Independent Senator Christopher Maynard, a noted ear, nose and throat surgeon, told fellow lawmakers that the country was responsible for the state of healthcare and all must work to fix it. This repair job cannot be remedied by the government alone, the board of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital or the staff, he said.

A visit to the QEH Accident and Emergency Department on Saturday led him to recall the Bible verse, “Jesus wept”, he said in the debate on the Appropriation Bill for the new fiscal year that begins on Monday.

“There are some obligations that the government needs to meet. My visit to the A&E was after 8 p.m. but there was no place in the hospital to buy food at 8 p.m. The cafeteria closes at 3. We cannot have a 24-hour hospital and you can’t get food at night,” he said.

Of QEH staff, the surgeon-lawmaker said: “We have to demand that those who are to work, work and produce. Those who we pay large sums of money have to come to work. And we have to make some hard, harsh decisions on how to sanction those who don’t come to work and who don’t produce.”

Noting that Barbadians pay a three per cent health levy which has raised about $70 million annually for the hospital’s operations, he added: “It’s a nice insurance policy to the QEH and I think we can do far better than we are doing but somebody has to truly take responsible at an executive level and make sure it’s done.”

Senator Maynard said while the experience of COVID-19 meant that there were changes with working from home, this is not an option for healthcare workers who must show up in person.

“There are people who believe you can be a full-time healthcare worker from home, but the reality is that you can’t [be]. People need in-person interaction,” he said, adding that compassion has disappeared since the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said when the government, during the pandemic, made the correct decision to curtail certain services at the QEH and continued to pay the staff in full, it created a problem.

“It meant that those who continued to work had more time to themselves. They were not at the beach because you couldn’t go to the beach, but you were busy seeing patients. The pandemic is declared over, and you now have to ask those persons who had reassigned their time to realise that they do have another job and to come back to work and produce.”

He suggested that methods must be found to create the enthusiasm that is needed to work in a system that has gotten worse and is more difficult to work in.

The senator also pleaded for a system which guarantees food availability at the hospital over 24 hours: “It cannot be that you can expect the place with the largest number of government workers under one roof not to have access to food. When it happens that there is a disaster and you have to stay in the hospital, the problem still exists. So, you are expected to provide care while you starve.”

Whoever gets such a contract, he added, must be set a minimum level for the provision of meals in a facility that caters to people all day.

He called on the Minister of Health Senator Jerome Walcott, to fix the meals issue.

Senator Maynard also addressed the situation at the hospital outpatient clinics which he said has always been overcrowded. He recalled that when he returned from Jamaica 40 years ago, he had become accustomed to a certain level of functioning in Jamaica that was the same here but was surprised back then to observe two doctors seeing patients in one room with no privacy for the consultations which could clearly be overheard.

“Forty years on and the same thing is happening. It means that successive governments, over and over again, have done nothing to fix it,” he declared.

Senator Maynard said he hoped with the expansion of the QEH services across the road at the Elmore compound as outlined by the health minister, this situation would be changed.

But he said the short-term solution may be to use porta cabins from which to conduct some services and alleviate the overcrowding.

The healthcare professional said the system plagued by the exodus of doctors and nurses and low morale must be transformed into an environment where professionals see the benefits of staying, and he encouraged the health ministry to do everything to improve the lot of healthcare workers.

(SP)

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By Ryan Gilkes

Nearly a year after the Barbados School Nutrition Policy was introduced, the head of the committee overseeing its rollout said vendors operating on the fringe of school campuses as well as contraband smuggling of banned drinks are undermining the policy’s goal of better student well-being.

Hedda Phillips-Boyce, chair of the Barbados School Nutrition Policy Implementation Committee, told the second National Nutrition Centre Nutrition Conference on Wednesday that itinerant vendors and “brown bag” sneaking of prohibited beverages among teachers were among several challenges to the policy in need of urgent attention.

Teachers who felt themselves above the nutrition policy are “digging [their] grave with [teeth]”, she declared, warning that chronic illnesses among staff only added to their workload.

“Our problem is where the students are giving their support to vendors out of school,” Phillips-Boyce said. “We’re going to undermine this initiative if you do not address the vendors. The change can be made but we need to have those vendors addressed.”

While progress has been made in reducing soda availability in schools, a new issue has arisen with the prevalence of drinks containing artificial sweeteners. 

“We now have to look at which is the worst devil,” she said, acknowledging the need to address this emerging concern through education. “We’re seeing this sneaking in and I really believe that with the canteen concession . . . it is because of education. They’re not aware that this is what is happening. So, education is so important.”

