The Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory could soon become a World Health Organisation (WHO) collaborating centre for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) detection and surveillance.

This was revealed by PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries (ECC) Dr Amalia Del Riego during the opening ceremony of a training workshop for laboratory technologists who work in public health laboratories in Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Haiti, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname.

The workshop is taking place at the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory from September 19 to 22.

Entitled Training on Molecular Detection and Diagnosis of Carbapenemase Genes in Gram-Negative Bacteria, the training forms phase two of the Cooperation among Countries for Health Development (CCHD) project on AMR detection and surveillance.

WHO collaborating centres assist WHO support countries to build capacity to develop and implement AMR surveillance.

Dr Del Riego said of the training: “This and many other multi-country trainings that have happened just this year in the Best-dos Santos Laboratory demonstrate the interest this laboratory and the Government of Barbados have in fostering south-to-south collaboration. We hope this soon translates into Best-dos Santos becoming a WHO collaborating centre on AMR.

“We appreciate the support provided by the Government of Argentina in the past, and currently for antimicrobial resistance detection and surveillance across the Caribbean. We wish to acknowledge the support of Malbran Institute (Buenos Aires, Argentina), a WHO collaborating centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance,” she added.

Molecular training provides countries with the capacity to diagnose AMR, one of the most important emerging threats. The training involves the detection of disease-causing organisms which are virtually resistant to all known antibiotics.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George reiterated that AMR training is a priority for Barbados, noting that AMR diseases are becoming more prevalent.

He therefore thanked the Government of Argentina for continuing support for training. 

“Your support, both technically and financially, through the Malbran Institute is designed to support and promote antimicrobial stewardship across the Caribbean,” Dr George said.

The CMO recalled that in 2019, the World Health Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution calling for continued high-level commitments to implement multisectoral national action plans. 

“Barbados is in the process of developing a framework to achieve this goal,” he said.

Dr George also expressed his appreciation to PAHO for providing its technical expertise to the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory. 

PAHO was credited with providing influenza surveillance and laboratory testing support, “with a view to establishing the Best-dos Santos Laboratory as a recognised influenza testing site in the subregion”. 

Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Argentine Republic in Barbados, Vanesa Romani, recounted that in 2018 Argentina, PAHO and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) signed a commitment establishing the Cooperation among Countries for Health Development (CCHD) project. This made it possible for two technicians from the Best-dos Santos Laboratory to attend training in Argentina.

Romini said the training received has improved the ability to deal with emergencies. (PR)

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The Barbados Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition (B-COP Coalition) continues its drive to prioritising children’s health. This time, it has donated 120 healthy hampers, filled with nutritious snacks for a week.

The recent implementation of the national school nutrition policy by the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training in April has sparked national attention and debate regarding access to affordable healthy food. B-COP Coalition, a leading advocate for this policy, has partnered with key sponsors to ensure these hampers are available, recognising that the back-to-school period can be both busy and costly for parents and guardians.

Dr Kia Lewis, the outgoing Chairperson of the B-COP Coalition, said: “In light of the new National School Nutrition Policy, the Coalition is very happy to roll out this Healthy Hamper: Back to School Edition, which is both healthy and cost-effective. We are targeting children in our childrens’ homes, at-risk youth, and our children in the Yute Gym of the Heart & Stroke Foundation.”

Dr Lewis further explained the initiative’s purpose, saying: “With this drive we wanted to show parents that it is possible to eat healthy on a budget. We know our schools have at least three water days, so the hampers have at least three bottles of water, an even cheaper way would be to buy a water bottle, you will also see several fruits in the hampers, given schools will be having two fruit days. Also, we have packed snacks as well, these are very reasonably priced and they would be compliant to the Alternative Snack and Beverage list, which shows the list of products on the market, which can be bought and given to our children for school.

“We are excited to launch this initiative and hope it assists Barbadian parents in making healthy choices for their children during school hours.”

This marks the B-COP Coalition’s second hamper drive, with the first taking place in 2020 during the COVID-19 Pandemic, targeting Barbadians with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) who were more susceptible to the virus.

