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Find out if your Kidneys are Healthy at Free Screening Clinic TODAY

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By Deandrea Hamilton and Dana Malcolm

Editorial Staff

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, March 6, 2023 – The absence of health check-ups has led to a high instance of KIDNEY DISEASE in the Turks and Caicos Islands, now the Ministry of Health in partnership with the TCI Hospitals is running an intervention program aimed at getting residents ‘in the know’ about the health of their kidneys.

Ahead of World Kidney Day, which is on Thursday March 9 residents of the Turks and Caicos are being encouraged to check up on their kidneys for earlier detection of damage or risk.

Because the statistics are so alarming, the TCI Hospitals in collaboration with the TCI Ministry of Health and Human Services will host a free kidney disease prevention drive in Providenciales, today Tuesday, March 7th where you can get your kidneys screened free by doctors at the government’s Mobile Clinic.  The program opens from 10 am to 2 pm in Butterfield Square in down town, Providenciales.

In Turks and Caicos, there is cause for concern when it comes to kidneys.  The organs which are responsible for:  removing waste products from our bodies; removing drugs from our bodies; balancing our body’s fluids; releasing hormones that regulate blood pressure; producing vitamin D which promotes strong, healthy bones and the kidneys manage the production of red blood cells.

“Up to 50% of persons starting dialysis were not previously being monitored by a Nephrologist.  It is therefore important that high-risk individuals check their kidney function on a regular basis. High-risk persons include those with diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and those with kidney disease in their families,” said Vancelee Forbes, Nephrologist (Kidney Specialist) at the TCI Hospitals.

Dr. Forbes revealed that there are currently 60 individuals with renal failure receiving dialysis across both sites at Cheshire Hall Medical in Providenciales and Cockburn Town, Medical in Grand Turk.  However, it is the nearly 300 other residents who were unaware of chronic kidney disease which raised red flags; only detected when these hundreds sought care at clinics across the country.

Renal failure means the kidneys cannot clean the blood on their own any longer and affected individuals require hours of dialysis weekly to stay alive. Chronic kidney disease which has very few symptoms until it is in the late stages can cause this. It can occur over months or years with early detection increasing patients’ survival chances.

Dr. Forbes shared with Magnetic Media the workings of their Hemodialysis Unit.

“Persons requiring dialysis are managed in dialysis clinics. Services include hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. These persons require a living donor.” The doctor said, “Additional support services include access to a dietician, physiotherapy as needed, psychology and psychiatry services as needed.”

And locally, transplant surgeries are not possible but donors are welcomed.  Dr. Forbes said a UK overseas territory programme allows for the procedure.

“A TCI resident received a kidney from a relative via the programme. Currently, we need healthy people who are willing to donate one of their kidneys,” the specialist implored.

Patients with chronic kidney disease who are not on dialysis are treated in the Renal and Internal Medicine clinics but, for the TCI Hospitals, the aim is to catch these issues early before  they balloon into complete renal system failure.

These partners in health agree that the Free Clinic is a good first step.  Adults, that is residents over the age of 18, can access the screening today beginning at 10 a.m.

Caribbean News

CARPHA Progresses to Eligibility for the First Disbursement of Pandemic Funding

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Following a landmark Public Signing Ceremony for the Pandemic Fund (PF) Technical Cooperation Agreement (“Reducing the Public Health Impact of Pandemics in the Caribbean through Prevention, Preparedness, and Response” [RG-T4387] Project) on December 14, 2023, in Trinidad, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) continues to progress towards the start of implementation.

 CARPHA fulfilled the IDB’s nine conditions prior to first disbursement, achieving full eligibility on March 15, 2024, and is now eligible for the first disbursement. This milestone achievement in just 3 months after the signing speaks to the commitment of both CARPHA, the Executing Agency, and IDB, the Implementing Entity, toward the regional PF project with the objective of supporting the reduction of the public health impact of pandemics in the Caribbean by building pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPR) surveillance & early-warning systems (EWS), laboratory systems and workforce capacity, regionally at CARPHA and in countries.

Since the signing of the Technical Cooperation Agreement and as part of the conditions prior to first disbursement, CARPHA has achieved the following key outputs (i) the development of the PF Project Operations Manual, Multi-annual Execution Plan, Procurement Plan, Financial Plan, Procedure for CARPHA’s Financial Reporting System; (ii) vacancy announcements for two tranches of consultants with the subsequent hiring of five (Technical Coordinator, Financial Specialist, Procurement Specialist, Operations Officer and Project Operations Coordinator) and (iii) the establishment of the Project Execution Unit (PEU) and Project Execution Steering Committee (PESC). The dedicated PEU will be responsible for execution according to its planned timelines, which will be led by the Dr. Lisa Indar, the Project Director (CARPHA’s Director of Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control Division).

