Strive for the best

October 11, 2016, 9:00 pm

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Public and private secondary school students were in attendance at Tuesday’s EduNation Forum, held in Queen’s Park. INSET: Minister of Education, Science, Innovation and Technology, Ronald Jones.

Minister of Education, Science, Innovation and Technology, Ronald Jones is encouraging secondary school students to make the most of the academic opportunities presented to them.

His advice came while addressing yesterday EduNation Forum held in the Queen’s Park Steel Shed. This was one of the planned activities this education month.

“I want to appeal to you all, don’t strive for the lowest pass as some do – ‘I am going to just ease in a grade 3.’ Strive for the best, that you can be and that you can do. The opportunity is there... grasp these opportunities with every fibre of your being.”

He added, “Give principals and teachers in our schools the opportunity to help form and shape your thinking... to give you that purpose in life to be way better than you think you are.”

Jones also urged the students present to be an encouragement to their peers.

“Let us go forward and make ourselves the best human beings on the face of God’s earth. Reach out to your peers who you see beginning to shift and don’t pay enough attention to life, living and learning. One day, I am sure as a result of your living and your standards, the country will develop even more.”

This annual EduNation Forum was attended by public and private secondary school students, principals, teachers and education officers. The topic discussed was ‘My Vision for Barbados’ and the discussion was led by panel members Raphaela MacDonald of the Alleyne School; Aaron Yearwood of the Barbados Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School; Caitlin Ward of the Springer Memorial School; Samuel Bostic of The Lodge School and Nareesa Williams of The St. Michael School.

In his remarks, Bostic gave suggestions of ways of moving Barbados forward through education. He noted that for this to occur, education must be placed on the forefront. He also called for more emphasis to be placed in the area of special needs education, for the stigma attached to certain schools to be gotten rid of, and for there to be continual training and evaluation of teachers. (MG)
 

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industrial revolution

October 11, 2016, 9:00 pm

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Plans for manufacturing, industrial sectors to be more energy efficient

Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development, Donville Inniss (left); and United Nations Industrial Development Organisation’s Director General, Li Yong, as they addressed the media.

 

This island’s manufacturing and industrial sectors are slated to become more energy efficient in the near future.

 

Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development, Donville Inniss, outlined that with the help of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Barbados is working on rolling out a new industrial policy that is “environmentally sound and very energy efficient”.

 

To this end, several projects are set to come on stream, including the “Resource Efficient Low Carbon and Circular Industrial Partnership Platform for Catalysing Eco-Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Barbados” project, which the minister revealed is at an advanced stage as proposals have been submitted to the Global Environmental Fund.

 

“Through this US$10 million project to which Barbados government has committed US$2 million – principally through Global Environmental Fund financing – we intend to really revolutionise the industrial 

sector of Barbados. 

 

“We believe that we have it in our grasp to ensure that our manufacturing sector and industrial sector operate in a far more energy efficient manner. It means that we are going to work closer with the companies to look at retooling the enterprises towards getting more energy efficient equipment therein. We are going to start to generate more of the power we use within industrial parks, from our roof space and other facilities we have going,” he stated.

 

Speaking to the media at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre yesterday while accompanied by UNIDO Director General Li Yong, Inniss noted that Barbados is very committed to forging greater linkages between the environment and the energy sectors, while supporting the economy.

 

“Our partnership with UNIDO is helping to bear fruit in that area,” he stated, extending his gratitude to UNIDO for being able to get the Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency established here in Barbados.

 

In his remarks, Li commended the government on its medium-term development plans, especially the focus on the environment, and assured UNIDO’s commitment in their partnership to make these a reality. (JMB)

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Go out into the world and minister to all

October 11, 2016, 9:00 pm

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By: 

Patricia Thangaraj

 

True ministry work is not just ministering to those persons who enter your church doors, but actually going out into the world and trying to reach the lost souls for Christ.

 

This is the advice that Featured Speaker, General Bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies (PAWI) International, Bishop Dr. Pat Glasgow, gave to members of various Pentecostal churches that were in attendance at the PAWI Barbados 2016 Centenary Convocation on Saturday night at the Hilton Hotel Barbados.

 

This includes going to those places where no other person would dare to venture, he stated.

 

“I said many years ago at WIST, the action in the end times would not be behind the pulpit, but it would be among those people that go to places where there are churches that have no walls, no stained glass windows, to minister to people who would never come to a church, but need to be ministered to. To find themselves in quarters and in corners of our society that some of us would not want to or would be afraid to go.”

 

The General Bishop said that this is imperative since there are many bad things that are occurring in the world today and these persons – the ones who are not being reached because they do not venture into a church building – are the ones that also need to hear the message of the Gospel.

 

“And we have some bad things happening in our society. The Church cannot close its ears and say, ‘That doesn’t affect us.’ It does. Jesus said, ‘Go make disciples of all nations.’ All nations include the drug dens, all nations include the prostitute places, all nations include the intellectually disowned people (and) all nations include everyone. That is our responsibility. So what do you do after a hundred years? Fan the flames, preserve the flames, but empower yourself for change.”

 

He added that the inability of the Church to meet the needs of these persons is synonymous to riding a donkey cart on the ABC highway while everyone else is in their brand name vehicles.

