Over the course of the last week, the two entities facilitated a blood donation drive on the grounds of the National Blood Collecting Centre, located at Ladymeade Gardens, St Michael. Sagicor, a leading insurance and financial solutions company, provided the support of its mobile medical unit and team to assist with the collection of blood donations, and Barbadians turned out in their numbers in recognition of World Blood Donor Day, which was celebrated on Friday June 14.

Founder and brand director of Egi Women, Gina Cummins, said they started their relationship with the Blood Collection Centre about a year ago.

“We felt that this year, in continuation of our acts of service and community building, we wanted to find a partner who could help us to amplify the message and the importance of giving blood. Sagicor have willingly come on board with their mobile wellness unit,” she said. “The way we see it is if we give blood on a frequent basis, the Blood Collection Centre will have a ready supply of blood when people need it.”

Executive vice president and general manager of Sagicor Life Inc (Barbados), Paul Inniss said the company was proud to be associated with what he called a fantastic initiative to give blood.

“…Because we are actually giving back to our communities. We are adding value by personally giving of ourselves, and if you think about it, we are actually giving blood to others that need it, when they need it. I am happy that we had a fantastic turnout and contribution by our people,” he said.

Nurse at Sagicor Life Inc Rosanna Springer outlined the importance of giving blood from a medical perspective.

“You can have a mass casualty where multiple persons can be injured and require blood, someone could be having a procedure or operation, a mother could be giving birth and you need to have blood just in case there are any emergencies. You could also just be simply donating to the bank, to ensure that on a national level, we are always prepared,” she said.

(PR/BT)

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The prohibition on smoking medicinal cannabis in Barbados is sparking mixed reactions among patients and doctors, according to Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Authority (BMLA), Shanika Roberts-Odle. 

At present, medicinal cannabis is mostly administered topically through dermal sprays, gels and creams. 

Appearing on a recent radio programme, Roberts-Odle, highlighted the divergent opinions on this policy, its implications and alternatives.

Her comments come amid an ongoing national dialogue around appropriate medicinal cannabis policies. Since legalising medicinal cannabis in November 2019, authorities have taken a cautious approach, prohibiting smoking as a method of administration, while focusing on the growth of an export industry.

“There are significant amounts of persons who I have met who have indicated that for them, there’s a certain level of hypocrisy involved in that particular position,” Roberts-Odle told the programme.

“Doctors that I’ve spoken with have said smoking anything, in their position, is not recommended. Others have said if there is someone for whom that is their preferred method of use, then, as long as they know that their patient is getting what they need and the patient is aware of the risk that they’re taking, they are fine with that.”

This regulatory stance has drawn criticism from some patients who prefer the rapid onset provided by smoking over other delivery methods like topical applications or oral consumption. 

Some medical experts have voiced concerns about the potential health risks of inhaling cannabis smoke. Critics counter that smoking for palliative care provides relief that far exceeds risk to a terminally ill patient. They argue that a paternalistic approach undercuts patient autonomy and the medical benefits that smoking can provide for certain conditions.

Despite the current prohibition, Roberts-Odle noted that many patients, particularly those in palliative care, prefer smoking as a method of administration, sharing that they are “disappointed that they’re not allowed that avenue at this point in time”.

Anaesthesiologist Dr Adrian Waterman acknowledged the appeal of smoking cannabis due to its quick onset of action, crucial for those seeking immediate relief. But he raised concerns about potential lung damage from tar and other particulates in smoke.

“I can understand why some patients will like that route of administration because, especially in the past, it was a much easier route because the plant, basically the raw product, was [involved]…. People would say that it was a faster route of administration and they liked that,” he said.

“Today, with therapeutic development, they have found ways to administer the chemicals in cannabis, whereby we don’t have to use the inhalation route as much to get a faster onset of action.

“Doctors will tell you, especially in the pulmonary field, that they are very concerned when people smoke and that travels into the lungs.”

Roberts-Odle countered by distinguishing between recreational and medicinal cannabis usage, noting that medicinal cannabis typically does not contain additives like “fanta” used in recreational smoking.

“Generally, the tar comes from the additional things that you put in it,” she said. “For medicinal cannabis, what is actually being smoked is just the cannabis… you don’t add ‘fanta’ and those kinds of things.” 

