BARBADOS: The Cultural Industries Development Authority (CIDA) is encouraging cultural practitioners and artistes to participate in its upcoming ‘talk back’ sessions on the Cultural Industries Development Act.
The sessions, which are aimed at further explaining how persons can access the Act’s incentives, continue for Artistes in Design (architecture, landscape, website, fashion and masquerade), and persons within the audio-visual sector on Thursday, April 14.
Practitioners in Media (app developers, software and computer services, the music industry and technical services), are encouraged to attend their session on Thursday, April 21. All sessions will be held at the Queen’s Park Steel Shed, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
jamal.weekes@barbados.gov.bb
CIDA 'Talk Back' Sessions In April
Gym Open While Renovations Continue
BARBADOS: Indoor sporting activities will continue at the Wildey Gymnasium during the first month of renovations.
This news comes out of discussions between the management of the gymnasium and the Chinese construction company, Shanxi Construction Engineering (Group) Corp, which is responsible for the renovations.
According to joint correspondence from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and the construction company, preliminary work on the building has commenced.
However, as no internal construction has been currently slated for the first month of renovations, the Gymnasium will remain open for indoor sporting activities to take place.
Renovations to the Gymnasium, which are estimated at BBD $19 million, are expected to conclude approximately 15 months after the commencement of the project.
jamal.weekes@barbados.gov.bb
Museum To Host Independence Exhibition
BARBADOS: The Barbados Museum and Historical Society is encouraging persons to contribute items to an upcoming exhibition which will commemorate fifty years of nationhood.
The exhibition, which is being held to raise awareness of and educate individuals on the history of independence in Barbados, will run from November 2016 to April 2017.
Persons may submit any items that relate to independence, or artefacts that relate to how Barbados has progressed as a nation. The items may be donated for the period of the exhibition; or they may be donated to the Museum permanently.
For more information, interested individuals may contact Angela Boyce or Allison Callender at the Barbados Museum & Historical Society at 427-0201 or e-mail: info@barbmuse.org.bb. The deadline for submissions isTuesday, June 28, 2016.
jamal.weekes@barbados.gov.bb
Diversifying Barbados’ Tourism Product
BARBADOS: Government is committed to diversifying Barbados’ tourism product offerings to attract more people to these shores.
Prime Minister Freundel Stuart gave this assurance last evening while giving remarks at the fourth and final Repeat Visitors Reception for 2016 at Ilaro Court.
It was also attended by several government ministers, senior public servants, officials of the Barbados Tourism Product Authority, the Barbadian members of the winning West Indies Women’s Cricket Team, and the Junior Minister of Tourism, Rashana Jones.
Mr. Stuart told those gathered: “There are many visitors to our shores and potential visitors to our shores who are especially interested in matters relating to heritage and preservation and that is an area of our tourism sector which we are committed to developing.
“It is important to diversify our product offerings to appeal to a wider range of visitors and to attract additional people here.” He identified medical tourism as one of the many areas Government was trying to develop as it seeks to diversify the product offering.
The Prime Minister noted that tourism was the island’s leading sector and promised that Government would continue to make Barbados as congenial, comfortable and safe an environment as possible.
Mr. Stuart pointed out that during his interaction with visitors, the refrain was the same, “you have a beautiful country and your people are special.” He added: “Earlier in the night a repeat visitor told me that whenever she leaves Barbados to go back home, she leaves her heart here and since she knows she cannot live without a heart, she knows she has to come back.”
Some of the visitors included Ingried Brinkman who is on her 81st visit; Susan McMillan and John McDonald who have visited 65 times; Joy Pearson who travelled here 62 times and David and Susan Briscoe who are on their 60th visit. Richard and Lorraine Thorley, who came here for their honeymoon in 1982 and have been returning two or three times yearly, are now on their 70th visit. They purchased a home here and every year they now spend five months in Barbados.
sharon.austingill-moore@barbados.gov.bb
New Initiatives To Beat Diabetes
BARBADOS: As Barbados continues to grapple with the high burden associated with diabetes, both in terms of healthcare costs and loss of productivity, Health Minister John Boyce has outlined an array of interventions initiated by the Ministry of Health.
Speaking at a cocktail reception yesterday hosted by the Pan American Health Organisation to celebrate World Health Day, Mr. Boyce disclosed that one in five adults in Barbados was diabetic, and almost half of the population, aged over 65, had the disease.
