Gov’t has multiple sources, says Bostic

IT has been the culture of the current administration not to place all of its eggs into one basket, but to have multiple sources for COVID-19 related equipment.

Speaking during a press conference for a Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) presentation of medical tools to help with the fight against COVID-19, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bostic, Minister of Health and Wellness, stated that the Government of Barbados had engaged in multiple discussions to source COVID-19 related items. He was responding to the query by the media on the challenge of having enough doses to vaccinate 70% of the population as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“During this entire COVID response, the Government of Barbados has not once placed all of its eggs in one basket. There have been multiple approaches from everything to sourcing PPEs, ventilators, you name it. Vaccines, no different,” said Bostic.

The minister took the opportunity to compliment Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, for leading in that regard, where Barbados reached out to various avenues for aid.

“Reaching out bilaterally, every avenue is being explored to be able to source vaccines and I am sure the Prime Minister at the appropriate time will speak to this issue,” said the health minister.

Bostic however implored Barbadians, residents and visitors alike, to be mindful of the health protocols which had been put forward by the Government. Reminding the public that it did not matter which strain or vaccine was on the island, the practice of safety was paramount.

“The fundamental baseline defence is each and every one of us doing everything to take care of ourselves by following the protocols as articulated by the Ministry of Health and Wellness. If we do that, we will continue to achieve the success that we experienced over a ten-month period before we got to this point,” begged Bostic.

Earlier, PAHO had presented twenty thousand Rapid Antigen Test kits; Protective Equipment (PPE) kits consisting of surgical gowns, face shields, surgical masks, respirators and gloves; eight vital sign monitors and infusion pumps to the Ministry of Health and Wellness. (AS)