Persons travelling to Guyana directly or in-transit from China, Hong Kong and Macau must now present a negative COVID-19 test or proof of recovery from the viral disease,  Guyana’s COVID-19 Task Force announced on Thursday. Th new requirement takes effect from January 8, 2023. The Guyana government said that would also apply to persons traveling ...

Health facilities in Guyana’s interior regions are to be upgraded over the next three years to the value of GY$125 billion, President Irfaan Ali announced during Monday’s commissioning of the upgraded Mabaruma Smart Hospital. He said that upgrades would give the “best possible working conditions” and provide the areas, which include Lethem, Kato, Mahdia, Kamarang, ...

On Saturday December 10th 2022, the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) and Healthy Caribbean Youth (HCY), in partnership with the Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN), the Jamaica Health Advocates Youth Arm (JHAYA), the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados (HSFB) and The University of Technology Association of Nutrition and Dietetics Students (UTANDS) held the second CARIBBEAN YOUTH VOICES IN HEALTH ADVOCACY SPACES: Healthy Food Policy virtual workshop. Participants tuned in from Barbados, The Bahamas, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago!

During the first session, participants discussed the obesity and NCD challenges facing the Caribbean region, the importance of healthy food policy in addressing these challenges and the value of rights-based advocacy.

The second session featured a panel discussion moderated by Simeca Alexander, Advocacy Officer (GHAP), Heart Foundation of Jamaica. The panelists (Maisha Hutton, Executive Director, HCC, Francine Charles, Programme Manager, HSFB; Shereika Mills, Advocacy and Policy Coordinator, JYAN; Rosanna Pike, Health Education Officer, Heart Foundation of Jamaica and Vonetta Nurse, Nutrition Officer, UNICEF Jamaica) shared their insights on strategically advocating along the policy process.

The final session focused on using the SMART principle to guide the development of advocacy action plans. Participants joined different breakout rooms to discuss experiences in advocating for different healthy food policies in the Caribbean.  Shannique Bowden and Shereika (JYAN) led the School Nutrition Policy breakout room and shared their experience participating in the consultation process in Jamaica; Danielle, Simeca and Rosanna shared their organisations’ experiences in advocating for Front of Package Nutrition Warning Labelling, and Abi Begho (Director of Program Management, Lake Health and Wellbeing) assisted by Rozette Scotland (HCY), discussed Lake Health and Wellbeing’s You’re Sweet Enough campaign in support of Sugar Sweetened Beverage Tax in Saint Kitts and Nevis. Participants were also tasked with brainstorming and developing their own SMART Advocacy plans to execute advocacy in their own territory!

Goal

To build capacity and momentum among Caribbean youth to advocate for the implementation of Healthy Food Policies

Objectives

1. To revisit content covered during workshop #1 held in September/October
2. To build capacity of youth advocates to design SMART advocacy actions to execute locally and regionally in support of healthy food policies/healthy food environments
3. To co-create workshop 3 agenda to be held in 2023

Outcomes

1. Increased awareness among Caribbean youth of the importance of rights-based advocacy and healthy food policies
2. To build a better understanding of SMART objectives and activities to prepare participants to design advocacy action plans (during workshop 3) which will focus on healthy food policies to be executed locally and regionally
3. A draft agenda, co-designed by youth across the region, to guide the development of workshop #3 for a select group of youth organisations

Welcome

Danielle Walwyn, Advocacy Officer and Coordinator of Healthy Caribbean Youth, Healthy Caribbean Coalition

CIRCLING Back – Recap of Workshop #1

Discussion: Let’s talk about Policy

Moderator: Simeca Alexander, Advocacy Officer, Heart Foundation of Jamaica

Representative(s) from:

• Heart Foundation of Jamaica
• Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados
• Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network
• Healthy Caribbean Coalition

SMART WHAT? SMART Overview + How to create a SMART Advocacy Plan

Representative(s) from:

• Lake Health and Wellbeing
• Heart Foundation of Jamaica
• Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados
• Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network
• Healthy Caribbean Coalition

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Co-Creation of Workshop 3 Agenda & Wrap Up

Danielle Walwyn, Advocacy Officer and Coordinator of Healthy Caribbean Youth, Healthy Caribbean Coalition

Workshop #1
The first installment of the workshop series was held on Saturday September 24th and October 1st from 11:00AM – 2:00PM AST. The workshop introduced the issue of childhood obesity and NCDs in the Caribbean and the power of rights-based advocacy and healthy food policies in improving health outcomes. Attendees also learned about the importance of youth voices in health advocacy.