 

“And then there is change in our organisation and structuring. Maybe the watchword of the culture that we are living in is change. But the question is: Are we prepared for it? Some time ago I thought of organisations that are not prepared for change… Think of a man or the Church being a donkey cart riding on the ABC highway, when everybody else is going in their Rolls Royce and their Audi… but that is how the Church would look if the Church is not prepared to adjust to change.”     

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Countdown to Golden Jubilee

October 11, 2016, 9:00 pm

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Adrenaline Dancers in action behind the Tuk Band as they paraded from Broad Street to Jubilee Gardens.

By: 

Peta Rowe-Forde

 

The 50-day countdown to Barbados’ 50th year of Independence began yesterday with a parade in The City, from Cave Shepherd, Broad Street down to Jubilee Gardens.

 

The Tuk Band and accompanying dancers made their way through the streets of Bridgetown, much to the delight of onlookers. 

 

In Jubilee Gardens, passers-by were treated to local delicacies and displays of Barbadian  artefacts.

 

There were also stiltmen and a Mother Sally to entertain the growing crowd.

 

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean, also gave a run-down of the events to come over the next 49 days.

 

First on the agenda will be the Independence Lighting Ceremony on November 1 in National Heroes Square at 5:30 p.m. This will be followed by the first of a series of plays that will begin on November 17, in honour of the late Dame Nita Barrow. These nine shows will conclude on November 26.

 

The Barbados Food and Rum Festival will run from November 17 through 26, and is expected to feature international and local world-class chefs, rum experts and mixologists. 

 

The 50th Anniversary of Independence NIFCA Gala will be at Kensington Oval on November 20, starting at 6 p.m.; and this will be followed by the Prime Minister’s Dinner and Ball on November 25 at 7 p.m. at Ilaro Court.

 

On November 27 at 4 p.m., there will be the 50th Anniversary Service of Thanksgiving at Kensington Oval; and the 50th Anniversary of Independence Monument will be revealed on November 29 at the historic Garrison Savannah.

 

On November 30, there will be the 50th Anniversary of Indepen-dence Parade, scheduled for 8 a.m. at the Garrison Savannah and is expected to include foreign troops which will add to the spectacle. In addition at 8 p.m., the Golden Anniversary Spectacular Mega Concert will be held.  

 

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Move to root out PSV bad behaviour

October 11, 2016, 9:00 pm

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Strike action by private sector vehicle (PSV) operators has come to an end.

 

The move came after a meeting yesterday between the Ministry of Transport and Works and the organisations that represent the owners and operators of PSVs – the Association of Public Transport Operators (APTO) and the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT), at the Ministry’s headquarters in the Pine.

 

It was also stated that the two groups would be co-ordinating their efforts to stamp out unruly behaviour that has been and continues to be exhibited by some drivers and conductors of these vehicles.

 

Addressing the media after the session, Minister of Transport and Works, Michael Lashley stated that they have come to an agreement that this type of behaviour needs to end.

 

“We also agree that the owners would work along with us in terms of stamping out some of the disorderly conduct of their drivers and also their conductors. We would also agree that where there is any issue that falls at the doorstep at the Ministry of Transport and Works, we would work audaciously in terms of communicating that to the authorities, so that in terms of any penalties or whatever, that we would be in a position to say, ‘well, look it is really an administrative position. It is where the administrative falls’ so that we can lessen the discomfort and that type of – let me say atmosphere – between the PSV operators and of course arms of the state.”

 

“Now we are all at agreement and we are [on] one road with respect to the stamping out of the disorderly conduct and the bad behaviour. The owners raised the issue of lewd music and nasty lyrics on the buses and they want us to work with them to get that out...I don’t have an issue with that at all. I support them on that and that is where we are going as a Ministry.” (PJT)

 

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Treatment for all

October 12, 2016, 9:00 pm

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Dr. Omar Edwards, left, Medical Officer of Health in charge of the polyclinic at the David Thompson Health and Social Services Centre, escorts Director of the Pan America Health Organisation (PAHO), Dr. Carissa Etienne through the facility yesterday afternoon.

 

The Americas region is endeavouring to be the first to eliminate mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS and Barbados is playing its part in that regard, as well as ensuring that all persons with HIV have access to treatment.

 

Speaking during a press conference held at the David Thompson Health and Social Services Complex yesterday, Director of the Pan America Health Organisation (PAHO), 

Dr. Carissa Etienne who is on an official visit to Barbados, said the Americas has had many firsts, including being the first to eliminate small pox, polio, rubella, congenital rubella syndrome and measles, and she said the region is well on its way to achieving the elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS.

 

“But there is a bigger elimination agenda, the elimination of HIV and STIs [sexually transmitted infections]. We think that it is possible to eliminate HIV and I don’t know if the Barbados population knows, but this Government has made a decision to treat all, so all persons suffering with HIV and AIDS will receive treatment that will ensure that they can live longer and more fulfilled lives,” she said.

 

Adding to Dr. Etienne’s remarks, Minister of Health, John Boyce confirmed the Government’s commitment to HIV patients, indicating that the “treat all policy” is already in effect and financing has been allocated for it. This money, he said, is in addition to the budget already set aside to combat HIV in this country.

