National Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) 2015-2019

Barbados has the lowest age-adjusted death rate from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Despite this, however, mortality from the main CVDs affecting the island's population and prevalence of risk factors for most NCDs is high, particularly in those aged < 60 years. The Barbados Ministry of Health (MH) is aware that NCD control cannot be the responsibility of the MH alone, and is therefore refocusing healthcare service delivery towards a model of chronic care for the population, with a strong emphasis on a coordinated response through partnerships with other sectors of the government, civil society and the private sector. The NCD response covers four main areas: (1) strengthening strategic management; (2) surveillance and research; (3) integrated disease management and patient education; and (4) risk factor reduction. The target is to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by 25% by 2025 as well as to diminish the avoidable, costly morbidity from NCDs. This Action Plan, like the Strategic Plan, stems from the priority of the Barbados MH to develop a patient-centred, equitable, efficient, accessible, high-quality health care system. The MH's NCD response is led by the NNCDC through a combined and collaborative approach to the guiding principles, encompassing "all-of-government, all-of-society". This NCD Action Plan outlines the activities required annually for the MH and its partners to take to effectively tackle NCDs in Barbados during 2015­2019. The activities have been translated from the Barbados Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of NonCommunicable Diseases 2015­2019, prepared by the National NCD Commission (NNCDC) and the MH. Activities are outlined in tabular format, for each strategic line of action by year. The Appendix provides a brief outline of each year's activities required by all four strategic plans. In this way the Action Plan provides the "road-map" to operationalising the Strategic Plan, including a checklist of performance indicators for measuring whether the activity has been achieved.

Head 23: Ministry of Health: Programme budget for the year 2016-2017

This is an extract of the Barbados Ministry of Health Programme Budget for the Year 2016-2017. It consists of selected items from the Executive Summary that relate to funding, ceiling allocation and explanations for exceeding the ceiling. As well, aspects of one of the Ministry's sub-programmes viz. the Vector Control Programme, are described.

Vector control programme

This is an extract from the Barbados Ministry of Health Programme Budget for 2016-2017. It describes selected aspects of the "Vector Control Programme" which is managed by the Ministry's Vector Control Unit. Selected details viz.: programme background; overall goal; objectives; review of vector control activities for the previous year; constraints; plans for the stated budget period; as well as indicators are presented.

Barbados strategic plan for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases 2015-2019

Barbados, like its Caribbean neighbours, has high death rates from chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and corresponding high rates of NCD risk factors ­ unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, alcohol abuse and tobacco use. In 2007, the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) held a summit of leaders of Government on NCDs, the i rst anywhere in the world, and issued the historic Declaration of Port of Spain (POS) "Uniting to Stop the Epidemic of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases". h rough CARICOM advocacy, this approach was adopted globally, resulting in the United Nations High Level Meeting (UNHLM) on NCDs in September 2011 and the WHO NCD Plan, targets and indicators adopted in May 2013. Barbados has the most developed NCD response in the Caribbean, facilitated by political will and ef ective leadership, and steady progress has been made over the past i ve years. h is country has already adopted several of the NCD approaches recommended by the World Health Organization NCD plan: for example, the policy of access to health care as a fundamental human right and universal health coverage for Barbadian citizens and permanent residents have been largely achieved. h e National NCD Commission leads and coordinates the NCD response and continues to be ef ective despite economic constraints. To date, the national response to NCDs has been commendable, with political and i nancial support from the Government, support from health non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and some support from the private sector, especially the media. In the health sector, surveillance through surveys and the Barbados National Registry have been notable, and the Barbados Drug Service continues to provide high quality pharmaceuticals for all Barbadians. Legislation has made Barbados "smoke-free" and tobacco taxes have been increased, which reduce tobacco consumption, ill health and deaths. Anecdotal evidence suggests that more persons are exercising. However, gaps remain, particularly with respect to reporting on morbidity and mortality, adoption of a comprehensive health information system and less than adequate utilization of quality of care guidelines and audits. Alcohol focussed control measures need strengthening and ef orts to engage children in control and prevention activities need improvement. h is plan is the successor to the NCD Commission Plan 2009-2012, and it recognizes the vital role of other Ministries of Government, civil society and the private sector to reduce the risk factors for NCDs, since most of these risk factors lie outside of the reach of the Ministry of Health. It is therefore proposed to develop a National NCD Plan in the future, with full partnership and input from all-of-Government and all-of-society to guide us towards "health in all policies". h e Strategic Plan and log frame have four areas ­ Strengthening Strategic Management, Surveillance and Research, Risk Factor Reduction and Integrated Disease Management including Patient Education. Health promotion is the strategy used for all areas of the plan and is integrated throughout. h e plan includes targets from the POS Declaration and the United Nations High level Meeting on NCDs September 2011.

