On 20 February 2020, as part of the initiative to inform key partners and stakeholders on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), Ambassadors, Honorary Consul, International and Regional organizations based in Barbados were briefed at the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) Barbados country office.
PAHO/WHO Representative to Barbados and Eastern Caribbean Countries (PWR-ECC), Dr Yitades Gebre, opened the meeting by welcoming the dignitaries and thanking them for their attendance. The briefing meeting was well attended by the British High Commission, Caribbean Development Bank, CARICOM Development Fund, Consuls of Italy, and the Federal Republic of Germany, Embassy of Argentina, Embassy of Brazil, Embassy of Cuba, Embassy of Japan, Representative of the European Union, Global Affairs Canada, Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, New Zealand High Commission, Norwegian Honorary Consul General, Regional Security System, United Nation Resident Coordinator and the Venezuelan Embassy.
Following a self-introduction by all in attendance, the PWR-ECC led the team of Advisors, who are also members of the ECC COVID-19 Incident Management Team in a comprehensive presentation on COVID-19. The presentation covered the evolution of COVID-19, the current situation, preparedness, and response globally, regionally and in the Caribbean.
In his remarks, Dr Gebre said, “We want to make sure that all countries are prepared for the arrival of cases and to treat patients with dignity, respect and compassion.” He went on to say that one of the main objectives is the protection of health care workers.
Specifically, the organization is:
- Working with countries to respond to the outbreak
- Providing advice on how to identify sick people, care for them and prevent the spread of the virus
- Advising on travel and international traffic
- Keeping countries and the general public informed
- Coordinating with partners
In wrapping up the presentation Dr Gebre spoke on all technical cooperation activities being undertaken by PAHO including the laboratory training in two Caribbean countries Barbados and Dominica to test for COVID-19, risk communication and clinical management training. He noted that in response to the outbreak, countries were proactively mobilizing resources to meet their demand.
The briefing was well received, and dignitaries acknowledged their appreciation during the dialog. Some of the questions asked by participants included the risk profile for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, the correlation between climate and how the virus spread, the processes and practices of the different islands and their levels of coordination, and protocols individuals should follow if they become ill or show any symptoms of the virus.
The PWR informed on the incident management team in office and invited dignitaries to tour the Emergency Management Center (EOC).