Phillips-Boyce also discussed non-compliance among parents and teachers, emphasising the importance of rigorous monitoring and enforcement. She shared anecdotes of students selling non-compliant foods with some parents supporting this behaviour, as well as instances of teachers consuming prohibited beverages on campus.

She said: “The nutritionist I usually work with, we went to a particular school and the canteen concessionaire told us that he keeps a particular beverage in the canteen for the teachers. So, he will give the teachers this particular drink in the brown bag. We can’t have that. We need to have the teachers model their behaviour. All adults should be modelling their behaviour. We’ve even had a parent or two – not many; a lot of them understand where we’re going with this policy –… state that they felt very offended that the government wants to tell them how to feed their child. So that’s the type of person that we have to contend with.

“[We have] heard of a child who has been selling contraband . . .  foods that are non-compliant. These children are few and far between but these are stories that you need to hear. They have been selling items that the canteen concessionaire cannot sell or should not sell…. In one case, they were supported by the parents.”

The committee chair underscored the need for a unified approach involving educators modelling appropriate behaviour and addressing vendors operating outside schools to provide healthier options.

She said while some teachers are on board the policy, “unfortunately, we have some who think the policy is for the students and not for them”. 

“But education is important because if the teachers are ill, they have to do more substitution. There is more work on them because their colleagues are ill . . . We’re digging our grave with our teeth. That is a fact,” Phillips-Boyce warned.

She also stressed the significance of early intervention, commending nursery schools’ proactive efforts and stressing ongoing education and outreach, including collaborating with organisations like the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Barbados and leveraging social media platforms.

“The best practices with regards to dietary practices need to be shared with the population. . . . you have to do what you have to do to get that message out there on social media. Our younger children use social media to get their messaging and that is something to consider,” she said. “We are making inroads. I am seeing a change… but you have to start somewhere.” (RG)

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The Ministry of Health and Wellness has advised that there will be no child health clinic this Saturday, March 30, as previously publicised.
The Ministry regrets any inconvenience caused and reminds parents/guardians that they should attend the regular child health clinics at polyclinics during the weekdays to bring their children’s vaccinations up to date.

(BGIS)

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According to the president of the Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP), Marilyn Rice-Bowen, a canvas of their membership has highlighted concerns about insufficient pension funds for many retirees, with some receiving less than $1 000 per month as inflation eats into their pensions.

“And what a lot, quite a few seniors always say to us [is] if they only knew… and then there were situations where people would say to us that they didn’t expect to live to 60, 65. When they were 26 and 28, they didn’t expect to live to 60 and 65, so they never planned. In addition to that, there are people who just simply didn’t plan for retirement,” she said over the weekend at the launch of BARP’s Towards 2050 conference which will be held on April 6.

Rice-Bowen said many seniors had not adequately prepared for retirement, leading to financial strain in their later years.

“As we speak now of the 40s, the 40s to 59s, that’s why it’s so important that we are driving them. We’re not going to bully but we are going to drive them, we’re going to encourage them to plan. That’s why it’s so important they plan because if they do not plan, they’re going to find themselves in a really strange and very uncomfortable space when they reach our age, my age.”

Her comments were supported by Elder Affairs Minister Kirk Humphrey, who underscored the importance of incentivising retirement planning but emphasised the need for individual responsibility.

“But I do think that the whole planning process requires everybody. I think people need to plan individually. And I do think it makes sense to incentivise, from the public sector standpoint, persons to be able to do it. It just makes sense,” he said. “I think you have to find a way to balance what you can afford financially and what society needs to be able to afford. But I anticipate and I look forward to the day when we’re in a position to do something like that again.”

Rice-Bowen stressed the importance of planning and urged individuals to attend seminars and seek guidance on retirement planning, emphasising the need for proactive financial management.

“So, rather than say, ‘we can wait to see if the government gives me a tax incentive for the rebate on pension plans’, if it’s not happening, go ahead, and put your money in your pension plan because you will be the beneficiary. If it does happen along the way, well, it’s gravy. But do not sit and wait for the frills. Get involved and do it yourself,” she urged.

Meanwhile, Humphrey said the social services in Barbados have had to evolve as a result of the challenges posed by an ageing population.

According to him, Barbados has been witnessing a notable increase in the number of older individuals seeking support from welfare services, adding that his Ministry of People’s Empowerment and Elder Affairs, which is responsible for social services on the island, is aware of the need for proactive measures to address this trend.

“The shifting, the transition in society is impacting all the delivery of social services. I think the other thing that we have to be mindful of in social services is that the cost of caring for a child is not the same as the cost of caring for an older person,” he said.

“If you’re caring for a senior person, it costs maybe two or three times as much. We’re going to anticipate that even our budget has to increase because caring for older persons is a lot more expensive. The capacity to care is going to shift.”

