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Mission Miracle flight leaves Guyana for Cuba
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA): The 75th batch of patients, the latest beneficiaries of the Mission Miracle programme, a joint initiative of the governments of Guyana and Cuba, Tuesday left to undergo eye surgeries in Cuba. This is part of phase two of the programme. Phase One screened over 40,000 Guyanese.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 03-Dec-2008 01:00

Grenada PM announces plans for HIV/AIDS prevention programmes
ST GEORGE‘S, Grenada: Grenada joined the the rest of the world in observing World AIDS Day and Prime Minister Tillman Thomas unveiled plans his government has in the pipeline for HIV/AIDS prevention. In his address, Prime Minister Thomas said HIV and AIDS present broad developmental challenges.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 02-Dec-2008 01:00

Consultation marks thirty years of primary health care in Dominica
ROSEAU, Dominica: The Ministry of Health conducted a National Consultation on Primary Health Care in Dominica on Monday at the Ross University School of Medicine. The consultation focused on primary health care on the island for the past thirty years, highlighting the achievements made.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 28-Nov-2008 01:00

Renewed tuberculosis attack feared in Guyana
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: One of the Guyana's leading newspapers, Stabroek News carried a lengthy article entitled "TB renewed its attack" in which it stated that there was a worrying increase of the disease, which claimed scores of lives several decades ago. Guyana's co-infection (HIV and TB) is climbing.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 26-Nov-2008 01:00

Ozone therapy on slipped disks shows positive results in Cuba
HAVANA, Cuba, (ACN): The use in Cuba of ozone therapy has been proved to be very efficient in the treatment of slipped disks, as it relieves the pain and disability caused by the condition. The direct application of the gas to the spine or the muscles surrounding, reduces the slipped disk.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 26-Nov-2008 01:00

Cuba's birth rate increased in 2008
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN): The sustained increase of the live-birth indicator reported in Cuba from January through October of 2008, compared to last year, is good news and it could turn the demographic course of the country. The statistics were compiled from figures collected in health centers and other data.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 25-Nov-2008 01:00

High tech digitalized x-ray equipment to be produced in Cuba
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN): High tech RX 800 digitalized equipment for x-ray examinations will be produced in Cuba for use in the hospitals and polyclinics of the archipelago. Awarded the Design Prize during the recently concluded International Trade Fair, the RX 800 provides images in six seconds.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 25-Nov-2008 01:00

Scientists from US hoping to prevent dengue fever outbreak in USVI
ST THOMAS, USVI: A team of scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now in the US Virgin Islands hoping to avoid a dengue fever outbreak following the heavy rains that accompanied Hurricane Omar. The entomologists assessed mosquito populations at 22 sites.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 24-Nov-2008 01:00

Dengue fever diagnosed in 126 residents of Guyana's hinterland
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Dengue fever has been diagnosed in 126 residents in the Rupununi area of Guyana's hinterland. The viral disease is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and manifests itself in fever, rashes, headaches and severe muscle and joint pains.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 21-Nov-2008 01:00

St Lucia Diabetes and Hypertensive Association to hold Annual Fun Walk
CASTRIES, St Lucia: The St Lucia Diabetes and Hypertensive Association will be holding its Annual Fun Walk on November 30, 2008 and it will be the closing event for the Association's annual Diabetes Awareness Month. The Fun Walk is one of two health-related events that the association has organized.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 18-Nov-2008 01:00

St Kitts-Nevis minister says HIV/AIDS presents a unique challenge
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts(SKNIS): Minister of Health Rupert Herbert stressed that HIV/AIDS presents a unique challenge to St. Kitts and Nevis and the rest of the world. The chief government health official noted that the world has seen many epidemics and managed to cure most successfully.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 15-Nov-2008 01:00

Fifty more eye patients from Guyana off to Cuba
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA): Fifty patients who had undergone eye screening last week were expected to depart Guyana on Tuesday for Cuba for different types of eye surgery under the “Mission Miracle” programme, which has been re-introduced until the Port Mourant Ophthalmology Centre becomes operational.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 12-Nov-2008 01:00

Cuban medical brigade returns home from Venezuela
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN): Cuban doctors working on an special mission in Venezuela returned to Cuba on Tuesday evening. The more than 400-member medical brigade had worked for more than one year in Venezuela on a research study on people with disabilities who need specialized care.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 06-Nov-2008 01:00

Voodoo priests enlisted in Haiti AIDS fight
JACMEL, Haiti (IRIN): Clement Bouvais, a Haitian voodoo priest, presides over the Temple de Nos Ancetres (Temple of Our Ancestors), a windowless wooden structure painted in fading shades of blue and red on a narrow side street in the southern coastal town of Jacmel.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 05-Nov-2008 01:00

Primary health care capacity in Guyana continues to be boosted
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA): Guyana said it is making good its commitment to strengthen and build capacity within the health sector with the most recent advancement being the addition of five locally trained surgical doctors. The graduates completed their post-graduate surgical programme.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 04-Nov-2008 01:00