 CARPHA, as the lead regional public health agency and an expression of Caribbean Cooperation in Health is mandated by its Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) to support its 26 CARPHA Member States (CMS) in bolstering national systems and coordinating regional response to public health threats. The Agency works closely with regional and international agencies and uses regional mechanisms, surveillance systems, and networks for coordinating its public health response work.

In July 2023, the PF Governing Board announced that CARPHA’s regional entity proposal, entitled ‘Reducing the Public Health Impact of Pandemics in the Caribbean through Strengthened Integrated Early Warning Surveillance, Laboratory Systems and Workforce Development’ was successfully selected for the first round of financing. It was one of only 19 proposals selected from over 300 submissions and the only regional project. The three priority areas in the proposal are: (i) Comprehensive disease surveillance and EWS, (ii) Laboratory systems and (iii) Human resources and public health and community workforce capacity.

This project is expected to begin implementation in March 2024, starting off with a blended onboarding session. A Stakeholder Meeting with countries is tentatively planned for July 2024.

CARPHA remains dedicated to working together with the IDB, CARPHA Member States and the Pandemic Fund to successfully implement the regional proposal geared toward reducing the public health impact of pandemics in the Caribbean.

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Health

Ministry of Health and Human Services Launched Electronic Patient Care Report (Ambpro)

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The Ministry of Health and Human Services proudly announces the successful launch of the Electronic Patient Care Report (ePCR), marking a historic milestone in emergency healthcare services. The official unveiling ceremony took place on March 12, 2024 at the Atrium conference room.

In attendance were distinguished dignitaries, including  Deputy Premier and Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, Honourable Jamell Robinson; Minister of Health and Human Services, Honourable Shaun D. Malcolm; Minister of Tourism, Environment, Maritime, Culture, Heritage and Religious Affairs, Honourable Josephine Connolly; Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services, Honourable Rachel Taylor; the Minister of Immigration and Border Services, Honourable Arlington Musgrove; and the Permanent Secretary of Health, Mrs Desiree Lewis, who recognized the significance of the ePCR system in promoting public health and safety. Their presence underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to investing in healthcare infrastructure and technological advancements to better serve the needs of the population. Thus reaffirming their support for initiatives aimed at improving emergency healthcare services and strengthening the National Emergency Medical Service’s capabilities.

During the launch event, the Minister of Health and Human Services highlighted the transformative impact of the ePCR system on patient care and emergency response efforts. Emphasizing the importance of innovation in healthcare, the Minister expressed gratitude to the dedicated team of professionals who contributed to the development and implementation of the ground breaking technology. The Deputy Premier praised the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of the ePCR system, affirming its potential to revolutionize emergency medical services especially the pre-hospital management of citizens and visitors across the country.

The Director of Emergency Medical Services, Mr. Andy Brijmohansingh, spoke passionately about the importance of embracing technology to advance patient care. “The introduction of the Electronic Patient Care Report marks a new chapter in our commitment to providing high-quality emergency medical services,” said Mr Brijmohansingh. “This innovative system empowers our teams with the tools they need to deliver swift and effective care, while ensuring that patient information is accurately captured and securely shared.”

The Electronic Patient Care Report (ePCR) represents a significant advancement in the National Ambulance Service’s mission to deliver efficient and high-quality emergency medical care to citizens across the nation. Developed with cutting-edge technology and meticulous attention to detail, the ePCR system streamlines the documentation process, enhances communication, and ensures the seamless transfer of patient information between emergency responders and healthcare facilities.

The launch of the Electronic Patient Care Report marks a new chapter in the evolution of emergency medical services, promising enhanced efficiency, accuracy, and patient outcomes. With its implementation, the National Emergency Medical Services reaffirms its dedication to providing timely and effective care to individuals in their time of need.

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Caribbean News

Haiti Food Insecurity Rising

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

 

#Haiti#FoodInsecurity, March 25th, 2024 Half of Haiti’s population or nearly 5 million people are classified as food insecure for the period March to June 2024, a projected 50 percent increase up from 45 percent from August 2023 to February 2024. This is according to the Haitian Government in a March 23rd report, as informed by an update from an IPC1 analysis. The factors contributing to the continued decrease in food security, the report says, include the increase of the food basket by 22 percent as of February 2024 and the worsening Violence which disrupts food supply chains.

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