Bridgetown, Barbados, April 10th, 2025 (PAHO) - Rich dialogue and a commitment to achieving health goals were the highlights of the event commemorating World Health Day and Universal Health Coverage Day. Linking these two commemorative days provides us with an opportunity to reiterate that health is a fundamental human right, and collectively place centre stage, our commitment to Leave No One Behind and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
This year’s World Health Day theme, ‘Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures’, focuses on maternal and newborn health, as part of a year-long initiative to urge governments and the health community to ramp up efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths, and to prioritize women’s longer-term health and well-being.
Hosted by the PAHO/WHO Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries (ECC), the event featured health leaders, the United Nations (UN), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Ambassadors, the diplomatic corp, development partners and educators.
The Panelists Present
A panel discussion ensued on the topics ‘Universal Health – Access and Coverage for All’, and “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures” specifically examining the achievements that have been made towards optimizing the health of our people, lessons learned thus far and challenges to overcome as we continue on this journey.
PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the ECC, Dr. Amalia Del Riego, commenced the discussion by thanking the gathering for attending the event and commending the region for the “tremendous progress” it has made.
Dr. Del Riego also shared that the region is still behind the target of 30 deaths per 100,000 births, as Barbados and the ECC’s current statistics were 35-74 deaths per 100,000 births. In the Americas region, the statistics are 77 deaths per 100,000.
“The aim,” said Dr. Del Riego, “is not only to survive; but thrive.”
She stressed that women’s health goes beyond maternal health. “Access to sexual and reproductive health services also plays a critical role in the overall health of women: their survival, the survival of their babies, and their ability to thrive in life. With available, quality sexual and reproductive services, women can plan their lives, their health, their future, with their families, and be agents of change in our communities.”
United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr. Simon Springett, applauded such advances in the region as paid sick leave, and maternity and paternity leave which provides stability for parents allowing them to take time off. He remarked that there are opportunities that are overlooked which impact families.
Mr. Springett acknowledged that World Health Day and Universal Health Coverage are opportunities to reflect upon and consider policy and legislative options.
In her description of her nation’s situation through a virtual presentation, the Minister of Health, Montserrat, Hon. Ingrid Buffonge, reflected on the impact of cost-related barriers to care in nationals compared to non-nationals and stated that Montserrat was working to achieve equity in access to care. As part of improving access and coverage, Montserrat has advanced in providing services such as CT scans on the island to overcome the burden on its people traveling to other countries for these services.
The Minister also described as a “paradox of progress” the fact that the incidence of NCDs is much higher today than in the 1950s, and recommended a necessary shift in focus to natural foods and promoting balanced diets.
The Minister of Health, Grenada, Hon. Phillip Telesford, also gave a virtual presentation, and highlighted the achievements of his nation, including the multitude of services offered in health clinics.
Of particular concern to him though, was accessibility. The minister said expectant mothers in Petite Martinique and Carriacou sometimes wait too long before accessing care on the mainland Grenada; and run the risk of delaying the arrival of mother and child on the mainland, which can sometimes result in their deaths.
Chief Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Barbados, the Most Hon. Dr. Kenneth George, championed interagency partnerships. “Is government the only agency to drive Universal Health Coverage? I dare say no.”
Dr. George credited PAHO with supporting many initiatives which could not have been completed by the Ministry of Health alone. He also supported assistance from NGOs and the private sector which he said can strengthen national immunization programmes. He also suggested incorporating health entrepreneurship and digital intervention.
With NCDs being the most frequent cause of death in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, it is inevitable it is a topic that needs to be addressed to promote a people-center, comprehensive approach to health and health care services. Several panelists highlighted progress and challenges in this area.
Executive Director of the Ashley Lashley Foundation in Barbados, Ashley Lashley, recounted her days consuming unhealthy foods with her friends as a secondary school student. Increased awareness led to her advocating for health equity and climate change, including the hosting of an overweight and obese youth camp in 2019.
Lashley expressed pleasure with the incremental progress made to create a healthier environment, with the introduction of a School Nutrition Policy last year, increased emphasis on youth leadership and peer engagement, and additional physical and mental health activities in schools.
Messages of moderation are more palatable to the public, she suggested, in terms of moving toward behavioral change as it relates to eating healthy foods.
Minister Telesford highlighted that implementing taxes on high salt foods has been one of the strategies described to help curb unhealthy eating and reduce NCDs.
The Minister’s advice: “In these times, we have to be bold, deliberate and persevere.”
The Audience’s Say
The audience also heard from those gathered in-person for the occasion.
Founder and Chairman of the Deaf Heart Project, Che Greenidge
Partnerships - Hearing screening for all was advocated by Greenidge, who observed that though resources are limited, using partnerships and collaborations can help.
Ambassador of Colombia to Barbados, Elizabeth Taylor
Health Equity - The Ambassador praised the “incredible health facilities” in her nation. However, she acknowledged that residents in the city were better served than those outside of the city, noting that her country was working to improve the gap.