 

“What we are working out is obviously what changes in terms of budgets etc that may be required in terms of the acquisition of drugs. The Government is committed in terms of its allocation during the Estimates for that increase,” he said.

 

Minister Boyce added, “However, through the PEPFAR programme [The United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief], which is the direct United States Government assistance programme, we are discussing opportunities for assistance to even further increase the level of penetration that we can make in terms of that treatment.”

 

The health minister said that around $600 000 has been provided for in the current Estimates and the discussions with PEPFAR surround accessing in the region of another $500 000 to help provide the required medicines and make the policy a success. 

 

(JRT)

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Licensing Authority not targeting Toyota Owners for interrogation

October 12, 2016, 9:00 pm

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The Barbados Licensing Authority is not subjecting owners of Toyota cars in Barbados to any unusually “thorough interrogation” or investigation that is not standard for all applicants registering any kind of vehicle.

 

This has been confirmed by a senior officer of the Barbados Licensing Authority, who though preferring not to reveal their identity, said that everyone who goes to the Licensing Authority on legitimate business is subjected to the same level of scrutiny, in ensuring the legality of all vehicles on Barbados’ roads. The officer added no meetings had been held with the Chief Licensing officer pertaining to special scrutiny for Toyotas or any other vehicle.

 

The comments from the senior Licensing Authority official follow the recent publication of a front page article in a local newspaper, which asserted that due to reported thefts of Toyota vehicles, owners could “expect nothing less than a thorough interrogation” when seeking to register or license a Toyota car with the Barbados Licensing Authority.

 

All vehicles coming to the Barbados Licensing Authority to be registered have to be weighed; and once you present a vehicle to be weighed, the officer will check for identification including engine and chassis numbers, and details regarding history of ownership. If the vehicle is new, it will have no history until it is registered; and if it is a used vehicle being transferred to a new owner, we check the information presented to ascertain that the person selling has agreed to do so. If there are any discrepancies with the identification numbers, or with information pertaining to ownership, we ask persons to furnish us with additional information to see where those discrepancies are, and that is standard procedure,” the licensing officer stated.

 

Managing Director of NASSCO Limited, Roger Hill also commenting, noted that Toyota is the most popular vehicle for Barbadian motorists, and echoed sentiments from Minister of Transport and Works, Michael Lashley, stressing that Government needed to move quickly to put a new, more robust Road Traffic Act in place.

 

“I am in full agreement with the Minister that our laws need to be modernised to keep up with the strategies of people who try to profit illegally from the vehicle trade. Toyota is the most popular brand in Barbados, and it’s an aspirational vehicle for many, including those who will break the law to achieve their desires. Our figures indicate that over the past ten years, 80 per cent of used cars imported into Barbados have been Toyotas. Our brand also remains one of the most popular in terms of new vehicle sales, and Toyota also leads the market in terms of resale value,” Hill stated. 

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Gwendolyn Forde celebrates 100th birthday

October 12, 2016, 9:00 pm

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Right: Daughter Joyce Piggott reading the birthday card to her mom, centenarian, Gwendolyn Forde, while Governor General, His Excellency Sir Elliott Belgrave listens on.

 

This island’s newest centenarian, Gwendolyn Forde can be described as “a good and a strong person” as well as “a good neighbour”. 

 

Such was the information shared by her family and friends who paid tribute to her on Wednesday when she celebrated her 100th birthday at her Bush Hall, St. Michael home. 

 

For this special occasion, she received a visit from the Governor General, His Excellency Sir Elliott Belgrave who presented her with a postcard, a floral bouquet and a bottle of non-alcoholic champagne. Forde, who quietly enjoyed the proceedings, carried a smile throughout the visit. 

 

Additionally, in attendance was the Very Reverend, Cannon William Dixon, Dean Emeritus of the Cathedral of St. Michael and All Angels who brought her birthday greetings from the Archbishop of West Indies & Bishop of Barbados. 

 

Speaking to the media, her daughter, Joyce Piggott said that her mom is currently “very healthy” and loves to eat. She identified her favourite foods as chicken and rice as well as ground provisions.

 

Meanwhile, reflecting on her earlier years, she said her mom worked as a domestic in homes. 

 

She also said that the mother of two (one child now deceased), grandmother of two and great grandmother of four “did a lot of walking” and is an outgoing individual.

 

It was also pointed out that Gwendolyn went to “town every Saturday and [she would] go to church every Sunday and she would go on bus rides with her friends on bank holidays. All the cultural events, she never misses, like the Independence parade and because we live close to the stadium, she would go to Crop Over or whatever cultural activities around and once she could get there, she would go there.” 

 

(MG)

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Ellerslie prefects get special training

October 12, 2016, 9:00 pm

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Prefects of the Ellerslie Secondary School listen attentively to speakers at their training seminar, which was held recently at the Central Bank of Barbados’ Grand Salle. 

By: 

Krystal Penny Bowen

 

 Fifty-six students from the Ellerslie Secondary School attended a special prefects’ training session at the Grand Salle on Tuesday.  

 

The seminar, which was sponsored by the Central Bank of Barbados (CBB), was held under the theme “Swimming against the Tide...Towards Integrity” and featured three sessions by CBB representatives, certified trainers and counsellors.  

