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It’s June 2024 and the Caribbean region is bustling with excitement. The 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States recently concluded, with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) policymakers determined to collaborate on a future of resilience and sustainability. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup tournament is also captivating audiences across the region. It’s fascinating how these high-profile events generate such a flurry of activity, yet significant initiatives that are central to regional development often slip under the radar.

Take, for instance, the crucial issue of the implementation of octagonal front-of-package warning labelling (FOPWL) across CARICOM. Octagonal FOPWL helps consumers quickly, easily and correctly identify food products high in sugar, fat and sodium. These products, when consumed in excess, can lead to diet-related conditions like non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Octagonal FOPWL – a system that involves easy-to-understand ‘black stop signs’ on the front of packaged products – was rejected by the majority of CARICOM Member States. Youth health advocates across the region are asking, why?

The Caribbean has one of the highest rates of NCDs and childhood obesity in the Americas. Octagonal FOPWL is among a suite of policies proven to reduce NCDs. It is backed by growing regional and international evidence, free of conflict of interest.

By identifying products high in sugar, fat and sodium, octagonal FOPWL supports other policies, like school nutrition policies and marketing restrictions, aimed at comprehensively shaping healthier food environments. Research conducted by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the University of West Indies suggests that if octagonal FOPWL was implemented in Barbados, it would avert 16% of the deaths caused by NCDs and save the country USD 732.8 million annually.

Despite the robust evidence in support of octagonal FOPWL, and its wide implementation across the  Americas, most countries across CARICOM voted against it twice – once in 2021 and again in 2023. This vote is also misaligned with the Caribbean Public Health Agency’s (CARPHA) 6-Point Policy Package and the Bridgetown Declaration on NCDs and Mental Health which SIDS leaders agreed to at the 3rd SIDS Summit held last year in Bridgetown, Barbados.  Interestingly, the theme for this year’s SIDS 4 Conference was “Charting the Course Toward Resilient Prosperity”. CARICOM leaders participated in a conference on resilience, yet, regional decisions that prioritise health – the cornerstone of a resilient population – have not prevailed?  Is the region’s health, not the region’s wealth?

Denying the region this tool, is a strike against human rights – the right to adequate nutritious food, the right to information about food, the right to benefit from scientific progress/research and ultimately the right to health.

As youth advocates, we became aware of the rejection in March 2024 and it leaves us gravely concerned about the region’s commitment to health especially given CARICOM Heads of Government’s previous commitments to support healthy food environments through a number of policies including front of package labelling.

Let’s delve in: What are our major concerns with the process used to determine this final decision on octagonal front-of-package warning labelling?

Lack of Meaningful Consultation with the general public  – It is critical for issues regarding the public’s welfare to be supported by balanced public consultation. Unfortunately, there was little to no consultation with the general public on the issue. In instances where there was a consultation, industry actors were prominent voices in the room. Did you as a citizen of a CARICOM member state know that the region was determining whether or not you would benefit from the introduction of octagonal FOPWL? Likely not. Where was the ‘public’ in this matter regarding ‘public’ health?

Lack of Transparency about…almost everything- Was the composition of decision-making parties and potential conflicts of interest documented and made publicly available? Were the procedures for stakeholder consultation (including submission of comments) and the protocols for voting clearly documented and made publicly available? No. Have all the decisions that led to this current vote been publicised? Unfortunately not.

Fitting a Square Peg into a Round hole – The regional standards process is by its nature governed by trade and begs the question – does a public health measure which seeks to empower citizens to transition away from the purchase and consumption of unhealthy foods really stand a chance when those who determine its fate are inclined to prioritise economic interests over health interests?

And so, we reflect:

The recurring inability to reach a harmonised consensus on the adoption and implementation of octagonal FOPWL across CARICOM Member States, points to a prioritisation of profit over health. The flawed consultative and voting processes on this standard in 2021 and 2023 reveal a deeply rooted and pervasive industry influence often occurring behind closed doors. As a region, heavily reliant on trade and exports for economic development, it is unsurprising that some private sector actors remain a dominant voice advocating against the simple black octagonal warning label as the regional standard while pushing for alternative models which are known to be less effective and confusing to consumers.

The industry emphasises the potential costs involved in implementing the octagonal FOPWL, however the long-term health benefits and associated costs in the hundreds of millions annually far outweigh any expenses incurred. Concerns about significant costs and technical barriers to product reformulation are also overstated. Manufacturers are constantly adapting to meet requirements of external markets. Moreover, warning labels may ultimately enhance the reputation of the food industry by promoting healthier options.

