Black Immigrant Daily News

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A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) to strengthen procedures that ensure the safety, quality and efficacy of medicines in the Region.

  Dr. Didacus Jules, Director General of the OECS and Dr. Joy St. John, Executive Director of CARPHA were both present for the official signing which took place on Thursday July 28th, 2022, at the OECS Commission in Castries, Saint Lucia.

The MOU formalises a long-standing relationship between the OECS Pooled Procurement Service (PPS) and CARPHA.

The Medicines Quality Control and Surveillance Department (MQCSD) and the Caribbean Regulatory System (CRS) are the departments responsible for guiding the procurement, testing, registration and monitoring of medicines at CARPHA.

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The main aims of the agreement are to strengthen the approval processes of medicines procured through the OECS/PPS, by the CRS and to reaffirm the long-standing relationship with the MQCSD.

Speaking at the Ceremony Dr. Jules stated that the MOU further strengthens the already excellent working relationship between the two organisations that have a shared commitment to the needs of the region (OECS/Wider Caribbean) especially in healthcare delivery.

According to Dr. Jules, ‘’The formalisation of this relationship with an MOU will strengthen the trust of the Member States in the medicines used in our public health systems within Member States of the OECS and CARPHA. I consider the relationship with CARPHA and the OECS to be an exemplar of intra-regional collaboration that has evolved significantly since the pandemic. We have walked every step of this perilous journey together, clasping hands tighter whenever the going went rougher.’’

In her remarks, Dr. St John stated that the agreement would strengthen the relationship between the two agencies by, “supporting and improving access to quality assured medicines, and the monitoring of their safety, quality and efficacy in the OECS, other CARPHA Member States and in the global community.”

She noted the challenges that may be faced by small markets like those in the Caribbean and commented that, “The OECS’ procurement service leads the Region in its approach to pooled procurement to optimise economies of scale to tackle this obstacle.  To this end, CARPHA is pleased to strengthen this work at a technical level.”

Dr. St John concluded by noting the unique nature of the collaboration, giving CARPHA’s commitment to sustaining the partnership and commending the relevant stakeholders for their contribution.

This agreement between the OECS/PPS and CARPHA will enable the OECS citizens to be confident that medicines procured for use in the Region are of the highest standards and quality.

The OECS/PPS is expected to begin the procurement of medicines approved by the CRS in 2024.

CARPHA and the OECS are confident that this agreement will be fruitful as both agencies continue to serve the citizens of the OECS and the wider Caribbean.

Source: Caribbean Public Health Agency

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 3, 2022 (SKNFA) — The SKNFA is announcing that the start date for the Super Six Playoffs, which was originally set for Saturday, August 6th, has been postponed to a later date to be announced. This is due to the Friday, August 5th General Elections. The Division 1 League Championship match, scheduled for Sunday, August 7th has also been postponed. The rescheduled dates for both events will be circulated in a subsequent correspondence.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The Jamaica Stock Exchange Group (JSEG) recorded net profits after tax of $144 million, which was 24 per cent above the corresponding quarter in 2021.

“The second quarter results have been good and the outlook for the year is for improved performance, as investors and companies continue to demonstrate confidence in the economy despite the lingering threats and impact of COVID 19 and other market uncertainties, the stock exchange said.

The JSE said it believes that despite the geo-political unrest, which will undoubtedly have some impact on the economy, it does not expect that this will significantly affect income due to its successful diversification strategies.

Meanwhile, total income for the JSEG of $570 million grew 29 per cent over the corresponding quarter of 2021. The increase can be attributed to improved market conditions and market activities which has resulted in a significant improvement in cess and fee Income.

Total expenses increased by 24.8 per cent compared to the corresponding quarter in 2021. The Return on Equity was 7.4 per cent as against 7.2 per cent in 2021.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Dear Editor,

Recently,  an article was posted on this platform, requesting for Dr. Duncun, the Medical Director of Sir Lester Bird Medical Center (SLBMC ) to intervene in a medical situation concerning a young female patient presently warded at the hospital.

The young lady who was quite healthy prior  to complaining about pains in her lower abdomen was examined in the ER dept and then admitted into the hospital about a month ago to have a simple surgery done.

Surprisingly, she is still in the hospital a month after her surgery, as a patient, now struggling for her life.

To say the least I am shock to understand from one of her family member, who I met during my travels, that the young lady, who has not seen her 4 or 5 year old child due to her ordeal, is still a patient at SLBMC, experiencing excruciating pains & distress from the simple surgery that she had.

I am forced to ask, did something go wrong during her surgery and if so, has the hospital accepted the responsibility of their error?

Furthermore, what is troubling and have me baffled & lost for words is when I was told that the young lady has now been recommended to seek further medical assistance overseas at her own expense.

Of course, I will definitely accept that some ailments may require treatment beyond our shores due to the lack of facilities or expertise that we do not have here on island however, pertaining to this young lady’s case something does not look right and is very questionable…. In my view whenever something looks like a fish, smells like a fish, there is no doubt, it has to be a fish.

At this moment, I can imagine how traumatic it is for her family. I have heard scary & dreadful stories of our hospital but I can now say the proof of the pudding is definitely in the eating .

Of course I cannot not use a broad brush and paint any particular medic in a negative light but questions need to be honestly answered. Where is the integrity, the ethics & the professionlism among some of our medical practitioners?

Where is that empathy? Where is the proper accountability in our healthcare system? Are there proper protocols or guide lines in place for all medical procedures? Are people’s lives being taken for granted when they become a patient at our main hospital?

I will conclude that I have made a pledge to play my part to assist this young lady the best I can, to help her recover from her ordeal and I will continue to keep her, her family and even the medical staff in my prayers.

However, I am making an appeal to the health authorities to let your CONSCIENCE and that HIPPOCRATIC OATH that you have made, be your guide & the rock that you stand on while carrying out your practice!!

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Almost three weeks after social media influencer Donna-Lee Donaldson was reported missing on July 13, the police have not given up on finding the body of the woman now presumed dead.

Her boyfriend – Police Constable, Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Noel Maitland – was on Tuesday charged with her murder.

Head of the JCF’s Crime and Security Portfolio Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey said, based on investigation, the police believe Donaldson was killed between 4pm and 8pm on July 12 or July 13. He said that while investigators have not discovered the body there is forensic evidence that she is dead.

DCP Bailey said that the police have carried out several operations – including a visit to the Riverton City landfill in St Andrew – aimed at recovering Donaldson’s body.

The senior law enforcement officer said that while investigators suspect that Maitland may have acted alone in causing the alleged death of Donaldson, they believe that Maitland received help to dispose of the body.

Donaldson was reported missing on July 13 after she had gone to Maitland’s home.

Family and fans of Donaldson, who was the host of the reality show 876 Roommates, staged several protests days after her disappearance claiming a lack of urgency on the part of the police.

The police, with the help of INDECOM and the Institute of Forensic Science and Legal Health and oversight from the police command, made several breakthroughs in the case, and, by July 26, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and other stakeholders were brought in for a case review.

By July 27, Maitland was in police custody, taken before the parish court and remanded. On Tuesday, a charge of murder was laid against him.

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