Caribbean countries discussing healthcare associated infections

ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – A three-day regional workshop on the surveillance of healthcare-associated infections began here on Tuesday with Health Minister Julius Timothy warning of the increased financial burden on governments to treat with patients hospitalised as a result of those infections. “The highest risk is for young babies especially premature babies in the first month of life, patients admitted into intensive care and those who are immune-compromised such as cancer patients, patients with diabetes, patients taking medications that suppress the immune system and patients with HIV,” he said. At least 45 health practitioners from Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St. Vincent, Barbados, the British Virgin Islands and the host country are attending the workshop being organised by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).