AGP Executive Report

Respiratory health alert: The Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners is urging parents to keep sick children at home as respiratory illnesses rise, including COVID-19 and influenza, recommending rapid antigen testing, repeat testing if needed, mask use in public, and good hygiene. Prevention push: BAMP also recommends influenza vaccination for healthcare workers, frontline tourism staff, seniors, and vulnerable groups, with people advised to seek care quickly if symptoms worsen. Mental health care upgrade: Barbados is set to expand community mental health support with a redesigned Roseville Halfway House programme aimed at moving people from institutional care toward independent living, skills-building, and recovery-focused services. Nurse sex-crime trial update (UK): A former nurse extradited from Barbados to the UK has denied alleged sexual activity with a mental health patient; a trial date has been set for April 26, 2027. Earthquake response ties (health): Prime Minister Mia Mottley visited Venezuela’s earthquake-response field hospital in Guarenas, reporting more than 2,700 patients treated, as both countries deepen cooperation. NCD funding plan: Finance Minister Ryan Straughn says a $1.2 billion debt-for-social swap will target Barbados’ non-communicable disease crisis, including childhood obesity. Health tech access: The Leela Vida in Christ Church is introducing a 3D body composition and posture assessment as a practical alternative to DEXA scanning.

Respiratory health alert: Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners (BAMP) is urging parents and the public to take extra care as respiratory illnesses rise, including COVID-19 and influenza. Prevention guidance: BAMP recommends staying home when sick, wearing masks in public, improving ventilation, frequent hand sanitising, and using rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 (with repeat testing 24–48 hours later if the first result is negative but suspicion remains). Vaccines focus: BAMP also says influenza vaccines are recommended for healthcare workers, seniors, and vulnerable groups, and notes COVID-19 vaccines are currently unavailable locally. Regional health cooperation: Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s talks in Venezuela include health support after the June earthquakes, with a Barbadian field hospital in Guarenas treating more than 2,700 patients and joint plans spanning energy, food security, education, and tourism. New health tech for Barbados: The Leela Vida has introduced a 3D body composition and posture assessment system as a practical alternative to DEXA scanning. Health leadership update: Dr. Eva Jané Llopis has started as PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, bringing 25 years of public health experience.

Respiratory alert: The Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners (BAMP) is urging parents and the public to keep sick children at home as respiratory illnesses rise, including COVID-19 and influenza. BAMP recommends rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 (with repeat testing 24–48 hours later if the first result is negative but suspicion remains), plus masks in public, good hand hygiene, cleaning frequently touched surfaces, and staying home when clearly unwell. Influenza protection: BAMP also recommends influenza vaccines for healthcare workers, frontline tourism staff, seniors, and vulnerable groups, noting the 2026–2027 vaccines are expected soon. Regional health support: In Venezuela, Barbados leaders inspected the Barbadian field hospital in Guarenas, which has treated more than 2,700 patients since the June 24 earthquakes, with triage, lab, pharmacy, imaging and an operating room. NCD funding push: Barbados Finance Minister Ryan Straughn unveiled a planned $1.2 billion debt-for-social swap aimed at tackling the NCD crisis, including childhood obesity, with expected savings directed to public health programmes. PAHO/WHO leadership: Dr. Eva Jané Llopis assumed duties as PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, focusing on strengthening resilient, equitable health systems.

