Health

Increased Capacity For Cancer Screening & Diagnostics

With the Increased Capacity For Cancer Screening & Diagnostics designation of the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory as a World Health Organization (WHO) National Influenza Centre, the Ministry of Health and Wellness is looking to enhance its capacity for the early detection and treatment of cancer, which is among the top 10 causes of deaths in Barbados.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Davidson Ishmael, made this disclosure at a ceremony on Monday, which also recognised the laboratory as a member of the WHO’s Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System.

The laboratory, which started operating in 2018, was integral in the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic, conducting over hundreds of thousands of tests during the last three years.

Mr. Ishmael said that as the Ministry of Health expands its capacity to monitor noncommunicable diseases, including cancer, surveillance and enhanced diagnostics would be key to addressing early detection and monitoring.

To this end, he explained that the Barbados Living Laboratory Project was established and will be instrumental in the area of cancer research.

“The goal of the Living Lab is to provide enhanced laboratory services in Barbados in areas of cancer diagnostics, which includes immunohistochemistry staining, analysis of cancer biomarkers, flow cytometry, genetic testing, and more.

“The Ministry of Health Wellness is enhancing its capacity for early detection and treatment of cancers through updated cancer screening guidelines and diagnosis, including genomic sequencing for cancers or respiratory viruses, such as COVID-19 and influenza A and B. More specifically, and relative to cancer screening, the Ministry has engaged urologists to devise a screening protocol for prostate cancer, while simultaneously working with our partners at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to update our cervical cancer screening guidelines, and this is currently under expert review,” he disclosed.

He further noted that a screening protocol for breast cancer is being created and guidelines to improve colorectal cancer screening were being developed. Additionally, he said the Ministry has created an initiative which will strengthen screening by enhancing laboratory capacity and improving access to colonoscopies.

The Minister of State also shared that protocols have been developed in collaboration with local gastroenterologists and additional resources have been mobilised at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) to purchase new scopes. The matter of the number of scoping suites was also being addressed, he said.

Moreover, he stated that the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory would work closely with the QEH laboratory to strengthen the national efforts towards antimicrobial resistance surveillance and monitoring.

“Barbados has a long history of prioritising public health. Today is indeed a momentous occasion, as we gather to recognise the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory as the WHO National Influenza Centre. This achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment of countless numbers of heroes who are, on a daily basis, involved in ensuring the health and well being of our citizens,” Mr. Ishmael said. (PR/GIS)

Health

Spin Classes At Psychiatric Hospital Gym

The Health and Wellness Committee of the Psychiatric Hospital invites members of the public to spin classes at the hospital’s Mind and Body Gym, located in Black Rock, St. Michael.

The classes are available to members of the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays, at 7:00 a.m. for a nominal fee.

Persons may call 536-3018 or 536-3113 with queries or to reserve a spot, or email themindandbodygymclub@gmail.com.

A spin class, also known as a spinning class, involves joining a group of people, jumping on a stationary bike, and cycling indoors. Spinning is an excellent way for many people to exercise together at their own pace and intensity.

Health

Implementation Of New Pharmacy Management System Continues

In an effort to improve the pharmaceutical services being offered, the Barbados Drug Service will continue the implementation of its new Pharmacy Management System in the pharmacies operating under its purview.

The new Pharmacy Management System, which will be implemented from Monday, July 29, to Monday, August 19, 2024, is expected to result in an improvement in patient records management, patient treatment, and pharmaceutical health care and safety.

In preparation for the roll-out of the programme, each pharmacy will be closed on the working day before the scheduled implementation. The closure and implementation dates are as follows:

LOCATION	DATE OF CLOSURE	IMPLEMENTATION DATE
Branford Taitt Polyclinic Pharmacy	July 26	July 29
St. Philip Polyclinic Pharmacy	August 2	August 6
Maurice Byer Polyclinic Pharmacy	August 9	August 12
Randal Phillips Polyclinic Pharmacy	August 16	August 19

After the implementation of the system, waiting times for pharmaceutical services are expected to increase. This could last for approximately four weeks.

The management of the Barbados Drug Service encourages members of the public to arrange their business accordingly and thanks them for their usual patience and cooperation.

Health

Excitement builds for CIBC Caribbean’s Walk for the Cure 2024

Excitement is building as planning has commenced in earnest for this year’s edition of the Caribbean’s largest cancer fundraiser, CIBC Caribbean’s Walk for the Cure.

Walk Managers across the bank’s 11-member footprint have been meeting with their committees and fine-tuning this year’s fundraising activities aimed at surpassing the over USD$450 000 raised in support of cancer care and support organizations across the region last year.

In addition to donations and sponsorship other fundraising activities held around the region include Paint for the Cure, Hike for the Cure and Golf for the Cure.

“Since its modest beginning in 2012, Walk for the Cure has raised over USD$4 million across our regional footprint. Every penny raised and donated has been shared among cancer care organizations and charities committed to the prevention and early detection of the disease, to education and outreach and to the care of persons with cancer and their families that are impacted,” said Mark St. Hill, the bank’s Chief Executive Officer and Chair of its charitable arm, the FirstCaribbean ComTrust Foundation which hosts the walk along with regional partners.

He praised staff members who eagerly volunteer every year to ensure the walk comes off successfully. “Your efforts, strengthened by the scores of dedicated corporate sponsors and individual contributions have seen us make a real difference in the lives of persons with cancer, their families and care givers. It is not an exaggeration when I say that your collective efforts have saved lives”.

Trustee of the FirstCaribbean ComTrust Foundation and Director of Corporate Communications at CIBC Caribbean, Debra King said the annual event was a demonstration of the bank’s commitment to the communities where they are located.

“No other activity more clearly demonstrates our commitment to our communities than Walk for the Cure which yearly attracts thousands of walkers and runners across the region. I am hopeful that again this year our sponsors and thousands of supporters around the region will rally to this cause resulting in record numbers on the roads and breaking records with our fundraising as well,” she stated.

The walk began as part of the celebrations to mark the bank’s 10th anniversary in 2012 and takes place across its 11-member footprint.

The funds generated from the walk are used primarily to assist with the purchase and maintenance of equipment used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients.

They are also used to provide assistance, care and counselling to patients and their families as well as to raise awareness, and stress the importance of early detection, through education campaigns across the region. (PR)