Children’s eye care in Barbados has come a long way with the school’s eye clinic which now has screening as a component. Dr. Trevor Drakes who is head of Department of Ophthalmology at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital says they check children at special intervals. He was speaking as 100 children visited the department in celebration of World Sight Day where the theme was ‘Children Love Your Eyes’. Dr. Drakes is also encouraging children and adults to take a break away from screens.

Minister of Home Affairs, Wilfred Abrahams wants doctors to be more open-minded when it comes to using medicinal cannabis for treatment. Mr. Abrahams says all aspects of medicinal cannabis need to be on the table, and as such the acceptance and coverage of the plant as a treatment is important. He says moving forward it is critical, not just from the perspective of wanting a bigger and better industry for Barbados, but also for comprehensive health care. Mr. Abrahams’ comments came at the opening of the BAJCAN Medical Conference and Expo spearheaded by the Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Authority. Acknowledging Cannabis is still illegal in Barbados outside of medicinal and spiritual use, Mr. Abrahams says Barbados must re-evaluate how it deals with ganja. He says discussions must now focus on what comes next.

A call is being made for safety and health committees to take on responsibility for implementing the Workplace Wellness Policy of Barbados in their organisations. The appeal is coming from Minister of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector Colin Jordan. He says safety and health committees have a major role to play in supporting healthy behaviour among employees to improve health outcomes. He was addressing a press conference to announce plans for the Workplace Wellness in Action Forum to be hosted by the National Committee on Wellness in the Workplace on Wednesday, October 16. The one-day event, which will take place in the auditorium at Solidarity House, Barbados Workers’ Union, Harmony Hall, St. Michael, will run from 9 a.m. Until 4 p.m. BWU Executive Assistant to the General Secretary, Shakeda Williams, says the forum will showcase successful initiatives from organisations across the island and participants will benefit from panel discussions, presentations from wellness professionals, and exhibitions.