“These findings have very serious implications for all of us. They indicate that persons at risk of diabetes and those with pre-diabetes need to be identified early through screening interventions, using traditional risk factors such as advanced age, family history, presence of hypertension and being overweight or obese.”
Treatment, he stressed, must be implemented early to prevent complications such as lower limb amputations, blindness and neuropathy. The Health Minister said that through its polyclinic services, Government was using multiple approaches to diabetes care.
The non-communicable disease clinic at the Winston Scott Polyclinic had been strengthened and patients were now benefitting from annual physical examinations, clinical investigations and therapeutic education.
This allowed patients to interact with healthcare professionals to design a personalised care plan for the management of their condition, he explained. At the polyclinic at the David Thompson Health and Social Services Complex in St. John, another approach had been adopted, he revealed, which embraced the chronic care model.
This approach was inclusive of the patient, the healthcare team and the community, and was applied not only to the management of diabetes but also to a wide array of other preventive services, he added.
At the St. Philip and Edgar Cochrane polyclinics, the Ministry is collaborating with Yale University to provide specialized diabetes treatment. Mr. Boyce said that when fully operational, patients will benefit from annual eye checks through digital retinal photography as well as care from specialized teams including podiatry and nutrition.
The Ministry also collaborates with the Diabetes Foundation of Barbados to provide specialised treatment for diabetics who meet specific criteria to assist them in gaining better control of the disease. Up to February this year, 367 patients had been referred from the polyclinics to this programme.
joycspring@gmail.com
Diabetes: A Big Problem for Years to Come
TRINIDAD: Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, April 7, 2016. Studies conducted by the University of the West Indies (UWI) estimate that 1 in every 4 adults in some Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries have diabetes. More worrying is the doubling of overweight and obesity in children less than five years, along with the high rates in adolescence, as obesity is one of the major risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes. Studies also revealed that both obesity and diabetes tend to be significantly higher in women than in men, with, on average, women being twice as likely to be obese and 60 per cent more likely to have diabetes.
Dr Joy St. John, Director of Surveillance, Prevention and Disease Control at the Caribbean Public Health Agency, CARPHA, said “This data signals that diabetes can be a big problem for years to come.” Dr St. John also indicated that cultural norms within the Caribbean are a major contributing factor. However, she stressed that it is imperative for persons to place their health before personal preferences.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar to give us the energy that we need to live. Uncontrolled levels of insulin in the body can have dire consequences. This is seen in the 2011 data for CARICOM where the estimated number of premature deaths – persons under 70 years – from diabetes was 39 per 100,000 population: Males – 58 per 100,000 and Females 35 per 100,000 (PAHO/WHO).
A common effect of uncontrolled diabetes is hyperglycaemia, or high blood sugar, which over time leads to serious damage to many of the body’s systems. High blood sugar can seriously compromise the systems of the body and affect every major organ in the body, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, nerve damage, blindness, impotence and infections that can lead to amputations. The overall risk of dying among people with diabetes is at least double that of persons without diabetes.
However, simple healthy lifestyle measures have been shown to be effective in preventing and delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes. To help prevent Type 2 diabetes and its complications, people should:
- Avoid tobacco use
- Eat a healthy diet which includes at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day and reduce intake of fats and sugars
- Remain physically active – at least 30 minutes of regular moderate-intensity physical activity on most week days (for adults); and 60 minutes moderate to vigorous physical activity everyday (for children)
- Maintain a normal body weight
To assist countries to halt and reverse the rise in child and adolescent obesity, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) developed a Plan of Action “Promoting Healthy Weights in the Caribbean: Prevention and Control of Childhood Obesity, 2014-2019” which can guide implementation of activities in countries with technical support from CARPHA where necessary.
The theme for this year’s World Health Day is “Beat Diabetes”. CARPHA is urging everyone to take responsibility for their health by adopting healthy lifestyle practices to prevent and control the high rates of diabetes in our CARICOM countries.
Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA)
Communications Unit
16-18 Jamaica Boulevard, Federation Park, Port of Spain
Trinidad and Tobago
Tel: (868) 622 4261
Fax: (868) 622 2792
www.carpha.org
National Security Minister meets with US Defence Officials in Washington D.C.
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: April 7, 2016: Major General (Ret’d) the Honourable Edmund Dillon, Minister of National Security, is currently on an official visit to Washington D.C. for the period 05 – 07 April, 2016 on invitation from the Inter-American Defense Board (IADB).
