"Prevention is the Cure": Dr. Carl Niamatali discusses the Impact of The Coronavirus on the Caribbean

In this episode, we interview Guyanese Physician, Dr. Carl Niamatali, who is an oncologist, social entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for a healthful lifestyle, nutrition and early intervention to avert disease, clarifies what he believes individuals and leaders should be doing to contain the Coronavirus and the death toll. 

Dr. Niamatali connects the current coronavirus pandemic with nutrition, lifestyle, and climate change. He shares his perspective on:

1.     The implications of the Coronavirus on Caribbean countries

2.     Several ways that people can protect themselves through

        a.      Adhering to the recommended behavior of physical isolation, wearing gloves and
                 a mask in public. 

        b.     Adopting a disciplined and mindful approach to nutrition, and 

        c.     The implementation of the “7 Pillars” as a philosophy to navigating life during
                this crisis and beyond.
               

3.     Climate change and the importance and significance of preserving the Amazon Rainforest, the source for the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine and other medicines. 

Call-to-Action:  

In addition to following the rules of maintaining social distance, physical isolation when required, wearing a mask and gloves when outdoors, you can also engage in activities to help save the Amazon Rainforest.  You can do this by:

·        Sending an email to Amazon CEO thanking him for donating to preserve the rainforest, and urging him to do more.  

·        Learning more about the Amazon rainforest so that you can educate yourself and become a better advocate.

Email link to episode 1:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/977806/3453358

Please email with any questions and comments to ewvnewyork@gmail.com. 

Next episode:  How Africa is Battling the Coronavirus Pandemic: An Interview with Dr. Kingsley Lington, UN Communication Specialist.

Transcript

spk_2:   0:26
welcome. I'm Moronke Oshin-Martin, one of your hosts, and

spk_1:   0:30
I'm Grace Oshin, your co-host.

spk_2:   0:32
Welcome to what's going on. Eyes on Africa and the Caribbean.

spk_1:   0:37
Thank you for joining us, and we hope that you will tune in regularly. This podcast is for the millions of African and Caribbean people living in the United States seeking a connection with the people in places they love and left behind in their home country. What's going on? Eyes on Africa and the Caribbean intends to bring you a bi-weekly diet of interviews, discussions, and music that highlight life in African and Caribbean countries. Join us as we follow social and economic development issues in and around Africa and the Caribbean, including issues about youth, health, education, business and entrepreneurism. We explore these issues from different generational perspectives and understandings, which we hope will ultimately open people's minds and bridge the generational divide.

spk_2:   1:33
Today we're talking about the Coronavirus, among other things, and our first guest, Dr Carl Niamatali is a physician who has devoted many years of his life and certainly his entire career to health and education in Guyana. Doctor Niamatali has over 35 years as a physician. He's a visionary, a pioneer and a social entrepreneur, playing major role as a medical doctor, consultant, chief executive officer and managing director. He is the president of the Guyana Cancer Prevention Society and owner of the country's only state-of-the-art crematorium, Memorial Gardens.  Doctor Niamatali is also the founder of Guyana Cares, a nonprofit organization that focuses on bringing awareness to the health issues and other challenges facing Guyana.  He's community-driven, caring and believes in giving back.  Dr.  Niamatali joins us today to talk about the Coronavirus and its impact on the Caribbean. Welcome, Dr. Niamatali.

spk_0:   2:36
Yeah, thank you.

spk_2:   2:38
At this time, the W H O is reporting that there are almost two million cases of the Coronavirus and almost 125,000 deaths worldwide. Obviously, these numbers are continuing to grow daily.  A breakdown of the numbers by John Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center, which can be found at Coronavirus jhu.edu suggests that Africa and the Caribbean and not seeing the calamitous numbers that we're seeing in the West, at least not at this time.  So, Dr. Niamatali first what should we know that perhaps may have been lost in the onslaught and somewhat frenzied media reporting of this lethal virus.

