Health
Workshop explores ways to improve children’s learning and behavior - Nov 30, 2017 - 10:15:49 AM

The importance of executive function skills for children was recently highlighted in a workshop hosted by Family Medicine Center.

Sarah Ward, a renowned expert on the topic of executive functioning, provided simple, practical strategies and tools for teaching children how to develop independent executive function skills.

The full-day workshop, organized by the Mental Health Department at Family Medicine Center was titled "Cutting Edge Strategies to Improve Executive Function Skills".

Health
PAHO/WHO, UNAIDS call for stepping up HIV prevention efforts and offering all available options to prevent new infections - Nov 29, 2017 - 4:18:34 PM

A new report from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Regional Office for the Americas of WHO, and UNAIDS says that expanding access to all HIV prevention options that are now available would reduce the number of new cases of HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean, which since 2010 has remained at 120,000 every year.

Launched on the eve of World AIDS Day, the report, HIV Prevention in the Spotlight - An Analysis from the Perspective of the Health Sector in Latin America and the Caribbean, analyzes progress made and challenges facing health systems in preventing HIV transmission...

News
Baptist Health South Florida highlights importance of Orthopedic Works in The Bahamas and Caribbean - Nov 2, 2017 - 6:44:05 AM

Two of the region’s top orthopaedic surgeons from Baptist Health South Florida in Miami, Florida, flew into Nassau recently for the Caribbean Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (CAOS) 12th Annual Scientific Meeting, in which regional doctors come together to exchange new ways to mend common issues.

The annual conference spanned in topics from sports medicine to trauma. Charles Jordan, M.D., orthopedic surgeon at Miami Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida, believes it is of the utmost importance that organizations such as the CAOS be supported in their endeavors to hold such academic conferences in the Caribbean...

Health
National Health Insurance (NHI) - Press Release Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) - Oct 6, 2017 - 6:14:47 PM

Thirty-nine (39) Customer Service Representative (CSRs) will end their six months contract with NHI today, October, 6th, 2017. These CSRs were employed in April, 2017 and deployed chiefly at the satellite enrollment centers, which were closed last month. Enrollment continues at NHI headquarters and on line.

Eighteen CSRs will be reengaged on month to month terms to perform essential functions, as the NHI Board continues to turn its attention to the staffing of the NHI Authority...

Health
Life expectancy in the Americas increases to 75 years - Sep 26, 2017 - 10:06:19 AM

The population of the Americas has gained 16 years in life expectancy on average in the last 45 years, and a person who is born in the hemisphere can now aspire to live until age 75, almost five years longer than the world average. However, emerging and noncommunicable diseases, which cause four out of five deaths per year, are the main challenges in one of the most unequal regions in the world.
 
This information is part of the new Health in the Americas+ 2017 report, the latest edition of the flagship publication prepared by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) every five years since 1956..

Health
National Health Insurance Authority Board members announced - Jul 27, 2017 - 5:32:56 PM


Today, the composition of the Board of Directors of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) was announced. The Board has been appointed in accordance with the National Health Insurance Act, 2016. Dr. Robin Roberts has been named Chairman and Mrs. Judy Whitehead has been named Deputy Chairman.

The Board will effectively act as the governing body that performs the functions and exercises the powers of the NHIA and reports to the Minister responsible for National Health Insurance. The Board will oversee and work closely with the NHI Bahamas technical team to review, plan and operationalize the overall strategy and operations of the NHI Bahamas programme...

Health
Health facilities in seven Caribbean countries to be transformed to be disaster resistant - Jun 7, 2017 - 4:59:46 PM

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) selected 16 hospitals and health centers in seven Caribbean countries to make them safer, greener and more resilient to natural disasters, under the framework of the Smart Health Care Facilities Project, an initiative backed by UKaid, the UK Department for International Development.

The project is being financially supported by the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID) and implemented through the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief Department in partnership with the Ministry of Health in each target country...

