In the wake of a loved one’s passing, many find solace in preserving cherished memories through photos, mementoes, or keepsakes. For former journalist Krystal Penny Bowen, the route of memory for her late mother, Sheralene Bowen, begins in the kitchen. The destination is the book, Food: My Mother’s Love Language: Celebrating the Life of Sheralene Bowen, a culinary tribute encapsulating her mother’s delicious recipes.

Bowen has received heartwarming feedback from readers who commend her for the touching tribute to her mother. 

She fondly recalled one of her most cherished memories of working side by side with her mother in the kitchen, a place where they not only prepared meals but also nurtured their bond.

“My mother loved to let me take photos of her food. I think that was the only way that I could be in the kitchen. In addition to that we would work together to get her food orders out. I was often called on to get the supplies or prep the raw materials. I would provide as much support as possible and in some cases, I would even serve the food at the event during her catering jobs,” she said. 

The idea took root in November 2021 when Krystal created a 12-page draft containing her ailing mother’s 12 cherished recipes. Sheralene wholeheartedly embraced the concept and supported her daughter’s effort until she succumbed to cervical cancer just four months later. Krystal was determined to see her dream of publishing the book come to fruition, not only as a culinary compilation but also as a brief glimpse into the multifaceted life of her beloved mother, who was not only a chef but also a devoted mom and active community member.

Krystal emphasised her dedication to commemorating her mother’s life with the utmost respect for her final days and their family. The book primarily focuses on her mother’s remarkable career as a cook and entrepreneur, taking approximately four months to complete. Krystal collaborated with Robert Gibson of Passionate Words Editing Services, whose expertise was invaluable in shaping the book’s layout and appearance.

While the writing process was undoubtedly challenging, Krystal firmly believes it played an integral role in her healing journey by allowing her to share her mother’s incredible persona with a wider audience.

Krystal said: “My mother was an incredible person. She was artistic, funny, kind and loving. She was a social butterfly – she enjoyed socialising, dancing, singing and volunteering. As a cook and chef, she worked in hospitality, in food canteens as well as in several restaurants such as the now defunct BJ’s Café, Wonderland Deli and the University of The West Indies Cave Hill Campus Cafeteria. She catered for The University of The West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, World Cup 2007, QEH Medical Staff as well as for the late Prime Minister of Barbados, The Rt. Hon. David Thompson and then-Attorney General of Barbados, and now Prime Minister of Barbados, The Hon. Mia Amor Mottley. Mom was unable to work for many years due to her declining health, in 2022 she was diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer.”

The graduate of The University of Leicester with a Masters of Art in Media, Communications, and Public Relations urges others to consider documenting their loved ones’ legacies through writing, as it can provide solace during the grieving process.

“Writing a book about your loved one is difficult, but I believe one should do it. My mom meant the world to me. She was my friend, she loved me unconditionally. When writing, think of what was truly special about that parent. For my mother, it was her love of cooking and how she used food to share her love. Food was her love language –it was how she showed her feelings, and she was an incredible cook too,” she shared, encapsulating the profound sentiment behind her tribute to her mother. (PR/BT)

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By Emmanuel Joseph

A CARICOM Impact Assessment (CIA) study on front-of-package Nutritional Labelling (FoPNL) has unveiled that Barbados imports the highest percentage of products displaying the UK Traffic Light warning system.

FoPNL is seen as a tool to inform consumers of the healthiness of foods, encourage healthier food choices, and limit the intake of foods that contain high amounts of critical nutrients of public health concern, such as sodium, sugars, and fats.

The CIA study, which was funded by the region’s private sector, also confirmed the need for a labelling model designed to meet the unique needs of consumers in Barbados and the rest of the region.

Ironically, the 214-page research, conducted by St Lucia-based KMA Consulting Limited last year, found that “the US Facts Up Front and the UK Traffic Light schemes are best suited to achieve the regional population’s health objectives, in comparison to the CARICOM Regional Standards Scheme Octagonal Warning Label”.

The controversial Black and White Octagonal Warning Label is the sole front-of-package model under consideration by CARICOM, whose member states will vote this weekend on whether to implement it as the region-wide system.

On Monday, the Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA), representing food and beverage makers and importers, told Barbados TODAY that it planned to reject the CARICOM label.

The study, designed to ascertain an appropriate FoPNL scheme and identify a harmonised approach for its implementation, was commissioned by the Regional Private Sector Organisation.