Annual report of the Chief Medical Officer for the years 2000 and 2001

The annual report of the Chief Medical Officer gives an overview of the activities of the Ministry of Health for the years 2000 and 2001. It aims to provide reliable information on the health situation and the health care system in Barbados during this period.

Dengue fever

Dengue fever is the most common and widespread arthropod-borne viral infection in the world. For Barbados, the burden of disease caused by dengue fever and its complications is a major challenge for the health sector. The history of dengue fever in Barbados dates back to the 1950s and 1960s with outbreaks occurring every five to ten years until the 1980s when there were yearly reports of cases. In 1995 there was a major epidemic in which more than 2000 cases were reported and for the first time there was one reported death. Statistical data is presented on dengue fever for the period 1993-2001 and confirmed cases of dengue fever 1997-2001. A public awareness campaign was implemented in 2000 and continued throughout 2001. This campaign involved intensified person-to-person contact during the inspection of premises and houses by the environmental Health Officers; distribution of pamphlets and other graphics; and conducting workshops with the public and private sector agencies, schools, churches and NGOs.

Annual report of the Chief Medical Officer for the years 1994-1996

The annual report of the Chief Medical Officer gives an overview of the activities of the Ministry of Health for the years 1994-1996. It aims to provide reliable information on the health situation and the health care system in Barbados during this period.

Annual report of the Chief Medical Officer for the year 1993

The Barbados Ministry of Health is the executing agency for the delivery of health care in the public sector and the Chief Medical Officer is responsible for all technical/professional aspects of the health service. The year 1993 saw the Ministry moving away from incremental budgeting and introducing programme budgeting. During the financial year 1993/94, expenditure was $174,984,469 million and was allocated for the following: policy formulation services; primary health care services; hospital services; care of the disabled; and a pharmaceutical programme. The Ministry's priority programmes are in keeping with the goals and targets of the Caribbean Cooperation in Health (CCH) Initiative which focuses on the following areas: strengthening the health services; environmental protection; human resource development; chronic non-communicable diseases; food and nutrition; maternal and child health; and the prevention and control of AIDS.

Annual report of the Chief Medical Officer for the years 1991-1992

The Barbados Ministry of Health is the executing agency for the delivery of health care in the public sector and the Chief Medical Officer is responsible for all technical/professional aspects of the health service. The Government recognises that health is a user of resources rather than a revenue generator, however, it is committed to providing comprehensive health care services for the entire population. This commitment is reflected in the budgetary allocation for the years 1990 to 1992. The annual budget is prepared on the basis of expenditure in previous years and additional requests by departmental heads and supervisors of the functioning units of the Ministry. During the period 1991-1992, the economic and social pressures as well as lifestyle issues such as substance abuse, HIV/AIDS and environmental problems continued to pose serious challenges for the Ministry of Health. The Government placed special emphasis on programmes for the elderly, the disabled and the chronically ill.

Annual report of the Chief Medical Officer for the years 1987 and 1988

This report is an extract of a Ministry of Health annual report compiled in Barbados, West Indies. The original report consists of six sections but in this document only two complete sections A. and B. and a part of the third C. are included. The latter section is further sub-divided into: "Services given directly to individuals"; "Supporting Services"; and "Disease Prevention and Control". This sub-section deals with two main aspects of disease prevention and control, one of them being Communicable Diseases. Dengue Fever which falls into the latter category was recorded as having increased in the Caribbean in 1987. In Barbados, there was a relatively large reduction from 80 cases in 1987 to 10 cases in 1988. During 1987-1988, the country's Public Health Inspectors continued monitoring to ensure that there was satisfactory control of the Aedes aegypti. Control activities were also focused on the Anopheles aquasalis which was found breeding in a swamp area.

Barbados national drug formulary: a guide to rational prescribing

The BNDF is intended to be a pocket book for quick reference, of greatest value to young doctors, but also to every prescriber who needs to use a drug for the first time, to check general guidelines, major cautions and side effects or dose ranges; to identify an unfamiliar drug name or seek help with an unusual patient; in short to assist in rational prescribing. It is also an educational tool for pharmacists, nurses and other members of the health care team(AU)

Barbados national drug formulary: a guide to rational prescribing

The BNDF is intended to be a pocket book for quick reference, of greatest value to young doctors, but also to every prescriber who needs to use a drug for the first time, to check general guidelines, major cautions and side effects or dose ranges; to identify an unfamiliar drug name or seek help with an unusual patient; in short to assist in rational prescribing. It is also an educational tool for pharmacists, nurses and other members of the health care team

Health Services (Control of Mosquitoes) Regulations, 1970

This document lays out the items covered by the Health Services (Control of Mosquitoes) Regulations, 1970. It was made by the Minister under section 10 of the Health Services Act, Chapter 44 of the Laws of Barbados. Statutory Instrument (S.I.) 1970 No.1979 was issued based on this Act.

