Every day a Barbadian suffers a stroke. Every three days, two more are struck by heart attacks. These statistics represent fathers, mothers, neighbours, and friends whose lives are being upended or lost to a preventable crisis.
The information shared recently by Dr Kim Solomon, director of medical services at the Medical Emergency Centre, highlights an undeniable reality for a growing section of the Barbados population. The island is in the grips of a non-communicable disease (NCD) emergency that requires collective action and, most of all, greater personal responsibility.
According to the Barbados National Registry, in 2022 alone, the country recorded 556 heart attacks and 765 strokes. These are staggering numbers for a population of approximately 280 000 people. When Dr Solomon reminded us that cardiovascular disease accounted for 35 per cent of all deaths in Barbados, as indicated in a World Health Organisation (WHO) report, it paints a picture of a population losing the battle against lifestyle-related illnesses.
The health crisis is not unique to Barbados, as across the Caribbean, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, and cancer, have become the leading causes of death and disability.
What makes the situation here particularly concerning is the rapid pace at which these conditions are impacting younger people. The economic implications associated with this health emergency is also immense.
NCDs are not only shortening the lives of individuals but they are also a financial and social strain on families, workplaces, and the national healthcare system.
Dr Solomon’s declaration that “these numbers are not just statistics, they are urgent calls to attention and action” must be taken to heart. Her warning and an appeal for a national reckoning should be taken seriously.
While Barbados has made great strides in public health and medical care, such high rates of cardiovascular disease suggest that much more has to be done to educate and incentivise Barbadians to take greater care of their own bodies.
At the launch of the rebranded Sparman Clinic, now the Medical Emergency Centre, Dr Solomon and her team announced a welcome initiative: free life-saving cardiac treatment for 18 patients unable to afford it.
This act of social responsibility is commendable. It demonstrates that while the private sector may often be viewed as driven only by profit, it can also play a critical role in addressing public health inequities.
“No one should be denied a chance for life due to circumstance,” Dr Solomon said, which is at the core of the challenges Barbados faces. There are too many people who believe that their economic situation prevents them from accessing the best care.
Access to life-saving care should not be determined by a person’s bank account – that is not the Barbadian way, at least not in health and education. The fact is that it is better and cheaper to go the way of prevention.
The foundation for that strategy must be education, early intervention, and lifestyle changes. The majority of cardiovascular diseases are linked to risk factors that can be addressed by simple lifestyle changes. Poor diet, sedentary living, excess alcohol consumption, and smoking can all be impacted by personal decisions to change.
We need to encourage healthier eating habits, particularly reducing salt and sugar use, and promote regular physical activity at schools, workplaces, and community organisations.
It is for this reason that we commend the No Sugar November campaign of the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus. Catchy, simple promotions on social media can have a positive impact.
Moreover, government policy must reinforce these efforts. It is time to revisit the conversation around sugar taxes, food labelling, and the marketing of unhealthy products, especially to children.
Planning and transport systems should be designed to encourage walking and cycling. The healthcare system itself must shift towards stronger primary care, where screening for hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol becomes routine rather than the exception.
Ultimately, reversing the NCD epidemic requires a cultural shift. It means redefining what it means to live well, valuing health above other priorities in life. It means holding ourselves accountable for our choices and demanding the support of healthier lifestyles.
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