“Of the products with an FoPNL, the most commonly used was the US Facts Up Front, followed by the EU GDA and UK Traffic Light systems in descending order. On average, 16 per cent of the products in the product sample featured the US Facts Up Front FoPNL, 4 per cent the EU GDA, and only 0.9 per cent bore the UK Traffic FoPNL,” the survey concluded.

“The Bahamas had the largest percentage of products with the US Facts Up Front FoPNL at 29 per cent, while Jamaica had the lowest at six per cent. The GDA system was most commonly used in Belize and Trinidad, with seven per cent and five per cent of the products carrying that label, respectively. Jamaica had the lowest percentage of goods with the EU GDA label at only two per cent.

“Barbados had the highest percentage of products with the UK Traffic Light system at four per cent. However, none of the products in the sample from Guyana and Jamaica carried the UK Traffic Light system. No products were found bearing the Mexican and Brazilian FoPNL Models.”

The survey also revealed that “a clear regional policy should be enunciated to guide the design and format of a regional FoPNL scheme suited to meet the needs of regional consumers”.

The researchers also recommended that the development process for the label should be jointly led by the relevant public sector agencies responsible for trade, economic development, and food and nutrition security and that this process involves all key stakeholders, particularly the regional food manufacturing/processing sector.

They concluded that once consensus is reached on the design and format of the FoPNL model, it should be proposed for regional standardisation through the established regional standards development process.

“Concurrently, member states should urgently begin steps towards strengthening their national and consequently regional quality infrastructure for food and nutrition safety and security,” the impact assessment recommended, adding that enforcement should be informed by a thorough Regulatory Impact Assessment.

“Enforcement of an FoPNL scheme should be carried out through the appropriate food safety technical regulations (referencing the appropriate national labelling standard) in each member state at the appropriate stage.”

Before recommending the US and UK front-of-package labels for use in the region, the researchers evaluated and ranked the different schemes on factors such as economic impact, social impact, and compliance impact.

Using data from primary and secondary sources, the different FoPNL models were assessed within a multi-criteria analysis (MCA) framework, applying indicators such as consumer choice, production, and trade.

They said that MCA is used as an alternative to cost-benefit analysis to assess the comparative suitability of alternatives and consider other factors that cannot be quantified or assigned monetary value.

The study revealed that across the eight pilot countries, on average, 70 per cent of the products reviewed had nutritional facts labels, while only 22 per cent had FoPNL. The Bahamas had the highest percentage of products with nutritional facts labels, 95 per cent, and consequently the highest proportion of products with an FoPNL.

The survey found that Barbados had the seventh highest, with 65 per cent.

However, Barbados fared slightly better among the eight countries when it came to front-of-package nutritional labels, ranking fourth, with 22 per cent of its products featuring FoPNL.

The findings from the market baseline assessment, randomised control trial, stakeholder engagement, and literature review confirmed that the eating habits of regional consumers have trended toward increased consumption of street vended and packaged processed foods.

The results also showed that food-based dietary guidelines in most CARICOM member states are outdated and not aligned with the intent of the regional and respective national policies on food and nutrition security.

Coming out of the stakeholder engagement, it was recommended that the introduction of an FoPNL scheme must be supported by a robust consumer education campaign. 

emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb

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The Ministry of Health and Wellness has confirmed a dengue fever outbreak in Barbados.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kenneth George, disclosed that the threshold was reached at the end of September, where 518 cases were recorded compared to the same period in 2022, when there were 241 cases. The Ministry of Health and Wellness classifies a case of dengue fever as both suspected and confirmed.

Of the 40 confirmed cases of dengue for the year, 28 were recorded in September.

“These recent increases signal the start of a dengue fever outbreak in Barbados in September 2023. There were no confirmed cases in 2022,” the Chief Medical Officer stated.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has also advised that there have been outbreaks in Martinique and Guadeloupe in the Eastern Caribbean, with dengue virus serotype 2 resulting in some hospitalisations.   There have also been recorded rising cases in the OECS, including Grenada. The World Health Organization recently indicated that increased cases of mosquito-borne disease were likely in Europe, the United States of America and Africa, as a result of climate change (warmer, wetter and less reliable climate).

Dengue fever is an acute mosquito-borne febrile illness caused by infection with one of the four known dengue serotypes.  It is endemic in Barbados with occasional outbreaks.