Annual report of the Director of Medical Services for the year 1964

This report is an extract of a 1964 Ministry of Health Medical Services annual report from Barbados, West Indies and consists of Part I to Part VI of the original report. The latter part of Part VI provides a summary of the work done by members of the Inspectorate and other allied units of the Department of Medical Services during the period January 1 to December 31. Three aspects of the work summary appearing here are: (i) Aedes Aegypti Eradication Programme; (ii) Quarantine and Port Sanitation; and (iii) Rodent Control. The Aedes Aegypti Eradication Programme was reported as taking precedence over other work carried out by the Department. It was observed however, that despite the work carried out, the general attitude of the public showed apathy and lack of interest in the efforts to eradicate the Aedes Aegypti mosquito.

Aedes aegypti programme

The Aedes Aegypti programme was reported as taking precedence over other work by the Department of Medical Services for 1964, the year under review. Despite the work carried out, the general attitude of the public showed apathy towards efforts to eradicate the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The Department of Education was therefore invited to collaborate and produce a film about the work dedicated to completely eradicating this mosquito. Though well received, heavy rains challenged the progress made and a new pesticide had to be sought out. Indices were calculated for specific areas in Barbados and for the island as a whole.

Annual report of the Director of Medical Services for the year 1962-63

This report is an extract of a medical services annual report from the Ministry of Health, Barbados, West Indies. It contains Part V. and a sub-section of Part VI. of the original report. Part V. itemizes three aspects of work conducted during the period 1962-1963 under the headings: (1) Aedes Aegypti Eradication Programme; (2) Quarantine and Port Sanitation; and (3) Miscellaneous. The Aedes Aegypti Eradication Programme was reported as taking precedence over all other work carried out by the department. Increased work activity was observed in both the northern and southern areas. In the latter, the removal of the contents of certain deposits prior to having them inspected and treated with D.D.T. insecticide may have caused myriads of fertile Aedes eggs to go untreated. The City of Bridgetown area continued to be challenging to efforts to reduce incidence of breeding. Checks for evidence of mosquito and rodent infestation accompanied by remedial measures were undertaken on the premises, schooners and vessels. Thirty-one thousand four hundred and eighty-nine (31,489) serological tests were done. The Public Health Laboratory performed such tests for the entire island.

Health and wellness barbados: national strategic plan for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases - 2020-2025

In 2018 the Barbados Labour Party presented its "People's Manifesto: Building the Best Barbados Together", which placed all who are Barbadian­by birth, marriage, descent, or choice­at the centre of our country's national sustainable development. We committed to "Healthy Bajans", through actions taken during both the initial Mission Critical phase of our governance and the longer-term Transformational Agenda. With our election and strong evidence of the confidence that the people of Barbados placed in us, the Government of Barbados continues to work toward fulfilling the commitments made for greater emphasis on the health and wellbeing of our people. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer consume 70% of the budgets of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the Barbados Drug Service. We cannot keep putting most of our limited resources towards fighting sickness; we cannot keep waiting until we get sick to take action; and we cannot afford the high price of these diseases, neither in lives nor in public expenditure. Our parents' and grandparents' advice that "prevention is better than cure" is more applicable than ever in these times. We must continue on the road to making sure that all of us are educated about our health and have access to the food, facilities, and services we need to stay healthy. In advancing our national development in a sustainable way, we need all hands on deck; we need healthy, productive people at all levels to stay the course, contribute, and get our society and our economy back on track­we all contribute, and we all benefit. The development of the National Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs 2020-2025 was led by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and its implementation and monitoring will also be led by that Ministry. However, let there be no doubt that it is a national plan, and all sectors of government and all of society have to be involved for its successful execution. We have full confidence that the Ministry of Health and Wellness has mechanisms in place for such involvement, and the Government of Barbados, through the Cabinet Sub-committee on NCDs, will take more than a passing interest in progress made to tackle NCDs and reduce their burden. Together, we can achieve our national health goals and contribute to the achievement of regional and global goals for sustainable development. Our goals are lofty and aspirational, but this is Barbados­we can do it!