The pharmacy at the Eunice Gibson Polyclinic in Warrens, St Michael, will be closed this Friday, October 11, to facilitate the rollout of the Barbados Drug Service’s (BDS) new Pharmacy Management System that is expected to result in an improvement in patient records management, treatment, and pharmaceutical health care and safety.

It will reopen on Monday, October 14, when the system is fully implemented. The pharmacy at Eunice Gibson is one of many pharmacies under the aegis of the BDS, in addition to the Psychiatric Hospital Pharmacy, which will have scheduled closures until Monday, October 28.

On the dates of the closures, clients may access pharmaceutical services at any polyclinic pharmacy or outpatient clinic pharmacy. All clients are reminded that they must present their Barbados ID card to access pharmaceutical services.

Clients who need refill medications must present their medication containers to facilitate the refill process. Persons are likely to experience a temporary increase in wait times for pharmaceutical services for approximately four weeks.

The management of the Drug Service regrets any inconvenience which may be caused and encourages members of the public to arrange their business accordingly.

(BGIS)

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The 131-year-old Psychiatric Hospital is set to undergo a rebranding as part of efforts to reduce the stigma preventing people from accessing mental health services, Director of the Psychiatric Hospital David Leacock revealed exclusively to Barbados TODAY.

Health authorities are aiming to ensure that the facility, the island’s sole main provider of mental healthcare, becomes more welcoming to those in need.

Leacock revealed that preliminary discussions have already taken place between the Ministry of Health and the hospital’s management.

“The minister himself, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness [Davidson Ishmael], would have raised this matter with us a few weeks or months ago, having the need for us to more or less, improve access to services from our end, because of the idea of it not carrying that longstanding stigma associated with being the hospital and where it came from,” he said.

He acknowledged that, despite efforts to encourage people to seek help regardless of where they access it, negative associations with the Psychiatric Hospital persist.

“That’s understandable, but it is something we are definitely looking at, and hopefully, in the near future, it would be supported towards a name change,” he added.

The Psychiatric Hospital began in 1893 as the Mental Asylum when it opened on the site of the Jenkinsville plantation in Black Rock.

Successive generations of Barbadians referred to the asylum–later renamed the Mental Hospital and then the Psychiatric Hospital–by its location, ‘Jenkins’ and ‘Black Rock’. The Victorian-era buildings and layout have remained largely unchanged with modest improvements over the intervening years.

Leacock was keen to stress that the planned rebranding is not just about changing the name.

“The idea of a name change is not just that, but also bringing awareness to persons about what it is that [the Psychiatric Hospital] does, and hopefully with that, we can get a better understanding of the role that we play, and hopefully some of the issues that they have in seeking care wouldn’t be as many as they are now,” he explained.

The hospital director stressed that the institution will be careful not to reinforce stigma by creating divisions based on socio-economic status. “Yes, we are mindful that persons may say, ‘I am not mentally ill’ and therefore should be seeking services in a place where persons are mentally ill. The reality is that, within our population, a quarter of all persons will experience mental health challenges in their lifetime, whether it be depression, some persons or families will experience mental health challenges,” he pointed out.

Leacock further stressed the importance of avoiding the “re-stigmatisation” of clients who already access the hospital’s services by how new patients are treated.

“We don’t want a situation where, in trying to offer our services, we, in turn, are turning away persons because we create divisions to say that one set of persons is this way, and the next set is that way,” the hospital official said.

He also stated that the Black Rock, St Michael hospital should not be viewed as a last resort or a place of punishment but as a therapeutic environment for individuals in need of assistance. He acknowledged that while the preference is for community-based treatment, some individuals are best served in the hospital setting.

“A large part of what we have been doing in the last three or four years in relation to expansion has been from the community-based standpoint. The posts of psychologists, social workers, and a medical doctor have augmented our community services, and that has seen a very high increase in the number of persons being seen at the community level. I have seen a high level of persons who have seen either the doctors or the nurses,” he said.