The public is reminded of the symptoms, which include headaches, muscle and joint pains, vomiting and a characteristic skin rash. Most cases are self-limiting and recovery generally takes two to seven days.

In severe cases, haemorrhagic symptoms and organ failure can occur, which may, on occasion, result in shock and death. The likelihood of adverse outcomes occurs when there are multiple strains circulating. The Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory has advised that serotypes 1, 2 and 3 are circulating in Barbados.

Dr George urged members of the public to take immediate protective actions. These include:

• Source reduction – removal of sites and receptacles where stagnant water can collect. For example, the overflow dishes of plant pots in homes, plant cuttings and discarded tyres,
• using mosquito repellent on the skin,
• wearing light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and long pants, particularly during peak biting times – dusk and dawn,
• using mosquito nets over infant beds, cribs, carriers and strollers,
• and installing window and door screens to keep out mosquitoes.

Additionally, Dr George advised persons who have an unexplained fever or exhibit any of the other symptoms mentioned above, to seek medical attention.  A blood test will be required for confirmation of dengue fever.

The Chief Medical Officer said that the Ministry of Health and Wellness will use the location of reported suspected and confirmed dengue cases to inform its fogging campaign. He further advised that any unusual increases in mosquito sightings should be reported to the environmental health department of the nearest polyclinic. To date, there have been no deaths attributed to dengue fever.

(BGIS)

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President of the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners (BAMP) Dr Lynda Williams is suggesting that the revenues collected from the 20 per cent sugar-sweetened beverage excise tax and the soon-to-be-implemented tax on products high in salt content be used specifically within the health sector.

She told Barbados TODAY she would prefer if the money collected by the government from those taxes be set aside specifically to boost the budget for healthcare, rather than be placed into the Consolidated Fund – the government account into which all revenues are paid and from which all spending is made.

“If we just put it in the general funds and hope that you can increase your health fund, that most likely will not happen,” the prominent doctor said.

“My feeling about all those things is that it works as long as the money that is collected from this goes towards health expenditure. If you are just putting on a tax and put it in the general fund as just another collection of taxation, and you hope that it pans out to be more expenditure for health, that is less significant than knowing that [based] on this revenue, this is how much to increase health expenditure by.”

Barbados has one of the highest rates of overweight and obese populations within Latin America and the Caribbean, with about 30 per cent of children considered overweight and 14 per cent obese.

About one in every three Barbadian adults is considered overweight, and a similar number is obese.

In an effort to help reduce the intake of sugar-sweetened beverages among Barbadians and control non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, the government introduced a 10 per cent excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages in 2015. This was designed to generate in excess of $10 million in its first year.

Effective April 1, 2022, the Mia Mottley administration increased the excise tax on sweetened drinks to 20 per cent.

Dr Williams said she supported the tax measure but stressed that it was important for the government to know exactly how much was being collected and put that towards the development of the health sector.

The government is currently in the process of reviewing a draft policy for similar taxation on products high in salt content. This could be ready for implementation as early as the first quarter of next year.

“We have had the discussion about sugar taxes and we have implemented sugar-sweetened beverage taxes; now there is the discussion about salt…. Taxes have been shown in other countries to cause a reduction in spending when people are purchasing,” said Williams.

A joint University of the West Indies and Cambridge University study released in 2019 concluded that Barbadians were buying fewer sweet drinks and getting more bottled waters and non-sugar alternatives.

It showed that consumption dropped by some 10 per cent one year after the tax was implemented, when compared to two years before.

marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb

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On the eve of the official start of Breast Cancer Awareness month, the Pan-American International Insurance Corporation building radiated a brilliant pink glow.

On Saturday evening, their Cheapside, St Michael, location came alive with this vibrant hue after a brief ceremony. This display not only symbolised the spirit of resilience, hope, and unity in the global fight against breast cancer but also highlighted the organisation’s unwavering commitment to this cause.

General Manager Michael Lucas extended a warm welcome before introducing the featured speaker, Agency Manager and cancer survivor Gloria King-Kirton. She began by acknowledging the strength and tenacity of countless individuals who have been touched by breast cancer, whether as survivors, caregivers, or advocates.

“Each one of us, including myself, is a testament to the power of courage, determination, and the relentless pursuit of a better, healthier future,”  King-Kirton said.

