Health

Government Sets Out To Reduce NCDs By 50 Per Cent

Eight out of 10 deaths in Barbados are caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs). As a result, Government has set a target of reducing new NCD cases by 50 per cent as part of its Mission Barbados Declaration.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Davidson Ishmael, said the implementation of the National Strategic Plan for NCD Control (2023-2030) reflects this urgency by providing a comprehensive framework consisting of eight priority areas, aimed at tackling the rising burden of NCDs.

He was addressing the opening of the National Nutrition Centre’s Nutrition Conference last Wednesday, at the Radisson Aquatica Resort. It was held under the theme Good Nutrition: A Prescription for NCD Prevention and Control.

“More specifically, the strategic plan emphasises the reduction of risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy consumption of alcohol, poor nutrition, and sedentary lifestyles; through educational initiatives and policy interventions targeting communities, schools, and workplaces.

“The plan also highlights the importance of NCD self-management and improving healthcare-provider interactions, with a focus on empowering patients and caregivers. Additionally, childhood obesity prevention efforts are prioritised through educational campaigns and creating supportive environments, particularly within schools. This healthier environment is centered on promoting appropriate levels of physical activity, front-of-package warning labels, and restricting the marketing of unhealthy products to children,” Mr. Ishmael stated.

He added it was imperative to involve persons living with NCDs in these efforts to ensure “inclusivity and responsiveness to their needs”.

Also speaking during the conference was Education Officer with the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Hedda Phillips-Boyce, who gave a progress report on the impact of the Barbados Schools’ Nutrition Policy (BNSP), almost one year after it was implemented.

She said while there have been some challenges, there have also been some successes. One of the challenges, she explained, was getting some parents and teachers to model the positive behaviours outlined in the policy to set good examples for students.

Additionally, she said it was found that canteen operators lacked creativity when it came to providing healthier and tasty options for students. However, Mrs. Phillips-Boyce suggested that training would help in this area.

Another challenge she outlined was children buying unhealthy snacks from vendors outside of the school compound. To this end, she called on the Ministry of Health and Wellness to implement a vendors’ policy to stop this practice, which was undermining the progress being made.

As far as the successes go, the Education Officer pointed out that 90 per cent of the school canteens at secondary schools have been monitored for compliance to the BSNP, while 71 per cent of secondary students, and 66 per cent of primary school children have been sensitised.

She added that they have been working with the School Meals Department to modify and standardise recipes so that they are compliant. And she noted that, overall, the METVT had noticed an increase in the amount of water and non-sugar beverages being consumed by students.

Mrs. Phillips-Boyce called for manufacturers and marketers to be formally sensitised about the policy as well as for dedicated resources.

“The BSNP is important because we need this policy to guide us as to where to go and how to create a healthy school food environment. We have implemented strategies; some of them are working; some of them need some work, but we need the resources to help us to ensure that our students have a healthy environment, so they can reach their full potential,” she emphasised. (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)