Despite the growth of community services, Leacock admitted that admissions to the Psychiatric Hospital have also increased. He revealed that the institution has been actively engaged in public awareness campaigns to address the mental health challenges faced by at-risk youth and the wider population.

Calls for the rebranding of the hospital have also come from external sources. Last week, Shaquani Hunte, the new president of the Young Democrats and a youth representative on the Democratic Labour Party’s Crime Commission, made a similar proposal during a special youth edition meeting of the commission. Hunte highlighted the need to address the mental health crisis among young people and noted that stigma often prevents them from seeking help, even when they are able to articulate the pressures they face.

At a 2022 inquest into the shooting death of a mentally disturbed man in 2016, the coroner Graveney Bannister recommended that the Psychiatric Hospital be renamed and rebranded to erase the stigma associated with the mental hospital.

“It is unfortunate in Barbados the stigma that is attached to mental health illnesses for persons with mental health. For some reason, people do not want to go to the Psychiatric Hospital because of that stigma.

“I would recommend that the place be given a remake – a new name, a new ethos, maybe call it a wellness institution as we have seen in other jurisdictions instead of calling it the Psychiatric Hospital. . . . Something away from the name psychiatric. Change the ethos so that it will be accepted by both patients and the general public,” the coroner recommended.

emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb

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The Ministry of Health and Wellness has confirmed one case of West Nile Virus in Barbados. Communication relative to this was issued in Surveillance Bulletin for week No. 38 dated September 27.

The Ministry wishes to assure the public that given the pattern of transmission and disease, there is little risk to the general population. With reference to the one confirmed case, the patient, an adolescent female, was diagnosed in September 2024, after presenting with symptoms including fever, headache, and body aches. She later developed encephalitis (infection of the brain). Initial testing for dengue fever and bacterial infections was negative, and further testing revealed the presence of antibodies consistent with West Nile Fever.

A study conducted in 2007 predicted that the disease/virus was likely to be detected in Barbados at some point in the future due to the presence of the Culex mosquito and migratory birds which carry the virus. Although the virus has been previously known to be in the Caribbean, with a recently confirmed case in Martinique, this is the first documented case of West Nile Virus in Barbados.

It is important to note that humans and horses infected with West Nile Virus do not transmit the virus to mosquitoes, therefore there is no risk of a widespread outbreak from this case.

West Nile Virus, is similar to Dengue, and is primarily transmitted from the infected migratory bird via the Culex mosquito. Other rare forms of transmission include mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy, and through infected blood products or transplant material.

Infection with West Nile Virus generally causes mild illness, with approximately 80 per cent of cases being asymptomatic. It usually takes between two to six days for symptoms to show but can take up to 14 days. Around 20 per cent of infected individuals may experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, headaches, muscle aches, gastrointestinal discomfort, and a temporary rash.  In rare cases, (fewer than 1 per cent) the virus may cause neurological infection with features such as meningitis or encephalitis.

Patients with a normal immune system, who have recovered from the virus should have lifelong protection from re-infection. However, they should refrain from donating blood for at least four months.

While there is currently no specific treatment for West Nile Virus, most individuals recover with supportive care, which include fluids, rest, and analgesia. However, individuals with suspected neurological symptoms should seek immediate medical attention, as complications like respiratory distress and seizures may occur.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness will continue to manage mosquito populations, including educating the public on avoiding mosquito bites. The Ministry will also continue its surveillance and testing for the West Nile Virus as a part of the normal testing protocol for mosquito-borne illnesses.

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A single case of the potentially deadly mosquito-borne West Nile Virus (WNV) was recorded here last month, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed, prompting the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners (BAMP) to warn people not to mistake the illness for dengue fever whose symptoms are similar.

BAMP president Dr Lynda Williams responded on Friday to the news revealed by the WHO of the island’s first confirmed human infection – in “a child less than 15 years old residing in Bagatelle, St Thomas” in mid-September.