In her address, she underscored the significance of illuminating the building, emphasising, “It serves as a reminder that by coming together as a community, we can empower, educate, and inspire change.”

She encouraged attendees to support local cancer awareness groups and serve as advocates and sources of inspiration for others to do the same.

King-Kirton, who had passionately supported the cause before her own diagnosis, shared her personal journey of battling and triumphing over cancer, offering powerful inspiration to those gathered. She recounted, “Two years ago, I was not only diagnosed with breast cancer but had a double mastectomy, which I was not prepared for either mentally or emotionally.”

Through her emotional testimony, she emphasised the importance of a dedicated support network during challenging times. She stated, “Today, I stand as a testimony of what community means. It is the community that provided the support, praise, and encouragement during those difficult times.”

Special gratitude was expressed to the company for their steadfast support.

She said, “It was Pan American International Insurance Corporation who provided all my financial needs through our very own unique benefits, including cancer care designed specifically for this cause. Tonight, I am immensely proud of the Pan American Life Insurance team for their dedication to this cause.”

She assured the audience, “Our commitment to corporate social responsibility is not just a part of our identity; it’s at the core of who we are. We believe that businesses have the power to effect positive change, and together, we can create a world where breast cancer is no longer a threat to our loved ones.”

In conclusion, just before the ceremonial lighting, King-Kirton advised, “Together, let us make this Breast Cancer Awareness Month a month of action, compassion, and progress. Together, we can bring about a brighter, healthier future for all.” (STT)

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By Emmanuel Joseph

Health authorities say food manufacturing and packaging plant, Hill Milling Company Limited is expected to get the green light to reopen shortly.

The news from Acting Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Arthur Phillips came on Friday afternoon, just over three months after environmental health officials closed the Haggatt Hall, St Michael company and dumped more than $500 000 in food items because of a rat infestation.

Although he declined to estimate a timeframe for the resumption of operations, Dr Phillips said he was comfortable Hill Milling was on track to get back to business soon.

He told Barbados TODAY that the dumping, which was done in stages, is now complete and the plant has done most of what it was required to do.

An inspection by health officers will be done to verify that all the recommended actions were completed.

“There is training, which must have been conducted yesterday. That is essentially it at this point. We would have had meetings with them and it helped to clarify that we were on the same page and we have the same goals,” health official stated.

“We are comfortable that they are improving and that they are on track to be back in business soon. I don’t have a timeframe. Our end goal is to ensure they are operating in a way that is safe to them and to the public and to public health standards. So, we believe that there is not much left to be done, and they are committed to doing all that is required.”

Dr Phillips said there would have to be a final sanitising of the plant, which will be done by Hill Milling staff under the supervision of environmental health officers, “once we have signed off on everything else”.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company Richard Ashby had complained that while waiting for the health authorities to give him the all-clear to reopen, staff had been sent on leave; his local and overseas customers were without products, which include rice, sugar, corn curls, oats, peas, beans and snacks; and the major revenue-earning portion of his business, exports, was in jeopardy.

“I sell to 4 000 shopkeepers…supermarkets, gas stations, minimarts…you know, people out in the country who sell from their windows, their back doors. But that’s not my big stuff, my big stuff is exports. So you are not only affecting small shops in Barbados but you are affecting the big shops in Guyana, Jamaica, St Lucia, Miami, New York and St Kitts,” the business owner had previously told Barbados TODAY, noting that the affected aspects of the plant included milling, packaging and producing.  emmanueljoseph@barbados.bb

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Caribbean ministers of health have been urged to utilise collective action to strengthen their healthcare systems, adopt sustainable practices that protect the environment and promote healthy living, as well as prioritise equity in healthcare delivery.

Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Director Dr Jarbas Barbosa made this call at the opening of the 45th meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (Health). 

He restated PAHO’s commitment to supporting member states in recapturing the immunisation gains of the past, confronting the emigration of health workers out of the Caribbean, reversing the growing epidemic of non-communicable diseases, and mitigating the health effects of the changing climate.

“The challenges we face are too great for any one nation to bear alone.  The pandemic made this glaringly apparent: only through unity and collective action can we overcome the public health trials of our times.  CARICOM was founded with this understanding,” Dr Barbosa noted.

While highlighting that during the pandemic the Caribbean and other Small Island Developing States relied solely on imports for these essential health goods, he acknowledged the aspirations of some Caribbean countries to produce their own medicines and medical supplies. 

