PM Golding Wants More Specialist Hospitals For Non-Communicable Diseases
 

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has asked the Ministry of Health to explore the feasibility of increasing the number of specialist hospitals to provide a more strategic approach to treating those illnesses. Mr. Golding’s appeal comes against the background of statistics that show chronic non-communicable diseases accounting for more than half of the deaths in Jamaica and five of the top ten causes of deaths.

He spoke at a national policy dialogue on non-communicable diseases, prevention and control, hosted by the Ministry of Health and Environment, in collaboration with the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO).

The Ministry of Health has been asked to provide guidance on whether the government should be looking at the creation of specialist hospitals, so as to inform the government’s public sector investment programme for the future. “My own thinking is that we need to move more and more to specialist hospital delivery rather than trying to spread our specialist capabilities across every parish and across every major hospital,” Mr. Golding said.

Mr. Golding said people would inevitably develop chronic non-communicable diseases whether lifestyle related or hereditary and that the health sector would have to be ready to respond. He said arising from today’s forum, the Ministry should present options for approaching the issue of specialist hospitals that are not only imperative, but realistic and affordable.

He said the government would await a submission from the Minster of Health and Environment as to what policy initiatives may be necessary to support this very important effort. “We want to get the country and people to a stage where they do not get sick when they don’t have to and where when we get sick, we do not die before we have to,” Mr. Golding stated.

He expressed appreciation to the Pan-American Health Organization, the World Health Organization and other United Nations agencies and the United States Agency for International Development, for partnering with Jamaica in combating the challenges associated with chronic non-communicable diseases.

Today’s forum follows the September 2007 Regional Summit of Heads of Government of CARICOM on chronic non-communicable diseases at which leaders from across the region including Prime Minister Bruce Golding, signed a declaration aimed at stopping the epidemic. One of the tenets of the declaration is that Ministries of Health across the region would collaborate with other sectors in establishing comprehensive plans for the screening and management of chronic diseases and risk factors, so that by 2012, 80 per cent of affected persons would receive quality care and have access to preventative education.

 

There-Fur… Thoughts On Darfur
 

I don’t know about you, but when I read about the sufferings of people all over the world and even in my own backyard, I do not feel comfortable about the survival of this planet In fact; I do not feel that everything is alright. Nothing can be alright if yon have nothing. Millions of folks on this planet are suffering physically, mentally and spiritually due to social and environmental conditions, often caused by us. We have met the enemy and they are us. The “us” is thoroughly discussed in a book by Jared Diamond entitled, COLLAPSE, (How Societies Choose To Fall Or Succeed). I am sure that if you read this book, you will change your mind aod actions concerning our survival on this planet called earth. In chapter 4 on Practical Lessons, he states, “Why do some societies make disastrous decisions?” He presents the following thoughts:

Road Map For Success=Failure to Anticipate=Failure To Perceive=Rational Bad Behavior=Disastrous Values=Other Irrational Values=Unsuccessful=Solutions-Signs Of Hope. These are revealing answers to global survival After reading of human devastation in Darfur and the failure of other nations reaching out to help them, I would like to awaken your thoughts with the following:

As the sun rises over the horizon of Darfur; Scorching up the barren dried earth; Which yields nothing for nourishment for body or spirit; The promises of the next day wanting, is born.

The ebony anus of mothers caressing babies; which hang from their withered breast; Like dried up spoiled, lifeless fruit; That clings from a limb on a rootless dead tree.

Only the faint sounds of responding lips sucking breasts; Can be heard, that yields nothing ... not even water Wind and dust blow across barren plains; Living animals and grass are not forthcoming.

When will the cries of this devastation be heard; By nations who have not responded to this human hurt; Who now are experiencing earthquakes, forest fires, food and water shortages; When will the family of man understand that we all inhabit this same planet.

Prophets of all faiths have reminded us humans; Whatever you sow, ye shall reap” WITHOUT A DOUBT.