Disaster Response & Care: Prime Minister Mia Mottley inspected a Barbados-installed Type 2 mobile field hospital in Guarenas, Venezuela, with President (E) Delcy Rodríguez, reporting treatment of nearly 2,700 patients and about 73 operations after the June earthquakes—solidarity that’s now being framed as deeper cooperation on health, agriculture, food security, and transport. Respiratory Health Alert: Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners (BAMP) is urging people to protect themselves as COVID-19 and influenza cases rise, recommending self-testing, masking in public, hand hygiene, ventilation, and staying home when ill. Public Health Leadership: Dr. Eva Jané Llopis has assumed the PAHO/WHO Representative role for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, with a focus on strengthening resilient, equitable health systems. Child & Teen Mental Health: The DLP is calling for an urgent overhaul of child and adolescent mental health services after a reported teen death, citing high demand for psychiatric assessment and staffing shortages. Suicide Reporting Training: Barbados media and communications professionals completed PAHO/WHO-supported practical training on responsible suicide and mental health coverage to reduce stigma and harmful reporting. Vector Control Research: UWI scientists are preparing field trials of a non-chemical mosquito-control device (lethal ovitrap) as an alternative approach to reduce dengue burden. Local Health System Tech: A Tobago delegation visited Barbados to study digital health systems and how patient information flows across hospitals and polyclinics, including the MedData platform. Missing Person (Health/Safety): Police are seeking the public’s help to identify a man who died after being taken from Brandons Beach to QEH on Aug. 22.

Respiratory Alert: BAMP and the Barbados Ministry of Health and Wellness are urging vigilance as respiratory illness cases rise, including COVID-19 and influenza—reinforcing masks, hand hygiene, surface cleaning, ventilation, and staying home when sick; BAMP also advises COVID self-testing and notes influenza vaccine recommendations for healthcare workers, seniors and vulnerable groups. Child Mental Health Push: The DLP is calling for an urgent overhaul of child and adolescent mental health services after reports of another child’s death, citing staffing shortages and 295 young people (ages 6–17) presenting to the Psychiatric Hospital’s 24-hour Assessment Unit between June and December. Suicide Reporting Training: PAHO/WHO and Barbados’ Ministry of Health ran practical media training to help journalists and content creators report suicide and mental health responsibly, aiming to reduce stigma and harmful coverage patterns. Digital Health Learning: A Tobago health delegation visited Barbados to study digital health systems and how patient information moves across hospitals and polyclinics, including review of Barbados’ MedData platform. Vector Control Research: UWI scientists are preparing field trials of a non-chemical mosquito-control device (lethal ovitrap) as an alternative to heavy reliance on chemicals to curb dengue. Vaccine Misinformation Watch: Paediatricians and BAMP reaffirm support for routine childhood vaccination amid rising requests for exemptions, warning that foreign misinformation is influencing parental decisions.

Child & Teen Mental Health: The DLP is urging an urgent overhaul of Barbados’ child and adolescent mental health care after reports of another young death, pointing to 295 children aged 6–17 presenting to the Psychiatric Hospital’s 24-hour Assessment Unit between June and December, plus staffing shortages affecting psychological and occupational therapy. Vaccines & Misinformation: Barbados’ paediatricians and the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners (BAMP) are pushing back against rising requests to exempt children from routine immunisations, warning that social-media and foreign misinformation could weaken long-standing protection. Respiratory Illness Watch: The Ministry of Health and Wellness is monitoring increased respiratory illness activity (including influenza, RSV and COVID-19) and urging hand hygiene, cough etiquette and staying home when sick. Non-chemical Mosquito Control: UWI scientists are preparing field trials of a lethal ovitrap to reduce dengue by cutting reliance on chemicals. Digital Health Learning: A Tobago delegation visited Barbados to study digital health systems and how MedData supports information flow across hospitals and polyclinics. Accessible Transport: Barbados Council for the Disabled received a new accessible school bus to improve access to education, medical appointments and community life for children with disabilities.

