News

Port of Spain, February 20, 2025: The Ministry of Health (MoH), via its Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division, advises of a voluntary recall notice for select lots of canned tuna products sold under the Genova®, Van Camp’s®, H-E-B and Trader Joe’s brand names.

Port of Spain, January 29, 2025: The Ministry of Health (MOH) notes with concern the editorial published in the Express newspaper on January 29, 2025, regarding the drug “Ozempic”. The Ministry wishes to categorically state that there are no bureaucratic delays (“red tape”) preventing the approval of “Ozempic” or any other drug.

Port of Spain, January 24, 2025: The Ministry of Health takes note of the article in today’s Express related to the consumption of the Giant African Snail (GAS). In this regard, the Ministry would like to reiterate the following:

Port of Spain, January 16, 2025: The Ministry of Health takes this opportunity to correct erroneous information reported by the media related to the human metapneumovirus (hMPV).

To this end, by a press release dated January 15, 2025, the Ministry of Health noted the following:

Port-of-Spain, January 8, 2025: The public is hereby informed that the Honourable Terrence Deyalsingh, Minister of Health, along with the Ministry of Health team, is actively monitoring the situation in China. In this regard, the Ministry has consulted with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and received the following report:

Port of Spain, December 31, 2024: The Ministry of Health (MoH), via its Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division advises of the voluntary recall of lot 10101 of Systane Lubricant Eye Drops Ultra PF, Single Vials On-the-Go. Systane Lubricant Eye Drops is used for the temporary relief of burning and irritation in persons experiencing dry eye symptoms.

Port-of-Spain, December 24, 2024: In light of ongoing poor air quality due to the significant presence of Saharan dust in the atmosphere, the public is advised to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from the harmful effects of Saharan dust.

The Ministry of Health notes that Saharan dust may contain various particles which can decrease the quality of air and may cause symptoms such as:

Port-of-Spain, December 16, 2024: The Ministry of Health (MOH) notes recent statements on the role of the Chemistry Food and Drug Division (CFDD) as it relates to the drug registration process. It is regrettable that this process, which is primarily aimed at protecting the nation’s health by ensuring that drugs approved for sale and consumption in Trinidad and Tobago are safe, effective and meet international regulatory standards, is now being misrepresented.

Port-of-Spain, December 13, 2024: The Ministry of Health wishes to advise citizens that a few suspected cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) have recently been reported, and though it does not pose as a public health threat, persons should be vigilant in protecting themselves and their children from the disease.

The symptoms of HFMD are:

·         fever

·         loss of appetite

Port of Spain, December 9^th, 2024: The Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the emergence of the Mayaro and Oropouche viruses, two tropical diseases that pose potential health risks to the population of Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean. 

These arboviral diseases are spread primarily by the Aedes aegypti, Culex mosquitoes, and midge insect flies.