“Working Together for Best Quality Healthcare”

MESSAGE FROM

CHAIRMAN, PHA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ans enjoy drinking socially and many drink responsi-bly. Responsible drinking inc ludes not over -indulging in alcohol and not drinking and driving. Dr. Christie’s research in-dicated that for persons who drink moderately, alcohol may act as a stimu-lant which is the effect that many persons who drink socially are looking for. This is because they are

only drinking occasionally and they are not consuming very much alcohol. But for per-sons who drink more regularly and who con-sume a larger volume of alcohol then the alco-hol acts as a depressant. Learn the facts about alcohol and alcohol abuse. Choose not to drink, or if you drink than learn to drink responsibly. If you or someone you know has a problem with alco-hol seek help. Contact the Bahamas Drug Council or the Community Counseling and Assessment Centre for information and assis-tance.

Sen. The Hon. Frank Smith Board Chairman

Alcohol abuse is a continuing con-cern affecting many families across the Bahamas. Each year the Baha-mas recognizes Alcohol Awareness Month in April. This initiative is a public education tool aimed at sen-sitizing the public to the dangers, effects and treatment of alcohol abuse.

Too often culturally, we in The Ba-hamas do not recognize alcohol abuse as a public health or social problem. Too often we overlook the damage done to lives and to families be-cause of this issue. In a study by Dr. Christie at Sandilands’ Substance Abuse Programs, it was found that men seek treatment for alcohol abuse far more frequently than women. It was also found that adolescents and children are often introduced to alcohol at cultural events like festivals and regattas.

It is essential that when we address alcohol abuse as a public health issue we begin by mak-ing members of the public aware of the many potential harmful effects of alcohol medically, psychologically and socially. These harmful effects are even more pronounced when the person abusing alcohol is a young person or child.

Alcohol is a part of our society. Many Bahami-

Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2015

Message from the Chairman of the Board of Directors, PHA Message from the Managing Director, PHA PEP/Long Service Awards Administrative Professionals GBHS News from the North SRC World Health Day Nursing Graduation 2015 Alcohol Awareness Month What is Occupational Health? Tips for Wellness Inspirational Bible Verse Medical Humour Did You Know? Healthy Recipe Corner Birthday Greetings

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Colleagues: The first week of April is recognized as Public Health Awareness Week. This is a time when focused atten-tion should be brought to the role, aims and work of the public health systems both nationally and interna-tionally. This is critically important as most members of the public only have a limited understanding of public health and its importance to societies and individuals. On a global scale, organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and various sub-organizations of the United Nations like UN-AIDS marshal the resources of the international community to combat public health issues that cross boarders and pose potential global threats. Here in the Bahamas, the Ministry of Health, De-partment of Public Health, Department of Envi-ronmental Health and the Public Hospitals Au-thority shoulder the responsibility of managing the network of public health systems that address the entire spectrum of public health issues. We work with regulatory bodies, civic groups, NGOs and associations of healthcare professionals as well as the private sector to ensure a seamless frame-work of public health facilities and services that

meet the needs of Bahamians and the health priorities of the country. The Ministry of Health, Department of Public Health and PHA ensure that Bahamians and visitors to the Bahamas enjoy access to a high stand-ard of primary, secondary and ter-tiary healthcare. The Department of Environmental Health manages the challenges of assuring public food safety and basic environmental hy-giene for the people of the Bahamas.

With the transformation of our public healthcare systems in preparation of Universal Health Cover-age, it is more important than ever for Bahamians to be aware of and to have full confidence in our public health systems. At the end of the day, I urge every member of our PHA family through-out this month to take the time to make sure our friends, family and circle of acquaintances are aware of the vital work of our public health sys-tems and network of public health facilities.

Herbert H. Brown Managing Director

MESSAGE FROM

MANAGING DIRECTOR, PHA

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AWARDS CEREMONY 2015

4

PHA CELEBRATES ITS

Administrative Professionals Day was once again celebrated in grand style, at the Melia Nassau Beach Hotel, on April 22nd 2015.

It was a day set aside to show appreciation to the hard-working Administrative Staff of the Public Hospitals Authority, and attendees were clerical/administrative staff from Corpo-rate Office, Sandilands and Princess Margaret Hospital together with some of their manag-ers and department heads.

One of the major highlights of the afternoon was the selection of the Administrative Pro-fessionals of the year from Corporate and the institutions, culminating with the announce-ment of the overall winner.

The Administrative Professionals / Clerical Award is designed to motivate, recognize and reward outstanding employee performance and dedicated service to the Public Hospitals Authority and its stakeholders.

Leonette St. Cyr HR - SRC

Bianca Butler IT Dept. – Corporate

Bianca Butler PHA Administrative

Professional of the Year 2015

Latanya Neilly Medical Records - PMH

Psyche Edwards Administration - SRC

Bernadette Walkine Risk & Safety– Corp.