Active Ageing & Health Checks: Barbados National Senior Games kicked off with an island-wide motorcade, featuring dancing, exercise, health checks and activities aimed at healthier minds and bodies for older adults. Youth Mental Health: DLP health spokesperson Felicia Dujon is urging urgent investment in child and adolescent mental health after reports of rising demand for psychiatric assessment at the Psychiatric Hospital’s 24-hour unit. Vector-Borne Disease Control: UWI scientists are preparing field trials of a non-chemical mosquito-control approach, testing lethal ovitraps to reduce dengue infections and hospitalisations. Vaccines Under Pressure: Paediatricians and the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners warn that growing requests to exempt children from routine immunisations—fuelled by misinformation—could weaken Barbados’ protection against vaccine-preventable diseases. Respiratory Illness Watch: Health authorities are monitoring rising respiratory illness activity (including influenza, RSV and COVID-19) and urging hygiene and cough etiquette to limit spread. Digital Health Learning: A Tobago delegation visited Barbados to study digital health systems and how patient information flows across hospitals and polyclinics. Accessible Transport: Barbados Council for the Disabled received a new accessible school bus to improve access to education, medical appointments and community life for children with disabilities. Public Health & Water Safety: Experts and officials weighed in on concerns around the Suarez Brothers Circus operating near the Belle water protection zone, focusing on approvals and pollution risk. Caregiving & Community Support: A revived UWI Medical Alumni Association (Barbados) is partnering to help improve student facilities and mentor medical students at Cave Hill. Alzheimer’s Missing Person: Police are seeking Hubert Macdonald Cumberbatch, 65, last seen driving in St Peter; he has Alzheimer’s disease.

Child & teen mental health: DLP health spokesperson Felicia Dujon is urging urgent investment after Barbados saw 295 children aged 6–17 present to the Psychiatric Hospital’s 24-hour Assessment Unit between June and December last year, warning demand is straining services. Vaccines misinformation pushback: Paediatricians and the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners say routine childhood immunisation must stay strong as requests for exemptions rise, with social media and overseas misinformation blamed for growing hesitancy. Respiratory illness vigilance: The Ministry of Health and Wellness is monitoring higher respiratory illness activity (including influenza, RSV and COVID-19) and reminding the public to use good hygiene, cover coughs, and protect themselves. Vector-borne disease control: UWI scientists are preparing field trials of a lethal ovitrap to reduce dengue using non-chemical mosquito control methods. Digital health learning: A Tobago delegation visited Barbados to study MedData and how Queen Elizabeth Hospital and polyclinics use digital systems, aiming to improve Tobago’s electronic health records rollout. Accessible transport: Barbados Council for the Disabled received a new accessible school bus to help children with disabilities reach school, appointments and community life. Local health workforce support: UWI Medical Alumni Association (Barbados) is partnering to renovate student spaces and mentor medical students at Cave Hill. Water safety controversy: Experts and officials are questioning approvals around the Suarez Brothers Circus relocation near the Belle water protection zone, citing potential public health and groundwater risks.

Vector Control & Dengue: UWI scientists at the Centre for Biosecurity Studies are preparing field trials of a lethal ovitrap in Barbados, aiming to cut dengue infections and hospitalisations while reducing heavy reliance on chemicals. Public Health Watch: The Ministry of Health and Wellness is monitoring rising respiratory illness activity islandwide, including influenza, RSV and COVID-19, and is urging hand hygiene, cough etiquette and staying alert for symptoms. Vaccines & Misinformation: Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners warns that requests to exempt children from routine immunisations are rising, driven by overseas anti-vaccine messaging, and stresses the National Immunisation Programme’s ongoing importance. Local Health Systems: A Tobago delegation visited Barbados to study digital health systems and how patient information flows across hospitals and polyclinics, including review of Barbados’ MedData platform. Accessibility in Care & Education: Barbados Council for the Disabled received a new accessible school bus to improve transport for children with disabilities, with wheelchair users also calling for better infrastructure and lower taxi costs. Health Workforce Planning: PAHO/WHO praised St. Kitts and Nevis’ move toward a Centralised Health Workforce Database (CHWD+) to strengthen planning and pandemic readiness.

