Barbados Minister of Health, the Hon. John Boyce says that his Ministry will seek ways for holistic therapy groups, traditional medical practitioners and faith-based groups to integrate and work together while acknowledging that many medical practitioners do not always embrace holistic medicine. He made his remarks at the launch of a Holistic Health Fair March 2nd.
“All those who are participating in the healing of Barbadians are our partners and I am urging you, of course, to keep working towards these very honorable goals. I would like to urge the Ministry of Health to look at the opportunities of joining your work with the work of faith-based organizations with the work of the Ministry of Health per se in whatever way we can help to continue to offer Barbadians this relief and comfort, and indeed ultimately healing.”
The fair filled the auditorium of Harrison College and spread across the St. Michael school compound with exhibitors including practitioners of Reiki, reflexology, massage therapies from Asia and Europe and other non-traditional medicinal interventions.
“Of course I know that the work you do is sometimes challenged by other practitioners, especially medical practitioners. But I think there is room for both of us to exist, or all of us, when you put it that way, to exist in Barbados,” said Boyce.
“The Ministry of Health embraces the concept of holistic health, recognizing that our health is not limited to physical or biological attributes, but is inclusive of our mental, social and spiritual well-being, as defined in the Caribbean Charter ofHealth Promotion,” he continued.
The Minister stressed the importance of spiritual and physical well-being for a synergistic over-all sense of wellbeing.
“In this regard, the Reiki Association and similar groups play a key role in providing services which help people to develop self-awareness and expand their understanding of themselves in relation to others.”
The event has been hosted annually since 1998.
