PAHO presents Rapid Antigen Test kits

Yesterday the Pan American Health Organisation presented medical tools including 20 000 Rapid Antigen Test kits to Barbados, through the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

Dr Yitades Gebre, PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean and Overseas French Departments, made the presentation to Lt Col Jeffrey Bostic, Minister of Health and Wellness, Permanent Secretary Janet Phillips, Ministry of Health and Wellness and Dr Kenneth George, Chief Medical Officer, Ag.

The tools presented consisted of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits including surgical gowns, face shields, surgical masks, respirators and gloves, Rapid Antigen Test Kits, eight vital sign monitors and infusion pumps. The antigen test, according to the PAHO/WHO rep is much simpler and faster than the PCR test, in the detection of the virus.

“In our revised public health surveillance for public health guidance, in addition to the PCR test which remains the reference standard, WHO introduced the Diagnostic Rapid Antigen Test as a confirmatory method. Though it may be less sensitive than the PCR test, it offers the possibility of a rapid, inexpensive and early detection of the most infectious, where PCR tests are not available or results not timely,” he said.

Dr Gebre highlighted that just before the 2020 holidays, PAHO had wished Barbadians well and advised on being cautious over the Christmas and New Year seasons. However, as it has been worldwide, cases have erupted and the upward motion has restarted after a short lull.

"I am fully confident that the current outbreak in Barbados will be managed and contained if we apply the right interventions at the right time and in the right place,” said Dr Gebre.

The PAHO/WHO representative also stated that he believed that Barbados and the world could and had to learn from the experience by knowing and lowering risk, as cases could easily continue to trend upwards. He explained that it was necessary to protect loved ones and communities.

“We need to follow through on our commitment as individuals as communities and as governments in the coming months. To continue to build public surveillance, to work with communities, to maintain public health and social measures which are enforced by the government of Barbados,” he said.

Dr Gebre noted that it was important to assess risk and place risk mitigation processes in motion and communicate these risks to all citizens, residents and visitors alike.

Minister Lt Col Jeffrey Bostic, thanked PAHO for the items, saying that they were indeed timely, especially the rapid antigen test kits and that some possibly could be used as early as the same evening. Bostic in response to a query stated that Barbados was never low on test kits but the rapid kits would aid in speeding up the testing process and also bolster what the ministry already had in its possession to face the current battle  (AS)