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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Dr Kenneth Connell, the deputy dean of recruitment and outreach in the faculty of medical sciences at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus, has been appointed as the president of the HCC, a not-for-profit Caribbean non-communicable disease (NCD) alliance of over 100 health and non-health civil society organisations, whose vision is to reduce death and disability from chronic diseases among Caribbean people.

In his first address as HCC president, Dr Connell outlined a multi-pronged approach to improve public health across the Caribbean. “Small island states are now under attack from the deadly triad of cardiovascular disease, climate change, and commercial determinants of health. The HCC must now position itself to be innovative, culturally sensitive, and very responsive to the needs of our stakeholders, especially the individual citizens of our one Caribbean community,” he stated.

At the heart of Dr Connell’s plan is a push for robust school nutrition policies. These aim to instill healthy eating habits in young people, potentially stemming the rise of obesity and related NCDs. Alongside this, he proposes the introduction of octagonal front-of-package warning labels on food products, a measure that has shown promise in other parts of the world in guiding consumers towards healthier choices.

The new president, also a consultant physician at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and consultant-in-charge of the hospital’s resistant hypertension clinic, is also setting his sights on the food industry, with a particular focus on eliminating trans fatty acids from ultra-processed foods. This initiative could significantly reduce the risk of heart disease across the Caribbean.

“I am both passionate, and unconditionally committed, to advancing our region as a model health space for the world,” he said.

The insurance company Sagicor, which has had a longstanding partnership with the HCC, has welcomed the plan by the new president.

“Sagicor looks forward to future collaborations with the HCC as we seek to help our communities improve the management of chronic diseases in our region,” Paul Inniss, executive vice president of Sagicor Life Inc (Barbados), said.

(PR)

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Ronald Pope, president of the BSP, told Barbados TODAY that the recent spate of brazen violent acts committed by young people over the past several months is deeply concerning and highlights a societal failure to address anger issues among youth.

“They have not been able to manage their anger, they have not been able to manage their emotions, and as a result, when you don’t have any kind of intervention, when you have anger management issues or emotion regulation issues from young, it just gets worse and worse,” Pope said.

The call for action comes in the wake of last week’s death of 17-year-old Takori Wilkinson, who died from his injuries at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. A 16-year-old teenager, Kimani Kyori Starker, has been charged with the 31st homicide for the year.

Pope described the current approach of introducing small initiatives in schools and communities for counselling as piecemeal, given the alarming rise in violent crimes committed by young people, particularly those involving firearms.

“We have reached that point where we definitely need to see that wider initiative within society and within schools,” he stated, adding that a comprehensive strategy for early and thorough intervention must be developed by stakeholders to effectively combat the escalating violence.

The BSP president also stressed the importance of addressing these issues at home: “Whatever we do has to work in the home as well, because the home is usually where [the problems] start.”

Shawn Clarke, head of Supreme Counselling for Personal Development, echoed Pope’s sentiments and called for an overhaul of the rehabilitation framework for young offenders.

“It is now all well and good to say lock them up for 12, 15 years, to be punished for the crime that has been committed without any level of intervention,” Clarke said. He argued for the implementation of deep-level therapy and interventions during incarceration to better prepare offenders for reintegration into society.

shamarblunt@barbadostoday.bb

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The footage circulating online shows an individual emptying residential waste bins and dumping the contents near a business establishment. The Sanitation Service Authority (SSA) said it was not an isolated incident and has sounded the alarm over persistent illegal dumping in the area.

“What we’re seeing here is an ongoing problem where food cartons and various other waste items are being dumped indiscriminately,” Carl Padmore, the SSA’s public relations officer, told Barbados TODAY.

Padmore revealed that the perpetrator was disposing of both personal and others’ refuse, exacerbating an already critical situation.

“We are deeply concerned because such actions contribute to the increasing rodent population in the area,” Padmore said. “Moreover, this waste can wash down into the road, leading to severe flooding, especially during heavy rainfall.”

Despite a prominently displayed ‘No Dumping’ sign, the area continues to be plagued by illegal dumping by both residents and businesses. Repeated warnings and public health notices have fallen on deaf ears, leaving authorities frustrated.

“The public health officers have spoken to the residents and businesses in this area, but it seems nothing is working,” Padmore lamented, repeating his appeal to the public for support in tackling this issue.

The SSA’s efforts to address the situation have been hampered by limitations in their enforcement capabilities, as this responsibility lies with the police. Padmore expressed hope that increased awareness and community co-operation could help stem the tide of illegal dumping.

As the SSA redoubles its efforts to combat this environmental menace, it urges residents and businesses to dispose of waste responsibly. 

“This issue affects everyone, and we need the public’s help to stop illegal dumping,” Padmore urged, while calling on the public to report any witnessed illegal dumping to the relevant authorities. Only through collective action, he argued, can Bridgetown hope to clean up its act and safeguard its environmental future.

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The Ministry of Health and Wellness has advised that a statement currently circulating about a case of mpox, (previously known as monkey pox), is not current.