Melba Missick Corp. Communications

Shavonne Johnson Medical Records PMH

Darlene Smith Pharmacy - PMH

1st Runner

Up

2nd Runner

Up

1st Runner

Up

Nickola Charlton Administration - SRC

2nd Runner

Up

1st Runner

Up

2nd Runner

Up

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NEWS FROM THE NORTH

The Grand Bahama Health Services (GBHS) con-

ducted a Food Handlers Course at the Foster B. Pes-

taina Center on Tuesday, April 7th in recognition of

World Health Day 2015.

“Food safety: Let’s keep it Clean” was the theme of

this year’s observance, and new data from the

World Health Organization (WHO) was revealed on

the harm caused by food-borne illnesses - which un-

derscore the global threats posed by unsafe foods and

the need for coordinated, cross-border action across

the entire food supply chain.

More than 60 food-handlers, including restaurateurs,

chefs, waiters, butchers, food vendors and tuck shop

operators from throughout the Grand Bahama com-

munity participated in the course and receive a cer-

tificate on completion.

Speakers included Ms. Gea Pierre, GBHS Food Han-

dlers Coordinator and Training Officer, Administra-

tor Ms. Sharon Williams and Deputy Managing Di-

rector of the Public Hospitals Authority, Mrs. Han-

nah Gray.

GBHS CELEBRATES WORLD HEALTH DAY

GBHS paid homage to its Administrative Pro-

fessionals at a Luncheon on April 22nd, 2015

under the theme: “Providing Excellence with-

out Excuses”. The event was held at The Club

House, La Chateau on the Green.

The speaker for the afternoon was Ms. Cherlyn

Bain, Principal Nursing Officer for the Grand

Bahama Health Services.

GBHS CELEBRATE STAFF ON ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS

DAY

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EVENTS IN THE EAST

In commemoration of World Health Day, Sandilands hosted a symposium under the theme: Food Safety. The event was held at the Church of God Auditorium, Joe Farrington Road, and topics covered included 5 ways to Food Safety, Proper Hand washing, Donning of Gloves and Foodborne Illnesses and Causes. The symposium was attended by Food-vendors, Chefs, Caterers, Healthcare Workers, Science Students, employees and the general public. The Symposium was spearheaded by Ms. Eloise Rolle, Safety Manager at the institution.

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CEREMONY 2015

The Ballroom of Government House came alive on April 16th, 2015 as forty nine (49) nurses and mana-gerial/supervisory staff took part in a combined graduation ceremony. Eight (8) Nurses received certificates from the 2014 Critical Care Nursing Course, nine (9) graduates received certificates for successful completion of the 2015 Medical/Surgical Nursing program, and forty-two (42) persons received certificates for the Mentorship Masterclass programme. In attendance were the Minister of Health, the Hon. Dr. M. Perry Gomez; PHA Board Chairman, Sen. The Hon Frank E. Smith and PHA Managing Director Mr. Herbert Brown, Mr. Marco Rolle, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, together with other PHA Senior Executives and staff. We extend congratulations to all of the graduates for their continued hard-work and commitment.

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your brain weight is 2% of your body weight, though it uses 20% of all oxygen you breathe and 15% of the body’s blood supply ?

the smallest bones in the human body are found in your ear ?

Did You Know ….?

“26 Chocolate Easter bunnies and 48 chocolate eggs, I call it an Easter

hangover”

Numerous hormones contribute to belly fat, but none proves more powerful than insulin, which tells our body to gain belly weight when it stays elevated. Insulin also drives inflammation and oxidative stress, creating myriad downstream effects. Eventually, we become insulin re-sistant, which leads our body to generate belly fat and hold on to that spare tire for dear life.

To reduce belly fat, we want to produce less insulin. More than any other food, sugar becomes responsible for hijacking our brain chemistry and our metabolism to create insulin resistance and all its repercussions.

Sugar is different from other calories because it scram-bles our normal appetite controls so we consume more and more, driving our metabolism to convert it into le-thal belly fat.

Studies have found that when patients reduce sugar in-take and apply these five strategies, they normalize insu-lin, lose that stubborn belly fat and finally gain abundant health. Here re some tips to help you reduce your sugar intake:

Eat real food. Real food contains many nutrients that keep us more satisfied, eat less and lose belly fat. Getting adequate vitamins and minerals helps us burn calories more efficiently, regulates appetite, lowers inflammation, boosts de-

toxification, aids digestion, regulates stress hormones and helps our cells become more insulin sensitive. Along with lots of green vegetables, include protein in every meal since it keeps us fuller longer so we lose more weight.

Manage stress levels. Chronic stress causes our brain to shrink and our belly to grow. Chronically elevated levels of our stress hormone cortisol cause increased blood sug-

ar, cholesterol, depression and dementia. High cortisol levels also promote the accumulation of belly fat we com-monly see in patients with insulin resistance or Type 2 diabetes who crave sugar and carbs and seek comfort food.