 

During his opening remarks, Elleslie Principal Lt. Col. Errol Brathwaite told the students that as prefects they are ambassadors, and encouraged them to continue to develop the characteristics of a leader which include leading by example, the importance of being honest, trustworthy and having empathy.  

 

Lt. Col. Brathwaite, who revealed that he was a head prefect back when he was at school, said his past decisions – particularly to join the Barbados Cadet Corps at 12 years old – helped him to refine his leadership skills. 

 

“What you do at an early age will make a big difference throughout your lives,” he stated.

 

The seminar began with Senior Administrative Assistant at CBB, Mrs. Roseann King, who presented the first session entitled “Live! Learn! Lead!”. She gave an inspiring speech on leadership while advising the students to live their lives with intent; to work outside of their comfort zone; and the importance of not looking at the lives of others and assuming that they must take their path.  

 

“To be significant, I am encouraging you to make a difference where you are, with whatever you have day by day,” said Mrs. King to the audience. 

 

Prefect co-ordinator and teacher at the Ellerslie Secondary School, Mrs. Lisa Dottin, said she has great expectations for her students and it is important to have training sessions like this since there are no similar programmes within the school curriculum. 

 

Mrs. Dottin, who has guided the prefects for about five years, added that the seminar gave students an opportunity to be in an environment beyond their school settings. 

 

From her teaching experience, she said that often some schools placed too much of their attention on delinquent students.  However, she believes that by encouraging the positive behaviours of students (prefects), this can have a similar influence on the student body. 

 

“If we want to see change in the school system, we have to focus on the students who are doing well and push them to do well,” Mrs. Dottin asserted.

 

Representative from the CBB, Mrs. Arlene Estwick spoke to The Barbados Advocate and said that this was the first training seminar of this type for secondary school students hosted by the bank, and they were glad to assist Ellerslie Secondary school with their training. 

 

To show their appreciation, students presented the speakers with gifts during the event.     

 

 

  

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National effort needed to tackle drugs, gun violence

October 12, 2016, 9:00 pm

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THERE needs to be a national approach and a more relevant discussion on how to manage the issues of drugs and gun violence in Barbados.

 

This is the view of Prime Minister the Right Honourable Freundel Stuart, who conceded that this will not be an easy task, but will require a national effort including the Church, the State and other organisations to bring back moral values, or run the risk of courting chaos.

 

His comments came as he delivered the featured address at the National Consultation on the Barbadian Family hosted by the Diocese of Barbados, under the theme “Restoring Our Barbadian Family”, at the Ivan Harewood Centre of the Christ Church Parish Church yesterday morning.

 

The Prime Minister said that the crime situation is having an impact on families, even though it is not as widespread as some may suggest.

 

“I hear the cries of people who wonder how we have got to this stage... where so low a premium is placed on human life by that very small segment of our society. I make that point because I don’t want anyone to believe that we are talking about the bulk of the society. All the intelligence I get from the RBPF satisfies me that we are dealing with a very small circle of people, but their activities can have profound and troubling consequences.”

 

He lamented that there is a segment of society that does not know right from wrong, but are only interested in the material gains that can be acquired from their criminal exploits.

 

“As we pronounce against the illegality of firearms, and the trafficking of drugs, and we should continue to do so, it is entirely probable that a dialogue of the deaf is taking place. Because when we are discussing crime, the people we are talking about are discussing work. This is how they put food on their families’ tables.

 

“This his how they get some of the luxuries that we who occupy mainstream society enjoy and as far as they are concerned, it is alright for them to talk, because we are comfortable where we are. But if the society is pushing them to the margins, they too have to survive and this is their way to survive.

 

“What is going to have to happen is that more relevant debate is going to have to start taking place on this issue. We should never condone what is happening... I am making the point that unless our societies develop the capacity and the flexibility to respond to the diverse needs and aspirations of our people, young and not so young, this is a battle that we will have profound difficulty in fighting it and winning it.”

 

To this end, he told the leaders in attendance that the Church and the State have to come together to see how best to frame the dialogue on this issue.

 

“And to see how best we could come up with solutions to some of the challenges posed by a sense of alienation of those who are involved, that makes them easy candidates for recruitment for that nefarious drug trade,” he said.

 

The Prime Minister said the distinctions between right and wrong, good and bad, just and unjust, fair and unfair, blameless and blameworthy should be emphasised at all levels of society.

 

“Those distinctions are eroding because of a consumerist culture, Madison Ave. taste has managed to take over our consciousness, but if we want to build a Barbados that we want to feel proud in the future, these are concerns which we have to address,” he said. (JH)

 

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Well done, Barbados!

October 12, 2016, 9:00 pm

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Director of the Pan America Health Organisation (PAHO), Dr. Carissa Etienne (left), arriving at the David Thompson Health and Social Services Centre yesterday, where she was greeted by Minister of Health, John Boyce (second from left), and other officials of the Ministry of Health.

 

Director of the Pan America Health Organisation (PAHO), Dr. Carissa Etienne, is commending Barbados for the contribution it has made and continues to make to the governance of that international agency as well as the World Health Organisation.

 

She offered the commendation yesterday morning, moments after she, accompanied by officials of the PAHO office here in Barbados, were led on a tour of the David Thompson Health and Social Services Complex by Minister of Health, John Boyce and officials of the Ministry of Health.