The array of concerns and proposed solutions related to the process used to determine the decision on octagonal FOPWL in CARICOM are detailed in the “Public Health Decision-Making in CARICOM- Strengthening the Front-of-Package Nutrition Labelling Standardisation Programme”. This resource was produced by the Global Center for Legal Innovation on Food Environments at the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, Georgetown University in Washington D.C., the Law and Health Research Unit at the University of the West Indies and Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC).

As we move forward, what do we want to see?

First and foremost – a strengthening of governance of the process with an urgent implementation of transparency and accountability measures to address the challenges outlined. The “Public Health Decision-Making in CARICOM- Strengthening the Front-of-Package Nutrition Labelling Standardisation Programme”, provides a series of recommendations that should be reviewed at the highest levels of decision making in CARICOM to address these decision making processes.

Secondly – a truly participatory process in developing future public health guidelines, taking into consideration potential conflicts of interests, on these, and similar policies that impact the general public. The public should have a say in public health.

What can you do?

1. Reach out to your local Bureau of Standards to update you on the status of octagonal FOPWL in your country.
2. Check out the new report, “Public Health Decision-Making in CARICOM- Strengthening the Front-of-Package Nutrition Labelling Standardisation Programme”, This report seeks to inform the strengthening of public health decision-making in CARICOM by analysing the FOPWL standardisation programme led by Caribbean Regional Organization for Standard and Quality (CROSQ).
3. Stay abreast of local education campaigns that provide information on what is currently contained in foods, and more generally review your local food based dietary guideline for guidance on a healthy, balanced meal.
4. Push for your right to information about what foods you are buying and consuming. Purchase packaged foods that have a nutrition facts label affixed (often found on the back of packages) since this is the only way that we can be aware of what is actually in the foods that we are purchasing.
5. Hold our governments accountable by calling out alliances with companies that continue to manufacture and distribute ultra processed products. These alliances can promote the stance of profit over people. Lobby for the implementation of conflict of interest policies to increase transparency and safeguard policymaking.

As the SIDS meeting and T20 cricket buzz fades, we as youth health advocates wonder how our CARICOM Leaders will create a lasting impact on the health of our region? How will they refocus on health and stay true to long standing commitments made to implement policies and programmes – like octagonal front-of-package warning labels – to not only treat but prevent non-communicable diseases? Are we hitting healthy food policies for a Six?

Simone Bishop-Matthews, Shay Stabler-Morris, Simeca Alexander Williamson, Danielle Walwyn, Michele Baker, Kerrie Barker, Kimberley Benjamin, Rozette Scotland and Mahalia Wilson are members of Healthy Caribbean Youth.

Healthy Caribbean Youth (HCY), the youth arm of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition, is a regional group of young health advocates with various backgrounds who are passionate about promoting good health and supportive environments for children and youth.

Are you a young person interested in advocating for a healthier Caribbean? Are you between the ages of 15-35? Consider joining the youth arm of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition by emailing hcy@healthycaribbean.org.

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Corporate Communications Specialist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Shane Sealy told Barbados TODAY that operations had resumed as usual yesterday evening as there had been “very, very minor damage” at the Martindales Road facility and most had already been addressed.

“Once the national shutdown was discontinued and the all-clear was given, we resumed normal services and visiting hours from six o’clock. Meanwhile, our clinics will open as normal (today) as well as our pharmacies,” he said.

Sealy also advised those patients whose surgeries or appointments were postponed due to the passage of the weather system to contact the hospital’s Patient Advice and Liaison Service at 536-4800 to be rescheduled.

“We are getting things back on track and we want them to reach out to us so we could let them know what to do,” he added.

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CEO of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) Neil Clark has assured that patients and staff at the public hospital are safe amid the passage of Hurricane Beryl.

Speaking on CBC a short while ago, he said the QEH had survived the worst of the Category 3 hurricane, with only a few minor leaks reported.

“I’ve walked around last night, I’ve walked around the different departments and units; it feels very calm and the wind has been quite kind to us so far. It’s been a little bit rougher now this morning, it’s picking up a little bit. We’ve had a few minor leaks but no major damage or no major incident at all. We’re keeping the patients safe, we’re keeping the staff safe, we’re feeding everybody and we’re looking after everybody,” he assured.

“So if you’re at home and you’re worried about your patients or your family members who might be staff, please be assured everything is calm and under control at the hospital.”

Clark confirmed that clinics and theatres for elective surgery remain closed today. He said the aim is to have those reopen from tomorrow.

