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Ministry of Health and Wellness to develop climate resilient health systems

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The Bahamas, December 15, 2021 –  – The government is making good on its commitment to fight the impact climate change is having on this island nation through a number of health initiatives.

In this vein, the Ministry of Health and Wellness held a virtual press conference to inform the public of collaborative efforts with a number of local and regional organizations and entities.

The press conference held Tuesday, December 14, 2021 was addressed by Dr. Phillip Swann, Acting Chief Medical Officer, who spoke on behalf of the Minister of Health and Wellness.

“The World Health Organization advises that climate change is the single biggest health threat facing humanity, and health professionals worldwide.  Health professionals are already responding to the health harms caused by this unfolding crisis, and so are we,” Dr. Swann said.

In an effort to coordinate the Caribbean region’s response to climate change, the “Developing a Climate Resilient Health System in The Bahamas” project was developed, he said.

The project is a team effort between Government of The Bahamas, and the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (5Cs).

Organizations in The Bahamas identified to execute the projects are the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Ministry of the Environment and

Natural Resources.  “This duet of Ministries forms the National Designated Authority (NDA). The Green Climate Fund is a primary source of funding for this project,” he said.

Dr. Swann pointed out that in addition to challenges more recently with the COVID-19 pandemic, The Bahamas is still recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian, which landed on our shores as a Category 5 hurricane on 1st September 2019.

“This terrible hurricane caused flooding and unprecedented destruction in Abaco and Grand Bahama.  This was our worst climate-related experience yet,” he said.

And, later in March 2020, the COVID-19 virus was identified in country. The pandemic laid bare a number of deficiencies in the health system infrastructure – from both technological and physical standpoints: “It threatened our ability to continue to deliver routine health services to the Bahamian public,” said Dr. Swann.

He added, “With the persisting waves of the pandemic, The Bahamas, like many of our sister Caribbean countries found [itself] having to prepare and mitigate against a potential hurricane landfall amid a COVID-19 pandemic.   As we revised our response patterns, guidelines for shelters and other policies several truths were evident.”

Dr. Swann outlined those truths as the urgent need to strengthen linkages; and the need to build human, technical, physical and policy capacity that will address climate change and health issues in The Bahamas.

“This partnership, the work of the NDA is created to work toward strengthening our capacity to strategically respond to and close the aforementioned gaps.

“Enhancing climate resiliency through the Developing a Climate Resilient Health System Project in The Bahamas will assist The Bahamas to strengthen national organizations with human resources and technical knowledge to prepare, coordinate and respond to climate change and health matters.

“These simple steps will contribute towards shaping the Ministry of Health and Wellness Strategic and Resource Mobilization plans. Training will also be provided to key officials who operate in the climate change and health sector.

The project calls for two main actions. The first action is to explore what is meant by and how the Bahamas will incorporate the idea of  “climate SMART health” through the creation of policies and systems that promote climate-resilient health care. And, the second action is to enhance the effectiveness and alignment of surveillance systems that provide information on matters that impact the public’s health.

“A national health and environmental surveillance system will permit the government to not only track climate-change-related illnesses, but also predict and mitigate against patterns of health challenges associated with changes in the climate and physical environment,” Dr. Swann said.

“A surveillance system will also facilitate the focused delivery of assistance and protective measures to vulnerable populations and families that can be impacted by climate emergencies/disasters disaggregated by gender.”

Also involved are the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection, the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development Disaster Management, Department of Gender and Family Affairs, and the PanAmerican Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO-WHO).

 

By Lindsay Thompson

Release: BIS

 

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Bahamas News

Ayla Isaacs Unveils Transformative Guide Amidst Challenging Times

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Bahamian author Ayla Isaacs is making an impactful debut in the literary world with her book, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health—Transforming Your Wellbeing With Diet, Exercise, and Rest.” As crime rates surge and the aftermath of the pandemic leaving many grappling with hopelessness and a sense of abandonment, Isaacs’ guide offers a beacon of hope and a roadmap for personal transformation, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing spiritual resilience in navigating adversity.

Long-time Bahamian physician Dr. Horizal Simmons says, “Ms. Isaacs not only states the spiritual ingredient that we should use for our therapy, but she also explains how it works in our spiritual system and the beneficial changes that will bring the desired transformation or spiritual health benefits.” Applauding the soundness of the book and paralleling it to physical wellness, Dr. Simmons said he highly recommends it to anyone serious about their spiritual well-being and health.