The PAHO director pledged the organisation’s support to facilitate access to affordable medicines, vaccines, and health technologies, in approaching partners and prioritising technical cooperation on the regulatory aspects and demand planning. He noted that PAHO’s revolving funds could also be used to leverage regional production.

While turning his attention to reversing the rates of NCDs despite the “entrenched commercial and financial interests that hinder progress”, he pledged the organisation’s support for measures like front-of-package warning labels, the banning of trans fats and the creation of a smoke-free Caribbean.

“As we continue to advocate for the implementation of the Octagonal Warning labels, we are joined by the University of the West Indies, CARICOM, CARPHA, the Healthy Caribbean Coalition, UNICEF, the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, and many others, who believe that Caribbean people deserve to have the facts about what they are eating. We will persist, with our partners, to confront the main drivers of non-communicable diseases – tobacco use, unhealthy diets, alcohol use and lack of physical activity,” Dr Barbosa emphasised.

The Caribbean is poised to advance with the elimination of key communicable diseases and conditions. In 2023, eight Caribbean countries and territories, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Montserrat, and St Kitts and Nevis, were revalidated as achieving the mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. 

Dr Barbosa shared that Belize had now joined this list of countries certified by the World Health Organisation as having eliminated EMTCT earlier this year.  

“I am pleased to announce that in partnership with the UN Office for South-South Cooperation, and through the India-UN Partnership Development Fund, PAHO has secured funds to support CARICOM Countries in their efforts to achieve and sustain the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT Plus) of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. In the coming weeks we will be conducting consultations to build the path forward together,” he said.

The PAHO director also used the opportunity to congratulate Belize on being certified by the WHO as having eliminated malaria in June. (PR)

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By Sheria Brathwaite

The number of patients backed up in the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) on Tuesday is now significantly reduced, but Barbadians are still being urged not to go there unless their conditions are life-threatening.

Communications specialist Shane Sealy said on Wednesday that medical personnel had been able to reduce the number of people waiting for treatment by more than half.

However he said, people with minor issues should continue to seek care at polyclinics and private health care providers, as advised on Tuesday.

“I can tell you that today, the situation has significantly improved. Yesterday, we were still waiting to see about 50 patients. I can tell you that number has been cut in half. So from 50 it’s gone to around 22. So we have made significant strides but we want to continue to appeal to the public if your situation is not an emergency, if it’s not life-threatening, you can seek alternate medical accommodation or treatment,” Sealy said.

“We’ve been seeing a number of patients coming there with elevated blood pressure levels, elevated sugar levels as well. And I just want to say that you can go to your medical doctor to have your situation assessed before deciding to come to the emergency department because in those cases, you will have to wait a bit longer to be assessed.

“We have been able to cut down the waiting times as well. But again, we don’t want to be inundated like what we saw yesterday and over the past 48 to 72 hours. But we have been able to address that significantly.”

Sealy added that the wait was long since priority was given to people in critical condition.

“Through the triage system, there is a priority list. Categories one and two are those gunshot victims, those people with heart attacks and resuscitation; they will be seen immediately. So then in those cases, it would push back those other patients who would have to wait a bit longer for care,” he said.
sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb

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Staff shortages, ageing equipment, an increase in people requiring eye care and a backlog of patients in need of operations are some of the major issues impacting the Ophthalmology Department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).

Head of the department Mr David Callender said that section of the hospital had the busiest outpatient clinic, with more than 20 000 patients annually “but that number has been increasing yearly”.

He said the department was in need of more hands to operate effectively.

“We don’t have enough staff; we still have a shortage of staff. We are working on getting some more junior doctors on staff. We have, on any given day, one or two consultants in the clinic and five junior doctors,” he said on Wednesday at the Lions Eye Care Centre as his department received a donation of four slit lamps from the Barbados Canada Foundation.

“So that’s also a limiting factor. We are hoping to get another two junior doctors on staff.”

Consultant ophthalmologist at the QEH Dr Dawn Grosvenor said the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill campus’ recent capability to train doctors locally would assist in this regard in the future.

“A big part of being able to maintain our staffing is that we can now train our doctors in the department locally. We didn’t [always] have the opportunity and we had to go overseas to train, and inevitably you would lose some people through brain drain. So it means that we can train staff here, retain them more and then those persons then feed back in and continue to give back locally and continue to train other people.

