President Irfaan Ali on Tuesday announced a five-year extension of the National Healthcare Initiative to transform Guyana’s public health system with world-class healthcare services accessible to every Guyanese citizen. This next phase of the initiative, launched in 2022 by the Government of Guyana in collaboration with the Mount Sinai Health System and Hess Corporation, will ...

Addressing the official sod-turning for the construction of the GY$831.8 million Campbellville Polyclinic on Stone Avenue and First Street, he said last year 13,000 men were screened ...

Guyana is developing an artificial intelligence (AI) application for malaria testing, aiming to eradicate the disease, according to Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony. He announced the initiative at the launch of the Universal Healthcare Voucher, saying that it was being executed through a collaboration with Harvard University. The app, already tested in Region Nine with ...

Guyana is awaiting results from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) to ascertain whether there has been an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), the Health Ministry said on Wednesday. The ministry said the tests are to confirm that the pathogen is in Guyana. Sources said a school on ...

The Ministry of Health on Tuesday inked a US$3.3 million agreement with the United Kingdom-headquartered RioMed Limited to establish an electronic health records (EHR) system that would be accessible across all public healthcare providers to allow doctors to more efficiently treat patients. Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony again warned those who would access the EHR ...

The historically left-leaning Working People’s Alliance (WPA) on Monday said there was diplomatic space for Guyana to find the balance between regional solidarity with Cuba against the United States (US) and securing American support to deal with Venezuela’s increasing aggression over the Essequibo region. While Guyana needs to retain the support of the US and ...

The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) says Guyana is careful not to offend the United States (US) over concerns that Cuban healthcare workers were being subjected to forced labour because of Washington’s unequivocal support against a Venezuelan invasion over the Essequibo Region. “Guyana faces a greater risk than other Caribbean territories of offending the US ...

President Irfaan Ali on Saturday announced that efforts were underway to get children to spend less time on their mobile phones and electronic devices and instead engage in more sports and physical activity to promote a healthier lifestyle. “Even if we have to put free WiFi in the park to get the children out of ...

President Irfaan Ali on Saturday said Guyana has asked the United States (US) to provide proof that Cuban workers were being exploited in Guyana, amid the Trump administration’s decision to cancel the visas of foreign government workers and their immediate family members if Cubans continue to be put into forced labour. “We also said to ...

OPEN LETTER
The Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Q.C., M.P.
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs and Investment
And
The Honourable Ryan R. Straughn, M.P.
Minister in the Ministry of Finance Ministry of Finance, Economic Affairs and Investment

15 March, 2024

Dear The Honourable Mia Amor Mottley and The Honourable Ryan R. Straughn,

The Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) in partnership with our member organisation, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados and the Barbados Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition, extends its congratulations to the Government of Barbados for its bold decision to implement a 20 percent excise tax on snacks high in salt and to remove import duties and VAT on selected fruits and vegetables, effective June 1st, 2025.

The Caribbean has the highest noncommunicable disease (NCD) mortality rate in the Americas, with 40 percent of these deaths occurring prematurely before the age of 70. This disproportionately affects the most productive members of society, leading to severe socioeconomic consequences, particularly as aging populations place increasing strain on already vulnerable economies. According to data from the Health of the Nation Survey (2011), 41 percent of Barbadian adults aged 25 and older are diagnosed with high blood pressure and more than half of all men and women above the age of 45 were hypertensive.

The introduction of the excise tax on snacks with high salt content is a proactive measure aimed at reducing the consumption of unhealthy, ultra-processed products high in salt, sugar and fat, while the removal of taxes on fruits and vegetables will improve affordability and accessibility to healthier dietary options for all citizens. We are also encouraged by the Government of Barbados’ additional commitment of $1 million each year to support public education on NCDs. These interventions, which form a broader strategy to tackle the pressing health and economic impacts of obesity and NCDs in Barbados, complement the 20 percent tax on sugar-sweetened beverages and the National School Nutrition Policy, These policy measures align with the Declaration of Mission Barbados, which sets a target of achieving a 50 percent reduction in new cases of NCDs. Additionally they reflect the government’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal 3.4, which aims to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by one-third by 2030.

As we build on the progress of the 2007 Port-of-Spain Declaration and look ahead to the Fourth United Nations High-Level Meeting (HLM4) on NCDs in September, strong leadership remains essential in reducing the NCD burden and improving the quality of life for those affected. We trust that the Government of Barbados will continue to demonstrate strong leadership and serve as a model for CARICOM by prioritizing the implementation of cost-effective high-impact interventions outlined in the WHO Best Buys and other evidence-based strategies for NCD prevention.

Signed 

The President and Board of Directors of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition

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