Health

Eye On Health: Plan In Place For T20 Cricket World Cup

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is ready to handle a public health crisis should one arise, during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. The Most Honourable Kenneth George, shared the ministry’s strategy to address any disease outbreaks. The frontlines to tackle and mitigate threats will be the island’s ports of entry – the airport and seaport.

The CMO emphasised that port health would be one of the four major areas of concern where surveillance would be stepped up during the World Cup, and noted that officials would be monitoring persons entering the island for various diseases.

*Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kenneth George*

These include measles, which means they will be looking for travelers exhibiting symptoms such as fever and rash. Dr. George indicated that Barbados’ immunisation level for measles, a highly contagious disease, is still not at the required 95 per cent, making the island susceptible to an outbreak.

Tuberculosis, malaria and monkeypox will also be on heath authorities’ radar. Malaria has a “quiet” or incubation period, so persons can travel and develop symptoms while on island.

“So even Ebola and I’m not trying to scare anyone, but we must consider all possibilities. We have strengthened our port health surveillance, so we have done a lot of training of not only Port Health staff, but all allied staff associated with our ports of entry, whether it be the taxi drivers, Immigration and Customs officials, the full operations at the ports of entry have been addressed,” Dr. George disclosed.

“We have strengthened our port health surveillance, so we have done a lot of training of not only Port Health staff, but all allied staff associated with our ports of entry, whether it be the taxi drivers, Immigration and Customs officials, the full operations at the ports of entry have been addressed.” Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. The Most Honourable Kenneth George

He continued: “It’s important that we have a port health presence and we try to identify cases coming through our borders early. We’ll do this by making sure we go through our passenger listings, making sure we understand where the passengers are coming from because many of the persons are not coming from our traditional markets; like North America, Europe and Canada. They are coming from some unusual places. So, our Port Health has to understand their travel history and identify disease processes very early to make the appropriate intervention, rather than individuals having to be put into care, quarantine or placed in isolation.”

Another area where the Ministry will be increasing surveillance is vector control; mosquito and rat reduction, in particular. It has stepped up its rat baiting programme in the areas within and around Bridgetown and Kensington.

Environmental Health Officers will be working overtime to ensure the success of the programme by doing the appropriate baiting in an effort to reduce the rat population. Additionally, the Vector Control Unit will also be moving into high gear with its mosquito eradication programme.

Food handling during World Cup will receive the full attention of Ministry officials. The Chief Medical Officer explained that while he appreciates everyone will be “trying their hand” at making extra money by preparing and selling food, they must do so in a safe environment.

“So, here is the Ministry of Health’s position; hand washing is the most important infection prevention and control tool you can use to prevent the spread of disease. Wash your hands (for 20 seconds) all of the time, particularly after using the bathroom, before handling food, after handling food, before serving food, after serving food.

“Make sure that hot foods are kept hot, and hot foods are kept above 140 degrees Fahrenheit, and 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below for cold foods, and we should not mix uncooked with cooked foods. Food handlers should also make sure utensils in the kitchen are well sanitised and clean and all the surfaces where food is prepared should also be sanitised and clean,” Dr. George emphasised.

He added that Environmental Health Officers will be out “in full force” to monitor food handlers and vendors, and they will be enforcing the laws of Barbados when it comes to the quality of food being sold. This includes condemning and destroying unsuitable food sources and food items, he said.

Food handlers must have a certificate from a polyclinic indicating that they can handle and prepare food. For more commercial type operations, they need to have a restaurant licence, to make sure that the food operation is conducting business in the appropriate manner.

Food handlers must have a certificate from a polyclinic indicating that they can handle and prepare food. For more commercial type operations, they need to have a restaurant licence, to make sure that the food operation is conducting business in the appropriate manner.

The Ministry will also be monitoring the behavioural practices of the public during World Cup, including cautioning persons against risky sexual behaviour, as well as excessive alcohol use.

The CMO “strongly” advised against people taking too many risks which they might regret or result in placing people’s lives in danger. He said excessive alcohol intake could cause irresponsible behaviour.

Dr. George urged people, both local and visitors alike, to protect themselves by using condoms if they are unsure of their sexual partners.

He said the Ministry of Health and Wellness will be providing emergency services on the day of the matches; ambulances and first aid services will be available. The ambulances used during Cricket World Cup will be separate from those catering to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

“So Barbadians won’t be told ‘Oh, it’s Cricket World Cup and the ambulances can’t can come now’. We are covering our bases and we will be working with the private sector.… We’re not going to compromise the health care of our citizens during World Cup,” the CMO shared.

