Caribbean Times 99th Issue - Thursday 16th February 2017

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4 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g Thursday 16th February 2017 MSJMC to get Cardiology Centre By Everton Barnes The government is exploring the possibility of setting up a Cardiology Centre at the Mount St John’s Medical Centre. To this end, the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Rhonda Sealy-Thomas, the Director of the Mount St. John Medical Center (MSJMC), Dr. Albert Duncan and a visiting cardiologist, Dr. Gary Stevens were invited to Cabinet on Wednesday to address an expansion in the health services to be offered at the MSJMC. Dr Stevens, who practices heart surgery in the USA and who has set-up a cardiology center in Guyana, was The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO) Director Dr. Carissa F. Etienne will make an official visit to Antigua Barbuda on February 19, 2017. During her visit, she will meet with the Hon. Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda. She will also have bilateral discussions with Hon. Molwyn Joseph, Minister of Health and the Environment and pay a courtesy visit to the Hon. Charles Fernandez, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Immigration. On Wednesday February 22, 2017, Dr. Etienne will be invited to Antigua to explore the possibilities of replicating a cost-saving MSJMC Cardiology Center. Cabinet spokesman, Lionel Max Hurst, said the visiting cardiologist explained that many people in Antigua and Barbuda who suffer from hypertension and diabetes also suffer from blood circulation challenges; the inability of the heart to send blood to the toes and feet usually result in amputations. According to the information provide, Hurst said, the failure of the heart to circulate the blood eventually results in weakness and fatigue, and also early death addressing a meeting of the cabinet of Ministers where she will present the PAHO/ WHO vision on Universal Health Coverage as well as highlight the all of government approach necessary for the prevention of Non-communicable diseases. Dr Etienne’s visit coincides with the convening of the PAHO Annual Caribbean Manager’s Meeting which will be held for the first time in Antigua and Barbuda. During this meeting, the senior officials of PAHO/ WHO in the Caribbean will be discussing PAHO’s Programmatic & Inter-programmatic work within the region. in patients. “By undertaking cardiology interventions, including expanding the arteries leading to and from the heart by going through the groin, the cardiologist has been able to get the heart to pump blood to the feet; this operation eliminates the need for amputations. “The interventions also strengthen the arteries and improve the functioning of the heart by the inclusion of stents and other non-surgical implantation,” Hurst reported. He said babies born with holes in the heart can also be corrected without the need for open heart surgery. The PAHO Director to visit Antigua PAHO Director Dr. Carissa F. Etienne On Tuesday February 21st, Hon. Molwyn Joseph, Minister of Health and the Environment will address the meeting, where he is expected to highlight the latest achievements of the Government in the quest to improve the health status of the People of Antigua and Barbuda. cardiologist reported that for every 100,000 people in certain populations, at least 120 people will have need for heart surgery. Given the cost of such surgeries in the USA, the savings from treating the disease at a MSJMC Cardiology Center would result in significant savings annually. According to Hurst the attraction of such a Center, in Antigua, to those who stand in danger of losing limbs from diabetes and hypertension, or who may suffer heart attacks because of resulting heart disease, is well worth the cost, the Cabinet determined. “The attraction to OECS countries, where significant portions of the population suffer from the same illnesses as do people in Antigua and Barbuda, has already been determined. The OECS would look to Antigua and Barbuda for cardiology care, just as the Cancer Care Center is intended to serve that population, also,” he reported. The cost of establishing the Center, outfitting it with the necessary tools and equipment, and staffing it with experts is to be determined, and brought back to Cabinet for a determination. The space at the MSJMC has already been earmarked, and the Ministers were told that US$50,000 could result in the first operation by the end of March 2017.
Thursday 16th February 2017 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 5 First Grade Six Empowerment Conference hailed a success By Joanna Paris On Tuesday, the Grade 6 students at the Green Bay Primary School had the unique opportunity to benefit from a power packed inaugural conference, geared towards preparing them for the 2017 National Assessment Examinations and beyond. The brainchild of the school’s guidance counsellor, Karian Christian, the first ever “Grade 6 Empowerment Conference” was a resounding success. Speaking to Caribbean Times, Christian said that she was surprised as well as happy about the outcome, especially with the positive feedback that has been received from the students. “This was geared towards boosting the morale of the grade 6 students as they prepare for secondary school. Our aim is to prepare them for not only secondary school but their journey to adulthood as well. We invited four speakers who come from various walks of life and who have been successful in their respective fields to speak to the students and it went very well”, she said Welcome Senator Lake By Joanna Paris The Upper House of Parliament officially welcomed Senator Aziza Lake when the senators assembled in the House to commence their debate on the 2017 Budget on Wednesday. Senator Lake took the oath of office and took the seat previously formerly occupied by Wrigley George. In welcoming Senator Lake to the Upper House, President of the Senate, Alincia Williams–Grant noted that the gender balance that was present when the ruling administration assumed office, has been restored. “I wish to extend warmest greetings and welcome to you, you have restored the gender balance that was present in 2014, we have not exceeded it as yet but we will get there eventually”, she said. She also encouraged the young Senator to remember her duties in the House. “My expectations for you is no different than of any of the other members present here or those who have passed through these hallowed walls. We expect that you will conduct yourself with the highest level of professionalism, decorum and respect for your peers and respect for the authority of the chair”, she indicated. happily. The speakers included local author, motivational speaker and entrepreneur, Chrys-Ann Ambrose, Football coach and former national player, Rowan Issac, Journalist and entrepreneur, Elisa Graham and Journalist, former CARICOM Youth Ambassador, Cleveroy Thomas. They addressed a wide range of topics to include: bullying, eliminating selfdoubt, the importance of focusing, pursuing their dreams and being positive role models for their peers. The students asked a number of questions which were gladly answered by the speakers. The Grade 6 students of the T.O.R. Memorial School and their Principal, were also present as specially invited guests. They too expressed their satisfaction with the positive impact of the inaugural conference. Christian said that the forum will be an annual part of the school’s calendar.
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Caribbean Times 99th Issue - Thursday 16th February 2017

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