 

“We can always rely on Barbados to come to the meetings with a team that is very well prepared and that make important interventions and give important leadership to policy formulation and to 

the definition of programmes. 

 

I think this is extremely important for the Caribbean, the role that Barbados plays in advancing the issues surrounding small island developing states, and giving voice to those and articulating in a very strong way, in a very relevant way, drawing attention to the particular issues of small island developing states,” she said.

 

Dr. Etienne added that this country also always pays its quota payments on time, and this too she said is to be commended as the quota payments are necessary for the Secretariat to deliver technical co-operation, among other activities.

 

“Of course we also do significant resource mobilisation because the cost of delivering all of this technical co-operation is not met entirely by the member states and World Health Organisation. So we mobilise significant resources to enable us to deliver more technical co-operation to countries like Barbados and all of the other countries where we have offices and where we don’t have offices. Every member state has an allocation, there is a budget and there is a regional budget policy that states how much money minimum must go to every country in the region,” she said.

 

The PAHO head made the point as she noted that they have taken steps to reduce significantly the portion of the budget that stays in Washington and increased the budget at the level of the country offices.

 

Etienne’s remarks came as she said that “a lot of very good initiatives” are also taking place here as it relates to health care, and as such, she said that they often use this country as an example for many countries in the Caribbean region. Moreover, she said the facilities she visited in Barbados – the Psychiatric Hospital and the David Thompson Health and Social Services Complex are among the best she has seen. However, she said it is not just about the quality of the facility, but how well one organises comprehensive health services and ensures people have access to quality services; and in that regard, she said Barbados is doing extremely well.

 

Adding to her comments, Minister Boyce noted that Barbados’ success is also shared with its regional neighbours in times of need. In that regard, he said the soon to be completed amalgamated laboratory at Enmore, will not only be of benefit to Barbados, but will be of assistance to other regional countries. He made the point as he disclosed they are already in discussions with regional bodies to ensure that they can help to “provide capacity and coverage” for important tests that are required. (JRT)

 

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unity in the community

October 12, 2016, 9:00 pm

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Members of the public and corporate Barbados joined students of the Springer Memorial Secondary to form a human chain link.

 

By: 

Marsha Gittens

 

  “Unity in de Community” was evident in and around the Springer Memorial School yesterday when pupils from that educational institution and nearby schools joined hands to form a human chain 

link.

 

It was an activity in celebration of Barbados’ 50th anniversary of Independence and to mark Springer Memorial’s 52nd anniversary. 

 

During the event, students stood hand-in-hand from the Springer Memorial School, along Government Hill, Pine Plantation Road and back to Springer. Athletes from the school also conducted a run along the route, carrying a broken trident. 

 

Barbados’ Governor General, His Excellency Sir Elliott Belgrave took part in the event as well, forming the last link in the chain at the Springer Memorial School. Two presentations were also made to him on the 

occasion.

 

Speaking about the early morning activity, Springer’s Deputy Principal, Mitchelle Maxwell said it was a success. She also thanked the public and private nursery, primary and secondary schools for being involved; members of the Springer Memorial School Old Scholars Association; and the public.

 

“It has been absolutely wonderful. We had quite a few schools on board. We wanted to get all the schools that were within our reach with regard to the community component. We had our members of staff who were very much behind this initiative, as well as our principal who promoted that this is what she conceptualised to give back to the community, and it was in an effort to bring persons on board and to have the re-enactment of the chain link which would have taken place in 1979,” Maxwell said.

 

Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Senator Harry Husbands, was also in attendance and commended the school for the initiative.

 

“I am extremely pleased at what I have seen this morning, but you know that the Springer Memorial School has a reputation of being extremely well-organised, extremely well-disciplined and very full of competent staff. I am not surprised at all and I just want to thank them; and it is initiatives like these at the local level that make the celebration of our 50th anniversary important,” he added.

 

 

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CANNABIS FOR CHRONIC PAIN?

October 13, 2016, 9:00 pm

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Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kenneth George addressing the opening of the International Association for Hospice & Palliative Care workshop.

By: 

Tanya Lightbourne

 

 

The Ministry of Health is currently gathering the evidence with respect to marijuana used in well-defined clinical situations.

 

This will include assisting persons in pain management for cancers and chronic degenerative diseases, says Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kenneth George.

 

He made the disclosure while addressing the opening of the International Association for Hospice & Palliative Care workshop “Availability and Rational Use of Opioids”, held at Hilton Barbados Resort, yesterday.

 

The Chief Medical Officer went on to reveal that the National Advisory Committee on Chronic Pain Management established by the Ministry of Health six years ago has been instrumental over the last 18 months in facilitating closer co-operation with the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners, training 12 health care professionals in pain management through collaboration with the University of the Southern Caribbean and promoting public education events to bring further awareness of palliative care.

 

Dr. George also shared with the participants representing Grenada, Guyana, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Belize, among others that Barbados is happy to report that there is a wide selection of narcotics and opiates available on the Barbados Drug Formulary. He said that in addition, the Barbados Drug Service is the recognised import and export agency for opioids for many Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States countries including Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Monserrat.

 

“We are therefore able to ensure a reliable, timely and quality supply of opioids in the region. In doing so it is also important to expand the range of quality opioids and narcotics to include trans-dermal patches and patient supported infusions pumps.”