spk_0:   3:20
So essentially what could have been lost is the time in which, um, not a great many tests were done for various reasons. But,  so far, the figures from the Healthy Caribbean Coalition, which is based in Barbados and do excellent work on health care., their main focus is on NCDs, and they have so far recorded a total of 583 persons tested in the Caribbean countries that make up Caricom, with 43 deaths, which, thankfully, is very low. Trinidad had 109 persons tested and eight deaths. Uh, that's the highest. Dominica 16 persons tested and zero debts with Guyana 40 tested with six deaths and Jamaica 65 persons tested with four deaths. So, I think as we move forward, the main issue is of course prevention, which is the cure on in terms of dealing with this COVID-19  pandemic. It's testing, tracing contacts, and treatment. Those are the main issues? And, as I said the problem of this moment is our testing capacity, the ability to test as many people as needed to be tested. There is a policy in most of the Caribbean countries, similar to the U. S and other places, of locked down where people are advised to stay at home on the..um, I don't like the phrase social isolation. I would prefer physical isolation or quarantine because even while people are on their own, there should still be social connections. So it's not so much social isolation, it's physical isolation, but social connections. But that's a minor issue and just my perspective. The WHO has designated a group of diseases as NCDs, which is non-communicable disease, and this accounts for 70%  to 80% of mortality in low and middle-income countries, including the Caribbean.  And they include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke,  vascular disease, cancer, which is a huge issue, not just because I'm medical oncologists, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. So those present a major challenge for these countries, and on top of that, you have this issue with Coronavirus, which is quite serious. I'm sorry. I should say... sorry about that Moronke, I should just add that people with... one of the main challenges now is that people with NCDs, these non-communicable diseases they have higher mortality as a result of these pre-existing diseases, and these other illnesses that they have. They are the people who are more likely to suffer a higher mortality rate.

spk_2:   6:52
Considering that NCDs are common among black people, the Coronavirus in Africa and the Caribbean could be pretty devastating if it gains a foothold there. Correct?

spk_0:   7:04
Well, I think on a percentage basis there certainly is a higher percentage of deaths among the black community, and that's.... There's a number of reasons for that. You know, part of the reason is the social-economic consequences of that group living in certain areas. You know, more people living more closely together in urban areas, more people are in close contact with each other.  Also,  these people are in jobs that they have to go out, for example, in health care in service industries. So there's more contact among those groups of people says there's are socioeconomic issues associated with this group as well as a relatively higher risk of these non-communicable diseases of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, chronic obstructive areas, disease, which includes asthma, and people who have immune disorders such as HIV /AIDS, those of the people... and if you're elderly ... at higher risk for Coronavirus, and they have a poorer outcome as well.

spk_2:   8:19
I guess that's why the death toll is higher in the black communities then in the U. S. Yes,

spk_0:   8:24
I agree entirely for two reasons. Number one is because of the pre-existing medical conditions. As I mentioned, I know, you know, for any significant amount of patient load of people getting sick from Coronavirus, the medical infrastructure is not as good and robust as it is for example in New York, though, New York is a different story. But you know, there's no lack of resources,  financial resources, and human resources are tremendous among comparatively to those in Caribbean countries; so those are some of the issues. As a result, it will be a greater challenge.

spk_2:   9:09
Dr. Niamatali, you have a few interesting thoughts about what's going on with Coronavirus and how we should tackle it. You say prevention is the cure. Tell us a little bit more about that. 

