Minister of Health, John Boyce making a presentation to Dr. Anne Marie Irvine for her work in helping with the diagnosis and treatment of Lupus.
Locally the mortality rate and coping among patients diagnosed with Lupus has improved considerably.
Minister of Health, John Boyce disclosed this, while adding that “Barbados is well poised to contribute in a meaningful way and is leading in the region in terms of treatment and support at the patient level.”He was at the time
addressing the start of the HOPE Foundation’s 25th anniversary Medical Lupus Conference at Accra Beach Hotel.
Boyce congratulated the Foundation and its President, Shelly Weir, for hosting the Conference – as well as reaching the milestone.
He stated that the Foundation “has been successful in establishing strong support mechanisms that have allowed their clients to enjoy improved well-being through patient advocacy and institutional changes.”
He also highlighted some of the accomplishments over the years of the Foundation, which has been at the vanguard of local efforts to foster awareness of the lesser known chronic diseases such as, Systemic Lupus, Sickle Cell Disease and Arthritis.
“I am therefore very proud to note that Sickle Cell patients are now being seen in the Accident and Emergency department with the same priority as asthma patients. Opportunities are being provided for patients to be constantly educated about their conditions through workshops
for newly diagnosed patients and are continually updated on recent research and treatments.”
He continued, “international conferences for Lupus which attract world renowned physicians and researchers, while bringing to our shores patients from all over the world are being hosted; and of course, the ‘Lupus Diary’ initiative was launched in May of this year.
“This unique strategy centres around capturing the Lupus story, not only from the patient’s perspective but also from that of the medical fraternity, through diagnosis and treatment; partners, siblings, children, parents, friends, work colleagues, and the general public whose participation is being encouraged through online surveys and focus groups.”
The Health Minister, who described the three-day Conference as “appropriate and timely”, pledged his Ministry’s continual support to the HOPE Foundation. (MG)
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