She also addressed the risk of public smoking and secondhand exposure, stating that if legal, there would need to be restrictions on where medicinal cannabis could be smoked to prevent exposure to non-users.

Pharmacist David Workman, another guest, suggested an alternative rapid-relief method without smoking risks: “Drops or a spray under the tongue where there is a rich blood vessel supply and allows for rapid absorption. I can’t say it’s going to be as fast, but it’s going to be fairly quick.”

Roberts-Odle shed light on patient-specific treatment plans, noting that legislation does not restrict what doctors can prescribe medicinal cannabis for, as “its usage continues to grow and your doctor knows you.”

“They’re able to make an informed decision on whether this is good for you and so we have not restricted the kinds of things that they can prescribe you medicinal cannabis for,” she added.

So far, the BMCLA chief revealed, the drug has treated patients with epilepsy, pain, muscle spasms and anxiety. Underscoring responsible usage, she said: “The same way we have to be responsible with any kind of other medicine that we’re using, medicinal cannabis would have to be under those kinds of context as well… everything in moderation and in the correct usage patterns.” (SM)

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St James will be the only parish visited this week when the Ministry of Health and Wellness continues its fogging programme.

On Monday when the team from the Vector Control Unit makes its first stop, Lancaster, Endeavour with Avenues, Apes Hill Development, and environs will be sprayed.

A return to that parish on Tuesday will see fogging at Wanstead Terrace 1 to 11 Avenues, Oxnards, Oxnards Heights, and surrounding areas.

The following day, Wednesday, fogging will occur at Oxnards Heights, Desert Rose Ridge, Wanstead Gardens Heights, Rose Drive, Lily Drive, Alamanda Drive, Carnation Drive, Begonia, Daisy Drive, and environs.

On Thursday the Unit will visit Independence Drive, Trident Avenue, Sugar Cane Avenue, Pelican Avenue, and neighbouring districts.

The exercise culminates on Friday in Blue Bell Drive, Croton Drive, Orchid Drive, and environs.

Fogging of districts will run from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., each day. Householders are asked to assist in the control of the Aedes aegypti mosquito by opening all windows and doors to allow the fog to enter. Persons with respiratory problems are asked to protect themselves from inhaling the fog.

Pedestrians and motorists should proceed with caution when encountering fogging operations on the street and parents are instructed to prohibit children from playing in the fog or running behind the fogging machine.

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 affected communities as soon as possible. (PR)

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Dr Kristyn Kirton, a resident in internal medicine at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, revealed that nearly 700 stroke cases were documented across the island in 2021 alone. “To put it into perspective, 700 cases might not sound massive in global terms, but for a small island nation like ours, it’s significant,” she told Barbados TODAY.
The statistics indicate that most strokes are caused by brain attacks, known as ischemic strokes, specifically blood clots in the brain, which aligns with global trends. Only about 10 per cent of the cases were attributed to brain haemorrhages. “This data is consistent with what we see worldwide, where ischemic strokes are more prevalent than hemorrhagic strokes,” Dr Kirton said.
She was speaking on the sidelines of a Barbados Physical Therapy Association Symposium on Strokes, at the Horatio Cooke Auditorium of the National Union of Public Workers on Dalkeith, aimed at educating the public on stroke prevention, management and rehabilitation.
Kirton noted that there had been a shift in the demographic affected by strokes. Traditionally seen as a disease of the elderly, strokes are now affecting younger populations.

