标签： Barbados

Barbados is on track to become the 12th Caribbean nation to achieve official recognition for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B by the end of 2025. This milestone follows a pre-assessment conducted by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), which highlighted significant progress and dedication across the island’s healthcare system. The certification process, expected to conclude by year-end, mirrors successful efforts in Belize, Jamaica, and St Vincent and the Grenadines in 2024. Cuba set the precedent a decade ago as the first country globally to eliminate both HIV and syphilis transmission from mother to child. Last week, a PAHO team, accompanied by a regional laboratory expert, collaborated with Barbados’ national health team to conduct a comprehensive pre-assessment. The review, designed to identify gaps and challenges, included visits to key health facilities such as the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, polyclinics, and private medical centers. The delegation evaluated services for pregnant and lactating women, inspected laboratories, and reviewed HIV services, maternal and child clinics, vaccination programs, and disease surveillance systems. Dr. Amalia Del Riego, PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries, emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating that it reflects the strength of Barbados’ HIV and maternal health services and its commitment to ensuring every child has a healthy start in life. PAHO’s support aims to strengthen health systems, promote health equity, and prevent missed opportunities for disease prevention. WHO certification confirms a country’s ability to deliver high-quality, accessible care to pregnant women and newborns, safeguarding them from HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B transmission.

In a significant move to address healthcare accessibility, the Barbados Cancer Society’s Breast Screening Programme has introduced free mammograms for patients at polyclinics across the island who cannot afford the service. This initiative, announced by Dr. Shirley Hanoman-Jhagroo, the Medical Coordinator of the Programme, follows recent donations that have made this life-saving service possible. The announcement was made during the CIBC Walk for the Cure event at Warrens on Sunday. Dr. Hanoman-Jhagroo emphasized that financial barriers have long prevented many women from accessing essential breast screenings, a concern that prompted the launch of this programme. ‘There are no free mammograms on the island, and that has always been a concern,’ she stated. ‘Many women feel they cannot approach the Cancer Society for help, so they remain untreated.’ The programme has now allocated free mammograms to ten polyclinics, with each facility receiving ten screenings initially. Nurses at these clinics will identify and assist patients who cannot afford the service, ensuring broader access to early detection. In addition to this initiative, Dr. Hanoman-Jhagroo highlighted improvements in cancer care services at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH). The Oncology Department, which previously could only treat six patients daily, will soon expand its capacity to 14 patients per day, thanks to the donation of seven new chairs. This expansion is expected to reduce the chemotherapy waiting list from two and a half months to just two weeks, significantly improving patient outcomes. Dr. Hanoman-Jhagroo expressed optimism about the impact of these changes, stating, ‘These improvements will make a real difference for patients who are already dealing with the stress of a cancer diagnosis.’

Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) has announced a groundbreaking initiative to transition from paper-based patient files to secure electronic medical records accessible via mobile phones. This digital overhaul, unveiled on the hospital’s weekly Pulse Radio Show, aims to enhance healthcare efficiency, security, and patient accessibility. Dr. Christine Greenidge, Chief Operations Officer at QEH, detailed the plan, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize patient care. ‘We are working on our digital transformation, where patients will soon be able to access their medical records directly on their mobile devices using a private password,’ she explained. The system will also enable patients to safely share their records with private physicians, particularly beneficial for those traveling abroad. Dr. Greenidge highlighted the importance of supporting elderly patients or those less familiar with technology, suggesting that family members or next of kin assist in navigating the system. Public education programs will be rolled out to ensure widespread adoption. The initiative has already seen progress with the introduction of self-registration in the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department, a move Dr. Greenidge likened to the modernization of immigration services. ‘Just as passport control has become more efficient, our A&E services are now more timely and digital,’ she noted. This transformation is expected to streamline healthcare delivery, reduce paperwork, and improve overall patient experience.

The Warrens business district in Barbados was awash with a vibrant pink hue on Sunday as an estimated 20,000 participants gathered for the 2025 CIBC Walk for the Cure. This event marked one of the largest turnouts in its history, showcasing a profound display of unity and commitment to breast cancer awareness. Kemar Polius, Head of CIBC Barbados, expressed his awe at the scene, describing it as “a sight to behold.” He shared his experiences from similar walks in the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas, emphasizing that the Barbadian event was unparalleled in its scale and impact. Polius highlighted that the CIBC Caribbean has raised over US$5 million regionally, with more than BDS$1 million contributed in Barbados, to support cancer-fighting initiatives through the Breast Screening Programme of the Barbados Cancer Society. President Dame Sandra Mason, in her final public appearance before her term ends on November 29, officially opened the event and participated in the walk. Dr. Shirley Hanoman-Jhagroo, Medical Coordinator of the Breast Screening Programme, noted the significant progress Barbados has made in raising awareness and reducing the stigma associated with breast cancer. She emphasized the importance of early detection and revealed the introduction of a new $1 million mammogram machine that offers a more comfortable screening experience for both women and men. Dr. Hanoman-Jhagroo expressed gratitude for the widespread support from Corporate Barbados and the general public, underscoring the collective effort in advancing breast cancer awareness and treatment.