The Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment in Barbados is actively working to enhance the level of medical aid available to athletes. On November 8, 2024, Minister Charles Griffith met with the officials from Ross University School of Medicine on a probable joint venture in the theme of community health, sports medicine, and emergency response.
The meeting was held on Friday at the Haggatt Hall office of the Ministry with Dr. Rhonda Mc Intyre, Senior Associate Dean for External Affairs of Ross University, and Assistant Dean of Community Medicine and Global Health, Dr. Carlene Radix present.
They discussed every aspect in between talks concerning ways to address the glaring deficit of medical personnel required to support a myriad of sports initiatives and community entities.
Minister Griffith was particularly keen that the athletes have first-response medical care in games. He noted that of more than 70 national sporting federations in Barbados, most lack adequate medical appliances to handle injuries properly.
“It’s high time we address this gap,” Griffith noted in referring to the seriousness of adequate measures to be taken to ensure athlete safety. During discussions with the Ministry on Ross University, health programs were discussed which were aimed at making emergency care services more accessible to everyone and enhancing health education.
The university team endorsed implementing programs such as having a “Heart Savers” program, which incorporates Basic Life Support training along with increased medical intervention in the community. Ross proposed the installation of Automated External Defibrillators at sporting events, while training coaches and athletes about their operation.
More programs involved educational workshops regarding non-communicable diseases (NCDs), campaign for the health awareness of parents, and health campaign for cancer among males and females.
Dr. Mc Intyre is excited about the partnership because it has the potential to respond to the health needs of the sports sector in Barbados. “I am excited by this initiative and the formal agreement it could shape with the Ministry,” she said. “The proposed framework will be a good guide on how to collaborate effectively,” she added.
Minister Griffith has also expressed an upbeat view regarding the partnership. He promised to implement the agreed programs and elaborated on the insight which he had gained from the consultations.
The eventful meeting made Dr. Mc Intyre perceive the Minister’s proactive approach towards developing an agenda establishing a timeline for the implementation of the agreed programs, thus suggesting the development of a “Letter of Agreement”.
This deal was based upon two previous discussions held between the Ministry and Ross University. Since both are now working towards a formalized framework, Barbados’ sporting community may soon be offered exceptional medical support and valuable health education.