She said: “When you were growing up, you’d hear about strokes affecting your grandparents. But now, we’re seeing 50-year-olds, 52-year-olds, even people in their late 50s. This is still relatively young, and these individuals are often still active in the workforce. This shift is alarming because it impacts not only health but also productivity and quality of life”.
The implications of this demographic shift are profound, especially with the retirement age being extended.  She pointed to the loss of productive years due to stroke as a significant economic and social issue.
“These are precious years that could have been spent contributing to the economy and supporting families. Now, due to stroke, many of these individuals are unable to work, which has a ripple effect on society,” Dr Kirton emphasised.
Comparing the situation in Barbados to the United States, she noted: “In the U.S., statistics show that someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds. This highlights the global relevance of the issue and underscores the importance of taking action to mitigate stroke risk”.
Despite the lack of more recent data, the 2021 figures show a troubling reality, the medical practitioner suggested. “We see nearly equal numbers of men and women affected by strokes, which is somewhat unusual as certain populations might show a gender bias. This parity indicates that stroke is a widespread issue across our population”.
Adding to the concern is the fact that other non-communicable diseases, such as heart and kidney diseases, also plague the population. “We haven’t even touched on these other diseases yet, which further complicates the health landscape in Barbados,” Dr Kirton said.
She also shared her experiences with patients who, despite being at high risk for stroke, often display a lack of concern for their health. “When working with patients, especially those with diabetes, there’s often a sense of invincibility. They think: ‘My blood sugar is just a little high, or my blood pressure is slightly elevated; nothing will happen to me.’ It’s a dangerous mindset. Many of these patients end up experiencing a stroke, often on what could be the worst day of their lives.”
Dr Kirton also noted a worrying trend among middle-aged patients who, despite being aware of their hypertension, fail to take prescribed medications. “This is a recurring pattern I’m seeing more frequently. These individuals know they have high blood pressure and have been prescribed medication, yet they aren’t taking it. This neglect could lead to severe consequences,” Dr Kirton warned.  “High blood pressure, for example, is often symptomless until it reaches a critical point. Without symptoms, many people don’t feel the urgency to act. It’s not until they experience severe consequences, like headaches or blurred vision, that they seek medical help and start taking their health seriously.”

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Grenada is awaiting the result of samples sent to CARPHA in Trinidad to determine the type of virus or bacteria that is responsible for an outbreak of gastroenteritis

View the full post Health official confirms gastro outbreak on NOW Grenada.

Santo Domingo.- Health tourism has become a “very important” sector in the Dominican Republic’s economy due to its contribution to resource generation, job creation, and technology transfer.

Alejandro Cambiaso, president of the Dominican Association of Health Tourism (ADTS), highlighted the growing influx of tourists seeking health services in the Dominican Republic. Globally, health tourism generates over 100 billion dollars and accounts for 2.5% of airline tickets.

Cambiaso noted that the Dominican Republic leads in medical tourism in the Caribbean, ranks second in Latin America, and holds the 19th position worldwide, according to the Medical Tourism Index.

The main health service centers for tourists are located in Santo Domingo, Santiago, Punta Cana, La Romana, and Puerto Plata. Most patients traveling to the country for health services are Dominicans living abroad, as well as individuals from the Caribbean Islands, the United States, Canada, and Spain.

In 2022, the country welcomed 338,747 health patients, with 292,902 coming for medical tourism and 75,845 for tourist medicine. These health tourists contributed 1,321 million dollars to the Dominican economy, with an average expenditure of 7,500 dollars per tourist, plus their companions, as 70% of health tourists travel with a companion.

Speaking on the program ‘Now’ on Super 7 Matutino, Cambiaso mentioned that the majority of health tourists visit the Dominican Republic for dental care and cosmetic surgery.

Barbadians are generally aware of the staggering statistics that 80 per cent of our deaths are attributed to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). What is also known, as an unhealthy diet often contributes significantly to the early onset of NCDs while diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and healthy fats have been found to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease among others.

A known fact is not always an achievable reality and the most common lament to healthy eating is the belief that healthy foods cost more than highly processed foods that are typically less nutritious. Healthy foods are often seen in the context of food for the rich and out of reach of the economically less fortunate.

So, the question is, does healthy eating actually cost more? And the answer to that question is complicated.

In a recent attempt, at a business place I am associated with, offering some treats to our team, we chose the healthier option of fruits. It is worth noting that to our surprise a small bag of basic fruits for each staff member was 100 per cent more costly than industrially produced muffins, which we did the previous month. If at that micro level, the cost difference between healthy and non-healthy is that significant, imagine the challenges at the macro level.

Professor Winston Moore, deputy principal of the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, was recently quoted in the press acknowledging that the cost of healthier options was deterring people from buying nutritious food. A 2022/2023 study, Mapping Taxes on Healthy Foods, he conducted in collaboration with Dr Antonio Alleyne, found that food imports high in sugar, sodium and fats were taxed at 35 per cent but healthier foods were taxed at 10 per cent higher.

Decisions regarding food choices are based on a variety of factors including cost, taste, convenience, and availability. Many people feel that nutritious foods cost more than foods high in calories and low in important nutrients. In an effort to save money, people most likely will select less nutritious foods when shopping resulting in less healthy meals and snacks. And that certainly has been the response of many people who we speak with about eating healthier.