 

The CMO also observed that the theme of World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2016 “Living and Dying in Pain: It doesn’t have to happen” is very appropriate as up to 75 per cent of the world population does not have adequate access to controlled medications for pain relief.

 

“I am therefore sure that one of the outcomes of this workshop will be to examine the barriers to appropriate pain management in detail which in many jurisdictions may include lack of appropriate legislative and regulatory frameworks, limited training in pain management, misconceptions on the part of the care-giver, the patient and the relatives and prohibitive pricing of pharmaceuticals,” he pointed out.

 

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BREA highlights opportunity in renewable energy

October 13, 2016, 9:00 pm

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INVESTMENTS in this country’s Renewable energy sector represent a major opportunity for the transfer of significant wealth among Barbadians.

 

That’s the view of Aidan Rogers, President of the Barbados Renewable Energy Association (BREA), as he discussed the strides the country continues to make in that area, and the forthcoming conference of BREA scheduled for November 10-11.

 

“It is the greatest opportunity for significant wealth transfer since colonisation in Barbados,” Rogers indicated in an interview with The Barbados Advocate.

 

Saying that he stands by those comments, the BREA President said that the $400 million plus that this country spends on importing fossil, this sector – Renewable Energy – offers Barbadians to make the capital investment and retain that figure on an annual basis in the economy.

 

Rogers said that BREA is committed to finding the right structure and investment strategies that average Barbadians who cannot dream of affording opportunities to invest in this sector, to make it a reality.

 

“If we can have this wealth remaining in the economy, it can provide additional income for health care, tertiary education, and a host of other macroeconomic development opportunities,” according to him.

 

The BREA official noted that inspite of the bumps, Barbados has made significant strides in crafting activities committed to the development of the sector. 

 

He reasoned Renewables are now cost effective and the country has to change what it was doing for the last 100 years in relying on almost 100 per cent fossil fuel, and going the renewable energy route.

 

According to him, “we have to now craft strategies that are workable without destabilising the economy. Government earns a lot of revenue from the importation of imported oil for transportation and the generation of electricity.”

 

Rogers maintained however that to make the transition to Renewables, Government still has to determine how it will make up for the revenue shortfall especially given the country’s fiscal position. “It is not going to be simple, seamless, structural and pragmatic manner. There will be bumps along the way as you would have seen the last five years, but it is all a question of engagement, drawing from global experiences,” he told The Barbados Advocate.

 

As to the conference, Rogers said the two-day event will be about learning from other countries and making Barbadians fully aware about what is happening.

“Barbados is one of the leaders in the Caribbean in terms of renewables, since a lot of steps have been taken in the country over the last five years,” Rogers added.

 

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PM Stuart points to changing relationships

October 13, 2016, 9:00 pm

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BARBADOS has made significant strides to protect the family since gaining independence, but there is still some way to go.

 

Prime Minister the Right Honourable Freundel Stuart made the comments during a national consultation on the family recently, where he highlighted some of the changes that the Barbadian family structure has undergone over the years.

 

One of these changes, he noted extends to the role of the grandparents who are no longer playing an active role in the upbringing of their grandchildren. The Prime Minister also stated that whereas communities raised children in the past, they are now virtual ghost towns as persons go about their business daily.

 

The Prime Minister also pointed to the increase in the number of self-proclaimed single mothers, who assume the responsibility of absent fathers. “I usually have to challenge them because really you can’t be a single mother, but there is always a father somewhere who is not pulling his weight. It is amazing how often excuses are made for delinquent fathers and these single mothers are prepared to assume full responsibility for the rearing of their children.”

 

“ It is really an excuse for not putting the kind of pressure on the father that needs to be put, so that the burdens of family can be shared. That is another problem we have to deal with,” he said.

 

“That is why there has to be a collaborative relationship between Church and State and other organisations on these issues, because we need to meet people where they are,” he said.

 

Prime Minister Stuart highlighted the introduction of several pieces of legislation over the years that kept a number of families in good stead including the Family Law Act, the Succession Act, Maternity leave with Pay and the Domestic Violence Protection Orders Act.

 

As it relates to the latter, the Prime Minister said this mentality has its origins in our colonial past. “Violence against women was so deeply embedded in the psyche of our males. That mentality is still around. It is going to take some time to deal with it. Goes right back to the days of slavery, when men and women and children were all property. Just what our men saw slave masters do – they believe they have replaced slave masters.”

 

“We are trying to build a society. These islands that we occupy in the Caribbean were not intended for social living, they were designed for production and treated as such.

 

“The State has not been blind to the need to protect families, promote family life and stabilise families,” he said. (JH)

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Save big with Coupon Booklet

October 13, 2016, 9:00 pm

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From left: Managing Director of Jemda Investments, Zary Evelyn; Chief Executive Officer of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Gina Pitt; and Marketing Coordinator, Donnya Piggott, during the launch of the Value Club Coupon Booklet.

By: 

Cara L Foster

 

Value Club Coupon and The Heart and Stroke Foundation have banded together to create a Value Club Coupon Booklet that will help anyone who invests in one, to save a lot of money.

