Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic to boost health sector with $100 million IDB loan

Dominican Republic to boost health sector with $100 million IDB loan

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a $100 million loan to boost health care in the Dominican Republic through investments designed to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of spending in the sector and improving the quality of services aimed at the country’s poorest people. This financing is part of a credit line for investment projects that could be increased to as much as $300 million.

The goal is to improve service-management capability by expanding a results-based financing model to the “0” health region (Santo Domingo, Monte Plata and the National District). The program will benefit directly nearly 900,000 people of modest resources, who account for nearly 29 percent of the poor in the Caribbean nation.

This model of financing will enhance coverage and the quality of health care services in the Dominican Republic, with emphasis on primary level care and preventive care. An estimated 33 percent of ambulatory care in the Dominican Republic is delivered at this level, whereas the World Health Organization recommends that it should be around 80 percent. Additionally the financing will help improve the supervisory capacity of the Ministry of Health and Social Assistance, especially in the areas of regulation and health intelligence.

This operation is in line with the National Development Plan of 2010–2030 and the Multi-Year Public Sector Plan of 2013–2016. The main goals of the latter include providing universal access to health care, developing assistance networks and strengthening the supervisory role of the Ministry of Health and Social Assistance and regional health services, including guaranteed access to quality medicines and the consolidation of a health care information management system.

Source: caribbean news now

chikungunya virus infects people on 5 Caribbean islands

Chikungunya, a viral disease spread by mosquitoes, has been confirmed in people on several Caribbean islands, the Public Health Agency of Canada says in a travel health notice.

“There have been confirmed cases of chikungunya on the Caribbean islands of Saint Martin/Sint Maarten, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint-Barthélemy and the British Virgin Islands,” the agency says. “These cases in the Caribbean mark the first time that locally acquired transmission of chikungunya has been detected in the Region of the Americas.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said local transmission means mosquitoes in the area have been infected and are spreading it to people.

The chikungunya virus can cause fever along with an arthritis-like pain in the joints and a rash. It is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Although caused by a different virus, the symptoms of chikungunya can appear very similar to those of dengue fever.

Dominica and French Guiana have each reported a case of chikungunya related to travel from within the Caribbean, the Canadian agency said.

The disease is typically found in Africa, Asia and the Indian subcontinent, according to the World Health Organization. In recent decades mosquito vectors of chikungunya have spread to Europe and the Americas.

Federal public health officials advise travellers to take precautions, such as protecting yourself from mosquito bites, particularly during peak mosquito biting times in the early morning and late afternoon.

The Public Health Agency also recommends that people consult a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic at least six weeks before you travel.

It says if you develop flu-like symptoms when you are travelling or within 12 days after you return, see a health care provider and tell them where you have been travelling or living.

Source” Cbc news