Response mechanisms critical

By Patricia Thangaraj

 

As a result of an increase in the spread of new and emerging diseases across the globe and the potential threat that this poses citizens in various countries, specifically from persons travelling from one country to another means that healthcare stakeholders in Barbados have to be more strategic when it comes to preventing these diseases from reaching our shores.

 

This was one of the messages that the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Cheryl Alleyne gave as she delivered the address on behalf of the Minister of Health, John Boyce at the Nurses Week Seminar yesterday at the Hilton Hotel.

 

Quoting from the World Health Assembly on the important role that nurses play in the development of health care policies along with the creation of health interventions, she said that some of these diseases included Ebola as well as Zika and the fact that these diseases have spread across the globe is an indication that persons are not living in isolation.

 

“It is indeed fitting to reiterate the statement of the World Health Assembly that ‘nurses are essential to the development of quality health policy and the implementation of effective health interventions’. As we are all aware, we are living in a global melting pot; where there is constant change and often at a dynamic pace. The new and emerging diseases such as the health threat of HINI, Chikungunya, Ebola and recently Zika, reminds us that we are not living in isolation of each other since these diseases have the potential to spread rapidly across the globe,” she explained.

 

She also pointed out that “we are also faced with other health challenges ranging from an aging population, HIV/AIDS, TB and an increase in non-communicable diseases which are directly or indirectly influenced by socio-economic, environmental and geographical concerns. The challenges of the increasing prevalence of lifestyle related diseases and the ease of travel greatly enhances the potential for spread of diseases and unhealthy lifestyle practices especially among our vulnerable groups”.

 

As a result, the ability of healthcare stakeholders and the country as whole to respond effectively through the implementation of various mechanisms is essential, said the Permanent Secretary.

 

“It is therefore imperative that we as a people and a nation, whatever our discipline, socio-economic status, or geographical setting must be prepared to respond to these changes when they occur. Therefore, we must be willing to develop innovative ways and means of coping, adapting and where possible even changing the scope of world events,” she asserted.