 

Mount Sinai Receives $8 Million Grant to Help Fight HIV
 

New York, NY - Susan Morgello, MD, Professor of Pathology and Neuroscience at Mount Sinai School of Medicine has just been awarded an $8,603,251 grant by The National Institutes of Health and National Institute of Mental Health for Mount Sinai’s research for The Manhattan HIV Brain Bank (MHBB). The grant was awarded this June and extends until April 2013.

“The new grant award will help Mount Sinai to continue to make scientific discoveries, leading to cures for nervous system disorders caused by and associated with HIV/AIDS,” said Dr. Morgello. “We hope to better understand how HIV impacts the nervous system, and assist other research programs in understanding the pathogenesis of HIV-related neurological disorders. Through this information, we can arrive at better therapies for common HIV-associated problems like dementia and neuropathy.”

The Manhattan HIV Brain Bank project, founded at Mount Sinai in 1998, has three main objectives. Researchers at Mount Sinai will continue to conduct a longitudinal, observational study of how HIV impacts the nervous system in individuals with AIDS. The researchers also will continue to maintain the infrastructure for an organ donation program where individuals with HIV infection can contribute to NeuroAIDS and AIDS research. Mount Sinai also acts as a research resource in providing tissues, fluids, and clinical information to other research programs worldwide as a member of the National NeuroAIDS Tissue Consortium (NNTC).

“People with HIV/AIDS can be part of the solution, helping to find a cure by agreeing to be organ donors for research,” said Dr. Morgello. “This project is a true collaboration between people living with HIV and scientists, with the primary purpose of providing a future benefit to all those infected with HIV. Our goal is to advance understanding of HIV and its effects on the brain and nervous system.”
 

Fresh Herbs Parsley And Cilantro
 

By Leo Galland M.D. & Jonathan Galland

Eating green is a pleasure with fresh parsley and cilantro. Among the fresh herbs these two are probably the easiest to find and easiest to start using. And for the beginning gardener, these two fresh herbs are a great way to exercise your green thumb!

Buy them or grow them, either way you can simply toss these fresh herbs into your favorite dishes or new creations to add wonderful flavor and color. Packed with antioxidants, parsley and cilantro are a great way to boost nutrition.

With all they have going for them, its no wonder parsley and cilantro play a starring role in the recipes and meal plans of our book The Fat Resistance Diet.

Parsley and Cilantro Benefits

Parsley is an excellent source of beta Carotene, an antioxidant than can help protect the body against free radical damage and fight the effects of aging. Parsley is also a source of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which help to preserve vision. Zeaxanthin, along with its relative lutein, is essential for preventing macular degeneration. Parsley contains Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin K.

Cilantro also known as Asian parsley or coriander, is a frequent garnish in Latin and Asian cuisines. In research studies, Cilantro’s remarkable components have shown the potential to help promote detoxification, reduce high blood sugar and lower levels of cholesterol. Cilantro is a source of Vitamin A and beta Carotene.
Easy Tips for Using Fresh Herbs

Here is a great tip you can pick up from restaurant chefs: adding a sprinkle of fresh parsley or cilantro adds a quick and easy splash of freshness and color to dishes. When shopping for herbs, freshness is key. Look for bright green leaves that are perky like fresh cut flowers. Organic herbs are becoming more popular, choose them when available.

To use, simply tear off a handful of parsley or cilantro leaves and soak them in water in a bowl. Swish the herbs around in the water with your fingers to speed the removal of any sand or dirt. Rinse them well and then dry. Break the herbs into pieces, then sprinkle them over favorite dishes such as soups, salads, pizzas, pastas—the ways to enjoy these beautiful herbs are endless. Using fresh herbs is a great way to be a little adventurous and enjoy your creativity in the kitchen. For more delicious ways to enjoy parsley and cilantro, including a one-day free trial of recipes visit: www.fatresistancediet.com/trial