Government policy coupled with awareness and behavioural change are the calls that emanate from groups working in the space to combat this existential threat of NCD-related illness and death. Making healthy foods more affordable and easily accessible must be placed up front and centre on the government’s agenda. To continue to kick the can down the road on making healthy foods affordable when evidence abounds on the price differences between healthy and unhealthy foods is to condemn our generation and future generations to NCD-related illnesses and deaths.

Making healthier foods more affordable and easily accessible helps in creating the environment and culture for behavioural change. If the pocket of average-income householders factors significantly in eating choices, then removing that hindrance places healthier options higher on the selection decision-making process.

A walk through our well-known Cheapside Market on a Saturday morning is refreshing to see Barbadians buying produce, fruits, and vegetables. The accessibility, freshness, and bargains there are perhaps better than in other places. But healthier food options cannot only be in our markets, they must be widespread across the length and breadth of Barbados and Barbadians should appreciate affordable, locally home-grown foods over a less healthy, less nutritious, cheap food import.

When discussing the cost of healthy eating, it is important to consider the cost of not incorporating nutritious foods into meals on a regular basis. Unhealthy dietary patterns that consist of high amounts of sugar, saturated fat, sodium, and calories, are linked to higher rates of chronic diseases such as overweight and obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes, among many others. Not only is the risk of chronic disease greater, but the financial costs of treating the diseases listed are expensive. The majority of Barbados’ health care budget is spent on persons presenting themselves to the QEH or polyclinics with an NCD or NCDs. Consider the millions that can be saved by reducing the incidences of NCD-related illnesses.

Suleiman Bulbulia chairs the National NCD Commission

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Empowering Wellness: Your Health, Your Future

View the full post Huggins Foodland Health Fair on NOW Grenada.

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Red Cross has proposed creating a working group comprised of various sectors that provide blood services and blood products to collectively promote a culture of voluntary blood donation in Dominican society.

The proposal was made by the president of the Red Cross in the Dominican Republic, Dr. Miguel Sanz Flores, during the relaunch of the “Save Me with Your Pint, Donate Blood” campaign. This annual initiative coincides with the celebration of World Voluntary Blood Donor Day on June 14.

Dr. Sanz Flores emphasized that this working group should include government authorities as leaders, health risk managers, and private or non-profit institutions that offer blood services or work towards fostering a culture of voluntary blood donation. He offered the expertise of the Dominican Red Cross’s National Network of Blood Banks, which has 75 years of experience, to support this initiative.

He highlighted the need for better education on the importance, protocols, requirements, and benefits of blood donation. He noted that while the Dominican people are generally supportive, they often lack awareness about the significance of blood donation, leading to a persistent blood deficit.

Benefits of Donating Blood
Dr. César Matos Moronta, director of the National Network of Blood Banks of the Dominican Red Cross, encouraged the public to donate blood voluntarily and altruistically to help save lives and improve their health. He explained that blood donation stimulates blood circulation, promoting a healthier cardiovascular system. Donating blood triggers the production of new, healthy blood cells, enhancing the overall condition of the circulatory system.

He also pointed out that a single pint of donated blood can save three lives, as it can be separated into red blood cells, platelets, and plasma, each of which can be used to save a life. “Donating blood is an act of life because it improves your health and helps save three lives,” he emphasized.

Voluntary Donation
Despite a slight increase in voluntary blood donations in recent months, the rate remains low in the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Red Cross, a private humanitarian and non-profit entity, provides about 50% of the blood supply in the country. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), countries should aim for at least 4% of their population to donate blood voluntarily, with an ideal target of 20%. Currently, the Dominican Republic only reaches 2.64%.

Dr. Matos Moronta reported that in the first six months of this year, the Red Cross registered 28,982 people intending to donate blood at the Blood Bank of the National District. Of these, 16,012 qualified, with 15,588 being replacement donors and only 424 donating voluntarily and altruistically, representing 2.64 percent. He also noted that the Red Cross dispatched 16,152 units of blood from its headquarters during the same period last year.

“Men’s health and building good relationships were the focal points of a recent symposium for men working in the public sector in Carriacou and Petite Martinique”

View the full post Men urged to stop undervaluing their health on NOW Grenada.