AIDS patients in Haiti more desperate for food than treatment
JACMEL (IRIN): Even before Hurricane Gustav barrelled into the southern coast of Haiti in August, life was a struggle for Destin Domoud, an artist selling his paintings and papier-mâché crafts from a small gallery in the seaside town of Jacmel. Over 60 percent of Haitians live below the poverty line.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 03-Nov-2008 01:00

Guyana's health minister praises work of Cuban doctors
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN): Guyana's government authorities have recognized the help of Cuba in the health sector, for more than three decades, as invaluable. The statement was made during the celebration of the first anniversary of the inauguration of the Comprehensive Diagnosis Center of Diamond.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 31-Oct-2008 01:00

New study explores alcohol use and HIV risk in the Dominican Republic
NEW YORK, USA: Associate professor Vincent Guilamo-Ramos of Columbia University and assistant professor Mark Padilla of the University of Michigan have been awarded a $430,000 grant to develop a venue-based  alcohol and HIV-prevention intervention in the Dominican Republic.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 30-Oct-2008 01:00

Barbados praised for a successful HIV/AIDS project
BRIDGETOWN, Bardados, (BGIS): As Barbados prepares to start its second HIV/AIDS Project with the World Bank, an official there is reporting that the first project which closed in December 2007 was “very successful”. Dr Joana Godinho, said there was a very strong institutional structure in place.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 29-Oct-2008 01:00

Old and new viruses spread by air travel, crowding
WASHINGTON, USA (Reuters): Tourists traveling by plane and the growth of cities are combining to help new and old infections spread around the world, experts said on Monday. Viruses such as Chikungunya and dengue fever are finding new homes or returning to places where they were eradicated.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 28-Oct-2008 01:00

Smoking on the rise in Barbados especially among teenage girls
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Smoking is on the rise in Barbados, particularly among young people and especially teenage girls. Dr Anthony Lewegaba of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of the West Indies (UWI) revealed that about 36 percent of youth have tried smoking cigarettes.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 25-Oct-2008 02:00

Antigua Ministry of Health denies dengue fever outbreak
ST JOHN’S, Antigua: The Ministry of Health in Antigua and Barbuda has denied that the country has recorded 30 cases of dengue fever since the onslaught of the strong weather associated with the passage of Hurricane Omar. The statement added that symptoms for dengue include fever and headache.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 25-Oct-2008 02:00

Fifty-five new AIDS infections every day in the Caribbean
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: The Director of the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean made some startling disclosures when she addressed the 7th Annual US Chiefs of Mission Conference on HIV/AIDS in Port of Spain on Wednesday. Most of the persons infected are young females.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 24-Oct-2008 02:00

Belize to get eye care programme from Venezuela
BELMOPAN, Belize: Representatives of the government of Venezuela are meeting with officials in Belize in an effort to launch a programme that will provide free eye care to Belizean residents. The project is completely funded by the government of Venezuela.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 18-Oct-2008 02:00

Suriname celebrates third anniversary of Operation Miracle
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN): Cuba’s Embassy in Suriname hosted a ceremony in commemoration of the third anniversary of the Operation Miracle in Suriname, which started October 10, 2005. The project started by taking patients to Cuban hospitals in Havana and Cienfuegos cities.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 15-Oct-2008 02:00

Cuban researchers present mangrove-based pill to treat stomach ulcers
SAN JOSE DE LAS LAJAS, Cuba (ACN): The results of a study on the use of mangrove trees for treatment of gastro-duodenum ulcers will be presented at a forum to take place in Cuba. Dr Luz Maria Sánchez told ACN that the natural medicine made from of mangrove tree does not cause side effects.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 15-Oct-2008 02:00

Guyanese receive eye-care screening
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The Cuban and Venezuela governments’ free eye-care programme is now underway in Guyana. The programme, known as Mission Miracle, is providing additional support to persons with acute eye problems. The team is now based at the East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 14-Oct-2008 02:00

No tainted milk products sold in Suriname
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Fears that melamine-tainted milk powder has been processed and sold to consumers by a local dairy company were Saturday dismissed by Suriname health authorities. On September 22, the government of Suriname imposed a ban on milk and dairy products from China.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 13-Oct-2008 02:00

Puerto Rico firm recalls frozen beef products due to possible E. Coli contamination
WASHINGTON, USA: Packers Provision, a Puerto Nuevo, Puerto Rico, establishment, is recalling approximately 420 pounds of frozen beef trim that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced on Friday.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 13-Oct-2008 02:00

Suriname authorities seize tainted milk powder
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Authorities in Suriname say they have confiscated a quantity of milk powder imported from China, which is reportedly tainted with the toxic industrial chemical melamine. While the milk was seized on Monday, a press release informing the public on the matter was not issued until Thursday.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 11-Oct-2008 02:00

Operation Miracle launched in Barbados with Cuban assistance
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN): Operation Miracle, a programme that provides free vision correcting surgery, was launched in Barbados with the treatment of 450 patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The programme is sponsored by Cuba and headed in Barbados by Dr Maritza Miquele.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 10-Oct-2008 02:00