The Ministry of Health had not communicated the discovery to the Barbadian public, but the WHO disclosed on Thursday that the ministry, the International Health Regulations National Focal Point, had notified of the case last month, after receiving the test results on the child who took ill in June.

The child began experiencing symptoms on June 10, including headache, fever, vomiting, neck pain, and knee pain, the WHO reported. A dengue fever test on June 14 was negative. The patient was admitted to paediatric intensive care on June 16 with “worsening of signs and symptoms, including joint pain, abdominal pain, altered mental status, and slurred speech”.

Cerebrospinal fluid tests ruled out some bacterial and viral pathogens, but the child’s condition worsened, the WHO said. Blood samples sent to the Mayo Clinic on September 3 confirmed WNV antibodies (IgG) on September 14.

“The patient remains under care and is recovering,” WHO said.

West Nile virus is generally carried by migratory birds and transmitted by mosquitoes to humans, horses, and other mammals.

“This is the first human case of WNV infection detected in Barbados. Additionally, no infections have been previously documented in birds or horses in this country, making this case both unusual and unexpected,” it said.

According to the WHO, the patient reportedly visited a horse stable in February and “a beach frequented by horses” on June 8, two days before the onset of symptoms.

It said: “Although these exposures to horses were considered risk factors for WNV infection, the precise source of infection remains unspecified. No other suspected cases of [West Nile] were identified, but public health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.”

Symptoms of WNV include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. The virus is primarily transmitted through mosquito bites, with birds as the natural hosts, and there is no evidence to suggest that the virus spreads easily between humans or from horses to mosquitoes. There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat West Nile in people.

Urging vigilance, BAMP’s Dr Williams told Barbados TODAY: “I just want people to realise it is no more dangerous than dengue. In the same way, we must not assume that everything is dengue. That’s the point I want to get across. We must not assume that everything that looks like dengue is dengue, and doctors need to be made aware, and look out for the possibility that some things that seem to be dengue may not be.”

She explained that there are several other viruses circulating, besides WNV, with similar symptoms.

“Try hard to prevent mosquito bites,” the general practitioner advised. “It has the same sort of risk potential as other mosquito-borne illnesses. The difference, I think, with this one is because of the neurological complications, such as encephalitis and paralysis, there is a lot more concern. But the reality is that very, very, very few people who get West Nile Virus will end up with neurological complications.

“The actual numbers are that between 20 and 40 per cent will develop any symptoms, and less than one per cent will develop neurological complications. Although the potential exists, you just have to be aware that it is out there and be able to find out what is causing a person to have these dengue-like symptoms.”

The BAMP leader noted that many people who get dengue-like symptoms stay home and treat the illness themselves, rather than seek medical care.

“So that is why I am trying to get the word across: if you are really ill, have a high fever, muscle pain, and joint pain, don’t assume it is dengue. Go and get tested and confirm what has happened,” Dr Williams advised.

The WHO said that while WNV has spread in the Caribbean before,  likely via infected migratory birds, no cases have been documented in birds or horses in Barbados.

However, it added, “It is possible that the virus is circulating in birds and horses undetected”.

“Despite this, the overall impact on public health remains limited at this stage, as there is currently only one recorded human case and appropriate public health response measures have been implemented. WHO considers the current risk from WNV as low but will continue to evaluate the epidemiological situation in Barbados.”

After confirmation of the single case, the WHO said, health authorities here conducted interviews with the patient’s parents to investigate risk factors such as exposure to animals known to carry WNV, recent travel history, and other relevant factors; and implemented ongoing epidemiological surveillance and testing to ensure no further cases are missed and to evaluate the potential risk of local transmission in the area.

emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb

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Barbados has recorded its first human case of West Nile Virus (WNV).

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported that “a child less than 15-year-old residing in Bagatelle, St Thomas” tested positive for the virus last month and is still under care and recovering.

