IN SOLIDARITY

IT was a show of solidarity at the Garrison Savannah, yesterday.

Barbados joined others around the globe to form a human chain as a symbol of commitment to bridging gaps and working collaboratively towards universal health coverage.

The Chain, which stretched from the 50th Independence Anniversary National Monument – led by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the Ministry of Health and Wellness, was in observance of World Health Day 2019, which will be celebrated on Sunday, April 7, under the theme “Universal Health, Everyone, Everywhere”.

“Universal Health means that all people have access, without any kind of discrimination, to comprehensive quality services, wherever they need them, without facing financial difficulties,” said Dr. Godfrey Xuereb, PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean countries, explaining that it requires the definition and implementation of policies and actions with a multisectoral approach to address the social determinants of health and promote the commitment of the whole society with health and well-being.

He also emphasised that universal health is not just about ensuring everyone is covered, but that everyone has access to care when they need it, wherever they are.

“It means that we need to provide HIV screening services in all our health care centres/polyclinics; we need to have immunisation services available at a time when working mothers can take their children; it means that we need to have prostate screening and breast screening services available at the primary health services; that we have medication treatment that is affordable and access to all for all our non-communicable diseases; it means that our children and adolescents should have good sex education and live in an enabling environment that is not contributing to obesity, asthma, diabetes and heart disease.”

Minister of Health and Wellness, Lt. Col. the Hon. Jeffrey Bostic, said that the World Health Organisation and its representation here in Barbados, PAHO, continue to play a crucial role in national development. He noted that this is achieved through support for the capacity building of the health care workforce, especially in nursing; as well as the provision of technical assistance in various programme areas and rapid responses during times of health crises and disease outbreaks.

“I am extremely pleased to join with Dr. Xuereb, other PAHO staff and all of you to raise awareness of this year’s theme for World Health Day, ‘Universal health: Everyone, Everywhere’. This theme underscores the need for every woman, every man and every child to receive the full range of quality health care services which promote wellness and treat conditions that affect them,” he expressed.

“Furthermore, this theme strongly points to the value of having a sound primary health care system as the foundational approach for promoting well-being among the population, and one that is rooted in the needs of individuals, families and communities, meeting them in their everyday existence, where they live, work, learn and play.”

Dr. Rufus Ewing, Advisor of Health Systems and Services at PAHO/WHO Office for Barbados & the Eastern Caribbean Countries said that participation in the human chain formation was not just symbolic, but a demonstration of a strong commitment towards the advancement of Universal Health coverage and access in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries and the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

“Your exposure to the elements today and during formation of the human chain is testament of your sacrifice in solidarity for the elimination of all forms of discrimination and barriers to improve access to health care as a basic human right,” he added. (TL)