He added that health officials have undergone training, drills and simulations with the help of the Department of Emergency Management, the Barbados Defence Force, the Pan American Health Organization and the Caribbean Public Health Agency for any eventuality, ranging from disease outbreaks to disaster scenarios, including stampedes and the possibility of stands collapsing.

Dr. George said if there is an outbreak, the six-bed Infection Control Unit across from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Martindales Road, St. Michael, would be utilised.

Health officials have undergone training, drills and simulations with the help of the Department of Emergency Management, the Barbados Defence Force, the Pan American Health Organization and the Caribbean Public Health Agency for any eventuality, ranging from disease outbreaks to disaster scenarios, including stampedes and the possibility of stands collapsing.

“We scaled up that [when there was a threat of Ebola] so that can take the most infectious diseases. Harrison’s Point [in St. Lucy] will be coming into play only if there is an overwhelming threat. We have 120 beds there that are available to take patients. We have the capacity to scale-up quickly. And the final thing is the Field Medical Hospital which we are so proud of in Barbados, which is led by the Barbados Defence Force.

“They have been doing a lot of work and they are open for business during all matches. So that if there is a surge we will be able to handle that. So, the Field Medical Hospital will be used more for like a mass casualty incident, and Harrison’s Point for more infectious-type disease. We have to think positively as we put all these mitigation efforts in place,” he said.

The Chief Medical Officer reminded the public that there are no vaccine requirements for people travelling to Barbados. (PR/GIS)

Health

Mental Health Conditions On The Rise In Region

One in four adults in the Caribbean has a diagnosable mental health condition. But, 60 per cent of those affected never receive treatment.

This was the concerning picture painted by the statistics shared by Executive Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), Dr. Lisa Indar, at the opening ceremony for its 69th Annual Health Research Conference at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre yesterday. The conference, which has approximately 400 attendees, runs from May 7 to 9.

The treatment gap in some islands exceeded 90 per cent, she noted, which translated to nine out of every 10 people not receiving treatment.

Dr. Indar went on to reveal that depression and anxiety disorders accounted for 50 per cent of mental health conditions, and while suicide rates varied significantly between countries, they were showing concerning upward trends, particularly among the youth.

The CARPHA Executive Director pointed out that emerging data showed a “troubling” trend where Caribbean adolescents experience rates of depression, which were approximately 15 per cent higher than the global average. Contributing factors included academic pressure, exposure to violence, and limited youth-focused mental health resources.

“These statistics are not merely numbers – they represent our neighbours, family members, colleagues, and increasingly, our children. Each untreated case represents a story of unnecessary suffering and unrealised potential. Over 70 per cent of people in our region who need mental health care do not receive it. That is not just a service gap, it is a silence we must break.

Dr. Indar went on to reveal that depression and anxiety disorders accounted for 50 per cent of mental health conditions, and while suicide rates varied significantly between countries, they were showing concerning upward trends, particularly among the youth.

“That gap exists because of stigma, because of scarce resources, and because our systems have not always been designed with early intervention or community care in mind. Let us not mistake resilience for resignation. True strength comes not from pretending we are fine but from being willing to say, ‘I need help’,” Dr. Indar stated.

She further noted specific challenges faced by the region that can sometimes weigh on one’s mental health – the effects of hurricanes, economic pressures, and climate change.

Despite this, she said, mental health only receives four per cent of health care budgets across much of the region.

Dr. Indar called on researchers and public health leaders to close critical knowledge gaps when it came to mental health, through robust epidemiological data specific to Caribbean populations; and implementation research examining how to adapt evidence-based interventions to resource constraints and cultural contexts.

She said they should also advocate for funding for economic analyses that quantify the return on investment in mental health promotion; and adopt participatory research methodologies that prioritise the perspectives of individuals who have lived experience with mental health challenges.

The Executive Director pointed out that this involved collaboration between ministries of health, education, social development, and finance, as well as among researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and communities.

She stressed that it was crucial that countries in the region exchange resources and knowledge, and that there be collaboration between international organisations and local institutions.