The information in question comes from a statement made by former Minister of Health and Wellness, Ian Gooding-Edghill in July 22, 2022.

The Ministry would like to take this opportunity to provide an update on mpox, verifying that, currently, there are no known active cases on island. Since the initial case in 2022, there have been two additional imported cases. One was recorded in January 2024, and the second one, six weeks ago. Contact tracing indicates that there was no in country spread.

The World Health Organization/Pan American Health Organization have advised that vaccines are not currently required in low-risk settings such as Barbados. However, Barbados is part of a global community of nations and is, therefore, not exempt from the possibility of mpox and other public health threats.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness will continue to take all reasonable measures to protect the public from the importation and spread of mpox. (MHW/BGIS)

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Dr Shirley Jhagroo, medical coordinator of the BCS’s breast screening programme, said due to a number of initiatives, such as the Walk for the Cure organised by CIBC First Caribbean, more Barbadian women were coming forward for important checks. Additionally, there was a major rise in the number of people conducting self tests, Dr Jhagroo said.

She stated that as a result the vast majority of breast lumps were discovered by the patients, with most cancer cases discovered in the early stages.

“Statistics now show that 80 per cent of breast lumps are found by the patient themselves. Thanks to the awareness, more than 40 per cent of patients attending the early detection clinic for screening or diagnoses are self-referred,” she explained. “This number has been increasing yearly, and so does the number of positive cases. Fortunately, most patients with positive diagnosis are at stages 0, 1 and 2, giving these patients almost 98 per cent to 100 per cent five-year survival.”

Dr Jhagroo noted that currently 700 mammograms and 130 ultrasounds are conducted at the clinic monthly, with 147 cases recorded in 2023, up from the 135 cases recorded the previous year.

The medical coordinator made the disclosure at the official launch of this year’s Walk for Cure at the CIBC First Caribbean, Warrens Great House offices with organisers saying they were hoping to raise over $200,000 this year to support cancer care and prevention efforts across the island.

CIBC’s managing director for Barbados and the OECS Donna Wellington told journalists that since its launch in 2012, the walk has raised over USD$4 million.

“Every penny raised and donated has been shared among cancer care organisations and charities committed to the prevention and early detection of the disease, to education and outreach and to the care of persons with cancer and their families that are impacted,” Wellington said.

She indicated that the effort raised Bds$200,000 last year, all of which went to the breast screening programme. “We are optimistic that we will reach and surpass our goal this year,” the banking executive said, adding that the monies raised this year will go towards the purchase of a new US$250,000 picture archiving and communication system to replace the  15-year-old system at the BCS.

This year’s Walk for the Cure event will take place on October 6, with participants leaving the CIBC’s corporate headquarters in Warrens at 3:50 p.m. for the 5k run and 4 p.m. for the 5k walk.

T-shirts can be pre-ordered from the breast screening programme offices or at upcoming CIBC pop-up stalls.

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Sleep medicine is a relatively new specialty in medicine, with literally just a couple of medical practitioners here trained in this new area. However, what happens (or doesn’t happen) when you sleep one night has a significant effect on what happens (or doesn’t happen) next day when one is awake, or tries to stay awake. During sleep, your body is working to support healthy brain function and maintain your physical health. The way you feel while you are awake depends in part on what happens while you were sleeping. Not getting enough quality sleep regularly raises the risk of many diseases and disorders.

In children and teens, sleep also helps support growth and development. Getting inadequate sleep over time can raise the risk of chronic health problems. It can also affect how well you think, react, work, learn, and get along with others.

Sleep affects various aspects of your overall health, from your mood to your immune system. When you don’t get enough sleep, you experience sleep deprivation. Signs of sleep deprivation can include:

• Difficulty concentrating during the day
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Forgetfulness or poor memory

Tips for a “Good Night’s Sleep”.

• Get more sleep- ideally aim for 7-9 hours every night.
• The bed and bedroom should be cool, quiet, dark and comfortable.
• A consistent sleep schedule is important, with regular bedtime and waking (except when the Olympics are on television all through the night).
• The 3,2,1 rule: No physical activity for 3 hours before bedtime, no heavy meals for 2 hours before bedtime, and no electronics, including television, video, telephone, smartphone or radio 1 hour before bedtime. On the other hand, people who include regular physical activity into their daily routines tend to be better sleepers.
• The bed should be reserved for only two activities that start with the letter ‘S’: sleep and sex. It is hoped that sickness, which also starts with an ‘S’, does not keep you in bed too long.
• A cool bath, and a warm drink, may help you relax before bedtime. However, drinks containing caffeine or theophylline (coffee, tea and ‘black’ soft drinks), and alcohol, should be avoided.
• If you sleep in the day, even a brief nap, this may affect your ability to fall asleep at night. Avoid taking naps close to your bedtime.
• (Easier to say than to do but) avoid taking your daytime problems to bed with you. Stress can be a major destroyer of sleep patterns.