 

Speaking at the booklet launch on Wednesday afternoon, which was held at the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Managing Director of Jemda Investments, Zary Evelyn, said that the company wanted to launch a product similar to the Value Club Discount Card, that was popular back in the late 90s, to help shoppers save money.

 

He revealed that the company started working on the booklet from March 2016, and figured that since the company already had a good relationship with the Heart and Stroke Foundation, they would reach out to them and get their help in developing the initiative. Evelyn went on to say that initially the company intended to reach out to 50 companies to get them involved, but the initiative grew to having 180 Barbadian companies involved in the booklet, which contains 288 coupons. 

 

According to Jemda Investments’ Managing Director, the majority of the income that will be received from the purchase of the booklets will go towards the Heart and Stroke Foundation to help with their financial needs. Funding that the Foundation certainly welcomes, as Chief Executive Officer, Gina Pitt, noted that they do have some very technical needs that have to be addressed. She said that they require funds to help with replacing and purchasing computers, as well as fixing the floors and the air conditioning units that are faulty. 

 

“They don’t all sound like things that we will really need money for but we’re a business as well, so we have to make sure that the plant is up to scratch for all the people who come here,” she explained.

 

Furthermore, Pitt expressed a need to also continue to help the cardiac rehabilitation patients who need to use the gym, but are unable to pay to do so, as well as people who request help for surgery that they are unable to completely pay for. She explained that the donations that the Foundation usually receive go towards helping these patients, and so a part of the income that will be received from selling the Value Club Coupon Booklets will go towards the patients, and the rest towards the general running and upkeep of the Foundation’s office.

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TIME TO SHIFT FOCUS

October 13, 2016, 9:00 pm

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SWITCHing the focus from disaster management to disaster risk management is a critical move if the region is to improve its resilience to disasters.

 

Highlighting the importance and relevance of this message carried in the “Sendai Seven” campaign, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) stated that planning is also required for the expected impacts of climate change, which can exacerbate disasters.

 

The Bank’s Vice-President of Operations, Patricia McKenzie, made the comments while the world marked International Day for Disaster Reduction yesterday, with the theme “Live to Tell”.

 

Speaking on the region’s recent experience with Hurricane Matthew – where in Haiti at least 1 000 people have died; while across other islands critical infrastructure has been destroyed – she insisted that the Caribbean “cannot afford to underestimate our vulnerability to natural disasters”.

 

The Bank has therefore outlined its own plans to improve disaster resilience.

 

“Here at CDB, we continue to emphasise climate resiliency in project design. We know that damage caused by natural disasters or the effects of climate change can undermine our goal of poverty reduction. So climate risk assessments and the use of related screening tools are now mandatory in the preparation of country strategy papers for each of our Borrowing Member Countries. We also continue to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure to reduce the impact of disasters on the poorest and most vulnerable members of Caribbean communities,” McKenzie said in a release.

 

She also insisted that such a stance be taken by all sectors and individuals.

 

“Although we have made great progress on disaster risk management and climate action, in partnership with our development partners and Governments, raising awareness about and reducing mortality caused by disasters requires strong commitment from all of us. Individually, we must ensure that we know what to do in the event of a disaster, and we must encourage our friends and family to pay attention to early warning systems. Only then will we be able to recover quickly as a region if disaster strikes, and ‘Live to Tell’,” McKenzie stated.

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Students learn of career options in criminal justice field

October 14, 2016, 9:00 pm

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Police officer, Sean Edwards, fielded many questions from students about the equipment used by the Tactical Response Unit, as they gathered in their numbers at the booth set up by the Royal Barbados Police Force.

By: 

Regina Selman Moore

THE Criminal Justice Research and Planning Unit held a career showcase for secondary school students at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre yesterday, to educate them about the types of careers available to them, within the criminal justice field.
Director of the Criminal Justice Research and Planning Unit (CJRPU), Cheryl Willoughby, noted that the career showcased formed part of the activities to mark Crime Awareness Month, recognised this October.

“This activity this morning is part of our Crime Awareness Month of activities. This year, we have a career showcase. This is premised on the many calls that we have received from schools and interested persons, who want to learn more about the field of criminal justice,” Willoughby explained.

“They want to know what subjects they should be pursuing at school, as well as some of the universities that will enable them to come back to Barbados with a Masters or Bachelors in Criminal Justice or Criminology, and so, we determined this year, as we celebrate Crime Awareness Month, that we need to give some information to our young ones at school about this whole area of criminal justice,” Willoughby further remarked.

Noting that the theme for the Crime Awareness Month of Activities is “The Criminal Justice System of Barbados  50 Years and Beyond”, Willoughby also noted that the CJRPU will be tracing the evolution of the criminal justice system over the last 50 years, and taking note of the changes.

Students attending the career showcase described it as informative, interesting and exciting. Most students were drawn to the booths set up by the Royal Barbados Police Force, especially its Tactical Response Unit; the Forensic Sciences Centre; Her Majesty Prisons Dodds; the National Council on Substance Abuse and the Probation Department.

Other key organisations present that also attracted the interest of students included the Barbados Fire Service, the Barbados Defence Force and G4S Secure Solutions.
 