Dr. Indar added that the Caribbean Public Health Agency was committed to supporting initiatives that build these partnerships, such as technical cooperation, knowledge exchange, and resource mobilisation efforts. Additionally, she encouraged researchers attending the conference to continue to conduct relevant research to promote health in the region.

The conference also features sessions on non-communicable diseases, family health, infectious diseases and nutrition. The next CARPHA Health Research Conference will be held in Guyana in April 2026 with the theme “Innovations in Health”. (PR/GIS)

Health

Barbados Gears Up For CARPHA 69th Health Research Conference

Barbados is set to host the highly anticipated 69th CARPHA Health Research Conference from 7th to 9th May at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre. The conference is hosted in collaboration with the Barbados Ministry of Health and Wellness.

This year, under the theme “Mental Health: The Hidden Pandemic” the conference will present focused sessions on mental health, non-communicable diseases, family health, as well as infectious diseases, and nutrition.

A panel discussion titled Breaking the Stigma: Advancing Mental Health Care for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults in the Caribbean on Day 1 will explore urgent strategies for improving the detection and treatment of mental health issues among children, adolescents, and young adults in the Caribbean. Panellists will examine the cultural stigmas, systemic gaps, and resource limitations that hinder early diagnosis and access to care.

In addition to a Special Session on Pandemic Fund and Infectious Diseases, the conference will present focused sessions on non-communicable diseases, family health, mental health, vector borne diseases, and nutrition.

Local, regional and international companies and organisations will display their products and services, innovations and programmes.

A total of 87 oral papers and 86 poster presentations will highlight research findings from students, academics and health professional from the Region.

“Last year, in Saint Lucia the conference drew 300 attendees, and this year an estimated 400 attendees is anticipated. This reflects the growing interest in the conference which aims to address pressing health challenges and seek actionable solutions. The combination of side meetings, oral and poster presentations, networking sessions and dialogue underscores the importance of public health research to the Caribbean,” stated Dr. Lisa Indar, Executive Director of CARPHA.

The 2025 health research conference promises to be an event that fosters collaboration and encourages research to action. (PR/GIS)

Health

Vaccination Week In The Americas April 26 – May 3

Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA) 2025 will be held from April 26 to May 3, under the theme Your Decision Makes a Difference. Immunisation for All.

This year marks the 23rdanniversary of VWA, and it will be celebrated with several activities to reinforce the role of immunisation in saving lives.

The week will begin with a church service at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, at the Grace Communion Church, at the St. George Secondary School, Constant, St. George.

Tuesday, April 29, and Wednesday, April 30, have been designated Polyclinic Open Days. As such, immunisations and other services will be available to members of the public on a walk-in basis.

On April 29, the Frederick Miller, Eunice Gibson, Winston Scott, and St. Philip Polyclinics will have their open day. On April 30, the public may visit Brandford Taitt Polyclinic, Maurice Byer Polyclinic, David Thompson Health and Social Services Complex, Edgar Cochrane Polyclinic, and Randal Phillips Polyclinic. All open days will run from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

A half-day Health Educational Workshop fornurses and doctors will be conductedon Friday, May 2. Topics and facilitators are as follows:

Case Management of a Measles Outbreak – Dr. Kimberley Phillips
Transition from the Pentavalent to Hexavalent Vaccine – Senior Health Sister, Juleyette Seranno.
Development of a national Events Supposedly Attributable to Vaccination or Immunisation (ESAVI) surveillance system – Pharmacovigilance Officer, Sharon Goodridge, and Acting Chief Public Health Nurse, Larone Hyland.

Two health fairs have been planned for Saturday, May 3. These will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Emerald City Complex, Six Roads, St. Philip, and Massy Car Park, Warrens, St. Michael. Several polyclinic services, including immunisations, will be offered during the outreach.

The National Vaccination objectives for 2025 are as follows:

Achieve and maintain at least 95 per cent vaccine coverage for primary vaccines.
Identify and vaccinate childhood defaulters who have missed scheduled doses.
Immunise vulnerable persons, including adults with tetanus and influenza vaccines.
Increase HPV vaccine coverage among the adolescent population
Enhance public awareness of the benefits of vaccination.
Ensure vaccination remains a national health priority.
Educate healthcare workers on the transition from the pentavalent vaccine to the hexavalent vaccine in January 2026.
Update childhood vaccination records, registers, and manuals to reflect current information.

Members of the public are encouraged to access the services at polyclinics during Vaccination Week in the Americas 2025. (PR/GIS)