Vaccine confidence in focus: Barbados medical groups are pushing back hard on rising childhood vaccine exemptions, warning that social-media misinformation is weakening the island’s protection against vaccine-preventable diseases. Respiratory illness watch: The Ministry of Health and Wellness is monitoring influenza, RSV, COVID-19 and other respiratory infections as demand rises at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, urging hand hygiene, cough etiquette and avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth. Digital health learning trip: A Tobago delegation visited Barbados to study how the island manages electronic health records, including reviews of the MedData platform and systems at QEH and polyclinics. Access to care through transport: The Barbados Council for the Disabled received a new accessible school bus to help children reach school, medical appointments and community life, while wheelchair users say costs and infrastructure still limit independence. Public health and water safety: Experts and officials weighed in on the Suarez Brothers Circus relocation from the Belle, citing concerns about approvals and potential pollution risks near a key groundwater protection area. Workforce support for future doctors: The revived UWI Medical Alumni Association (Barbados) is partnering to improve student facilities and mentor medical students at Cave Hill.

Childhood Vaccination Push: Barbados paediatricians and the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners are urging parents to stick with the National Immunisation Programme as requests for exemptions rise, warning that misinformation—often spread via social media and foreign coverage—could weaken long-standing protection against vaccine-preventable diseases. Respiratory Illness Vigilance: The Ministry of Health and Wellness is monitoring a rise in respiratory infections (including influenza, RSV and COVID-19) and is reminding residents to use good hygiene, cover coughs and sneezes, and protect themselves to limit spread. Local Health Workforce Support: UWI Medical Alumni Association’s revived Barbados chapter is backing improvements for medical students at Cave Hill, including renovations and mentoring, while a separate regional initiative in St Kitts and Nevis highlights stronger health workforce planning through a centralised database. Accessible Transport for Disability: Barbados Council for the Disabled received a new accessible school bus to help children and others with disabilities reach school, medical appointments and community activities, with wheelchair users also calling for more affordable taxis and better public infrastructure. Food Supply Check: Barbados says it has avoided egg supply disruptions seen in Trinidad and Tobago, with hatcheries operating steadily despite regional freight pressures.

Respiratory Watch: Barbados’ Health Ministry and Queen Elizabeth Hospital are seeing rising influenza, RSV, COVID-19 and other respiratory illness activity, and are urging hand hygiene, cough etiquette, and avoiding touching eyes/nose/mouth. Medical Training Boost: UWI Medical Alumni Association’s revived Barbados chapter is partnering with Cave Hill to help renovate student spaces at the Faculty of Medical Sciences and provide mentoring for clinical students. Disability Access: Barbados Council for the Disabled received a new accessible school bus to improve transport for children with disabilities, while wheelchair users also highlighted ongoing barriers like high taxi costs and gaps in public infrastructure. Measles Alert: Local health officials are urging extra vigilance as the Americas face a major measles outbreak, warning Barbados remains vulnerable to imported cases and stressing vaccination ahead of mass gatherings. Health Workforce Planning: PAHO/WHO-backed work in St Kitts and Nevis begins entering data into a Centralised Health Workforce Database to strengthen staffing decisions—an example of regional health system strengthening. Public Health & Water: The Suarez Brothers Circus relocation from the Belle to Garrison Savannah continues amid questions about approvals and potential pollution risks in a protected water zone.