Health
Laboratory services now available under NHI Bahamas - May 23, 2017 - 3:45:37 PM

Nassau, The Bahamas -  Bahamians and legal residents who have enroled in NHI Bahamas will now be able to access laboratory services as part of their Primary Care benefits. With NHI Bahamas, persons will no longer have to pay for certain lab tests, including some blood tests to check immune function, blood sugar, cholesterol, hormone levels and organ function, as well as blood tests for HIV and blood disorders like sickle cell anemia.

A full listing of laboratory services can be found in the Primary Care benefits package: http://www.nhibahamas.gov.bs/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Primary-Care-Benefits-Package.pdf

The following lab administrators are now available to provide laboratory services at no cost at point of care under NHI Bahamas...

Health
Patients in Grand Bahama starting to receive care under NHI Bahamas - May 12, 2017 - 1:11:22 PM

Persons in Grand Bahama who enroled for NHI Bahamas are being matched with Primary Care providers and are starting to receive care. The progress of NHI Bahamas was marked today by one of the first patients in Grand Bahama visiting their selected doctor and receiving care at no cost at point of service. Phase three of NHI Bahamas – Primary Health Care Coverage – is officially underway and is making health care more accessible to Bahamians across the archipelago.

“We are seeing great support from Grand Bahamians who are excited that the day has come where they can start receiving care under NHI Bahamas. There have been doctors from across the island who will serve communities including Freeport, Eight Mile Rock, Hawksbill Creek, High Rock and the West End, to ensure local residents have access to quality, affordable care,” said Peter Deveaux-Isaacs...

News : International
Health Ministers to call for sustainable financing mechanisms - May 9, 2017 - 12:56:05 PM

Commonwealth Health Ministers will gather for their annual meeting in Geneva on 21 May 2017, on the eve of the 70th World Health Assembly.

The theme for the meeting is: ‘Sustainable Financing of Universal Health Coverage as an Essential Component for Global Security including the Reduction of All Forms of Violence’.

At last year’s meeting, Ministers recognised the importance of health security as a bridge to peace and stability, as well as the role the health sector can play in strengthening global security, including preparedness and responses to public health threats and disasters...

News : Local
Enrolment for NHI Bahamas starts; Bahamians now able to select their Primary Care doctor - Apr 24, 2017 - 12:15:53 PM

Tomorrow, enrolment for NHI Bahamas will launch, bringing Bahamians one step closer to receiving Primary Care services at no cost at point of care. During the enrolment phase, Bahamians select their preferred doctor who they will receive Primary Care services from once that phase of coverage begins.

The launch of enrolment for NHI Bahamas is an exciting development for our country. We’ve had a positive response from the physician community and many have now signed up as Primary Care providers under NHI. I encourage persons to enrol early so they can have first pick of their preferred doctor who they will soon receive Primary Care services from...

Health
Public Health Clinic Enrolment in National Health Insurance - Apr 21, 2017 - 1:29:28 PM

The Ministry of Health advises that the public health clinics in New Providence can be selected as primary care providers for NHI enrolment.

Enrolment begins April 24, 2017.

You can register at South Beach Health Centre, Elizabeth Estates Clinic, Flamingo Gardens Clinic, and Fleming Street Clinic.

If you receive care at Coconut Grove, Blue Hill Road, Ann’s Town, or Fox Hill Clinics, register with Fleming Street Clinic...

Health
PAHO opens contest on best experiences in health promotion in cities, schools and universities in the Americas - Apr 11, 2017 - 2:25:53 PM

Deadline for applications: May 12

Washington, D.C. - The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is inviting entries for a contest that will recognize outstanding health promotion practices developed by cities, schools, universities and institutions of higher education in the Americas.

The Significant Experiences in Health Promotion Contest will accept applications through May 12, 2017.

A total of 12 winning experiences will be selected in the following categories: health education with a comprehensive approach, working in a network, building knowledge in health promotion, and intersectoriality...

Health
New Collaboration Expands Availability of Gastrointestinal Healthcare in Nassau - Apr 9, 2017 - 1:26:44 PM

Comprehensive gastrointestinal services are now available at Family Medicine Center clinic on Blake Road, as a result of a new collaboration with The Centre for Digestive Health.