Isaacs is a highly experienced Project Manager who draws from her background in Civil and Environmental Engineering, International Business, and Christian ministry, whether a physical structure or the wellbeing of an individual’s life. Her published work shows that she strongly believes in building with structural integrity. Isaacs provides readers with a holistic approach to welfare beyond traditional self-help. She explores the transformative power of simple spiritual practices integrated into daily life. Isaacs believes that prioritizing spiritual health can help individuals find inner fulfillment and a sense of purpose, which she believes are essential in combating the prevailing hopelessness.

Coach Gregory Cash, who has spent decades helping to develop great athletes and leaders in the country, believes the unique perspective shared, especially relating to spiritual exercise, can touch the hearts of so many. Wendy Fernander, PhD., a licensed clinical psychologist and president of the Bahamas Psychological Association, noted that too few of us think about our spiritual diet, which results in our spiritual wellbeing. When asked about the book, Dr. Fernander said, “This book will provoke you to do serious soul searching.”

Amid the challenges communities face, Isaacs encourages readers to initiate a positive “me” movement—a focus on self-improvement that, when embraced collectively, can lead to stronger families, churches, and nations. According to Isaacs, strengthened individuals become catalysts for positive change within their immediate circles, creating a ripple effect that extends to broader communities.

Ayla Isaacs, whose roots go back to South Eleuthera, is a founding member of the Smart and Strong Sisterhood (SASS) and the creative mind behind A.I. Paper, a gift-wrapping paper and bag company that celebrates the islands of The Bahamas. Isaacs believes that investing in spiritual wellbeing is pivotal for personal growth and resilience. A conference speaker who is actively involved in church ministries and affiliated with several civic organizations, Isaacs firmly believes in the balance between personal and community wellbeing.

“Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” is now available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com in paperback and eBook form and locally at Oasis Bookstore in Nassau. Isaacs encourages readers to embark on a transformative journey and be architects of their spiritual wellbeing. In times of uncertainty, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” offers a guide and a message of hope and empowerment for individuals seeking personal and communal transformation.

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Tired of Taking Notes? The new Samsung Galaxy S24 Will Transcribe and Summarize Your Voice Notes In A Snap! 

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NASSAU, Bahamas – Faster, smarter and more convenient than ever before, the new Samsung Galaxy S24 will revolutionize your productivity with its new Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist features. In the continuous pursuit of delivering innovative solutions that enhance productivity and user experience, Samsung Electronics is proud to introduce two groundbreaking features: Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist.

The Transcript Assist feature, powered by Galaxy’s advanced artificial intelligence, takes note-taking to a whole new level by enabling users to easily convert voice notes and conversations into useful and accessible notes. Whether in a business meeting, conference, or casual conversation, the Galaxy S24’s Transcript Assist makes capturing information easier than ever.

By utilizing Transcript Assist, users can effortlessly record any conversation with multiple speakers and transform it into a clear and concise transcript with just a few taps. This feature is particularly useful for those who need to keep a detailed record of discussions and decisions made during important meetings or collaborative work sessions.

“With Transcript Assist, we’re redefining the way people take notes and record information,” said Gianmarco Leri, Product Manager at Samsung Electronics. “No longer do you have to worry about missing important details during a conversation. With the Galaxy S24, you can capture every word and turn it into a useful reference that you can easily review and share.”

In addition to generating accurate transcripts, the Transcript Assist feature also offers the ability to generate quick summaries of conversations, as well as the option to translate the entire transcript into different languages, facilitating communication and collaboration among people from different regions and cultures.

On the other hand, the Browsing Assist feature allows users to navigate more efficiently and conveniently on their Galaxy S24 devices by providing intelligent and contextual suggestions during web browsing and online content exploration.

The Galaxy S24, equipped with Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist, marks the beginning of a new era of productivity and convenience in mobile devices. These innovative features demonstrate Samsung Electronics’ continued commitment to providing advanced tools that help people achieve their goals more effectively and efficiently in everyday life.

So, get ready! The new Samsung Galaxy S24 will be coming soon to tech stores in The Bahamas soon.

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Weather Systems Affect Cuba and The Bahamas

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Weather#Cuba#TheBahamas, March 25th, 2024 – Serious weather struck The Bahamas and Cuba over the weekend, both nations receiving warnings from their meteorological entities. The Bahamas was affected by severe thunderstorms.  In fact, an area of the Carnival Freedom Cruise Ship, which was 20 miles off Eleuthera, Bahamas, caught fire and reports say it was possibly due to a lightning strike.  Fortunately no lives were reported lost.

Meanwhile, Cuba had intense rainfall and hailstorms, resulting in damage to surrounding areas, thousands left without electricity amid fallen trees and Flash Floods.

 

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