“As soon as we get the all clear, we’ll review the facilities and the aim would be to allow the outpatient clinics and the theatres to recommence tomorrow. But we’ll have to check the facilities. It will be dependent on the all clear time and we’ll be communicating later on today if that’s the plan that we’ll be bringing the patients back in for clinics and theatres on Tuesday,” the hospital CEO said.

According to Clark, a few patients had turned up at the Accident and Emergency Department during the passage of Hurricane Beryl but the department was “quite calm”.

“I’ve have been down to meet the team. It’s a nice change for them to have that calmness, to catch up with the patients who were in the department before the hurricane started and to move through those patients and to prepare us, I suppose, for after the lockdown is [discontinued] and the patients maybe want to come back out. We should be ready to receive any patients as soon as there’s a need to do that,” he said.

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To facilitate this, the hospital pharmacy is extending opening hours Saturday, June 29, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it will also be open on Sunday, June 30 from 8:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., the QEH said in a statement.

Patients who have already placed orders through the Medication Delivery Service will have their medication delivered over the weekend.

Further information is available at the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS/Help Desk) at 536-4800 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., via regular or WhatsApp calls.

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Vincent and the Grenadines will initiate “Hope for the Future” – a significant gathering of key stakeholders in each territory to underscore the need for comprehensive school nutrition policies that regulate the sale and marketing of ultra processed products from school settings and are supported by octagonal front of package warning label to help school communities easily identify foods which should not be available in school settings. This is an essential strategy for building healthy and resilient communities. Notably, nearly 40 youth health advocates are leading the charge across participating countries.

Youth in Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago will be hosting related activities to spotlight the issue. These events will serve as a compelling reminder to local and regional leaders of their commitment to implementing health-protecting strategies, including evidence-based healthy food policies. In line with the food and security thematic area of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, youth hope that healthy school nutrition policies will be considered and urgently implemented to ensure healthy school food environments are prioritized.

In February 2024, the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) and Healthy Caribbean Youth (HCY) organized “Caribbean Youth Voices in Health Advocacy Spaces – Healthy Food Policy Action,” in partnership with the Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN), the Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ), The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados (HSFB), and UNICEF Jamaica. This three-day health policy-focused youth meeting added momentum to the efforts aimed at empowering the region’s youth to advocate for the implementation of Healthy Food Policies, including octagonal front-of-package nutrition warning labeling and restricting the availability and marketing of unhealthy products in school settings. Over 50 young people attended this event.

All children in the Caribbean deserve to learn and grow in healthy school environments that are not inundated with ultraprocessed products. It has been 17 years since the region’s leaders unified their vision for a healthier Caribbean through the Port of Spain Declaration. Now, it is time for them to revisit previous commitments, including healthier school food environments, #actonfacts and walk the talk for better nutrition in schools. They have the support of the region’s youth.
Danielle Walwyn
Advocacy Officer, HCC and Lead, Healthy Caribbean Youth (youth arm of the HCC)

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Guyana is now boasting a significant number of therapists, resulting in several countries being eager to learn about the strategy to do so, according to Director of Disability and Rehabilitation Services, Dr. Ariane Mangar. “People want what we have and they want to also learn how we were able to [achieve] such a remarkable feat ...

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Sunday warned that pharmacies that sell antibiotics without prescriptions would soon be shut down, as Guyana joins the rest of the world in reducing the resistance to antibiotics and other types of prescription drugs. He said the Health Ministry has received reports that a number of pharmacies have been ...

A number of communities in St James and St Thomas will be fogged this week, when the Ministry of Health’s Vector Control Unit conducts its mosquito reduction exercise.

The Unit will concentrate its efforts in St James for the first three days of the week. On Monday, Wanstead Gardens, Husbands Heights, Santa Rosa Drive, Mid-Summer Drive, and Dracaena Avenue will be targeted.

The team will then go into Dairy Meadows Road, John Plains, St John The Baptist Road, and Bamboo Ridge, on Tuesday,.

The following day the Unit will spray Hoytes Village, Cavewood Road, Bagatelle Terrace with Avenues, and Hoytes Terrace. On Thursday, Center Lane, Kew Road, and Redman Village in St Thomas will be visited.

The fogging exercise will conclude on Friday in Welches, Welches Heights, Plum Tree Avenue, Terrace Drive, Padmore Village, and surrounding 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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The state-owned Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Wednesday said security was being beefed up to counter violent attacks on wounded patients while they are receiving treatment at the Accident and Emergency Department, an apparent growing trend across the Caribbean. GPHC Chief Executive Officer, Robbie Rambarran said security guards would be equipped with more handheld ...