The WHO made the disclosure in a post in its Disease Outbreak News on Thursday, assuring that the overall risk to public health is “low”. Based on available information so far, it has not recommended any restrictions on travel and/or trade for Barbados.

WNV is a mosquito-borne virus that causes disease in humans, horses, and birds. It spreads to people through the bite of an infected mosquito, and it can make people sick and even cause death.

“This is the first human case of WNV infection detected in Barbados. Additionally, no infections have been previously documented in birds or horses in this country, making this case both unusual and unexpected,” the WHO said.

“However, the WNV has spread throughout the Caribbean, likely via infected migratory birds. It is possible that the virus is circulating in birds and horses undetected. Despite this, the overall impact on public health remains limited at this stage, as there is currently only one recorded human case and appropriate public health response measures have been implemented. WHO considers the current risk from WNV as low but will continue to evaluate the epidemiological situation in Barbados.”

According to the post, the International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Point (NFP) for Barbados notified WHO on September 13 of the confirmed infection.

Giving the details of the case, the WHO said that on June 10, the patient reported the onset of symptoms including headache, fever, vomiting, neck pain and painful knees, and visited a private clinic four days later. A test for dengue conducted on the same day was negative.

The patient was hospitalised on June 16 due to worsening of signs and symptoms, including joint pain, abdominal pain, altered mental status, and slurred speech. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis returned negative results for some bacterial and viral pathogens. Despite treatment, the patient’s condition worsened.

On September 3, blood samples were collected and sent to the Mayo Clinic in the United States for WNV testing. The presence of WNV antibodies was confirmed the following day.

“The patient is still under care and recovering,” the WHO said.

The child had reported visiting a horse stable in February and a beach frequented by horses on June 8, two days before symptom onset.

“Although these exposures to horses were considered risk factors for WNV infection, the precise source of infection remains unspecified,” the WHO said.

After confirmation of the case, the WHO said health authorities in Barbados conducted interviews with the patient’s parents to investigate risk factors such as exposure to animals known to carry WNV, recent travel history, and other relevant factors; and implemented ongoing epidemiological surveillance and testing to ensure no further cases are missed and to evaluate the potential risk of local transmission in the area.

“No other suspected cases of WNV were identified, but public health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely,” it said.

“The risk of international dissemination of WNV from Barbados is low. The virus is primarily transmitted through mosquito bites, with birds as the natural hosts. There is no evidence to suggest that WNV spreads easily between humans or from horses to mosquitoes. Therefore, the potential for widespread international transmission remains low.”

Symptoms of WNV include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat West Nile in people.

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Activity surrounding the largest walk-for-a-cause in the Eastern Caribbean is intensifying, as plans are confirmed for the Walk for the Cure.

Interest is high from corporate sponsors and their staff who are ready to take part in the walk, as well as the numerous vendors who will be on hand for the expected 20 000 people who will be either walking or running for the Breast Screening Programme of the Barbados Cancer Society.

Many of the sponsors and vendors were on hand for a recent site visit to see where they would physically set up their tents and banners and also get a final briefing on the route which starts at Warrens again this year.

(PR)

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The Vector Control Unit will continue targeting mosquito-prone areas when it conducts its fogging exercise in four parishes this week.

On Monday the following St John and St Philip districts will be sprayed: College Savannah with avenues, Fortescue, St Mark’s, Consent Bay, Blades Hill, and Three Houses.

The Unit will turn its attention to St Michael on Tuesday. It will go into Station Hill, Goodings Road with avenues, Bellevue Gap, Deanes Village, and surrounding areas.

The team will visit St Joseph on Wednesday when they fog Gaggs Hill, Hillswick Road, Phillips Road, Cleavers Hill, Bathsheba, Elizabeth Village, St Elizabeth New Road, Foster Hall, and environs.

The Unit will return to that parish on Thursday, October 3, and will target Blackman’s Tenantry, Horse Hill, Blackman’s Development, Tourville, Bonwell Road, Surinam Road, Nos. 1 to 3 Vaughn Road, and Quarry Road.