Public Health & Water Safety: Barbados’ Suarez Brothers Circus was moved from the Belle after concerns it operated without all required approvals in Zone A of a protected water area, with a water resources expert warning that wastewater and pollutants near a primary groundwater source could pose a risk. Policy & Accountability: The DLP is urging the government to proceed carefully with any further relocation, calling for clear answers on inspections, approvals, and health, safety and environmental standards. Healthcare Access & Tech: AUB School of Medicine donated 100 digital stethoscopes to support Barbados’ mobile clinics and telemedicine push. Disability & Inclusion: Barbados Council for the Disabled received a new accessible school bus to improve access to education, medical appointments and community life, while wheelchair users still flag high taxi costs and infrastructure gaps. Health Workforce Planning: PAHO/WHO backed St Kitts and Nevis’ start of data entry into a Centralised Health Workforce Database to strengthen planning. Disease Prevention: Barbados is being urged to tighten measles defenses as the Americas face its worst outbreak in over two decades, with vaccination and surveillance highlighted. Community Health Education: UWIMAA Barbados revived to mentor medical students and help fund facility improvements at Cave Hill and Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Accessible Transport Boost: Barbados Council for the Disabled (BCD) received a new accessible school bus for children with disabilities, funded through multiple partners, aiming to improve access to education, medical appointments and community life. Ongoing Barriers: Wheelchair users say the bus helps, but high taxi costs, weak infrastructure and limits of public transport still restrict independence. Medical Education Support: A revived UWI Medical Alumni Association (Barbados chapter) agreed to help fund improvements to student facilities and mentor clinical students at Cave Hill/Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Digital Health Equipment: American University of Barbados (AUB) School of Medicine donated 100 digital stethoscopes to support care in underserved areas and strengthen telemedicine. Public Health Alert: Barbados is being urged to tighten measles defenses as the Americas face its worst outbreak in over two decades, with officials warning about imported cases and the need for vaccination. Youth Purpose & Mental Health: Jenifer Lewis urged young Barbadians to find purpose, embrace self-love and reject prejudice during a youth engagement tied to Emancipation celebrations. Health Workforce Planning (Regional): PAHO/WHO praised St Kitts and Nevis for starting data entry into a centralised health workforce database to strengthen planning.

Public Health Alert: Barbados is being urged to tighten defences against measles as the Americas report their worst outbreak in over two decades, with local doctors and the Acting Chief Medical Officer warning the island is vulnerable to imported cases—especially with large gatherings like Grand Kadooment. Healthcare Access & Tech: The American University of Barbados School of Medicine donated 100 digital stethoscopes to support mobile clinics and help grow telemedicine monitoring for people in rural and underserved areas. Water Safety & Regulation: The Suarez Brothers Circus controversy continues after it was shut down at the Belle in St Michael over approvals tied to the protected water zone; the circus now plans to reopen at Garrison Savannah, with the DLP calling for clear public health, worker welfare, and regulatory transparency. Health Workforce Planning: PAHO/WHO backed St Kitts and Nevis’ move to operationalise a Centralised Health Workforce Database (CHWD+) to strengthen evidence-based staffing decisions. Student Support: UWI Medical Alumni Association (Barbados) announced a $3.6m endowment to help medical students cover tuition shortfalls. Toxic Chemicals Watch: Barbados is reviewing whether to tighten controls or ban paraquat, amid growing international concern about links to serious health harms.

Health Workforce Planning: PAHO/WHO has praised St. Kitts and Nevis for starting data entry into its Centralised Health Workforce Database (CHWD+), built on DHIS2, to strengthen staffing decisions for pandemic prevention and response. Primary Care & Access: AUB School of Medicine donated 100 digital stethoscopes to Barbados to support telemedicine and better monitoring in mobile clinics and rural communities. Disease Prevention: Barbados is being urged to tighten measles defenses as PAHO flags the Americas’ worst outbreak in over two decades, with local officials stressing vaccination ahead of mass gatherings. Student Health Funding: UWI Medical Alumni (Barbados chapter) announced a US$1.8m endowment (US$3.6m total) to help medical students meet tuition costs across campuses. Substance Safety: Barbados’ drug watchdog warned that precursor chemicals are still being exported, including codeine linctus, urging tighter controls and shelf removals. Community Care: Barbados’ People Empowerment ministry is pushing a broader view of caregiving—time, listening and involvement—backed by the Family Leave Act’s shift in how fatherhood is valued. Public Health & Environment: Officials and health authorities are in the spotlight over the Suarez Brothers Circus move and shutdown concerns, while BADMC secured an injunction over alleged pollution risks at Three Houses Spring.