spk_0:   9:20
This really comes from the Guyana Cancer Prevention Society and is a huge issue in my field. It is because, uh, dealing with cancer is a huge issue in Guyana and when patients come to see me, what they want to know is ABC;  what's wrong with them? They want to know ABC, they will take anything but cancer because cancer is a devastating disease. And one of the reasons is because cancer in these patients, a lot of these patients, tend to present late--stage three and four, so cure is difficult. So prevention is the cure and with the issue of the Coronavirus.  if we can prevent people from getting the virus, people getting infected, that virtually is a cure. No, not everybody who gets the virus if their immune system is very robust and they are healthy. But I should mention that younger people are also at risk. Young people, sometimes feel they're indestructible, they can do anything. You know. and they have no consequences. Well, there are consequences, and the reason is that young people should remember, and everyone should remember, healthy people never think about being sick, but sick people can only ask themselves when am I going to get well, when am I going to get healthy? So the bottom line is everyone tends to take, well not everyone, but most people tend to take their health for granted. So going to the issue prevention is to cure. This is why the recommendation from the health sector dealing with the Coronavirus is that everybody stays home. Because if you still home, you isolate yourself for two weeks, you follow the guidelines of uh, staying safe. Ah, handwashing. Good hygiene. No touching of your face, washing your hands at least 20 seconds. If you go out, maintain the safe physical space, wear a mask --it can protect you from droplet infections and, you know, 30% to 60% from some studies show that 30% to 60% of people are asymptomatic. They have no symptoms of coughing, fever, sneezing, sore throat.   Some of the other symptoms are muscle pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath. Some people may lose the sense of smell and taste. Some people may be nauseated and some patients may complain of diarrhea. So, that's the constellation of symptoms that patients will complain of when this will be a strong index of suspicion that they may have the Coronavirus. So going back to that, masks are important, especially in a public place. No handshaking, no touching, well, obviously, if you're two meters away then that's not possible. Avoid touching your face. Disinfect all surfaces that other people are touching, right.  And when you get home, take your shoes off. Leave them outside the door, change your clothes, have a shower, fresh clothes, fresh clean clothes, and then you do the laundry with the clothes that you came in through simple things are protective. And, while you're staying safe, the other important issue to look at is nutrition. Most people are told, right, so there's a number of foods that I would just like to mention that you know, have greater that protects the immune system and strengthen the immune system on desire. If I may just mention them. Chicken soup, beef bone broth,  mushrooms, spinach, honey, tomatoes and multi-grain bread, grains,  salmon, and tuna. Those are foods that can strengthen the immune systems, nuts as well, like almonds and, of course, avocado, which is good for everything under the sun, and it really is.  So the other thing is that there is some evidence off dear that foods high in zinc. And I'm not recommending that people should go on to just buy these foods. But, you know, having a higher level of things than a low level of thing is also so helpful. If you have a higher level of zinc in terms of infection, because we know when when you're infected, the level of think falls. So there's some good eats. Andi I should mention there is that there's, ah, chef by the name of Andrew Zimmerman, and he has a very interesting program. What eats America? So I've watched it, and it's It's an excellent program on, and it should be what America is eating or should be eating, or that we should all be eating. Andi thing about it is that nutrition is so important in terms of good health, absolutely important that he quoted the figure of $1.3 billion U S. Dollars he spent on these n CDs. All right, so if that money could be repurposed in eating good food it would go along with, but it was about to mention some of the things some of the foods that are high in zinc and these are nuts. Legumes, a multi green meet with its beef, turkey, lamb or pork, lentils, dark chocolate, and sesame seeds. Those are some of the things eggs as well, that are rich in and have high levels of things. So nutrition at this time when people are isolated in physical quarantine is very important and staying well hydrated. So that was a 70 issues in terms off, off, dealing with this Coronavirus.

spk_2:   15:40
Yes, nutrition is important, but as you know, many of these foods can be very expensive for some families

spk_0:   15:47
I realize that. That's absolutely true. And unfortunately, in some neighborhoods, these types of food are not always available. You know, that's one of the unfortunate things on DDE, but you know, a diet that is rich in fruit and vegetables. Her green multigrain is absolutely important, absolutely important. And, you know, obesity is a huge driver of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. The tree means n CDs. No, I must say that I don't like the terminology and cities which W ritual has also accepted non-communicable disease because why is that? None coming when people, young people here, non communicable disease, the first thing they say or I can catch it so I don't need to worry. But when you think of cancer, which is one of the mean challenges that we face because cardiovascular disease, blood pressure, cholesterol can be controlled, high blood pressure can be controlled. Diabetes blood sugar can be controlled, people exercise and lose to leave. So in terms of cancer is an entirely different thing. Heart disease and diabetes in the early stage can be prevented and reversed. Not so with cancer. And here's the thing which should be remembered. We're are absolutely concerned about Corona virus, and we should all of B because you know we're here and it's affecting the whole planet. The problem is that in terms of cancer there five viruses that they're sexually transmitted that causes cancer about nine different types of Kansas. So we have a huge challenge from viruses which pose these challenges prove it is irony virus on irony. Viruses are notorious for causing US problems in terms of vaccines are it's an hour in the the genetic structure off the of the grove in 19 is the irony virus. But you know, there's a lot of work, and I'm pretty sure I'm hopefully you're operating for vaccine sooner. The better 12 to 18 months, Dr. Fauci has said Andi, he is the expert. So, you know, until that time, as I said, prevention is the cure. As we move forward, we need to be mindful on when I say be mining for it's It's one of the seven pillars that I feel a certain pertinent foster navigate our dearly life

spk_2:   18:35
back to Lima tally. You have a philosophy or an approach that you have labeled the Seven Pillars. What all those seven pillars