The fogging exercise for the week will conclude on Friday, October 4, when the team fogs Carlton Terrace, Straker Road, Black Road Main Road, Spring Garden Nos. 1 to 2, Retreat Terrace, Hinkson Gap, Danesbury Road, and Brighton 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 spray.

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. (PR)

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One of the most notable developments is the progress in nurse practitioner training, a critical step for the advancement of nursing in Barbados. According to the President of the Barbados Nurses Association (BNA), Dr Fay Parris, the government has identified a foreign university that will facilitate the training of Barbadian nurses in advanced practice roles. This initiative aims to create a stronger health-care workforce by equipping local nurses with specialised skills.

“We have moved a lot further because the government of Barbados has identified an education university overseas where they will offer Barbadian nurses the opportunity to become nurse practitioners,” the BNA president said. This collaboration is expected to expand the local talent pool of nurse practitioners, who are essential in providing higher-level care in the country’s health-care facilities.

Already, some Barbadian nurses have qualified as nurse practitioners, and the initiative has sparked significant interest among others. 

Parris noted, “We have some Barbadian nurses who are already nurse practitioners, and we have had a lot of interest in the programme because so far, the Ministry of Health and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) have sought to find out from persons their expression of interest in the programme. So, we are moving forward with that programme.”

Currently, Barbados has several clinical nurse specialists, focusing on areas such as education and geriatrics. These advanced practice nurses are playing a crucial role in specialised care, and Parris stressed that more advanced practice nurses are on the horizon. “We are moving forward with having advanced practice nurses,” she said, underscoring the importance of this initiative for the future of nursing in Barbados.

Alongside the strides in advanced nurse training, Barbados is tackling a significant challenge: the shortage of nurses. Parris acknowledged that while the shortage has been a persistent issue, efforts are being made to ensure that health-care standards remain high, particularly in ensuring that every patient receives the care they need. One of the key barriers to addressing the shortage is the time it takes to train new nurses. 

“With that in mind, we know it takes four years to produce a registered nurse. So therefore, we would have had to seek assistance from outside of the island to complement in numbers,” she explained. Barbados has had to rely on external support in the short term to meet the immediate demands in health care.

However, the long-term strategy remains focused on bolstering the local workforce. Efforts to train more nurses locally have begun to bear fruit. Parris highlighted a significant improvement in the pass rates of nursing students in the regional examination — a crucial step in increasing the number of qualified nurses entering the health-care system.

“You would have noted some years ago there was an issue with the pass mark at regional examinations. And that has improved quite significantly. Our numbers are up in the 80s and 90s percentage of pass now,” she revealed. “So that would mean that we have a greater number of nurses leaving the programme to be employed.” This improvement means that Barbados is set to produce a more consistent flow of new nurses into its health-care system in the coming years.

Despite this progress, there remain challenges, particularly for those students who do not pass the regional examination on the first attempt. Recognising this, the government and the BNA are exploring alternative pathways to ensure that even those who initially struggle can eventually join the nursing profession. “We are also looking at some nurses who were not able to pass the exam. We are providing other avenues for that to occur,” Parris noted.

To further secure the future of Barbados’ health-care workforce, the government is also taking steps to ensure that newly trained nurses remain in the country after completing their education. She confirmed that discussions have been ongoing between the BNA and the Ministry of Health and Wellness regarding the bonding of nursing students — a system designed to guarantee that nurses serve in Barbados for a period of time after receiving government-funded education. (RG)

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The Vector Control Unit of the Ministry of Health and Wellness will be stepping up its mosquito reduction exercise by visiting six parishes this week.

On Monday the team will target areas in St John and St Philip. These include College Savannah with avenues, Fortescue, St Mark’s, Consent Bay, Blades Hill, and Three Houses.

The next day the following districts in St Michael, will be sprayed: Station Hill, Goodings Road with avenues, Bellevue Gap, and Deane’s Village.