Workshop #2 – Let’s Reconnect
The second installment of the workshop series will be held on Saturday December 10th from 10:00AM – 12:00PM JA/11:00AM – 1:00PM AST. The focus of this 2 hour workshop will be to reconnect with attendees, recap workshop 1, revisit the concept of SMART Activities and invite attendees to brainstorm and co-create workshop 3 agenda.

Caribbean Youth Voices in Health Advocacy Spaces workshop series aims to bring awareness to the importance of healthy food environments and healthy food policies in building a healthier Caribbean among Caribbean youth. It also aims to strengthen the coalition of youth advocates from across the region who are demanding change to transform food environments in their local territory.

The post Caribbean Youth Voices in Health Advocacy Spaces Healthy Food Policy Virtual Workshop Part 2 appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Tuesday indicated that its concerns about food vending on New Market Street date back to several years and records show that official complaints to the Georgetown Mayor and City Council stretch from 2015 to 2022, but little has been done resulting increased risks to gravely ill patients who ...

President Irfaan Ali on Monday night announced fatter pay-packets for 5,000 healthcare workers ranging from GY$100,000 at the lowest rung to GY$450,000,  saying it was an effort to ensure they “enjoy a good salary and a better standard of living” while at the same time delivering quality services to the nation’s sick and injured. “We ...

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Kenneth George is urging Barbadians not to drop their guard at this time because COVID-19 and a strain of flu – identified as H3N2 – were both circulating among the population.

George said the positivity rate and the R-effective indicated COVID-19 was still very much in the community, but those coming forward to be tested have declined. As a result, the number of people with the viral illness “may not be a true reflection of what it really is”.

He made the disclosure in a recorded statement on Monday.

George said hospitalisation remained low and those patients were exhibiting minor forms of the illness. There has been a single COVID-19 death in the past seven days.

“I am not here to dampen your Christmas in any way, but we are here to let you know there are still some things that you can do prevent sickness and illness,” he said.

“We are indeed facing a double whammy, because we have COVID circulating and we have flu circulating. The flu virus has been typed. It is H3N2 that has been circulating and that has also increased steeply within the last two months. We continue to monitor both for flu and for COVID.”

There have been no hospitalisations or deaths associated with the flu virus, but the CMO said they would report to the public if there were any changes.

George said those with chronic diseases, the overweight and elderly remain vulnerable and he asked them to go the extra mile.

Deputy chief environmental officer and former head of the COVID Monitoring Unit, Ronald Chapman, reinforced the public health measures of mask wearing, handwashing or the use of sanitisers and physical distancing.

“However, we recognise there has been a relaxation in the directives and because of that relaxation we expect persons to take responsibility for themselves. So we are asking persons – as we continue to work through the issues of COVID – if you are feeling unwell, if you are feeling ill, it is wise to put on a mask.

“You may not have COVID, you may be suffering with the flu or may be just a common cold but all respiratory diseases can be fought with the use of the mask.”

Chapman also asked members of the population to manage their risk.

“The Ministry of Health has no intention at this present time to return to the heavy-handed approach that we had during COVID. You can see that with the relaxation of the protocols and the dissolution of the COVID-19 Monitoring Unit. We are at a place where we believe persons can act responsibly; that persons can take stock of their own risk, they can look and see how they can protect themselves as opposed to persons police every moment that they make.” (SAT)

'I mean, obviously you would like people to use good judgment to protect themselves and their family in that community without necessarily having to mandate anything,' said Dr Anthony Fauci. WebMD Health News

The Public Works Ministry on Monday issued a final warning to vendors on New Market Street opposite Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) to remove their stalls or they will be demolished and taken away. “A final notice is hereby given to vendors who are occupying spaces along New Market Street, between Thomas and East Streets, to ...

In Part 1 the Caribbean Superheroes series you read about the lived experiences of children and young people with type 1 diabetes.