(RG)

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“The BNA appreciates the inclusion of provisions for long leave benefits and the uniform allowance….It is heartening to see efforts being made to recognise and support nurses who play a vital role in maintaining the health and well-being of the community,” BNA President Dr Fay Parris told Barbados TODAY. 

“The BNA eagerly anticipates the swift continuation of national compact negotiations. This collaborative endeavour between the government and the BNA is significant in addressing critical issues that impact healthcare professionals.”

Parris explained the compact discussions stem from the BNA’s 87th Annual General Meeting last month. Recommendations included establishing two nursing levels – Registered Nurse and Senior Registered Nurse – and salary restructuring and non-financial incentives.

“These comprehensive compact strategies aim to provide incentives to enhance nurse retention and ultimately contribute to a more robust healthcare system,” she said.

In the Budget speech last week, Mottley said nurses with over 15 years of continuous service would benefit from longer vacation leave. She also announced a National Compact with the BNA to recruit and retain nurses through various financial, professional, and personal development incentives.

“We anticipate that this compact…will result in more nurses opting to remain in the health sector at home and to continue providing quality care,” Mottley said. She added that as “an act of good faith”, nurses will receive an additional six weeks’ vacation after 15 years of service.

Addressing uniform delays, the prime minister pledged her administration would provide nurses with a uniform allowance.

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The team from the Vector Control Unit will fog areas in St Michael, for the entire week, starting on Monday, March 25, with Erdiston Drive, Sunset Drive, Sunrise Drive, Pine Gardens, Elizabeth Drive, Pine Hill Road, Cedar Hill Road, and surrounding communities.

The following day, Tuesday, March 26, the Unit will visit Lascelles Terrace, Princess Royal Avenue, Pine Plantation Road, and neighbouring districts.

It will then go into Barclays Terrace, Wildey Avenue Nos.1 to 8, Meadow Road, Wharfdale Road, Golden Rock Road, and Newton Crescent, on Wednesday, March 27.

The fogging exercise for the week will conclude on Thursday, March 28, when the Unit sprays Smith Avenue, Main Port Road, Stanley Terrace, Golden Rock Road, and Pine East West Road.

Fogging takes place from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. daily. Householders are reminded to open their windows and doors to allow the spray to enter. Children should not be allowed to play in the fog.

Members of the public are advised that the completion of scheduled fogging activities may be affected by events beyond the Unit’s control. In such circumstances, the Unit will return to communities affected in the soonest possible time.

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The Vector Control Unit of the Ministry of Health and Wellness will take the fight against mosquito-borne illnesses to three parishes this week – St Lucy, St Peter, and St James.

The team will fog districts in St Lucy on Monday, March 18, including Crab Hill No. 2, Content, Long Gap, Coles Cave Road, Grape Hall, Archers Bay, and Salmond.

The following day, Tuesday, March 19, they will return to that parish and visit Durham, Mount View Road, Rock Hall Road, Jemmotts, Mount Gay, Alexandra, Josey Hill, Nestfield, and Pickerings.

The Unit will then take its mosquito eradication efforts to St Peter, on Wednesday, March 20, when Graveyard, Date Tree Hill, Boscobel, Collins, Diamond Corner, Moore Hill, Castle, Gays, and surrounding areas will be sprayed.

On Thursday, March 21, and Friday, March 22, the parish of St James will be targeted. On Thursday, the team will go into Upper Mount Standfast, Weston, Taylor Gap, Fox Club Road, Reid Gap, Pineapple Avenue, Prescod Road, Husband Road, The Garden, and Store House Road.

The fogging exercise for the week will conclude on Friday, in the following communities: Store House Road, Haynes View Close, Patanne Gardens, Willow Heights Drive, Pavilion Grove, Glitter Bay Terrace, Ince Walk, Mango Drive, Heron Court, Trent’s Tenantry, and Jamestown Park.

Fogging takes place from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. daily. Householders are reminded to open their windows and doors to allow the spray to enter. Children should not be allowed to play in the fog.

Members of the public are advised that the completion of scheduled fogging activities may be affected by events beyond the Unit’s control. In such circumstances, the Unit will return to communities affected in the soonest possible time.

(BGIS)

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It is part of the second phase of the Ministry’s Build Them Out, Starve Them Out, Kill Them Out, rat reduction campaign. The partnership will see businesses adopt signs and garbage bins that would encourage members of the public to refrain from littering.

The bins are being placed along the south coast. The campaign also involves correcting the businesses’ garbage disposal methods to help “starve out” the rats.

Senior Environmental Health Officer at the Randal Phillips Polyclinic in Oistins, Trevor Taylor, explained that health officials discovered some deficiencies in the way businesses were storing garbage, which encouraged the proliferation of rats because these businesses became a food source.

