SAN PEDRO DAILY, April 7, 2012,Belize,news,features,newspaper, information,resource,Caribbean,Ambergris Caye,San Pedro,Caye Caulker,

SP Police Enforce Alcohol Law on Good Friday

The Officer Commanding the San Pedro Police Station upheld and enforced the law today, Good Friday, when a team of police officers descended on businesses that are holders of liquor license and were open for business. The special operation started sometime around 2PM headed by Assistant Superintendent of Police Vienie Robinson. Known for her “no-nonsense” attitude, ASP Robinson informed the representatives/business owners that it was an offense to be open for business on Good Friday.
According to the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Act Chapter 150 of the Laws of Belize section 27 states that:
1. (a) all licensed premises in which liquor is sold under a publican’s general license shall be closed – on Christmas Day and Good Friday;
2. (a) All licensed premises in which liquor is sold under a malt liquor and cider license shall be closed – on Christmas Day and Good Friday
3. Any person who during the times at which any licensed premises are required by this section to be closed (a) sells or exposes for sale in such premises any liquor; or
(b) opens or keeps open such premises for the sale of liquor; or
(c) allows any liquor, although purchased before the hours of closing, to be consumed on such premises, is guilty of an offence”
ASP Robinson told The San Pedro Sun that she duly gave warning to the business community about the laws. “Absolutely no one is above the law. I am here to enforce the law and as such that is what we are doing. They [the business owners] are well aware of the law and it clearly states that no holder of a liquor license will be open for business on Good Friday. What is not clear about that law?” said a determined ASP Robinson.
While the drastic enforcement of the law did not sit well with business owners, members of the public stopped and congratulated ASP Robinson as she was out enforcing it. The team of officers ensured that the store representatives/owners were informed of their offence and were also informed of the course of action that would be taken. As such the stores were promptly closed in the presence of the officers.
San Pedro Sun

U N I T E D N A T I O N S

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

MESSAGE ON WORLD HEALTH DAY

Each year on 7 April, we observe World Health Day to mark the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization in 1948. This year’s theme, "Good health adds life to years", conveys an important message: promoting good health throughout life improves one’s chances of remaining healthy and productive in one’s later years.
In the middle of the last century, there were just 14 million people in the world aged 80 years or older. By 2050, there will be almost 400 million people in this age group, 100 million of them in China alone. Soon, for the first time in history, the world will have more adults aged 65 or older than children under five.
This enormous shift in the age of the world’s population is closely linked to economic and social development. Thanks primarily to global public health successes in improving childhood survival and adult health, people are living longer in most parts of the world. Many high-income countries are already facing rapidly ageing populations. In the coming decades, low- and middle-income countries will see equally dramatic increases.
Increased longevity is a cause for celebration and something to which we all aspire. Older people make many valuable contributions to society -- as family members, as active participants in the workforce, and as volunteers within communities. The wisdom they have gained throughout their lives makes them a unique resource for society.
But more older people also means an increased demand on health care and social security systems. The greatest health threat for older people in all countries is now overwhelmingly from noncommunicable diseases. Heart disease and stroke are the biggest killers, and visual impairment and dementia the biggest causes of disability. In low-income countries, the incidence of these diseases among older people is two to three times greater than in high-income countries. This burden is carried not just by older people, but by their families and by society as a whole.
Many low- and middle-income countries have neither the infrastructure nor the resources to deal with existing needs, let alone to cope with the much greater demands expected in the future. The good news is that there are many practical and affordable solutions that governments can put in place to help their older citizens to lead healthy and active lives. In addition, countries that invest in healthy ageing can expect a significant social and economic return for the whole community.
On this World Health Day, I urge governments, civil society and the private sector to commit attention and resources to ensuring that people everywhere have the chance to grow older in good health.

Healthy Living takes the sun
out of heat related illnesses

Marleni Cuellar, Reporting
Our bodies consist of approximately sixty to seventy percent of water; every system in your body depends on water. Each day our body as a part of its regular function uses to breathe, sweat and to get rid of waste products from our bodies. Living in hotter climates means that you lose even more fluid. Without sufficient water, our bodies become dehydrated. As Internist, Dr. Daniel Godinez, explains dehydration and excessive exposure heat can have severe effects on the body.

Dr. Daniel Godinez, Internist
“Normally our bodies are able to produce heat that is due to the normal metabolism of that occurs every day in the body. But also our body is able to acquire heat from the environment. So if for any reason, there is an excessive production of heat in your body or the heat in the surrounding environment the body will overheat: like a car. One of the things that happen when you’ve been exposed to the sunlight for very long period of time is that your body tends to lose a lot of water by evaporation and also by sweating. So you can get dehydrated very easily without realizing it.”
Aside from the obvious sunburn, the water and salt depletion from the body has a range of effects: from the mild to the very serious. Dr Godinez explains them all starting with the least harmful heat swelling.