Jawan, 7 and Tiana, 4, who are aspiring scientists from Trinidad and Tobago shared their dislike for checking their blood sugar levels, taking their insulin, and waiting for their insulin to start working before they can eat. Their mother, Penelope, outlined her daily routine which includes checking in on them during the night and at school.

Kerro, 20, an aspiring graphic artist from Antigua and Barbuda recalled some of her classmates and general public’s curiosity about her condition and the stigma she experienced. Kerro and Xarriah, 22, race car driver fan from Barbados both agreed on the importance of supportive friends on their type 1 diabetes journey.

Given that they have to live with the condition, these superheroes are also experts on how the wider society can better support people living with diabetes. Their recommendations focus on: 1. Diabetes Education, 2. Destigmatization, 3. Prioritizing spaces and environments that support healthy children, 4. Access to Medication and devices.

Aligned with the theme for World Diabetes Day 2022, “access to diabetes education”, all the superheroes agreed that education on one of the most common conditions in the Caribbean is critical. In particular, Xarriah and Kerro think that there should be improved education around all types of diabetes – including type 1. These superheroes have been educators since their diagnosis. However, they need help. Xarriah noted,

As much as we try to educate people, there is still a lot to be learned. And a lot of people still aren’t certain and a lot of people still group together the diabetes, the types, they still group together type 1 and type 2 and I think there needs to be a lot more information about what is type 1 versus what is type 2….not just bulking them all in one place and separating them and giving them their own identities so people understand.

Kerro agreed and she shared that even though diabetes runs in her family, she wasn’t aware of type 1 until she was diagnosed. She said,

Most times I just used to think it was older people. But now I know that people are born with it, you have babies who develop it. So I just think they need to start educating more, because, as I said, a lot of people in my class, at the age of 11 didn’t even know you could get it at such a young age.

Kerro and Xarriah recommend the integration of diabetes education into primary and secondary school subjects including Health and Family Life Education, Physical Education or Science across the Caribbean. Xarriah firmly believes in this approach as she notes that school-based education would have helped her when she got diagnosed as she, like Kerro, wasn’t aware of the realities of living with type 1 diabetes,

And in the event that one person gets type 1 they have an understanding of okay, this is what is happening to my body and this is what I may have to do for the rest of my life. And this is what I might have to endure. Because I feel like I was not very well educated when I was diagnosed. I had a general idea of diabetes because people in my family have type 2 but i didn’t have the knowledge of type 1 until I got diagnosed.

Widespread education on diabetes is critical in addressing the misinformation and resulting stigma that many persons living with diabetes experience.

Kerro recalls numerous cases where she has felt like her condition was misunderstood:

I feel like diabetics are part of that group that people tend to overlook. They just say “If you’re diabetic, it is caused by sugar and if you end up in the hospital it is because you eat too much sugar. “ So essentially you’ve caused it. That is something that I have encountered myself at a hospital.

This is a common misconception with type 1 diabetes. Persons living with type 1 diabetes don’t develop the condition as a result of lifestyle choices. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which your body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in your pancreas which drastically reduces the ability of your body to produce insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar.

The lack of understanding of type 1 diabetes has also resulted in people treating those with the condition differently. Kerro, Xarriah and Penelope wished that people would treat children and young people living with diabetes like anyone else.

Kerro shared that, when diagnosed, “It’s not changing personality, it is not changing the person. It is not contagious. It is not going to harm you in any way – you as in the other person.”

For Penelope, she reassures her children that there is “nothing they cannot do” despite the world saying otherwise. She notes that her children are “even more amazing” as they live with diabetes.

In the absence of formal education or mass media awareness campaigns, Kerro encourages people who are curious about the condition to “just ask”.

In addition to improved education across age groups, Penelope, as a parent, highlights the need for schools to better care for children living with diabetes. She said she would value the presence of nurses, even if sporadic, on the school compound and the use of a sanitized private room to assist Jawan and Tiana with administering insulin or anything else they may need.

An effort to better care for children could also be extended to the implementation of healthy school nutrition policies to protect the school food environment. Although Penelope packs lunches for Jawan and Tiana, given their condition, she agreed that a school policy that would restrict the availability of ultra processed foods and improve the availability of fruits would be valuable. Relatedly, Penelope also noted the importance of physical activity at school but also at home. Penelope advises parents to prioritize physical activity and diversify, if possible, the kinds of activities that children do. Jawan, unlike his mom, loves to do burpees (a full body exercise that includes a pushup followed by a leap in the air) and they do them and other physical activities together. Jawan says he can do 20 burpees in 27 seconds and holds his mom accountable.