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Headway being made

October 14, 2016, 9:00 pm

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Physical Development Plan aiming to address land, water and food shortages

(from left) Chief Town Planner and Co-Chair of the National Habitat III Committee, Mark Cummins; Minister of Housing, Lands and Rural Development, Denis Kellman; and Co-Chair of the National Habitat III Committee, Economist, Jeremy Stephen at yesterday's press conference. 

 

The amended Physical Development Plan should be ready to present to the minister responsible for Town Planning, Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, by April 2017.

 

That’s according to Chief Town Planner and Co-Chair of the Habitat III Committee, Mark Cummins, who said that the Plan is currently 60 per cent complete. 

 

He made the disclosure yesterday during a press conference at the Ministry of Housing, Lands and Rural Development to update the media on Habitat III, the upcoming United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, which is being held in Quito, Ecuador from October 17-20. 

 

Cummins, who will be part of the Barbados delegation to the conference, which will be led by Minister of Housing, Lands and Rural Development, Denis Kellman, said that the background reports of the Plan have shown that there has been quite a bit of encroachment into the agricultural belt, which he noted is “not sustainable”. His comments came as he said that through the work being carried out with respect to the Plan, they have identified three scarcities in Barbados – land, water and food.

 

“So the policies of the amended Physical Development Plan will seek to address those issues. We’ve also found that approximately 66 per cent of Barbados can be considered as urbanised, which is slightly above the Latin America and Caribbean average, which I think is about 56 or 57 per cent… As a SIDS, Barbados maybe on its way to becoming a city state , so we do not have the challenges associated with rural to urban migration because you can move from North Point to Bridgetown and Bridgetown to North Point quite easily – if you are using public transport, hour-and-a-half, two hours. So we don’t have that situation whereby persons when they come to urban areas they need to find alternate housing, or in some cases where they cannot afford the housing you end up with lots of make-shift housing,” he said.

 

 

Referring to the current drought conditions affecting the island, Cummins said that in the Plan they also intend to protect the aquifers. As such, he explained that they have been engaging the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) and have tentatively identified additional sites across the island where desalination plants can be built in the future. The Chief Town Planner said that his office will be seeking to ensure that no development takes places in those areas, so that the country’s water needs can be met. Additionally, Cummins said consideration is also being given to renewable energy. He made the point while noting that the country is on record as transitioning to a green economy and the “fulcrum” of that move is renewable energy. He noted that the Plan is very comprehensive, indicating that renewable energy and water are but two of the 24 areas on which they did significant research and background reports on.

 

Cummins added that as they move to complete the Plan, they will be holding a series of community meetings starting January 15, 2017. These meetings, he added, will assist in preparing 10 community plans, which is double the number in the current Physical Development Plan.

 

“That fits in with what we have been saying that as a SIDS Barbados is quickly becoming a city state. If you use Six Roads as an example, the regional centre at Six Roads, if Six Roads is built out as it is supposed to be there is very little in terms of a service that you would not be able to get at Six Roads… We are seeking to reduce the transport time, the driving time, reducing the carbon emissions. If you need to come to Bridgetown then you would come to Bridgetown, but you would have other centres,” he said. (JRT)

 

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Minister of Housing, Lands and Rural Development, Denis Kellman making a point yesterday. 

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Grantley Adams Memorial calling for sixth form

October 14, 2016, 9:00 pm

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Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, the Hon. Ronald Jones, speaking with students of the cosmetology programme during the tour of their new laboratory.

A call is being made for Grantley Adams Memorial School to enter the ranks of sixth form schools.

 

In fact, the vision of Principal Dennis Browne is for the school to become the sixth form school for Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQs).

 

“Grantley Adams Memorial School will pride itself in being the only sixth form school to provide Level 2 CVQ certification to students interested in pursuing CVQs from a list of 19 technical and vocational disciplines,” he expressed during the grand opening of the school’s Cosmetology Laboratory yesterday.

 

If this becomes a reality, he proposes that students will be allowed to do three Level 1 disciplines in Lower Six, and then advance to Level 2 in those same subjects during their final year in Upper Six.

 

“I have a cadre of highly qualified, trained teachers and I believe we may possibly have the most Competency Based trained teachers at any one school with either certification in CVQ Train the Trainer or CVQ/NVQ Level 4 in Assessment, including myself,” Browne told Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, the Hon. Ronald Jones.

 

Having been granted qualification approval by the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council in the areas of general cosmetology, amenity horticulture, carpentry and electrical installation, the school will be seeking additional qualification approval in areas such as: agro-food processing, building construction drafting, furniture making, plumbing, crop production, information technology and support, musical performance and welding.

 

In addition, the Principal shared his vision to also see Grantley Adams Memorial offer a continuing education programme for adults in technical and vocational disciplines in CVQs, along with the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) certifications.

 

The Education Minister revealed to Browne that the next schools on his list for sixth form are Alleyne, Ellerslie and Deighton Griffith. However, Jones assured him that Grantley Adams Memorial will be added to that list.

 

“All you have to do with your staff is outline what your needs are, what programmes you would want to carry and what would be the cost of it…I don’t want the same old time. Build on your strength, so if it’s technical and vocational – build on that.  If you can add some humanities, also put it in. Create the hybrid institution – we will work with you.”

 

“Step up to the plate now. Do not let this term pass before you have something on the desk of the Chief Education Officer or myself because we have to consider it before we go to estimates,” he said. (TL)

 

 

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