Several partners and sponsors made this initiative possible, including Signia Globe, Supreme Distributors, Guardian General, and the Church of the Latter Day Saints in Rendevous, where the hamper packing took place.

Marketing Officer of Signia Globe Richelle Lucas, commented: “We got a request and it was absolutely a no brainer for us to join with the Coalition. We know people think it is expensive to eat healthily, so we want to thank the Coalition for using these excellent examples of fruit and water. We are not saying that there are no snacks, yes there is a snack in the hampers but moderation is the key. Additionally, being able to work with the Heart and Stroke Foundation and get our children active and getting them active from young, so it sticks with them is important.” We are very happy to partner along with the Coalition and the other sponsors who have jumped on board for this worthy cause.

Meanwhile, Rhiyad Juman of Supreme Distributors said his firm was happy to give back to the community “by providing our 100 per cent natural Juices, our Fan juices and our Crystal Waters in order to provide for those children who may not know about the healthy options in Barbados. We are happy to help those who need the help” .

Expressing gratitude to the sponsors and partners for the initiative, Dr Lewis said: “We encourage corporate Barbados and other service groups to join us in supporting less fortunate children and fellow Barbadians as we collectively work towards a healthier way of life,’ she said. (PR)

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A name synonymous with children’s health in Barbados for more than three decades is now attached to the post of chairperson of the Barbados Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition (BCOP Coalition).

Professor Anne St John, a consultant paediatrician, children’s health advocate, and the lead policy champion for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados (HSFB) and the BCOP Coalition, will be at the helm of the organisation for the 2023-2024 period.

She was elected at a BCOP Coalition Workshop last Wednesday.

“I am humbled to have been elected to the position of Chair of the BCOP Coalition, being quite aware that it carries a tremendous sense of purpose, with high expectations towards the accomplishment of the goals set by the organisation in relation to healthy nutrition and lifestyles, especially related to children of the nation,” Professor St John said after her election.

The BCOP Coalition has a membership of 30 civil society organisations, in addition to individual members and youth advocates, all with the singular goal of advocating for the suite of policies identified by the World Health Organisation to decrease the alarming levels of childhood obesity in countries like Barbados. About 31 per cent of children in Barbados are obese or overweight.

BCOP Coalition pointed out that Professor St John has been a very hands-on advocate and champion for childhood obesity prevention from the beginning of the Childhood Obesity Prevention Project in 2018, sensitising policymakers, parents, children, principals, teachers and staff at various schools around the island. 

It added that especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, her voice and reasoning became linked to the School Nutrition Policy which has generated much interest across Barbados. 

Now, looking forward to the implementation of other evidence-based policies like the use of octagonal front-of-package warning labels, which can simultaneously assist in reducing the levels of childhood obesity in Barbados, she said: “The right to know what are the ingredients in what we consume goes hand in hand with the adaptation, intervention and use of octagonal front-of-package warning labels (O-FOPWL) on consumables, assisting consumers in making healthy choices of food and drink.”

Programme Manager of the Childhood Obesity Prevention Project for HSFB Francine Charles said it was an honour for the BCOP Coalition to be led by one of the most ardent voices for children’s health in Barbados.

She said Professor St John “has a passion and a voice to ensure children in Barbados have optimal health and we have watched her advocate effectively to every possible audience, so we are heartened to work with her as chair of the Coalition”. (PR)

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Speech therapy plays an important role towards the holistic development of children. It improves overall communication, enhances social skills and enables them to cope better with society and function in day-to-day life. Early intervention and treatment can significantly enhance the lives of children and allow them to better integrate into their environment. To help children get the support they need, Scotiabank has contributed to a Speech Therapy Project with Variety – The Children’s Charity at the Albert Cecil Graham Development Centre (ACGDC).

Under this project, speech-language therapy intervention will be provided at the ACGDC to enrich the lives of children, increase the effectiveness of the service and assist in reducing the extended waiting list.