Over time, chronic sleep deprivation is linked to health conditions like diabetes, depression, obesity, dementia and cardiovascular diseases. Some of these diseases are associated with fatal outcomes so literally ‘not getting proper sleep can kill you’. In these situations, the physician has to treat both the actual condition and the underlying sleep deprivation for optimal management. One night of poor sleep can affect you the next day. Many poor nights of sleep can affect you for a lifetime.

Dr. Colin V. Alert, MB BS, DM. is a family physician and associate UWI family medicine lecturer.

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Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, made the declaration on Wednesday, citing rising incidence of mpox and fatalities in some sub-Saharan African countries due to a new variant (Clade I).

The announcement came just a day before Sweden confirmed its first case of the highly infectious variant.

In response to the WHO’s declaration, the University of the West Indies (UWI) has pledged to dedicate its research expertise to address this challenge. The university said it would work with regional partners, leveraging cutting-edge virus sequencing technologies acquired during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We currently have the capabilities in our laboratories to make rapid and accurate diagnosis of mpox and will work closely with regional Ministries of Health, the Caribbean Public Health Authority (CARPHA), and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) to respond to any introduction of the virus in the region,” a UWI spokesperson said.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George said the WHO’s designation signals the need for countries worldwide to enhance surveillance and implement preventative measures. He noted that the declaration also enables the WHO to access emergency funding for an improved global response.

“The designation by the WHO is a signal that countries across the globe should enhance surveillance and implement preventative measures to help persons protect themselves from the possibility of infection,” Dr George said.

Mpox is described as a highly infectious disease spread through close contact, including intimate or sexual contact with an infected person, and through contact with contaminated materials such as bedding or clothing. The illness typically begins with flu-like symptoms followed by a characteristic rash.

Whilst no acute infections have been reported in Barbados, the ministry has urged both public and private sector physicians to remain vigilant, conduct tests according to protocol, and report suspected cases. Environmental and nursing staff at the island’s ports of entry have been instructed to increase their vigilance.

Health authorities emphasised that those most vulnerable to severe illness include children, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems. They advise anyone with a travel history who develops an unusual rash to seek immediate medical attention.

Although there is no specific treatment for mpox, the spread can be contained through the isolation of infected individuals for 21 days and supportive medical care. Mild and moderate cases can be managed at home under isolation. (BT/BGIS)

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A country’s economy grows and the standard of living of its residents is determined, in large measure, by the involvement, engagement and productivity of its workers. Workers who are engaged and producing at their optimum are workers who are healthy – emotionally and physically.

During this World Breastfeeding Week 2024, the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector is happy to come alongside the Breastfeeding and Child Nutrition Foundation to remind us all of the importance of breastfeeding to workers, and to enterprise and national development.

Mothers who are able to breastfeed their children and are provided adequate facilities at work to express and store breast milk are generally more engaged, satisfied and committed workers. They are more inclined to get into and remain in formal employment. They are more likely to be advocates for the organisation.

Children who are breastfed are shown to be generally healthier and better-adjusted children. As adults, they have lower incidences of chronic, non-communicable diseases than other segments of the population. They are able to engage better, think more clearly, and therefore be more productive.

Let us join together to close the gap and support mothers who are able to breastfeed their children. Mothers benefit. Children benefit. Our communities benefit. Our nation benefits.

(Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector)

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Medical experts are calling on people to resume wearing masks as a new, more transmissible variant of COVID-19 gains dominance on the island. 

No mask mandate has been issued. 

The Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners (BAMP) has stressed that whilst caution is necessary, there is no cause for alarm. While the variant has been here for several months, this strain is a more dominant one.

BAMP President Dr Lynda Williams told Barbados TODAY: “It has greater transmission . . . it doesn’t have any greater mortality, but anything that can spread faster will affect the vulnerable people most quickly, so we have to go back to the usual hand-washing and wearing of masks around people who are vulnerable and especially if they are working with them.”

The variant, known as JN1, is a sub-variant of Omicron. Its presence was first confirmed by the Ministry of Health in January, alongside a rise in respiratory illnesses including Influenza A and B and COVID-19.

Dr Williams advised that individuals vaccinated in 2020/2021 and who did not receive any boosters since then, the extent of their protection would have waned.

She said: “We will watch and see what happens; there is no need to panic, we just need to remember it’s still out there and those who are elderly or have uncontrolled comorbidities such as diabetes, they are at risk.”

Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George clarified that the mask mandate has not been reintroduced. But he urged vulnerable people, including the elderly, pregnant women, and those with chronic non-communicable diseases, to take precautionary measures against respiratory illnesses.

According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), JN1’s symptoms are similar to those of other strains, including sore throat, congestion, runny nose, cough, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, fever or chills, loss of sense of taste or smell, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

The CDC notes that symptom type and severity usually depend more on an individual’s underlying health and immunity than on the specific variant causing the infection.

Despite COVID-19 no longer being classified as a disease of international public health concern, the Ministry of Health continues to test and monitor for COVID-19 strains, acknowledging that transmission of the virus has not ceased.

As the situation develops, health officials are advising people to exercise caution in crowded spaces and to prioritise protective measures, particularly for those at higher risk. (EJ)

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