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Government is looking to take some of the pressure off the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) by bolstering its health care delivery at the primary level.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Davidson Ishmael, said this will be done through the refurbishment of polyclinics and the construction of new clinics, as well as the use of the new mobile clinic, introduced in March, this year, which is expected to enhance accessibility to health care in remote areas of the country.
He was speaking at the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Pan American Health Organization’s World Health Day Wellness Fair, held last Saturday, at the Barbados Defence Force’s Field Mobile Hospital, located at the National Stadium, Waterford, St. Michael.
While emphasising the theme for World Health Day, My Health, My Right, Minister Ishmael said the Ministry was “reorganising and re-strategising” to emphasise the importance of healthcare at the community level, in an effort to avoid cases being escalated at the tertiary health care level.
“We have embarked on a transformative journey of national prosperity. Two of the missions signed on May Day 2023 speak to this aim. We will strive towards equitable access to clean water and nutritious food and foster a society that prioritises wellness and happiness through the reduction of new cases of NCDs by 50 per cent.
“The incidence of non-communicable diseases is unacceptably high among our population and their negative effects destroy lives and families, as well as contribute to the ever-increasing cost of treatment and care. And ultimately, will contribute to a loss of productivity,” he stated.
Mr. Ishmael told those attending the fair that now was the time for Barbadians to make wellness a way of life. He further noted that Government was supporting this ambition by undertaking initiatives to strengthen the health care infrastructure and services.
To this end, he cited enhancements at the Accident & Emergency Department of the QEH, including the availability of surgical theatres and the procurement of state-of-the-art equipment. He added that plans were also in place for establishing new oncology and rehabilitation services at the hospital.
“I want to encourage those of us here today to make a commitment to ourselves, our families, and our country. Let us eat more fruits and vegetables, get at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily, drink more water, reduce the amount of salty snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages we drink each day, and let us take time for family, rest, and relaxation.
“As we commemorate World Health Day, let us reaffirm our collective resolve to prioritise health as a fundamental human right. Together, let us continue striving towards a future where every Barbadian enjoys optimal physical, mental and social wellbeing,” Minister Ishmael underscored.