Is your BARP membership expiring soon? NO NEED TO WORRY! BARP members will be covered until June 30th, and expired cards will remain valid until this date. We're also asking all concessionaires to honour all expired cards presented during this time period.

Are you an elderly person or living with a disability in Barbados? The Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs has a COVID-19 helpline for you. Call 536-HOPE / 536-4673 for guidance and advice.

by Sheena Forde-Craigg | Mar 18, 2020 Barbados Government Information Service

Minister of Health and Wellness, Lt. Colonel Jeffrey Bostic, and Acting Chief Medical Officer, Anton Best, update the press on COVID-19. (BGIS)

The World Health Organization, on Tuesday, March 17, recommended that persons suffering with COVID-19 symptoms avoid taking Ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Anton Best, speaking at a press conference at Ilaro Court today, noted that the Ministry was alerted to the fact that in some places where NSAIDs were used, patients worsened.

He said: “Right now, the recommendation is to focus on the use of paracetamol for pain and for fever reduction, as opposed to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Ibuprofen, Voltaren, Cataflam and other drugs in that category [such as] aspirin.”

Barbadians are being advised to avoid using products containing Ibuprofen if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.  According to the Barbados Drug Service, over-the-counter Ibuprofen products are:

• Advil 200mg in 2s of a box of 50s
• Advil caplets and tablets 200mg 24s
• Advil Cold and Sinus
• Advil Infant drops 15ml
• Advil Liquid Gels
• Advil Migraine Gel 20s
• Advil PM 30/50 packs of 2s
• Advil PM Bottle 20s
• Children’s Advil Liquid
• Ibufen Liquid
• Ibuprofen 400mg by Health 2000
• Ibuprofen 400mg tablets Bristol 84s
• Ibuprofen Gel Rub
• Motrin Children Elixir 1oz
• Motrin Children Elixir 4oz
• Motrin Infant Drops
• Motrin PM Caplets 20s
• Perofen 400mg by Remedica
• Thornton and Ross Ibuprofen 200mg tab
• Thornton and Ross Suspension 100ml bottle
• Westmead Flamingo Ibuprofen 200mg tab 24s

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https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/blog/avoid-taking-ibuprofen-for-covid-19-symptoms/

BARP President Marilyn Rice-Bowen "bumps elbows" with Massy Supermarkets CEO Randall Banfield this morning at the Worthing branch. This was the first of early morning 7 AM exclusive openings to accommodate shopping for seniors and the disabled. This initiative was extremely successful as seen by the crowd shopping, and BARP endorses the effort. Full video report coming soon.

Massy Supermarkets Worthing, Sunset Crest, and SuperCentre Warrens will now open on Monday - Friday from 7AM - 8AM for seniors 60 years and over, Differently Abled customers, and customers in high risk groups. These adjusted opening hours are in effect until March 31st, 2020.

Massy Supermarkets Worthing, Sunset Crest, and SuperCentre Warrens will now open on Monday - Friday from 7AM - 8AM for seniors 60 years and over, Differently Abled customers, and customers in high risk groups. These adjusted opening hours are in effect until March 31st, 2020.

The public is invited to tune in as BARP presents a Panel Discussion focusing on the Coronavirus on 

BARP President Marilyn Rice-Bowen participates in CBC TV's "The People's Business" on the topic "Coronavirus, the Barbados Response".

https://www.facebook.com/CBCNews.bb/videos/2634474130130605/

BARP has been following the advice and suggestions of local health officials and recognizes that the greatest risk of infection is among those who are in close contact with people who have COVID-19. This includes family members, health care workers and Care-givers who care for people who are infected.

If you live where any case has been reported, take action to reduce your exposure. Know what’s going on locally.

Pay attention to recommendations from your local public health department. Also, make sure you have adequate supplies of routine medications, like medicine for blood pressure and diabetes, and household supplies in case you need to remain at home.

BARP is following the recommendations and guidance of the medical professionals at every step on this journey, but we do hope that there are sufficient ventilators available for the elderly should the need arise.

What we do hope is that people not necessarily in need do not simply purchase them for stockpiling purposes.

There are many old people in Barbados who live alone and it is in times such as this coronavirus watch that we in BARP would like communities to be “good neighbours” and look out for these seniors.  BARP is not only concerned about its members, but the welfare of all seniors in the country and recognised that if there is a “crisis as a result of COVID-19” then there must be special attention to this group of vulnerable people.

So, at this stage BARP encourages, community groups, our churches, Neighbourhood Watch groups, District Emergency organisations  , youth organisations and sports association within every community, whether  the newer development or traditional villages,   to have a type of inventory of the seniors in their community.

It is almost like preparing and having a checklist in preparation for the onset of a hurricane.

We at BARP are hoping that the Home Help service provided by the National Assistance Board which is so critical, and for which the beneficiaries  are very grateful, that the service can enhance during this particular time.

What they do for and in the homes of these vulnerable elderly people can play an important role in keeping this disease at bay.

The home help workers would know the weaknesses and deficiencies and must bring them to the attention of their superiors.

These frontline workers must not overlook or ignore any symptoms.

We would also appeal to relatives of seniors living alone to check in on them regularly, certainly on morning, during the day and before the time in the evenings they would normally go to bed. These are times when people will be anxious, uneasy and even afraid… sharing a word of love and empathy and showing you care will mean a lot, even if you can’t get to see them in person.

BARP would also like to encourage seniors across Barbados to follow the radio, television and for those who read the newspapers, print or online, to only be guided by the official information.

Please, be weary of criminals who will use this situation to try to defraud senior citizens, with all types of bogus and deceptive promises, schemes and offers.

World Kidney Day- March 12, 2020

Theme: “Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere- From Prevention to Detection and Equitable Access to Care

Kidney disease is a non-communicable disease (NCD) which affects around 850 million people globally. Kidney disease can be delayed and/or prevented with access to basic diagnostics and early treatment.

“This year World Kidney Day continues to raise awareness of the increasing burden of kidney diseases worldwide and to strive for kidney health for everyone, everywhere.”

Prevention involves three (3) categories:

1. Primary Prevention
2. Secondary Prevention
3. Tertiary Prevention

Primary Prevention consists of intervening before health effects occur in an effort to prevent the onset of kidney disease before the disease process begins. This includes the promoting of healthy lifestyles including physical activity and healthy diets as well as the the maintenance of risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, structural abnormalities of the kidney and urinary tracts.

Secondary Prevention suggests preventive measures that lead to early diagnosis and prompt treatment of kidney disease to prevent more severe problems developing.

Tertiary Prevention indicates managing kidney disease after it has been well established, in order to control the progression of the disease and the emergence of more severe complications.

In 2020, World Kidney calls on everyone to advocate for concrete measures in every country to promote and advance kidney disease prevention including:

• Renewed focus on primary care, awareness raising and education including patient empowerment and cross-specialty training
• Whole-of-government, whole-of-society, health in all policies, multisectoral collaboration to promote prevention of kidney disease.

Extract taken from https://www.worldkidneyday.org/2020-campaign/2020-wkd-theme/