spk_0:   18:44
I know the reason why I believe that the seven pillars air important is as we navigate life, we need to. Everyone seeks to have a good life. That's the number one thing and so dear for for us to have a good life. I think first of all, good health is important Coronavirus Telesis. That reminds us of that. So it's important that we are due the following. These are the seven pillars number one. We all take responsibility for everything that we do that is so important. Because if we don't take responsibility, we wouldn't deal with the other pillars. Number two, We make good choices. If you choose to smoke. Drink as much as you want. Do drugs. You suffer the consequences. So making good choices at good choice now is stay home social. Sorry. Physical distancing. Right. Follow the rules and advice off hand hygiene and the other wash your hands. So, uh, clean the surfaces on were a mask. So that's important. Does any good choices Take responsibility? Make conscience be disciplined. You know, you have to see it home. So you stay at home. You know, you wear your masks unless we have discipline. We're not going to get very far. Number four respect. If we respect each other, that's important. If you respect someone, you wear your mask. You wouldn't touch them. Respect yourself. You don't want to pass on the virus, so wear a mask. It's simple, you're protecting yourself and you're protecting m. That's a simple slogan you protect. Put your mask on. You're telling someone I'm protecting you. I am protecting me. So if we all respect each other, we wouldn't really have conflicts. When you respect someone, you don't try to harm them in any way. Speak no evil, do no evil. Cooperation. That's another pillar. We at this time Coronavirus is teaching us on forcing us that collectively, we must all cooperate. And if we do, we convene with this virus number of fix. We should all be mine. No, is the time to reflect and remind ourselves what all of values are and how we need to view the life on the whole to be mindful of nature off climate change. They're our friends, our loved ones. And lastly, on act of kindness on generosity, we'll go a far way, if every not so much every day. But if every week we do an act of kindness for someone, maybe it's someone we don't know. Maybe it's helping someone, an elderly person across the street or carry her bags. Are you opening the door for someone who's carrying bags in their arms, are full of it, makes us a bit, of course. And that is what is so important. And I think if if people remained it off these seven pillars, as I called him Rich wish it would be the foundation for our life, her a good life and how we navigate life in general. I just mentioned them quickly again. Number one. Take responsibility for all your actions. Make good choices. Sure. Discipline, respect. Let us cooperate. Be mindful on an act of kindness towards our fellow brothers and sisters and friends and strangers. This is what I feel is needed at this time to help us the navigate and defeat this Corona

spk_2:   23:03
virus. When this pandemic is over, are there other issues that you see is challenges that need to be addressed immediately in the Caribbean?

spk_0:   23:12
I'd like for people to remember that the last 100 thes has, if not done anything. It has changed the entire planet where everyone understand that life can be very fragile and you could be taken away at any time. So we need to be very mindful and we need to act responsible and legal choices. I'm sorry Thio return toe a couple of the pillars that Adam's well even afford. For example, in some places, wildlife trade where people consume the meat is still something that people are involved in. It is my belief that should be banned all right? No, but no one should be consuming these animals. Some of them are indeed. Secondly, we need to understand because off climate change and global warming that as we invade the space off animals, another species mammals, there are other use. Mamma's have vectors that Carrie viruses on eyes, climate change, progress and these animals conclusive the man as their habitats are destroyed. We also run the risk off being infected with these new viruses. I mean, it was only 20 years ago that we started with SARS, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, the virus that caused that syndrome. Then we had murders in 2010 31st and now we have Corona virus. Nobody paid much attention to you, right? But it's here. It's now. And as we move forward, we need toa all be very mindful. We need to be prepared for whatever father challenge comes our way in terms off preparedness. We need to be prepared to deal with another crisis like this. Science has responded in a phenomenal week, their laboratories all over the world that's working around the clock to solve this problem. But you know, everybody else needs to be involved. The people in the political spectrum need to be involved and support the science of it, the people who are in a not for profit organizations. So what I think we need it was almost like a Manhattan project that would look at this issue off global challenges in terms off infectious disease in terms of climate change, which is linked to this type of infections that is going to come on but likely to conduct in the future. So we need. This is where it's so important. Tohave leadership at the global level. W sure u n on all the other international institutions need to come together. We can solve these problems if we determined that it is important on dhe. You know, I have no doubt that we survive Corona, but we should learn the important lessons for me. Yes, it's It's sad that we will lose a lot of good people. People will move, lose loved ones. What is really very difficult. It's the people in the front lines dealing with this crisis. The health care sector under police on Lee ambulance people and all the other people. They are being strained to the limit. I know I've been dear. I love toe. I would left the growth and work tomorrow morning. I'm trying to get home. Uh, but I'm stranded temporarily in New York and my skills are available. Andi, it's 40 years Wronki turtle five. You just dr five years from the little I just say I said it just because for sure run in my family members is going to say, Ah, what happened to you? Where were you for five years in the wilderness? But but going back to this thing, I think it is so important that out of this great tragedy, we learn lessons to make us better prepared in the future to deal with this sort of thing. I mean, you know, it's like they're rate until your house is on fire to start looking up. Whether who's worried about that insurance to cover any loss? I don't think that's such a good idea. So I think we can. I think we can do much, much better. But if we all, if we all stick together, we all pull together this fantastic leadership all over the place, Um that that is providing us with guidelines, and we need to listen to them People need to understand, right? Um that as we move forward, how we prepare ourselves for the next. I mean, we don't know have something like this in the near future. But not being prepared is not such a good idea.

