Barbados has a new project focused on promoting wellness and preventative care in communities.
The Pharma Wellness in the Community programme, officially launched at the Ivan Harewood Centre at the Christ Church Parish Church on Wednesday, has been designed to teach people how to improve their non-communicable disease (NCD) outcomes by developing healthy lifestyles.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pharma Wellness International, Lennox Prescod, said the aim is to enroll 2 000 persons from across the island in the preventative healthcare/wellness programme.
Minister of Labour and Social Partnership Relations Colin Jordan, who delivered featured remarks at the launch, said Pharma Wellness International which has been conducting programmes to address NCDs and restore quality of life, is an important stakeholder in attaining wellness in society.
He said its involvement in creating a population of people who are well, healthy and productive residents leading fulfilled lives, must be welcomed.
“We wish this community programme much success and we look forward to this programme making a significant difference in the lives of our people,” Jordan said.
Anglican Bishop of Barbados, Bishop Michael Maxwell, said the Diocese was heartened by the outreach programme which he has pledged to support.
He said the church will partner with Pharma Wellness on the programme.
“I certainly believe that these outreach programmes within our communities, such as this one in collaboration with our churches and other social agencies, are truly laudable as they provide a pathway to touch and impact people at their home base where they are most comfortable to be open at receiving education and counsel, whereby engendering change of behaviours and lifestyles for the betterment of themselves and of course our nation,” Bishop Maxwell said.
He added that Barbadians must make exercise a part of their daily regime, and noted that he has endeavoured to engage in physical activity at least three times per week to maintain optimum health and avoid NCDs.
The Bishop also urged citizens to maintain a healthier diet to improve their physical and mental wellness.
Noting that the majority of the 47 persons who died from COVID-19 in Barbados had health challenges related to NCDs, Bishop Maxwell said the Pharma Wellness programme would teach Barbadians how to monitor and improve their health to build a resistance to the virus and other diseases and illnesses.
General Manager of Operations and Retail Banking at Republic Bank (Barbados), Sharon Zephrin, said the bank was pleased to exercise its corporate social responsibility in partnering with Pharma Wellness International to take lifestyle programmes into local communities.
She said the financial institution sees the initiative as important because while healthcare providers play an important role, people managing their health challenges must become involved in educating others on how to successfully deal with NCDs.
“So I am excited about the prospects of this programme and happy that we could support a programme like this and put much needed knowledge, skills and opportunities with people who want and need it most,” Zephrin said.
“I look forward, just like many of you here today, to the development of this community programme and to hearing about the many success stories I am sure will come from it. COVID-19, as we know, has shown us the importance of maintaining good health.” (AH)
