Completed applications must be submitted to the Department of Public Administration (DPA) by email at registry@dpa.gov.gd by 16 September 2024

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The minister highlighted the urgency of tackling childhood obesity by sharing a personal observation: “I passed a young child today—he couldn’t have been more than four years old—walking with his mother, and I must say, this young boy was probably close to my weight as an adult male. If that trend continues, I’m not sure if he’s going to become one of those very productive citizens that we want.”

He cautioned that the growing burden of treating obesity and other health conditions threatens the country’s development by diverting critical financial resources away from progress.

Ishmael was speaking at the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados’ vendor training session on the updated School Nutrition Policy at Lingwood Hall at St Ann’s Fort, the Barbados Defence Force headquarters. He highlighted the economic impact of the health crisis.

“If we have to redirect funds and use those funds continually to treat ill health, then you can see how we can actually be hampering our development as a country,” he said. The minister warned that such redirection could hinder the nation’s growth in other essential areas, jeopardising long-term sustainability.

Ishmael drew a direct connection between the rise in NCDs and the growing rates of childhood obesity, a trend he said must be reversed.

“We can see that many of our young people are carrying a little bit more weight than they should,” he noted. The minister explained that obesity in childhood could lead to long-term health problems, saying, “When a person is overweight or obese, it can lead them to a long-term lifestyle that unfortunately results in the development of NCDs, such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancers, etc.”

To combat this public health challenge, the government is crafting a comprehensive national nutrition policy designed to improve the overall health of all Barbadians. Ishmael revealed that the Ministry of Health and Wellness, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, is working to expand the existing school nutrition policy into a nationwide initiative.

“We are in the process of developing a national nutrition policy that will go beyond only schools and ensure that all Barbadians understand the importance of consuming nutritious and healthy meals,” he said.

Vendors and concessionaires, who play a crucial role in shaping eating habits, are key to the success of this initiative, said Ishmael, even as he acknowledged their concerns, particularly over potential impacts on sales.

The minister encouraged the food sellers to embrace healthier options.

“There is a natural fear among vendors and concessionaires,” he said. “But I’m glad to hear from the Heart and Stroke Foundation and other NGOs that we’re working to help you find alternatives. And there are always alternatives.”

Ishmael said a “frank conversation” on obesity was needed.

“We have a problem with childhood obesity in our country and obesity in general,” he said. “We have a problem with NCDs and the management of NCDs in our country. We have a problem with the financial burden that it takes to address ill health. We have a problem. Now that we’ve noted that, we’re having a frank conversation about how to solve it.”

The minister reaffirmed his commitment to addressing the health crisis and urged all citizens to join in the effort.

“The future of our country depends on ensuring that we have healthy young people today,” he said. “You have the full support of the Ministry of Health and Wellness. You have my full support personally.”

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The University of Guyana (UG) has introduced a Bachelor of Science Degree in Respiratory Care (BSRC) programme, making Guyana the first country in the Caribbean region to have conceptualised such an initiative in its healthcare education system, officials said Wednesday. It was developed within a record time of 11 months. The programme, a collaboration between ...

Commission chair Suleiman Bulbulia announced at Wednesday’s prize-giving ceremony that over 40 schools, both private and public, took part in the contest. 

“We were overwhelmed with the number of responses that we got,” Bulbulia said. “We were overwhelmed by the designs that were submitted. So it was a little bit tough in coming up with the final winners, but we felt really great because it was important for us that the young people are engaged in this discussion.”

The competition is part of the commission’s ongoing efforts to combat the influence of unhealthy foods targeted at children. 

Bulbulia highlighted the gravity of the situation: “We have a major issue in Barbados [where] 80 per cent of our deaths are related to NCDs, so it’s a struggle we have to fight and numbers we have to bring down.”

The commission is working to remove unhealthy influences from school environments and hopes to extend these efforts beyond the classroom, he said, acknowledging the challenges faced by young people: “We know it’s a struggle; young people are being bombarded day in and day out with messages of unhealthy foods, snacks and beverages, and we are working on making sure that when they get to school, it’s not there and not within their environment. When they get out of school we are hoping we can work on that as well.” 

The overall winner of the competition was University of the West Indies student Akebulan Thuo, whose design was inspired by his personal health journey. 

He explained: “The idea of how to actually properly lose that weight and become healthy is what I want to promote with what I did today.”

Describing his winning design, Thuo added: “When I heard a ‘Healthier Barbados’, the first thing I thought about was running, because [cardio] is one of the first steps into becoming healthier.” 

He incorporated a tropical setting, featuring people running on a beach.  

“I decided to deal with the beach as the backdrop behind the people running, so people were actually running into the sea. The idea behind that was me thinking Barbados has a brighter future. It’s basically me saying [there] is better health for Barbados,” the university student added.

The NCD Commission has touted the competition’s success as demonstrating progress in engaging youth in the fight against NCDs, which now account for eight of ten deaths in Barbados. (SB)

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“The money was allocated to 10 students for flights, accommodation, and transportation during their stay at Cardiff University in Wales, UK”

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During the presentation of the awards at the Barbados Community College (BCC), Director of Corporate Banking, Barbados & OECS,CIBC Caribbean, Jeffrey Newton commended first-year student Rashawn Gibson, second-year student Kayli Jordan and third-year student Shannon Yarde for pursuing a career in nursing.

“It has to be a calling and a commitment to want to care for others the way nurses are called upon to do, and I commend the three of you, because in this fast-paced, technologically driven world today, it’s easy for young people to get caught up in the glitz and want to get in professions that are considered glamorous, and shun those that are not. That’s what we call nursing a calling… – you are there for people at their most vulnerable,” he said.

“Few people would see you on those nights when you are on duty and can’t sleep like the rest of us because you are taking care of sick people in your care, or dealing sometimes with an unpleasant side effect of people being ill, and worried. By enrolling in the Barbados Community College, you are giving a commitment to help others when they cannot help themselves, and that is a noble commitment.”

Director of Corporate Banking, Barbados & OECS, CIBC Caribbean, Jeffrey Newton. (HG)

The scholarships are each worth $2 000, and cover registration fees, books, and uniforms.

Newton said: “We are pleased to hear that all of the students that have been awarded to date, continue to maintain good GPAs and excellent overall performances, with the first group awarded in 2021 due to graduate this year. This is pleasing news for a sponsor.”

“This year, on advice from the college, the scholarships are distributed across the years of the programme. So we have a first-year, second-year, and third-year student; whereas in previous years they were awarded to all first-year students.”

Meanwhile, Head of the Nursing Department at BCC Dr Sonia Watson-Miller said she was pleased to see the scholarships continue.

“I am proud that this opportunity has continued since 2021. Our selection of the students was based on three categories, not only the academic performance but also their personality and any financial [assistance] that was needed. Our pass rate has been improving for the last five years, and last year we had the highest of 91 per cent. So our pass rate has been improving,” she said.

Gibson expressed gratitude that she was selected.

“I am truly honoured and never thought that I would be given this opportunity. It truly shows that hard work and dedication pays off, and it motivates me to continue to work harder and to make a difference in the field of nursing,” she said. 

“This scholarship will not only help to ease the financial burden, allowing students to focus mainly on their studies but also not to worry about the cost. I want to end my speech by encouraging more young persons, especially males, to get involved in the profession, as we need more persons in the field.” (SB)

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