The Barbados Association for Cancer Advocacy and Aventa Barbados – the drug-maker formerly known as Collins Limited — on Wednesday signed an agreement aimed at strengthening cancer-patient support, research and public education, while advancing plans for a dedicated hospice at Coverley, Christ Church.
The partnership, signed at an official ceremony, is the first time a charity has partnered with a pharmaceutical company on cancer care, education and patient advocacy.
The agreement comes as Barbados faces an increasing burden of cancer. The rising incidence has placed financial and operational pressure on the public health system, including bed capacity at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Through the agreement, the two organisations intend to enhance patient support and help advance needed infrastructure.
At the centre of BACA’s long-term plans is the construction of a dedicated, freestanding hospice facility in Coverley. Land for the project has already been allocated by the government and full town planning permission has been granted. The planned facility is designed to be part of the community, with surrounding agricultural green spaces intended to provide a farm-to-table nutrition model for residents.
BACA chairperson Jessica Odle-Baril, an 18-month cancer survivor, detailed how the facility would address a gap in the healthcare system.
“A freestanding hospice will bridge the gap where persons who are at the latter stages of their lives can die in dignity in a place that is beautifully prepared exclusively for end-of-life care. End-of-life care includes palliation, pain management, spiritual counselling if you need it, and family being able to be there with you, which doesn’t usually happen in a general hospital setting.”
Odle-Baril said that while town planning approval has been secured, raising the substantial capital needed to build the hospice remains a priority.
“I am not ashamed to say or to beg for something as important as this,” Odle-Baril said. “Death is with us always, and as such, we must be prepared for it. Building this MOU helps us to continue to advocate for the needs of this hospice and helps us raise much-needed funds.”
Aventa Barbados is not a financial contributor to the capital project, but the company is joining as an operational partner. The collaboration will focus on research, public education, documenting the experiences of cancer survivors and identifying gaps along the patient-care journey.
Aventa Barbados’ access and medical marketing manager Karla Kellman said charitable organisations and companies needed to work together to improve care.
“We understand the journeys and pains of patients, but it’s important for us to work with all charitable organisations to advance advocacy—not simply awareness, but understanding the journey of specific patients,” Kellman said.
“Where was the gap in getting the most appropriate treatment? Where is the gap to getting timely treatment? We can use our survivors’ group to inform our physicians, pharmaceutical companies, suppliers, and charities.”
Drug maker Novartis’ Barbados key account manager Sharon Boxill said the collaboration would cover the full continuum of care, long before patients reached end-of-life stages.
“Cancer care is a holistic approach, and it starts with all players,” Boxill said. “This collaboration is going to allow us to really get a better understanding of that patient journey from the day that patient is diagnosed until he or she moves on. If we can help shorten the journey or improve the process, that’s what we are here for, so that the cancer patient doesn’t feel that they are alone.”
Beyond clinical treatment, the partners pointed to the secondary effects of cancer therapies, including psychological distress and physical side effects such as hair loss, joint pain and altered mobility, which also require support.
To carry out the agreement, a joint steering committee with representatives from BACA and Aventa will be established immediately. The committee will develop a plan for community education initiatives, improved patient-support pathways and advocacy campaigns.
The signatories said they hoped the agreement would encourage wider corporate involvement in public health challenges and improve outcomes for cancer patients and their families throughout Barbados.
(RR)
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