Minister Dillon attended a series of meetings in commemoration of the 74th Anniversary of the IADB as follows:
- Hemispheric Situation Conference of the Inter-American Defense College on April 05, 2016.
- 74th Anniversary Ceremony of the Inter-American Defense Board on April 06, 2016.
- Special Meeting of the Committee on Hemispheric Security on April 07, 2016.
At the IADB Anniversary Ceremony, Minister Dillon delivered the feature address and congratulated the IADB on its outstanding achievements and track record of delivery over the last seventy-four (74) years in promoting security and democracy within the hemisphere.
He also noted that with the IADB being the oldest International Aggregation of Armed Forces in the world which was created in the aftermath of World War II, it was his hope that the body will continue its role in the provision of leadership, education and professional development for military personnel as well as civilians in the security sector in the hemisphere, administered through the Inter-American Defense College.
Following his address, Minister Dillon was presented with an IADB Medal in recognition of his provision of yeoman service and dedication throughout his military career and beyond.
During his visit to Washington D.C., Minister Dillon also took the opportunity to meet with other key U.S. Defense officials to continue dialogue and collaborative efforts in preparation for the hosting of the Twelfth (XII) Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas (CDMA) taking place in Trinidad and Tobago in October 2016.
Two new Zika cases in Oropouche and Barataria- confirmed cases now at 11
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: April 7, 2016: The Ministry of Health, following consultation with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) wishes to inform the public that two additional cases of the Zika virus in Trinidad have been confirmed. This brings the total number of confirmed Zika cases in Trinidad to 11. There are at this time, no confirmed cases in Tobago.
The Ministry notes that these two new cases are located in Oropouche and Barataria and appear to have been locally acquired. Both patients presented with a rash, fever and generalised body pains.
The Insect Vector Control Division; County Medical Officers of Health for St. Patrick and St. George West; the Siparia Regional Corporation and the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation were informed and field work has commenced.
The Ministry of Health continues to urge citizens to take steps to prevent the infection of themselves and their loved ones:
1. Dispose of all unwanted containers/items in the yard or environs which can collect water and become mosquito breeding grounds.
2. Cover water containers such as barrels, drums or buckets with a mosquito proof covering.
3. Ensure that your drains and guttering allow the free flow of water.
4. Empty and scrub the sides of water vases or use dirt or sand instead to support flowers.
5. Cover extremities when out in the evenings.
6. Use bed nets that are tightly tucked under the mattress for protection at night.
7. Use insect repellent that contains DEET as an active ingredient.
Prime Minister meets with representatives of the Sural Group
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: April 7, 2016: Dr. the Honourable Keith Christopher Rowley, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, met with representatives of the Sural Group, Venezuela on Wednesday 6th April, 2016.
Mr. Edgard Romero – Director of Sural Group; Mr. Alfredo Riviere – President of Sural Group; and Mr. Dave Baijoo – Director of Alutech made a presentation on the manufacturing of motor vehicle rims.
The meeting was held at the Office of the Prime Minister, St. Clair.
41st Annual Fisherman’s Day Celebrations
ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES: This year marks the 41st Annual Fisherman’s Day celebrations in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and will be celebrated from 15th April – 16th May (Whit Monday), one month of celebrations. The venue for Fisherman’s Day this year will be at the Calliaqua Fisheries Complex, but the month of celebrations will be launched in Barrouallie on 15th April.
The 2016 Fisherman’s Day celebrations will be hosted under the theme “Illegal Fishing and Climate Change are Threats to Livelihood and Food Security, but against all Odds we will Prevail” and slogan “Respect the Law, Report the Catch, Protect Your Livelihood”. These were selected in keeping with the World Food Day’s theme, “Climate Change and Agriculture”.
The Fisherman’s Day Executive Committee 2016 consists of the following persons:
- Chairman – Winfield Tannis Abbott
- Vice-Chairman – Winsbert Harry
- Secretary – Tameek Telemaque
- Treasurer – Nyasha Antrobus
- Public Relations Officer – Reuben Bradshaw
- T-shirt Committee Chairperson – Lorenzo George
- Fish-Night Committee Chairperson – Ferique Shortte
- Education Committee Chairperson – Nyasha Antrobus
- Fishing Competition Committee Chairperson -Travon Ferary
- Fund Raising Committee Chairperson – Carlina LaBorde
Source: Ministry of Agriculture Communication Unit – St. Vincent
