Since onset of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) Office for Barbados and Eastern Caribbean Countries (ECC) has actively assisted countries to prepare and respond to the virus. PAHO has responded to the needs of countries in many ways, including:
- Providing COVID-19 test kits and training laboratory staff
- Conducting COVID-19 briefing sessions for partners and stakeholders
- Deploying of teams to assist with Infection Prevention Control (IPC) and Health Systems Organization
- Training in Risk Communication and Clinical Management
- Providing communications materials including posters and banners
- Conducting needs assessments and country gab analysis with national authorities
Dr. Gebre welcomed Col Grannum to the presentation ceremony while acknowledging the long history of PAHO and the BDF working together. He noted it was an honour to provide the Field Medical Facility with the Personal Protective Equipment in relation to COVID-19 disease prevention and protection.
It is very important to keep health care workers safe.
From left Dr Yitades Gebre, PWR-ECC, Col Glyne Grannum, Chief of Staff, Barbados Defense Force, Major Junior Brown, Barbados Defence Force Field Medical Facility Project Coordinator and Retired Colonel Florence Gittens, Special Advisor to the Chief of Staff for the FMF.
On behalf of the Government of Barbados, the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Barbados Defence Force, and other partners in the fight against COVID-19, Col Brannum expressed appreciation for the equipment. He said that the kits will be used not only by the Barbados Defense Force but by inter-agency partners including the Ministry of Health, and Nurses at Ports of Entry and quarantine facilities.
It is a very timely donation given that yesterday we recorded our first two cases.
In June 2018, a mobile hospital project was launched in Barbados, a joint initiative between PAHO, BDF and the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