Marita Greenidge, Executive Director, Variety commented: “We are considerably grateful for this donation from Scotiabank. This support will aid in reducing the extensive waiting list for speech-language therapy at the ACGDC. Treating speech and language defects can promote increased self-confidence, better academic outcomes and wider social acceptance for children receiving therapy. We are thankful that Scotiabank is so passionate about driving inclusivity and removing barriers to advancement. Variety believes every child deserves a limitless future and we are overjoyed to work with caring partners like Scotia who want to help build a brighter future for this island’s most vulnerable.” 

Suzette Armoogam-Shah, Managing Director, Scotiabank Barbados signalled the bank’s ongoing support for developing young people. 

“How we support children today will enable their success in the future. Furthermore, it is important for all children to be afforded the same opportunities so that they can go on to lead successful lives. We are truly pleased to work with Variety on this project. It helps ensure that children in need of speech therapy achieve their full potential, feel a sense of belonging in our communities, and may even go a step further in acting as a source of inspiration to others.” (PR)

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The University of Guyana (UG) on Tuesday formally announced the establishment of a not-for-profit biodiversity research centre in the Essequibo River near the Mazaruni and Cuyuni rivers with an assurance by the British non-governmental organisation that the aim is not to export scientific information from the area. Co-founder of the Sophia Point Rainforest Research Institute, ...

The Carriacou workshop is part of a series of parish-level trainings to strengthen the multi-sectoral teams for gender-based violence

View the full post Gender-Based Violence workshop held in Carriacou on NOW Grenada.

View the full post Programme to support children with obesity held in Carriacou on NOW Grenada.

Barbados Cancer Support Services (CSS) is continuing its close association with Ward C12 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Its most recent act was the handing over of a set of equipment and supplies to be used in the care of the terminally-ill.

During the recent presentation ceremony held at the Dayrells Road, Christ Church facility Henderson Pinder, Director of Nursing at the QEH, expressed his appreciation for the much-needed equipment and supplies provided by CSS.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed in November last year, the group committed to continuing its support for the ward.

Included in the package were an aspirator, a commode, linens, pampers and incontinence pads. 

Pinder said the linens are all custom embroidered with the logo of the Cancer Support Services and would help with the management of linen on the ward.

“Each ward has specific markings for their sheets, and we want to give the assurance that the sheets with this logo will be used on Ward C12,” Pinder explained.

Since the signing of the MOU both the staff and patients at the QEH have been the recipients of significant benefits, according to Pinder.

Lisa Dodson, a nursing officer actively involved with the ward, expressed her gratitude for the donation. She acknowledged that the aspirator and commode would address some of the equipment shortages and challenges on C12.

“The aspirator is particularly important to us as we have been facing a shortage of these machines. It is primarily used for suction in cases where individuals may be unable to swallow or have an accumulation of fluid. It will greatly benefit us,” Dodson remarked. 

“We are thankful for the ongoing donations from Cancer Support Services and hope for your continued support in future endeavours.” 

In addition to thanking CSS for the continued support, Pinder revealed that the organisations are looking to strengthen their partnership.

“The support that they continue to give to us has been tremendous. We were looking at how we could strengthen and further programmes between the two organisations and how we could make it better for each of us as we try to achieve the goal of better patient care,” Pinder stated. 

Speaking briefly during the handing over of the equipment, Antoine Williams, the public relations officer of the CSS, emphasised the significance of the donation in strengthening the valuable relationship between his organisation and the QEH.

He said the MOU highlights the viable relationship with the hospital which allows Cancer Support Services to work with the institution in the care of patients. 

Furthermore, Williams encouraged corporate entities in Barbados to join CSS and other stakeholders in extending support to the QEH, as he stressed the importance of collective efforts in assisting the hospital. (BB)

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President Irfaan Ali on Thursday appealed to Canada to set up a training institution in Guyana to train Guyanese as nurses for the local, Caribbean and Canadian markets, as the South American nation grapples with a serious shortage of that category of health workers due to migration. “We encourage Canadian accredited institutions to establish their ...

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