分类： health

The Agricultural Protection Branch (APB) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force has issued a stern warning to the public regarding the purchase and consumption of meat and poultry, especially from areas heavily affected by Hurricane Melissa. The APB emphasized the heightened risk of contaminated or spoiled meat entering the market, which could pose severe health hazards to consumers. This alert follows a recent incident where law enforcement intercepted a vehicle transporting four large brown cow carcasses with their heads still attached. The driver fled the scene, raising serious concerns about the meat’s origin, handling, and safety. The APB highlighted that such incidents are particularly concerning in the aftermath of natural disasters like Hurricane Melissa, which can disrupt supply chains and compromise food safety standards. Senior Superintendent Oral Pascoe, commanding officer of the APB, has deployed officers on extended shifts to combat these illegal activities and ensure public safety.

Residents of Whitehouse, Westmoreland, have expressed gratitude for the establishment of a field clinic, which began operations today to address the urgent medical needs of the community following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. The clinic, set up by the non-governmental organization Samaritan’s Purse, aims to provide essential healthcare services to the area and its surroundings after the hurricane severely damaged local medical facilities.

A comprehensive review published in the British medical journal BMJ has found no clear evidence linking the use of paracetamol during pregnancy to autism or ADHD in children. This conclusion comes in response to repeated claims by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who asserted that the common painkiller could increase autism rates. Trump’s comments, urging pregnant women to avoid paracetamol, sparked widespread criticism from the medical community, who warned that such statements could deter women from using one of the safest pain relief options available. The World Health Organisation has also emphasized the lack of robust evidence supporting such a link. The umbrella review, led by a UK-based team of researchers, analyzed all existing scientific studies on the topic and found that previous research suggesting a connection was of ‘low to critically low’ quality. These studies failed to account for confounding factors, such as genetic predispositions, and could not establish a causal mechanism. The review also highlighted the historical underinvestment in women’s health research and called for more rigorous studies. Experts praised the findings, with Professor Dimitrios Siassakos of University College London stating that the review ‘confirms what experts around the globe have been saying.’ Steven Kapp of the University of Portsmouth, an autistic researcher with ADHD, emphasized the importance of improving life for neurodivergent individuals rather than attempting to prevent neurodivergence. Beyond paracetamol, Trump and his vaccine-skeptic Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have made unfounded claims about an autism ‘epidemic,’ which experts attribute to improved diagnostic methods and increased awareness.

In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in October, the Jamaican Ministry of Health and Wellness is taking significant steps to bolster medical services in affected areas. A new field hospital is being set up at the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital in Westmoreland, as announced by Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton during an interview with Observer Online on Saturday. This initiative aims to provide critical healthcare support to the parish, which suffered extensive damage from the hurricane. While Dr. Tufton did not specify an operational timeline, he emphasized that additional details would be shared in the coming week. This effort mirrors the establishment of a similar field hospital in Black River, St. Elizabeth, which was also impacted by the storm. Plans for a second field hospital in Black River are currently under consideration. The first Black River facility, operational since its recent setup by the NGO Samaritan’s Purse, has already begun serving the community. Additionally, a Spanish emergency field hospital has been deployed on the grounds of Falmouth Public General Hospital in Trelawny, supported by the Spanish government, the European Union, and the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization. Samaritan’s Purse has also erected a tent-based field clinic in Whitehouse, which is expected to commence operations on Monday. These collective efforts underscore Jamaica’s commitment to restoring healthcare access in the wake of Hurricane Melissa.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has activated its emergency coordination and response mechanisms to address the severe health impacts caused by Hurricane Melissa across the Caribbean. Over 13 tons of medical supplies have been deployed, alongside specialized experts from PAHO’s Regional Response Teams, to restore critical health services and prevent disease outbreaks. Jamaica, the most severely affected, reported extensive damage to five major hospitals, particularly in the western and southern regions. In response, PAHO, in collaboration with Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW), has facilitated the deployment of Type 2 Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) from Samaritan’s Purse and the Spanish Cooperation Agency (AECID) to establish temporary hospitals in Black River and Falmouth. Additional specialists in water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), mental health, and structural engineering have been mobilized to conduct post-disaster assessments and support recovery efforts. PAHO is also coordinating health cluster activities, including shelter assessments and environmental health interventions. Despite these efforts, urgent needs remain, prompting PAHO to launch a $14.2 million donor appeal for Jamaica to support emergency medical deployments, facility rehabilitation, and outbreak prevention. In Haiti, PAHO is assessing conditions of internally displaced persons, disseminating cholera prevention messaging, and utilizing prepositioned emergency kits. Emergency supplies, including PPE, mosquito nets, and medical equipment, have been delivered to affected areas. PAHO is also preparing additional shipments for Cuba to address anticipated increases in mosquito populations and power shortages. The organization emphasized the need for sustained donor engagement to support disease surveillance, mental health services, and preventive measures across the region. PAHO remains committed to working with governments and humanitarian partners to ensure affected communities receive critical care and build future resilience.