National Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) 2015-2019

Barbados has the lowest age-adjusted death rate from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Despite this, however, mortality from the main CVDs affecting the island's population and prevalence of risk factors for most NCDs is high, particularly in those aged < 60 years. The Barbados Ministry of Health (MH) is aware that NCD control cannot be the responsibility of the MH alone, and is therefore refocusing healthcare service delivery towards a model of chronic care for the population, with a strong emphasis on a coordinated response through partnerships with other sectors of the government, civil society and the private sector. The NCD response covers four main areas: (1) strengthening strategic management; (2) surveillance and research; (3) integrated disease management and patient education; and (4) risk factor reduction. The target is to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by 25% by 2025 as well as to diminish the avoidable, costly morbidity from NCDs. This Action Plan, like the Strategic Plan, stems from the priority of the Barbados MH to develop a patient-centred, equitable, efficient, accessible, high-quality health care system. The MH's NCD response is led by the NNCDC through a combined and collaborative approach to the guiding principles, encompassing "all-of-government, all-of-society". This NCD Action Plan outlines the activities required annually for the MH and its partners to take to effectively tackle NCDs in Barbados during 2015­2019. The activities have been translated from the Barbados Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of NonCommunicable Diseases 2015­2019, prepared by the National NCD Commission (NNCDC) and the MH. Activities are outlined in tabular format, for each strategic line of action by year. The Appendix provides a brief outline of each year's activities required by all four strategic plans. In this way the Action Plan provides the "road-map" to operationalising the Strategic Plan, including a checklist of performance indicators for measuring whether the activity has been achieved.

Barbados strategic plan for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases 2015-2019

Barbados, like its Caribbean neighbours, has high death rates from chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and corresponding high rates of NCD risk factors ­ unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, alcohol abuse and tobacco use. In 2007, the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) held a summit of leaders of Government on NCDs, the i rst anywhere in the world, and issued the historic Declaration of Port of Spain (POS) "Uniting to Stop the Epidemic of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases". h rough CARICOM advocacy, this approach was adopted globally, resulting in the United Nations High Level Meeting (UNHLM) on NCDs in September 2011 and the WHO NCD Plan, targets and indicators adopted in May 2013. Barbados has the most developed NCD response in the Caribbean, facilitated by political will and ef ective leadership, and steady progress has been made over the past i ve years. h is country has already adopted several of the NCD approaches recommended by the World Health Organization NCD plan: for example, the policy of access to health care as a fundamental human right and universal health coverage for Barbadian citizens and permanent residents have been largely achieved. h e National NCD Commission leads and coordinates the NCD response and continues to be ef ective despite economic constraints. To date, the national response to NCDs has been commendable, with political and i nancial support from the Government, support from health non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and some support from the private sector, especially the media. In the health sector, surveillance through surveys and the Barbados National Registry have been notable, and the Barbados Drug Service continues to provide high quality pharmaceuticals for all Barbadians. Legislation has made Barbados "smoke-free" and tobacco taxes have been increased, which reduce tobacco consumption, ill health and deaths. Anecdotal evidence suggests that more persons are exercising. However, gaps remain, particularly with respect to reporting on morbidity and mortality, adoption of a comprehensive health information system and less than adequate utilization of quality of care guidelines and audits. Alcohol focussed control measures need strengthening and ef orts to engage children in control and prevention activities need improvement. h is plan is the successor to the NCD Commission Plan 2009-2012, and it recognizes the vital role of other Ministries of Government, civil society and the private sector to reduce the risk factors for NCDs, since most of these risk factors lie outside of the reach of the Ministry of Health. It is therefore proposed to develop a National NCD Plan in the future, with full partnership and input from all-of-Government and all-of-society to guide us towards "health in all policies". h e Strategic Plan and log frame have four areas ­ Strengthening Strategic Management, Surveillance and Research, Risk Factor Reduction and Integrated Disease Management including Patient Education. Health promotion is the strategy used for all areas of the plan and is integrated throughout. h e plan includes targets from the POS Declaration and the United Nations High level Meeting on NCDs September 2011.

Barbados national drug formulary: a guide to rational prescribing

The BNDF is intended to be a pocket book for quick reference, of greatest value to young doctors, but also to every prescriber who needs to use a drug for the first time, to check general guidelines, major cautions and side effects or dose ranges; to identify an unfamiliar drug name or seek help with an unusual patient; in short to assist in rational prescribing. It is also an educational tool for pharmacists, nurses and other members of the health care team

Health and wellness barbados: national strategic plan for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases - 2020-2025

In 2018 the Barbados Labour Party presented its "People's Manifesto: Building the Best Barbados Together", which placed all who are Barbadian­by birth, marriage, descent, or choice­at the centre of our country's national sustainable development. We committed to "Healthy Bajans", through actions taken during both the initial Mission Critical phase of our governance and the longer-term Transformational Agenda. With our election and strong evidence of the confidence that the people of Barbados placed in us, the Government of Barbados continues to work toward fulfilling the commitments made for greater emphasis on the health and wellbeing of our people. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer consume 70% of the budgets of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the Barbados Drug Service. We cannot keep putting most of our limited resources towards fighting sickness; we cannot keep waiting until we get sick to take action; and we cannot afford the high price of these diseases, neither in lives nor in public expenditure. Our parents' and grandparents' advice that "prevention is better than cure" is more applicable than ever in these times. We must continue on the road to making sure that all of us are educated about our health and have access to the food, facilities, and services we need to stay healthy. In advancing our national development in a sustainable way, we need all hands on deck; we need healthy, productive people at all levels to stay the course, contribute, and get our society and our economy back on track­we all contribute, and we all benefit. The development of the National Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs 2020-2025 was led by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and its implementation and monitoring will also be led by that Ministry. However, let there be no doubt that it is a national plan, and all sectors of government and all of society have to be involved for its successful execution. We have full confidence that the Ministry of Health and Wellness has mechanisms in place for such involvement, and the Government of Barbados, through the Cabinet Sub-committee on NCDs, will take more than a passing interest in progress made to tackle NCDs and reduce their burden. Together, we can achieve our national health goals and contribute to the achievement of regional and global goals for sustainable development. Our goals are lofty and aspirational, but this is Barbados­we can do it!