分类： society

Against a backdrop of growing frequency of shootings and violent encounters that have strained hospital operations across Barbados, Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) is moving forward with a targeted set of security upgrades to safeguard frontline staff and patients, chief executive Neil Clark has confirmed. In an exclusive interview with Barbados TODAY Wednesday, held on the sidelines of the launch event for digital information management firm Abergower, Clark outlined the timeline and scope of the planned changes, emphasizing that the enhanced measures have become a critical necessity for the facility at this juncture.

First on the agenda is specialized additional training for all QEH security personnel, set to be delivered by the national prison service this month. The training will focus on de-escalation and safe management of aggressive, high-risk individuals, equipping on-site security teams with the tools to respond effectively to volatile situations.

Alongside training, the hospital is rolling out body-worn cameras for all security staff, a transparency and accountability measure Clark says will benefit both security officers and the public. “The core purpose of these cameras is two-fold: it creates an official record of any incident that unfolds, and the knowledge that interactions are being recorded often encourages calmer behavior from all parties involved,” Clark explained. “This not only helps clarify what happens in the event of a dispute, but also acts as a proactive deterrent to aggression.”

Unlike broad overhauls that would add large numbers of new security staff, QEH’s strategy prioritizes improving infrastructure and capability within its existing workforce structure. The hospital is also expanding its closed-circuit video surveillance network across more areas of the facility, giving management real-time visibility into developing incidents across the campus. Clark noted that once training is complete and body cameras are fully deployed, QEH leadership will conduct a review to assess whether further upgrades are required. For now, he says, the existing split of in-house security personnel and contracted outsourced staff remains sufficient to handle current demand.

Clark explained that the hybrid staffing model is strategically deployed to leverage the strengths of both teams: in-house security, who are on-site full-time, have stronger familiarity with QEH’s layout and protocols, making them far more responsive to emerging incidents. Outsourced staff primarily handle static gate monitoring duties, allowing the in-house team to be deployed to high-risk areas that require rapid, flexible support.

The QEH chief also commended the existing partnership between hospital security and local law enforcement, pointing to their fast, coordinated response during violent incidents that bring shooting and stabbing victims to the hospital’s Accident and Emergency (A&E) department. “Whenever we receive a patient with a gunshot wound, officers arrive on site within minutes, and maintain a visible physical presence to prevent follow-up attacks from rival parties who may try to come to the hospital to complete an act of violence,” Clark said. “Security teams work hand-in-hand with A&E clinical staff to secure the area quickly, which has been extremely effective so far.”

Even with effective response protocols in place, Clark acknowledged that violent incidents create major disruptions to hospital operations. Most shootings require an immediate full or partial lockdown of the emergency department to contain risk, which slows the delivery of care for other patients and creates anxiety among clinical staff and visitors. Redirecting clinical and security staff to manage the lockdown also pushes out wait times for patients seeking care for unrelated conditions, a trade-off Clark says is unavoidable when safety is at stake.

Beyond physical security measures, QEH has put in place dedicated mental health support for staff who experience trauma during violent incidents. Clark says the facility offers access to professional counsellors for all employees, and the local vicar also provides on-demand emotional support. Team leaders conduct routine debriefs after major incidents to normalize any stress or anxiety that staff may experience, and encourage employees to access support services even if they don’t feel immediate impacts, since traumatic responses can emerge over time.

“Our priority is two-fold: keep everyone on campus safe physically, and make sure our team has the support they need to process these traumatic events,” Clark added.

A 19-year-old Barbadian woman, Noi Jemmott, is now in Bogotá, Colombia, entering what medical professionals call the most high-stakes phase of her fight against an aggressive, fast-growing blood cancer. Jemmott received a diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), a rapidly progressing cancer that impacts bone marrow and blood cell production, and began urgent, intensive chemotherapy earlier this week, according to her father Janson Jemmott. In an exclusive interview with Barbados TODAY Thursday, Janson, a Barbadian barber, shared that the coming 30 days of treatment will be a pivotal turning point for his daughter’s chance of full remission.

Over the first few days of her arrival in Colombia, clinical teams completed a battery of confirmatory tests to verify the initial diagnosis, map the spread of the cancer, and refine a targeted treatment plan tailored to Noi’s specific case. “The first couple of days they were running tests to make sure that the diagnosis was correct, and to find the best course of action to deal with the diagnosis,” Janson explained. “As of [Wednesday], they have started treatment – she has started chemo – and that will run for the first month. It’s gonna be the most intense month.”

As part of the first phase of care, Noi is scheduled to undergo two routine procedures this week: a minor surgery to place a central venous catheter in her chest to simplify consistent chemotherapy administration, and a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to test whether cancer cells have spread to her central nervous system. Despite the gravity of her diagnosis and the grueling treatment schedule ahead, Janson said his daughter has maintained an extraordinary level of resilience and positive spirit.

“I video called her earlier this morning and she was smiling,” Janson shared. “I tell her keep your smile. So that is comforting – very comforting – when I call her and I can see that she is still who she is. She is a very beautiful girl, very sweet girl.”

Janson admitted that the journey has been emotionally devastating for the entire family, but the overwhelming wave of support from strangers and loved ones across Barbados has softened the blow and given them strength to keep fighting. Donations to cover Noi’s costly overseas treatment have poured in from across the island, ranging from small $5 contributions to larger gifts, and Janson says each donation carries a meaning that goes far beyond its monetary value.