spk_2:   28:51
So what about this hydroxy chloral Quinn? How effective is it? 

spk_0:   28:56
Two things. Number one is that it's a drug that has been around for a long time. It's used primarily in areas were malaria's a challenge on It's a very good drug. It's also used for rheumatoid arthritis is not so often on you just described Lupus that there's been some anecdotal evidence in China on in France. Anecdotal because it's not a properly conducted study, given the circumstances were doctors have used it on a limited basis on dhe do found that there was a response that it cannot be quantified. And I think that the fault she has explained this very well, right in that we don't have the evidence at this point in time. You know, um, I am in agreement with him because that's my training. The interesting thing is that people lots of people don't know where did chloral Queen High destruct. Hydroxy Chlor quinn come from? When did this drug was first discovered in the real Amazon rainforest in the Amazon. The other Amazon, under Jeff Weise of Saddam was on the other average real Amazon in South America. In which guy on his part? Brazil, in other countries. So So This drug is from the bark of the qin shown a tree. So when people are talking about it and I will be the happiest person you have, it is proven that high dropsy, clearer queen is a drug that can reduce the infection on help ash petitions to survive and do better. Maybe not a cure that a group drove the test. I would be the happier it's personal, but hi dropped clear. A queen. It came from the bark of the concern a tree from the Amazon rainforest. And they just want to make a quick point is that if we do not protect and preserve the Amazon rainforest, which is so important for climate change, the other important thing is that it contains through much of biological on genetic material that can I'm pretty certain that can cure us for all that heals us. We both know. And if we destroy what we don't know and understand, perhaps we would have lost a cure for everything that heals us. So I think it is so important. Amazon is absolutely critical. It's the lungs of the world, right, Andi? Last year, when again, when I heard that the Amazon was on fire a girl I thought of just visas, you know, on Dhe, I think. But I'm glad that he don't need to the 100 million for the food banks. I'm equally glad that he's giving a huge chunk of money if a climate change in the hope that scent of those funds go towards protecting and preserving the Amazon rainforest. If you want, we must do that. If we're going toe, prevent climate change. While climate change is already here is climate emergency that the thing about it is that when you're talking about protecting and preserving the Amazon rainforest, absolutely. But you can't talk about that if you don't talk about the people who live in the Amazon rainforest. D i. D. Custodians of the Amazon rainforest. If we don't take care of them, who's going to take care of the Amazon rainforest to protect and preserve the Amazon reinforced. We absolutely must do this. And you know, one of the issues that one of the things we're looking at is cervical cancer on dhe from some of the studies, women in the rainforests haven't have a very high level off survival cancer. So we we were about to start a program with some support from two organizations that have have have to fund us on DDE. It is so important that we protect and preserve the rainforests were doing the HPV testing on dhe treatment program. But that's all been put on hold because of Corona virus on. But it will go ahead. So But as I said, this issue Oh, a virus leapfrogging into man because we're connected planet. Now this thing started in China, in Wuhan, and before you know it, in less than three months, it's become a global pandemic. So the thing about it's something that happens, let's see in the rain forest guard for this usually and end up all over the world. I mean, it's not something that we wanted do, but again, we must be mindful on we must be prepared toe prevent this sort of thing So I say it again in terms of cancer, in terms of heart disease, in terms of n CDs in terms of Corona virus prevention is the cure on being prepared.

spk_2:   34:24
Thank you so much, Doctor Nema tell you've given us a lot to think

spk_0:   34:27
about. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you for having me on. I look forward if there's another a type that you would like to have me on.

spk_2:   34:37
Well, that's all for this episode, but we'll be back with more from Dr Niemann Itali, an upcoming episodes. Meanwhile, coming up in our X episode is a conversation with Kingsley Lincoln, a United Nations communications specialist and managing editor of the U. N magazine African Renewal. Kingsley, who worked on the U. N. Ebola Task Force when that virus ravaged part of Africa will tell us how the African continent is battling this pandemic.