Bostic lauds support of PAHO

IT has been a trying, and at times overwhelming, 19 months for Barbados, but Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bostic, Minister of Health and Wellness, has expressed his thanks to the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), praising their commit- ment to the support of the island in the fight against COVID-19.
Bostic was speaking yesterday at a presentation at the headquarters of PAHO, Dayrells Road, Christ Church, of two vehicles – a Toyota Corolla V- Cross and a Toyota Hilux, along with much-needed medical equipment. The minister said that he hap- pily accepted the items on behalf of the ministry and saw them as gifts to the island, embracing the season of giving. The vehicles will be used in assistance of the COVID-19 Monitoring Unit in carrying out their duties.
“I want to say something this morning about that because I believe for every single Barbadian and resident of this country who before knew nothing about PAHO, that by now you should all understand the importance of this regional
organisation to Barbados and to the entire region, the importance of being a member of such an organisation, because PAHO has delivered for us each and every time whenever we have an issue or whenever there was a hole or gaping hole in our efforts. And very often without even making a request, PAHO has come through for us and in a big, big way,” said Bostic.
The minister explained that the ministry was very appreciative of the organ- isation, saying that PAHO reminded the region that they were not fighting the battle against COVID-19 alone, but had a wealth of resources through the organisation including tech- nical, human and material. He highlighted the season of giving and said that he wanted the season, not to be seen as one where Barbadians focused on the negative aspects of the recent months, referring to the recent ashfall, hurricane and the ongoing pandemic, but one where the joy of Christmas is felt.
“We have gone through a period within the last couple months where our figures or stats have gone from 300 and something positive cases to over 20,000 in a short period of time. But through it all we never faltered, we never wavered and we are still here to fight. And I say to each and every one of us, that as we approach the Christmas season, Christmas day, and the joy and happiness that it brings, let us give our peo- ple some hope, some joy, some cheer. So that these figures and everything to do with COVID in this re- gard cannot and must not dominate the next two weeks. Our people deserve that. We deserve that.
“So the gifts, certainly from the Ministry of Health at this time, are to try our very best to ensure that each and every Barbadian and resident of this country enjoy the Christmas season, and to do so in a safe environment. So we should be speaking to our people, and telling them to enjoy themselves, but how to do so safely,” said the Minister.
Regarding the new COVID-19 variant Omicron, Lt. Col. Bostic relayed that the ministry would have no knee-jerk reaction and there would be no banning of people from any countries from entering the island. He also let the public know that a national technical advisory team had been established comprising The University of the West
Indies, the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners (BAMP), the Ministry of Health and Wellness and also PAHO was asked to come on board.
“They have put forward some recommendations which have gone to cabinet. I do not want to speak specifically to those at this
point in time, but I can tell you that enhanced surveillance is definitely on the cards and what we decided on is that to embark on a new wave of public announcements and public relations and education efforts because this holds the key in any situation we find ourselves in going forward,” he said. (AS)