“Each time I get a call from some person, it’s extremely emotional for me,” he said. “You live in a world where there’s so much negative stuff going on, but when something like this happens, you can see the positive feedback from people. The people that donated $5 – that might have been that person’s last $5 – but they still donated. To feel the love from people that I don’t even know, it’s very overwhelming. In this day where so much negatives are going on, people need something positive to hold on to.”

Janson also opened up about the emotional toll the diagnosis has taken on Noi, revealing that she recently broke down in tears for the first time since learning she had cancer – a moment that he says drove home how difficult this fight is for her. Even so, he added, her strength has never wavered for long. “She has been very strong,” he said. “I really admire her.”

In the coming days, Janson will travel to Colombia to be by his daughter’s side ahead of the most intensive weeks of chemotherapy, a treatment that nearly always causes full hair loss. He plans to personally cut Noi’s hair before treatment begins, a small act of love and support to help her prepare for what’s ahead.

For Janson, every donation and message of support is more than just financial help to cover medical bills and travel costs. “Each donation I see as hope – not as dollars,” he said. “I know it’s going on account as dollars, but I see hope. I just want to thank everyone that has supported so far. Each call is very emotional. It has made me feel like, yes, there’s still hope.”

Janson is optimistic that Noi will respond well to treatment, and is holding onto hope that she will be able to return home to Barbados to resume her normal life within six months. If complications arise, the treatment and recovery process could extend to almost a year, but Janson says the family is preparing for whatever comes and remains committed to fighting alongside Noi. “Best case scenario, I’m hoping that in six months, my daughter should be back in Barbados,” he said. “Worst-case scenario, we could have this fight going on for almost one year. But I’m hoping that’s not the case. I want my daughter back… I miss her.”

Community members who wish to support Noi’s treatment can contribute via three channels: a dedicated GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-noi-jemmott-fly-to-colombia-for-lifesaving-treatment, a CIBC bank account numbered 1001282704, or through First Pay to the registered email cathyallman@gmail.com.

Barbados’ national secondary education system is rolling out an ambitious new Community Service Learning (CSL) initiative, crafted to redefine student engagement with local communities and expand learning beyond traditional classroom boundaries. Introduced as a core component of the Ministry of Education Transformation’s whole-child education framework, the programme will require compulsory participation from every student, spanning first form through sixth form. Its core goal is to shift learning focus from purely academic achievement to hands-on service development, leadership practice, and intentional cultivation of civic responsibility.

Hannah Connell, the national coordinator of the new CSL initiative, shared details of the programme’s mission and rollout timeline in an interview with Barbados TODAY on Thursday. A former national hurdler who recently returned to Barbados after completing overseas study, Connell emphasized that the programme is far more than a standard volunteering requirement. It is structured to help young Barbadians forge a strong personal identity, clarify their sense of purpose, and gain tangible, real-world life experience that cannot be taught from a textbook.

“For me, being part of this work is about embodying the same ethos of community investment that shaped so many of us,” Connell explained. “When people pour their time and energy into lifting you up, it changes your life forever. This programme gives students the chance to pass that impact forward to their own communities. Giving back gives you a profound sense of national pride, and it reminds you that you’re capable of more than just advancing your own goals—you have the power to lift up your community and help it grow.”

The initiative traces its origins to advocacy from Minister of Education Transformation Chad Blackman, with planning kicking off earlier this year. Unlike many education reforms that focus solely on improving test scores, the CSL programme aligns with the Barbadian government’s broader push to expand learning beyond four walls of the classroom, prioritizing the holistic development of young people.

Full implementation is proceeding in a phased, deliberate rollout across all secondary schools on the island to avoid disruption to existing school operations. Right now, the programme leadership team is holding working sessions with school administrations, training principals, identifying on-site school coordinators, developing standardized planning templates, and building out the sustained support systems required for long-term success. Connell stressed that while participation is mandatory for all students, the national ministry will provide ongoing support to every school to ensure rollout stays manageable and well-structured.

Service activities will be tailored to each school’s unique strengths and community needs, Connell noted. Students have the flexibility to participate through existing school clubs or design new community-focused projects that align with their personal interests. The programme also rejects passive participation: instead of simply attending meetings or showing up for one-off events, students are expected to take active, ongoing roles in their community projects.

A core long-term objective of the initiative is to prepare young people for life after graduation, Connell explained. By exposing students to hands-on professional and community experiences early on, the programme helps build the soft skills and real-world awareness that make graduates more competitive for employment and more prepared to navigate adult life. “When students leave school, they won’t just have textbook knowledge—they’ll have a voice, an understanding of how the world works, and the confidence to take on whatever opportunity comes next, whether that’s further education or full-time work,” she said.

At its core, the CSL programme’s vision is to nurture well-rounded, civically engaged young people through intentional, meaningful community interaction. It balances academic priorities with investment in character growth, active citizenship, national pride, and practical life skills that will serve students long after they graduate. To expand the programme’s impact, Connell is calling on local community groups, churches, individual volunteers, and private citizens to partner with secondary schools to create safe, rewarding service opportunities for participating students. She added that the team will put tailored provisions in place to accommodate any group or individual that expresses interest in supporting the initiative, whether they want to contribute to existing projects or help develop new ones.

Connell also addressed concerns from parents who may worry that the mandatory requirement will place extra stress on students or pull focus from academic coursework. “This programme was never designed to overwhelm students or take away from their academic work,” she reassured. “Its whole purpose is to build character, confidence, responsibility, and national pride, while giving students hands-on experience that prepares them for success across every area of their adult lives.”