Wound care initiative launches to save millions in healthcare

A new regional wound care initiative has been launched here to reduce healthcare costs by millions of dollars and lower amputation rates in Barbados, said to be among the world’s highest.

The Caribbean Wounds Network (CariWN), a public-private partnership, seeks to prevent infections and improve patients’ quality of life through collaboration with a knowledge network and community of practice.

Dr Simone McConnie, founder and chair of CariWN, told Barbados TODAY: “CariWN has been set up to address the pressing issue of wound care within the Caribbean region. With an annual cost estimate of $7 billion, the need for coordinated action has never been more urgent.

“At CariWN, we firmly believe in the power of collaboration. Our mission is to unite healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers across the Caribbean and the diaspora to pool resources, share best practices, and ultimately enhance wound care outcomes.”

The initiative has secured over $1 million in in-kind contributions from organisations, including wound prevention and management charity Wounds Canada and international business companies Crucible International and Abraxas International.

Dr McConnie is working with Crucible’s Joel Alleyne and medical student Alan Warner, the other team members behind the initiative.

But the specialist highlighted a lack of research and data: “It’s been over 30 years we have been saying that we are the amputee capital of the world, but nothing has changed. There is no research for Barbados. One of the fundamental reasons behind this network is that we recognise there is a deficit in research, data and change. The only way you can drive change is with data.”

The podiatrist emphasised the need for standardised processes to bring about sustainable change in the region. She also identified access to training and advanced treatments as a significant challenge.

Dr McConnie stressed that the new partnership is an opportunity to bring advanced wound treatment into the region, so that medics don’t have to travel to acquire training which is “always very prohibitive”.

“What we are bringing is nothing new. All that we are doing is giving the region an opportunity to gain access and access is a challenge…access from the perspective that training is expensive, travel is expensive. How do we bring First World treatments to our environment?” she said.

CariWN’s sustainability model ensures that events and conferences are self-funded, reducing the financial burden on local governments. The organisation’s inaugural hybrid conference, T.I.M.E. To Heal, is scheduled for a Saturday, June 29 at the Henry Fraser Lecture Theatre at UWI Cave Hill.

Dr McConnie said: “This symposium promises to be an enriching experience, featuring insights from leading experts in wound care and providing attendees with the opportunity to forge valuable connections within the field.”

Initial participation has been secured from professionals here and from in Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Curaçao, Guyana, Jamaica, Martinique, St Kitts and Nevis, St Maarten, and Trinidad and Tobago.