The final challenge outlined by the superheroes is access to insulin and appropriate glucose monitoring devices. Tiana said insulin gives her “super powers”, like Elsa from the movie Frozen. Children and young people need access to insulin and testing strips daily to be able to carry out their daily superhero duties.

The governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago provide a glucose monitoring device (GMD), insulin and testing strips but the quality of the GMD, insulin and the number of test strips provided varies.

Penelope shared her reality with trying to access what Tiana and Jawan need, “We have gotten one device per child and they provide us with the strips for the machines. I have written 2 Letters [to government] to increase the number of containers of strips for both children.” Her request, which had to be written by a doctor, was approved.

The glucose monitoring device that all the superheroes currently have requires them to prick their finger to test the sugar levels in their blood. Their dream is to be able to have access to a GMD that offers continuous glucose monitoring and does not require the user to prick themselves. Kerro painted the reality that unfortunately, “ it isn’t available here and the accessories or counterparts to it are very expensive.” She noted that the Antigua and Barbuda Diabetes Association has been lobbying to make them more widely available locally; currently each sensor costs $200 XCD and lasts 2 weeks (a total of $400 XCD a month).

But for her the Freestyle Libre would be ideal, “It’s much easier to use, and it motivates me to check my blood sugar more. It’s more convenient since I don’t have to continuously prick myself. I just put on the sensor/patch on my arm and put the monitor close to it. It’s almost like using Bluetooth to check my blood sugar”

Penelope shared similar sentiments, “I can’t afford the Libre, it would be so helpful to have access to it. It will definitely benefit my children with their lifestyle and assist me by being able to relax and not have to worry so much.”

In addition to the Freestyle Libre, Penelope said, “ I would love to have access to at least 3 different insulin,  needles (suitable for children) and Glucose Gummies to help raise blood sugar when needed.

In Barbados, Xarriah was quite pleased that the insulin pen had recently been added to the drug registry. The insulin pen is an insulin delivery system that generally looks like a large pen; it uses an insulin cartridge rather than a vial, and uses disposable needles. Xarriah says it is particularly convenient because it does not have to be on ice, unlike insulin vials. With the pens being added to the list, this means that “they are available at pharmacies across the island at a significantly reduced cost. This has been a tremendous help for those who prefer the pens and may not have been able to afford them before. The Diabetes and Hypertension Association of Barbados also provides insulin pens and vials to its members for free once they are available”

The superheroes are managing their reality but their quality of life could be improved with changes from all stakeholders – policymakers and you as a reader. The superheroes are calling for Diabetes Education, Destigmatization, Prioritization of spaces and environments that support healthy children and improved access to medication and devices. So, next time you see a child or young person testing their sugar levels or taking insulin, you can be curious but also be kind. If you hear a mother, like Penelope, asking for changes to the school environment to make it healthier and easier to navigate for her children (and yours) – support her.

Diabetes Month is highlighted every November, but let us not wait until November 2023 to share Tiana, Jawan, Penelope, Kerro and Xarriah’s experiences and solutions for change. Diabetes Day is their reality, let us do what we can to cheer on and support our superheroes on their daily journey.

November is World Diabetes Awareness month and November 14th has been deemed World Diabetes Day. The date was chosen in honour of Canadian Sir Frederick Banting, who, together with Charles Best discovered insulin, 100 years ago.

Danielle Walwyn is the Advocacy Officer at the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) and helps to coordinate its youth arm, Healthy Caribbean Youth. She is also working alongside Xarriah, superhero and member of the HCC People living with NCDS Advisory Committee, to create a space for young people living with NCDS to connect. Send feedback to danielle.walwyn@healthycaribbean.org

The post Caribbean Superheroes – Children and Youth living with Type 1 Diabetes Part 2 appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

Some long COVID researchers have suspected smaller, less obvious blood clots may be causing many of the puzzling symptoms reported by patients who have lasting effects of the virus. WebMD Health News