Address food sensitivities. We often crave the very foods we are allergic to. Getting off them is not easy, but after two to three days without them, we will have renewed energy, relief from cravings and symptoms and begin to shed belly fat. Gluten and dairy are two big food sensitivi-ties, but many others can create roadblocks that make losing belly fat nearly impossible. This blog further de-scribes how food sensitivities can make us fat and how to successfully eliminate them.

Get sufficient sleep. Not getting enough sleep drives sugar and carb cravings by affecting our appetite hormones. One study found even a par-tial night’s poor sleep could contribute to insu-lin resistance. Poor sleep also adversely impacts fat-regulating hormones like leptin and ghrelin. A magnesium-rich Epsom salts bath is a per-fect way to unwind and drift into sleep.

Exercise regularly. Aside from changing our diet, exer-cise is probably the single best medication to prevent diabesity. Walk at least 30 minutes every day. For some, 30 to 60 minutes of more vigorous aerobic exercise four to six times a week may

be necessary. Studies show interval training and weight resistance can improve fat loss.

TAKE CONTROL OF

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HEALTHY LIVING CORNER

April is designated nationally as Alcoholism Aware-

ness Month.

Each April since 1987, the National Council on Alco-

holism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) has

sponsored Alcohol Awareness Month to increase

public awareness and understanding, reduce stigma,

and encourage local communities to focus on alco-

holism and alcohol-related issues. This year's theme

is "For the Health of It: Early Education on Alcohol-

ism and Addiction." This theme was chosen “to

draw attention to the need for early education to

give young people a better understanding of the im-

pact that alcohol can have on their lives, their

friends, families and the community.”

Alcohol use among teens is such a pervasive prob-

lem that all teens can benefit from prevention activi-

ties. Parents can help to reduce their children’s risk

of problem drinking by educating their kids and

keeping a more watchful eye on them, especially as

they enter middle school and high school.

Alcoholism is a chronic and often progressive dis-

ease that includes problems controlling your drink-

ing. Alcoholism is a developmental disease. People

are not born alcoholics. Rather alcohol misuse

changes brain structure and function, making a per-

son’s brain more susceptible to the five key risk fac-

tors for developing the disease: genetics, early use,

mental illness, social environment and childhood

trauma.

Many people with alco-

holism hesitate to get

treatment because they

don't recognize they

have a problem. An in-

tervention from loved

ones can help some

people recognize and

accept that they need

professional help. If

you're concerned about

a friend or family mem-

ber who drinks too

much, talk to a profes-

sional for advice on how to approach that person.

Various treatments may help. Depending on the cir-

cumstances, treatment may involve a brief interven-

tion, individual or group counselling, an outpatient

program, or a residential inpatient stay.

Detoxification at an in-patient facility may be neces-

sary as treatment for alcoholism begins; as treat-

ment continues oral or injected medications may be

necessary to deal with physical dependency or other

side effects of alcohol abuse. Psychological therapy

can also be a valuable tool for treatment for both

alcohol dependency and underlying psychological or

emotional problems.

Aftercare, support groups and a continuing program

are essential to stop drinking, manage relapses and

cope with necessary lifestyle changes. This may in-

clude medical or psychological care or attending a

support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

If you or someone you

love has a problem with

alcohol, please don’t

suffer alone. Treat-

ments are available.

10

Listen to Tips for Wellness”, presented Dr. Indira

Grimes, Family Medicine physician, during the

7:oo pm evening newscast on ZNS TV channel 13.

Brought to you by The Public Hospitals Authority

… “Working Together for Best Quality

Healthcare”

World Autism Awareness Day is celebrated every year on April 2nd.

Autism is one of a group of serious developmental problems called autism spectrum disorders that appear in early childhood — usually before age 3.

The symptoms and severity may vary from child to another, but all autism spectrum disorders affect a child's ability to communicate and interact with others.

The number of children diagnosed with autism appears to be rising. Research is on-going to deter-mine whether this is due to better detection and reporting of autism or a real increase in the num-ber of cases or both.

Autism has no single, known cause and while med-ical research continues it is likely that both genet-ics and environment may play a role in causing the disorder.

One of the greatest controversies in autism is whether a link exists between autism and certain childhood vaccines, particularly the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Despite extensive research, no reliable study has shown a link between autism and the MMR vac-cine – so please vaccinate your child as your doctor advises and protect them from dangerous child-hood illnesses.

While there is no cure for au-tism, intensive, early treatment can make a big difference in the lives of many children with the disorder.

Occupational therapy enables people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health, pre-vent—or live better with—injury, illness, or disability. It is a practice deeply rooted in science and is evidence-based, meaning that the plan designed for each indi-vidual is supported by data, experience, and “best practices” that have been developed and proven over time.