The next four days will be filled with fun in the sun as most people spend a lot of time outdoors during Easter. But it’s important to avoid excessive sun exposure and remember to stay hydrated. In this week’s Healthy Living, Internist, Dr. Daniel Godinez, talks about the range of illnesses from mild to severe that excessive heat exposure and dehydration can cause.
Marleni Cuellar, Reporting
Our bodies consist of approximately sixty to seventy percent of water; every system in your body depends on water. Each day our body as a part of its regular function uses to breathe, sweat and to get rid of waste products from our bodies. Living in hotter climates means that you lose even more fluid. Without sufficient water, our bodies become dehydrated. As Internist, Dr. Daniel Godinez, explains dehydration and excessive exposure heat can have severe effects on the body.
Dr. Daniel Godinez, Internist
“Normally our bodies are able to produce heat that is due to the normal metabolism of that occurs every day in the body. But also our body is able to acquire heat from the environment. So if for any reason, there is an excessive production of heat in your body or the heat in the surrounding environment the body will overheat: like a car. One of the things that happen when you’ve been exposed to the sunlight for very long period of time is that your body tends to lose a lot of water by evaporation and also by sweating. So you can get dehydrated very easily without realizing it.”
Aside from the obvious sunburn, the water and salt depletion from the body has a range of effects: from the mild to the very serious. Dr Godinez explains them all starting with the least harmful heat swelling.

Dr. Daniel Godinez
“A person can get discomfort from having swelling in the feet and in the hands. This is called heat swelling and naturally this happen especially with those who are not use to the heat in places like Belize. For example visitors who come to these places after a few days of staying, they realize they are swollen their shoes don’t fit. That is called heat swelling.”
This minor complication usually remedies itself when the person returns back to his/her normal environment. Other minor complications include what we know as ‘prickle heat.’

Dr. Daniel Godinez
“The other minor thing is the heat rash which we know as prickle heat is very itchy and annoying which is just an inflammation of the sweat glands because of the heat. And the more serious things, such as the cramps that occur and it happen mainly in persons who exercise during the hottest hour of the day. And then we move to the famous syncope or fainting spells that happen due to heat. Very common in people who do physical education in the heat of the day or those in parades or things like that we see that a lot with the September celebrations. We had about ten to twelve students who fainted because of the parade or carnival. And finally we move to heat exhaustion which is a more serious condition; excessive sweating with fainting spells also, the person already needs to go to the hospital. Mainly those are manifestation of severe dehydration.”
From the point of fainting, medical attention is required. The most severe effect of excessive heat exposure and dehydration would be the heat stroke.

Dr. Daniel Godinez
“In these patients what we are seeing is not just dehydration but also a high temperature in your body the temperature can be as high one hundred and five or one hundred and six Fahrenheit, the patient is even unable to sweat at that point and finally the person may have neurologic changes such as confusion even coma or occasionally death. It is surprising but a lot of people actually die due to that thing. Last year in Europe there was an estimated fifty-two thousand people who died in Europe due to heat waves or heat stroke.”
Climatic changes have caused more severe and frequent heat waves globally. Also, we spend a lot more time exposed to the sun that we notice. This is why Dr Godinez advises that people take precaution when they know they will be overexposed to sunlight.

Dr. Daniel Godinez
“There are several things people can do: one; we should be using light loose fitting clothes especially those made out of cotton. We should avoid polyester type thing. It is also very important to prevent being exposed to sunlight for very long periods of time. If possible you should use some kind of hat or sombrero we call it in Spanish and make sure to get hydrated adequately. We advice the patient to rehydrate, not just water but electrolytes and potassium. If a person start feeling fainty, or for any reason cannot get enough fluids or start getting nausea vomiting or cramps. You should seek medical attention right away.”
Other actions to take in an emergency situation would be to move the person out of the sun into a cool area and cool them down with water or a cold bath. Remember that caffeine and alcohol also dehydrate the body so one must consider carefully beverage choices when in the sun. However, the most important message is to stay hydrated.
Dr. Daniel Godinez
“Well just enjoy the sun of the summer but don’t overdo it you are going to get dehydrated very fast and if you love the sun carry your hydrating solution so you can keep out of trouble.”
CH5

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready
to pay the price to make
them come true
Leon J. Suenes

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