Leprosy in Santiago ?

[ROVER]

From Dominican Central


Over 2,000 leprosy cases in Cibao

posted on: Jun 25 2010 10:47 by Royston.



A total of 2,143 patients in the Cibao region have been diagnosed with leprosy, the infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium Lepromatosis.
The figures are in a report issued by the Leprosy Control Program of the Institute of Dermatology, Santiago de Los Caballeros. The director of the Institute, Dr. Freddy Simonó, said that of the total cases diagnosed, 1,892 thousand patients were discharged to convalesce while the remainder were still under treatment or observation.
He complained, however, that this program has a considerable cost which his institute is unable to fund. He explained that to pay the minimum needed to treat the leprosy patients, he is obliged to develop fundraising activities. He noted that there are many services not being offered to patients due to lack of funds.
Simono also highlighted the need for a health education program , through which to give talks and hold meetings with communities in places such as cultural and sports clubs, mothers groups and churches.
He said the leprosy control program covers 14 provinces of Cibao, and contact is maintained with patients through free home visits.




I honestly thought Leprosy was nearly eradicated throughout the world.
Obviously I was wrong and am stunned as to the amount of cases in the Cibao Valley.


They also are having an outbreak of Dengue Fever.




Dengue crisis in Santiago, lack of coordination by doctors blamed

posted on: Jun 28 2010 8:41 by Royston.


There is serious concern in Santiago after seven children died from Dengue fever in the space of one week after being admitted to the Arturo Grullon children's hospital.So far this year there have been 23 deaths from dengue fever and 13 of them have been in Santiago, including the seven children in one week.

In recognition of the gravity of the situation, the National Dengue Commission visited the clinic last week and reported that the doctors there do not apply national standards or protocols, but handle each case according to the professional experience of each doctor.
Deputy Public Health Minister, José Rodríguez Aybar, attributed the recent fatalities to lack of coordination in the implementation of national guidelines.

Among those killed by dengue in Santiago are Anabel Guzmán Rodríguez, 4 years old, Yésica García Díaz, 9, Nicol Salazar Acosta, 8, Denisse Rodríguez Aracena, 9, Elianny Delgado Pardo, 9 months, and Richely Núñez Zabala, only 4 months old.

According to a local source, the National Dengue commission met with doctors and found most of the problems were caused by a personal conflict between two leading pediatricians which was interfering with supervision of the doctors dealing with the dengue cases.