Through the new working arrangement, Dr. Harold Munnings and Dr. Flloyd Carter of The Centre for Digestive Health are able to make their services more accessible to people on the western side of New Providence. Specialist consultations, colonoscopy and other services are available.

"This collaboration brings significant benefits to patients," said Dr. Graham Cates, medical practitioner and founder of Family Medicine Center...

Health
Over 60 private physicians apply for NHI Bahamas during round one of Primary Care Provider registration - Apr 6, 2017 - 12:09:29 PM

Following round one of Primary Care Provider registration, which closed on March 31st, over 60 physicians in the private sector have applied with NHI Bahamas and are looking forward to providing Primary Care services to Bahamians. These numbers will be further augmented by Primary Care Providers in the public sector, across the country, from the Department of Public Health and Public Hospitals Authority.

Providers signed up include general practitioners, family doctors, internists, OBGYNs and pediatricians. While this cohort will be among the first group of doctors Bahamians will be able to select when Enrolment starts, registration of Primary Care Providers will remain open as more providers from across the country continue to sign up for NHI Bahamas. Phase two of NHI Bahamas...

News : Bahamas Information Services Updates
National Household Drug Survey Underway - Feb 24, 2017 - 12:59:29 PM

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with other government agencies, is currently dispatching a team of persons into various communities throughout The Bahamas to conduct a national household drug survey during the months of February and March 2017.

The purpose of the survey is to determine the extent of drug use among persons 12 to 65-years-old in the population.

Current patterns have been studied among the adolescent population through school drug surveys conducted in the past decade. However, present trends in the general population are not known...

News : New Providence
Princess Margaret Hospital’s Eye Care Clinic Relocates - Jan 20, 2017 - 2:48:53 PM

Effective Monday January 23rd, 2017, the Princess Margaret Hospital’s Eye Care Clinic will be open to the public at its new location at #26 Soldier Road.  The seven thousand six hundred fifty (7650) square foot complex formerly occupied by Eye World (adjacent to Lowe’s Pharmacy) was acquired by The Public Hospitals Authority on January 10th through a five (5) year lease agreement.

The Eye Care Clinic offers general and specialist ophthalmology services inclusive of visual field testing, general eye exams, retinal care and surgery, cataract care and surgery, glaucoma care and surgery, cornea care and surgery, refraction, and laser testing and surgery...

News : Bahamas Information Services Updates
IHIMS to Promote Greater Healthcare Efficiency / Effectiveness - Jan 20, 2017 - 12:06:32 PM

The implementation of an Integrated Health Information Management System (IHIMS) at the public healthcare level in The Bahamas, has the potential to “fundamentally change” the public healthcare system’s approach to service delivery and care.

Public healthcare officials said patients across the Commonwealth of The Bahamas will “directly benefit” from the implementation.

Minister of Health, the Hon. Dr. Michael Perry Gomez, said implementation of the IHIMS Program will allow for -- among other critical matters...

News : Bahamas Information Services Updates
Healthcare Partnership to Advance Bahamas Pediatric Research - Jan 8, 2017 - 2:24:43 PM

Officials of the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA), the Aidan Roger Carron Foundation and the Tribune Media Group have entered into a public/private partnership that is expected to catapult the local public healthcare sector into the stratosphere of medical research – particularly in the area of life threatening auto-immune diseases and protocols in infants and children.

Local healthcare officials are calling the agreement “monumental” adding that the partnership will not only provide local public healthcare officials – particularly doctors and nurses – with access to some of the world’s leading pediatric specialists and state-of-the-art equipment available at the Miami Children’s Hospital...

Health
Ministers of Health to discuss actions to improve health in the Region - Sep 24, 2016 - 10:08:42 PM


Washington, D.C.,  (PAHO/WHO)—The Ministers of Health of the Americas will meet next week at the headquarters of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) to agree on policies and actions aimed at tackling the main health challenges facing the Region of the Americas, and to set the priorities for PAHO’s technical cooperation with its member countries.

During the 55th Directing Council, held Sept. 26-30, health authorities of the Americas will discuss and seek agreement on strategies and plans of action to prevent arboviral diseases such as Zika, chikungunya, and dengue, and to eliminate malaria and neglected infectious diseases...