By Caribbean Medical News Staff
The Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Barbados Diabetes Foundation and Heart & Stroke Foundation this year at the Maria Holder Diabetes Centre for the Caribbean. The Foundation has been in the news recently as the Ministry of Health and other organizations work tirelessly to reduce the scourge of NCDs in Barbados.
According to a release, the BARP President, Edward Bushell noted that this united approach would further sensitise Barbadians, especially its 43,000 members, of management programmes in the screening and monitoring of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). These sentiments were also echoed by Chairman, Barbados Diabetes Foundation, Dr Oscar Jordan, Dr Elizabeth Ferdinand, Chairperson, BARP Health Committee, CEO, Heart & Stroke Foundation, Gina Pitts and Senior Medical Officer, Ministry of Health, Dr Kenneth George.
Mr Bushell further explained that with 66% of BARP members still in the workforce, BARP members made a significant contribution to the economy. Dr Jordan noted this collaboration would improve the health of not only BARP members, but also the nation as a whole.
BARP Vice President, Dame Billie Miller, who recently lost a brother to diabetes complications strongly emphasised the importance of beginning public education programmes in the home, kindergarten and primary schools, noting that self-care should be “our first individual personal responsibility”.
BARP firmly believes that a healthy nation is necessary for increased productivity and economic growth. BARP will be continuing its public education and awareness in upcoming activities.