PAHO team going to Trinidad to look at dengue situation
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: A team of experts from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is due in Trinidad this week to look at reports of an outbreak of dengue in the twin-island Republic. The announcement was made by Health Minister Jerry Narace in Parliament while speaking on the Budget Debate.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 06-Oct-2008 02:00

Guyana bans Chinese dairy products over melamine scare
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AFP): Guyana on Saturday became the second Caribbean Community (Caricom) member, after Suriname, to pull Chinese dairy products off the market, amid a world-wide alert on Chinese milk tainted with melamine. The Health Ministry said it was targeting specifically 'Milky Evaporated Milk'.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 06-Oct-2008 02:00

Guyanese assured no cause for alarm over contaminated milk
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Guyanese have been given the assurance by the Food and Drugs Analyst Department that there is no need to be concerned about consuming milk from the Chinese company, Yilli. Infant baby milk and other products have been found to contain traces of melamine.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 03-Oct-2008 02:00

Guyana's health ministry investigating Chinese products made from contaminated milk
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The ministry of health in Guyana is investigating the imports of products believed to be produced with milk from China that may be contaminated with melamine. According to the ministry, checks are being made on the local market as to the quantity of products that may be on sale.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 02-Oct-2008 02:00

CARICOM ministers of health agree on plan to establish CARPHA
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Ministers of Health of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have endorsed a plan of action for the transition of the Regional Health Institutions into the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) by 2010. The endorsement was made at the annual Caucus of the Ministers of Health.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 01-Oct-2008 02:00

China milk scare for Trinidad and Tobago stores
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: The milk scare in China has now gripped stores in Trinidad and Tobago. Over the past days some grocers in the country have been voluntarily pulling some of their products off the shelves; products they suspect could be made with contaminated milk.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 30-Sep-2008 02:00

Health scare in the aftermath of floods in Tobago
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Recent floods in Tobago are now being blamed for what is now said to be an outbreak of gastro-enteritis in certain parts of the island. County Medical Officer of Health Dr Mentor Melville confirmed Friday that over 60 persons, including children, from districts throughout the island have been affected.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 29-Sep-2008 02:00

Highest number of dengue cases in a decade reported in Guyana
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The Ministry of Health in Guyana has indicated that there are reports that approximately 300 people are affected by dengue in that country. The Kaieteur News newspaper stated that, alerted by the outbreak of the fever in Trinidad and Tobago, the ministry has intensified its surveillance.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 22-Sep-2008 02:00

Fifty Guyanese for eye surgery in Cuba
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Fifty Guyanese nationals will leave Georgetown on Tuesday for Cuba to undergo eye surgery. According to a press release from Guyana’s Government Information Agency, the Minister in the Ministry of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran disclosed that most of the patients were currently being screened.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 22-Sep-2008 02:00

Urologist says Barbados has the highest prostate cancer rate
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Barbados is one of the countries with the highest number of prostate cancer deaths in the world. The Barbados Advocate reported on Friday that the country was losing 80 to 90 of its men annually to the disease, although these figures have not been officially verified and documented.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 20-Sep-2008 02:00

USVI Governor sends health insurance legislation to Senate
ST THOMAS, USVI: Governor of the US Virgin Islands, John de Jongh, has sent legislation to the Senate to renew the government's health insurance plan, increasing it by $7million. In the fiscal year 2008, the plan totaled $96.5 million, with the government paying 65 percent of the plan's premiums.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 19-Sep-2008 02:00

BVI joins in 'Heart Healthy Walks' during Caribbean Wellness Day
ROAD TOWN, BVI: The Ministry of Health and Social Development in the British Virgin Islands received a favourable response when the Territory joined its regional neighbours to observe the first Caribbean Wellness Day last Saturday. Scores of residents participated in Territory-wide Heart Healthy Walks.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 16-Sep-2008 02:00

Dengue fever outbreak in Tobago
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Tobago has reported the worst outbreak of dengue fever in years. County Medical Officer of Health, Dr Mentor Melville disclosed that there are eight confirmed cases of the disease in Tobago between east and west and 41 suspected cases that were treated at Scarborough Regional Hospital.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 13-Sep-2008 02:00

BVI Health Minister discusses numerous benefits from OECS/PPS
TORTOLA, BVI: British Virgin Islands Health Minister Dancia Penn on Thursday spoke of the importance and the numerous benefits derived from the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Pharmaceutical Procurement Service (OECS/PPS) policy, and added that it is a shining example of regional partnership.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 13-Sep-2008 02:00

Message by Edwin Carrington, Caricom Secretary General on the occasion of Caribbean Wellness Day
One year ago, on 14 September, 2007, the Caribbean Community held the first ever Summit of Regional Leaders in the World to address the challenges of the non communicable diseases which are estimated to cause more that 50 percent of the World’s deaths. That Summit resulted in the Port of Spain Declaration.
Source : caribbeannetnews.com | 13-Sep-2008 02:00