The Unit will go into Christ Church on Wednesday and fog Parish Land, Thyme Bottom, Fairy Valley, and surrounding communities.

On Thursday the Unit will visit districts in St James and St Thomas. They are Bagatelle Terrace with avenues, Kew Road, Redmans Village, Hoyte’s Village, and environs.

The fogging exercise for the week will conclude in Christ Church, on Friday, when the team goes into Coverley Drive, Coverley Stage 2, Coverley Gardens, Pilgrim Road, Pilgrim Palms, Pilgrim Place A and B, and neighbouring districts.

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 spray.

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. (PR)

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Residents in St Lucy are calling for a reduction in their water bills or a complete waiver, as they continue to experience worsening water quality.

Discoloured water, which has plagued the parish for weeks, leading to a rare boil water advisory, has led to public outcry, with many questioning why they should pay regular rates for substandard water.

Residents across the northern parish told Barbados TODAY of their frustration with the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) and the Ministry of Health, particularly after the recent advisory to boil tap water. The BWA said in an advisory on Wednesday that routine post-flood testing in various parts of the parish has shown an increased presence of brown water.

The water utility noted that it has been involved in a vigorous programme of mains replacement in the parish and is fully aware of the probability of infiltration of flood water into the distribution system.

It has responded to the problem by increasing chlorination, but residents argue that the water quality remains unacceptable. Many are calling for relief, with some stating that decades of poor water service have reached unbearable levels in recent weeks.

Sheryl Smith, a resident of Coles Cave, said: “That sewage tax should be off ever since and the water rate itself should be reduced. It’s not fair to people. I came to Barbados in 1974, I was born in England,  and the water we have now is far way worse. The water at that time was excellent. What is happening? What is the reason why we are not progressing?”

Smith noted that the water irritated her skin, forcing her household to buy bottled water at a significant cost. She explained that her family buys two cases of bottled water weekly at $37 per case, using the water primarily for consumption, while relying on water truck deliveries for other uses.

She said her family is forced to wear mostly dark clothing as the water stains lighter garments: “It stains the clothes no matter how much baking soda or [stain remover] you use, the stains do not come out.”

Other residents echoed Smith’s concerns. At a village shop, Crab Hill resident Haw Haw Graham argued that water bills should reflect the poor quality of service.

“We shouldn’t be paying for nothing. If you pay for a service, you should be paying for quality. And too much chlorine is not good, it can poison you. That is why we have to boil it.” Graham said.

Fellow bar patron David Slocombe, who lives in Archers Bay, criticised the BWA for leaving unfinished pipework in the community for over a year. “Waterworks men come down here and start working, leave down here, which has bad water, and gone somewhere else. They came from early last year and left about a month now,” he said.

Slocombe lamented that residents are still being charged despite the ongoing issues, including paying a sewage tax without having a sewage system in place.

“The only sewage we have is the water we’re drinking,” he quipped before expressing doubts about whether connecting to the new lines would improve the situation.

Slocombe also pointed to poor road conditions exacerbated by the unfinished work, with dust from passing vehicles creating a nuisance. He, along with other residents, questioned how much longer St Lucy would be neglected in terms of infrastructure development.

Alvin Moore, another Crab Hill resident, shared similar frustrations.

“We should not be paying for water until we get a good water supply. We should not be billed… and talk about the roads – the roads are so bad you have to buy water and car parts too,” he remarked.

In Grape Hall, resident Terrence Clarke revealed that he had been forced to install a costly water filtration system to cope with the brown water coming from his taps.

“But it comes with a cost,” he said, explaining that the filters, which turn brown quickly due to the water quality, are expensive and must be changed regularly. “[The filters] are brown, brown, when being changed and to do so is expensive. I bring them in from overseas. I spent about $1 500 for the system itself and for the filters, one filter is $172.”

Given the expense, the filtration system is only installed on indoor taps, while unfiltered water is still used for washing and gardening.

Clarke emphasised that the situation is particularly unfair to pensioners.

sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb

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