“We engaged the business owners along the coast on how they should store garbage appropriately in bins and garbage houses and have it removed at appropriate times. We also found there was a lot of litter around the boardwalk coming from persons using that area,” Taylor stated.

He added: “It is not only about rats but about the outlook for Barbados as a clean destination and protecting the marine environment. I like spearfishing and the amount of litter you find in the sea is amazing. It is not just for businesses to get involved; it is for everybody. Just take your garbage and place it in bins.”

The Senior Environmental Health Officer said one aspect of the campaign, which started in August, last year, is to ‘rat proof’ the garbage bins, which is the “build out” component. However, he pointed out that this was still a work in progress.

Taylor noted that the bins health inspectors are aiming to have placed along the south coast will have a key, so business owners can open and lock the bins, when necessary, to keep out rodents. In the meantime, health inspectors continue to bait along the south coast, the “kill them out” phase of the campaign.

So far, he said two well-known businesses, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Pirates Inn, have partnered with the Ministry to combat littering and rodents on the south coast, with a number of hotels expressing an interest in coming on board.

Businesses interested in partnering with the Ministry of Health and Wellness in its rodent reduction campaign may contact Taylor at the Randal Philips Polyclinic at telephone number 536-4314.

SOURCE: BGIS

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Speaking Saturday at Ross University’s Obesity Symposium at The Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George said considering the mounting issues of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and illnesses associated with unhealthy lifestyles, commercial players’ rights must not be permitted to jeopardise the nation’s health.

“Historic, cultural, and commercial issues have occasionally caused dissension between the health sector on one hand, and the commercial sector on the other hand. While this is regrettable, we must ensure that the work that is of public health interest is not sacrificed at the altar of profits,” he said.

“In this context, let me clearly state, the Ministry of Health is opposed to the overt and covert marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children. Whether it be through the sponsorship of social events, or school sports. We continue to advocate for and work towards a commercial sector that contributes not only to financial growth of the economy, but also to its health and wellness.”

Dr George further noted that in 2022, there were an estimated 2.5 billion overweight adults worldwide; 890 million of whom were people living with obesity, and there were 400 million children who were overweight. These figures, in Dr George’s view, pale in comparison to the starling statistics facing the region, and Barbados in particular.

“We are aware of the alarming statistics and modelling projections for obesity in the region of CARICOM. More than 35 per cent in the school age population are either overweight or obese, and upwards to 60 per cent of the adult population being overweight and or obese. Again, I say the time for action is now,” he said.

“In Barbados, 74.2 per cent of our women, and 57.5 per cent of our men are overweight based on a Health of the Nation study. Alarmingly, the highest percentage of morbid obesity was seen in adults of the 25-44 age group.Obesity is not just a cosmetic concern, it is a medical and public health challenge of the 21st century that increases the risk of ill-health and death. It is imperative to create a society that facilitates decisions and implementation of policies that protect health and wellness.”

Back in 2022, the then Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr Sonia Browne, said some policy decisions would have to be taken to address the marketing of unhealthy products to children, especially given the high rate of childhood obesity.

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The Vector Control Unit of the Ministry of Health and Wellness will concentrate its mosquito eradication efforts in the east and north of the island this week.

The team will start on Monday, February 26, in St Andrew, in the following districts: Boy School Road, Worrell Road, Walkers, Lakes, Bawden’s Road, and surrounding areas.

The Unit will focus on spraying communities in St Lucy for the next three days from Tuesday, February 27, to Thursday, February 29.

On Tuesday, Crab Hill Development, Content, Stroud Bay Road, Coles Cave Road, Grape Hall, Archers Bay, Salmond, and environs will be fogged. It will then be the turn of Cluffs, Roaches, Retreat Road, Hope Development, Springer Road, Animal Cave Road, North Point Gardens, Northumberland, and River Bay on Wednesday.

The team will complete its exercise in St Lucy on Thursday, in the following areas: Pie Corner, Little Bay, Upper Salmond, Josey Hill, Rock Hall, Mount View, Chance Hall, Cave Hill, Bishops, and neighbouring districts.

The fogging exercise for the week will conclude on Friday, March 1, when the team visits St James, to spray Crusher Site Road, Prospect Road, Johnson Road, Jordan Road, and Berbice No.1 and No.2.

Fogging takes place from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. daily. Householders are reminded to open their windows and doors to allow the spray to enter. Children should not be allowed to play in the fog.

Members of the public are advised that the completion of scheduled fogging activities may be affected by events beyond the Unit’s control. In such circumstances, the Unit will return to communities affected in the soonest possible time.

(BGIS/PR)

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