“So we’ve been doing that through the university’s postgraduate training programme . . . and that started in 2016. And since about 2020/2021, we’ve been producing graduates from that programme who now contribute as consultants at the hospital and they then will train more junior doctors. So, that is really helping us to retain more staff. And now we’re starting to attract very high-level applicants,” she said.

Regarding the eye surgery backlog, Callender said the department was working to reduce patients’ wait time to three months.

“We still have a backlog again. We had an issue with our operating theatre – the cooling system and the equipment challenges because of humidity in the operating theatre. So we couldn’t do as many surgeries as we would like during that period a few months ago,” he said.

The surgeon said the cooling system has been fixed and surgeries have increased but the department was still limited given the current staff numbers, which have also been affected by vacation leave for consultants and nurses.

“We try to do what we can in between, but when we have everybody on staff again, I guarantee we’ll get our numbers back up to at least a minimum of 80 cataract [surgeries] a month. Currently, the number is at 60 per month,” he explained.

“In terms of the [overall] backlog, we have hundreds of patients who are getting cataract surgery. We will never clear the backlog. There’s a constant addition to the waiting list . . . . We are trying to make patients wait for a shorter time so that we can have a short wait time for surgery, but there will always be a waiting list so our aim is to do as many cataracts as we can so that as patients are added, we take them off within about three months. So we are aiming for three months’ wait time for surgery. That’s a long-term goal, but it would take a while to get there.”

The ageing equipment in the department has also impacted the medical staff’s ability to assess patients in a timely manner. However, Callender said the donation of the slit lamps – machines that use a bright light to examine the eyes – would improve that situation.

The department head expressed concern about the increasing number of people, especially those with non-communicable diseases, presenting for treatment.

“I think that we are seeing more patients coming through the hospital for financial reasons rather than going to a private doctor. So that number has increased because of that. We are seeing more patients with diabetes who have eye problems – a lot of them present with diabetic eye disease – and you have a lot of patients with glaucoma. So even though we focus on cataracts a lot, we still have to share theatre time with other specialists who need to deal with those problems.

“More patients are referred from doctors . . . . Especially now we have more equipment, they are going to send more patients here. We try to keep pace with the workload and manage that but we still try to deliver other services. So it is a work in progress and we need all hands on deck to help us achieve our goals,” Callender said.

sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb

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By Sheria Brathwaite

The Barbados Diabetes Foundation has launched a new programme aimed at detecting vascular issues that could further deteriorate the health of people living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

During a launch ceremony on Tuesday at the Maria Holder Diabetes Centre in Warrens, St Michael, consultant physician and clinical director at the foundation Dr Diane Brathwaite told the media that the foundation acquired an Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) machine to screen for vascular diseases more than a year ago and after intensive training, it was ready to roll out a national screening programme.

Having an NCD such as diabetes can increase the risk of developing atherosclerosis, which occurs when arteries harden or narrow from a build-up of plaque. People who have diabetes are also more at risk of getting a vascular disease because their blood sugar levels can be poorly controlled.

Dr Brathwaite said it was recommended for people over the age of 50 with diabetes or hypertension to have a vascular screening as part of their regular health checks. She added that younger people who have had an NCD for more than ten years should also get screened, as well as other people, especially young men, who smoke often and those who have a family history of NCDs.

“Another important point is that in our population in Barbados and the Caribbean, for some reason we are seeing severe peripheral artery disease in people at younger ages and when you have diabetes, that peripheral artery disease (PAD) can be very extensive. It means that it doesn’t block off one segment but it blocks off the whole length of the artery.  

“Rates of arterial insufficiency are relatively high in the ulcer patients that we see here. We just did an audit and PAD was present in about 60 per cent of our patients with diabetic ulcers so we advised all of our patients who come for ulcers, to do screening,” Dr Brathwaite said.

She said screening would take about 20 to 30 minutes and it was not painful. If an individual is symptomatic, a management treatment would be prescribed; and if a person was in critical condition, they would be referred to the vascular unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) for further evaluation.

A vascular check should be done yearly and the centre screens for a fee of $100.

Senior medical officer responsible for NCDs with the Ministry of Health Dr Arthur Phillips said the partnership between the QEH and the diabetes foundation since 2014 has borne fruitful results over the years. 

He said the hospital financed the care of about 225 people annually and they received six to nine months of care. 

sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb

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