unveiled during PAHO’s 62nd Directing Council, attended by health ministers and high-level delegates from the region. The study highlights that a 25–50 per cent reduction in PHC delivery due to a health emergency, such as a pandemic or natural disaster, could lead to up to 165,000 preventable deaths and economic losses ranging from US$7 to 37 billion over one to five years. Among the projected fatalities are 11,300 maternal deaths, 10,000 child deaths, and over 149,000 deaths from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), alongside 14 million unintended pregnancies. Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, PAHO Director, emphasized that building robust PHC and resilience are inseparable. “Without resilient PHC, the next crisis will disproportionately affect the poorest and most marginalized communities,” he stated. The report defines resilience as the ability of health systems to maintain essential services equitably before, during, and after shocks, including pandemics, hurricanes, and floods. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the region’s vulnerabilities, with LAC accounting for 30 per cent of global COVID-19 deaths despite representing only 8.5 per cent of the world’s population. Essential services like maternal care, childhood immunization, and chronic disease treatment plummeted by up to 50 per cent, with some countries experiencing gaps for over two years. The region, prone to hurricanes, floods, and vector-borne outbreaks, remains heavily reliant on hospital-centered, fragmented health systems with insufficient investment in PHC. Jaime Saavedra, World Bank’s Director of Human Development for LAC, stressed that strengthening PHC is one of the region’s greatest health challenges. The report outlines a five-point action plan to build resilience, including expanding equitable care models, embedding public health functions within PHC, and ensuring sustainable financing. PAHO urges health leaders to prioritize PHC resilience as a political and economic imperative.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has raised alarms over a sharp increase in cholera cases in Haiti, particularly in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. Pétion-Ville, a key economic and educational center, has become a major hotspot for the disease. Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, revealed that between September 21 and 25, 40 suspected cases and three deaths were reported in Pétion-Ville alone. This surge coincides with the imminent start of the new school year, heightening concerns about further transmission. In total, 66 suspected cases have been recorded in the capital and surrounding communes in recent days, marking a significant escalation compared to previous weeks. Young adults, who are highly mobile due to work and daily activities, constitute the majority of cases, raising fears of the disease spreading to other areas such as Delmas, Tabarre, and Carrefour. Nationwide, over 3,100 suspected cholera cases have been reported this year. In response, local health teams are conducting investigations, collecting samples, distributing water purification tablets, and launching awareness campaigns in affected neighborhoods like Brisetoux and Bobin. OCHA, in collaboration with Haitian authorities and partners, is intensifying efforts to monitor cases and mobilize health workers to curb the outbreak’s spread.

A recent report by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has unveiled a concerning mid-year spike in suicide cases across the country, despite an overall decline in numbers for 2025. Between January and September, Jamaica recorded 44 suicides, marking a 16.9% decrease compared to the 53 cases reported during the same period in 2024. However, the JCF has cautioned against interpreting this as a positive trend, highlighting a worrying reversal in the latter half of the year. July 2025 saw eight suicides, a 33% increase over July 2024, while August and September experienced rises of 20% and 25%, respectively. Geographically, the data reveals a shift in hotspots, with St Catherine north emerging as a significant area of concern, recording four cases in July alone. The JCF emphasized that suicide is not a uniform national issue but often reflects localized socio-economic or community pressures. Gender remains a critical factor, with men constituting the majority of cases. However, there are signs of a potential increase in suicides among women, as highlighted by the recent suspected suicide of 26-year-old Tyra Spaulding, a former Miss Universe Jamaica contestant. The JCF has called for urgent, gender-sensitive interventions, recognizing suicide as a broader public health and social challenge. The police force has urged stakeholders, including mental health professionals, social workers, educators, and community leaders, to intensify efforts to address the issue. The JCF reiterated its commitment to supporting national partners in strengthening community resilience and providing essential counseling and support services. Individuals struggling with mental health challenges are encouraged to seek assistance through various channels, including the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Helpline at 888-639-5433.