Occupational therapists and occupational therapy as-sistants focus on “doing” whatever occupations or ac-tivities are meaningful to the individual. It is occupa-tional therapy’s purpose to get beyond problems to the solutions that assure living life to its fullest. These so-lutions may be adaptations for how to do a task, changes to the surroundings, or helping individuals to alter their own behaviors.

When working with an occupational therapy practi-tioner, strategies and modifications are customized for each individual to resolve problems, improve function, and support everyday living activities. The goal is to maximize potential. Through these therapeutic ap-proaches, occupational therapy helps individuals de-sign their lives, develop needed skills, adjust their en-vironments (e.g., home, school, or work) and build health-promoting habits and routines that will allow them to thrive.

By taking the full picture into account—a person’s psy-chological, physical, emotional, and social makeup as well as their environment—occupational therapy as-sists clients to do the following:

Achieve goals Function at the highest possible level Concentrate on what matters most to them Maintain or rebuild their independence Participate in daily activities that they need or want

to do.

During the month of April, worldwide, Occupational Therapy Practitioners cele-brate the profession, and this time is used to increase awareness about the im-portance of Occupational Therapy. The PHA Occupa-tional Therapy Family is ded-icated to providing quality services to The Bahamas.

Tips for Wellness

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Find nutritious, hearty and healthy recipes at www.eatingwell.com.

Did I mention they’re quick and easy to prepare?

Perfect after a hard day at the office !

Ingredients 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 cup chopped onion Kosher salt 1/2 cup chopped celery 1 clove garlic, smashed Freshly ground black pepper 2 medium Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced (about 3/4 pound) 4 cups broccoli florets 1/2 cup unsweetened soy milk 1/4 cup nutritional yeast 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg Directions Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook until light brown, about 7 minutes. Add the celery, garlic and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook for 5 minutes. Add the potatoes, 4 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt, raise the heat to high and bring to a boil. Return the heat to me-dium, cover and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Add the broccoli, cover and cook until the broccoli is bright green, about 5 minutes. Transfer the soup to a blender; add the soy milk and puree until smooth, leaving the filler cap slightly open to let steam escape (or puree the soup in the pot with an immersion blend-er). Return the soup to the saucepan and bring to a simmer; stir in the nutritional yeast and nutmeg. Add water if needed to adjust con-sistency and add salt and pepper to taste.

4 pounds bone-in chicken thighs 3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice, about 2 oranges 2 tablespoons grated orange zest 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper 1 teaspoon chiffonade fresh mint leaves 1 1/2 tablespoons chiffonade basil leaves 3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar 3 tablespoons minced shallots 1 tablespoon celery seeds Glaze: 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon minced shallots 1 teaspoon minced ginger 1/2 cup orange marmalade (look for marmalade with small rinds) 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar 1/4 cup reserved marinade, strained Directions Combine all the ingredients in a large resealable plastic bag and refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserv-ing 1/4 cup for glaze and put the chicken in a 13 by 9-inch pan and bake for 45 minutes. Baste with the glaze, turn the pieces over and bake for an additional 15 to 25 minutes, basting every 7 minutes. Remove from the oven and arrange the chicken on a serving platter. Glaze: In a small saucepan, over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. When the oil is hot add the shallots and ginger and saute for 3 minutes. Add the re-maining ingredients and reduce heat to a low simmer. Cook for 15 minutes. Baste the chicken with the glaze after 45 minutes.

Citrus

Chicken

Vegan Cream of Broccoli

Soup

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COOPER, ROSEMARY KNOWLES, DASHAE MCKINNEY, TANYA

PIERRE, MEBRA CLARKE, ANYA

EDWARDS, YOLANDA FORD, GLENDINA DEAN, ANDREW

HALL, LESA DAVIS, BETHSHEBA

BURROWS, DESMOND

MAY 2015

Nurses Month. Mental Heath Asthma/Allergy, Osteoporosis, Arthritis, Hepatitis Awareness

1st International Workers’ Day 5th World Asthma Day 10th World Lupus Day 12th International Nurses Day 18th HIV Vaccine Awareness Day 25th Whit Monday (National Holiday) 27th World MS Day 31st World No Tobacco Day

Barley malt Beet sugar Brown sugar Buttered syrup Cane juice crystals Cane sugar Caramel Corn syrup Corn syrup solids Confectioners sugar Carob syrup Castor sugar Demerara sugar Dextran Diastatic malt Diatase

Ethyl maltol Fruit juice Fruit juice concentrate Glucose solids Golden sugar Golden syrup Grape sugar High Fructose Corn Syrup Icing sugar Invert sugar Maltodextrin Malt syrup Muscovado sugar Panocha Raw sugar Rice syrup Sorbitol White Sugar Treacle Turbinado sugar Yellow sugar