Barbados' Successful Fight Against COVID-19: A Book by Lt. Col. Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic

Strong leadership, the collective efforts of many, especially health workers, and cooperation from personnel from across ministries, international institutions and governments were the major contributors to Barbados’ successful fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

These points were made by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic as he launched his book, No Retreat, No Surrender: The Covid 19 Experience of a Small Island Developing State in New York last week.

Bostic, the Minister of Health and Wellness during the pandemic, gave a detailed, emotional at times, funny but mostly earnest presentation to a group at the Barbados Consulate General’s community space at an event hosted by Consul General Mackie Holder.

The 200-page book, specially dedicated to the late Dr Clarissa Etienne, Director Emeritus of the Pan American Health Organisation, (PAHO), in 18 chapters covers all aspects of the pandemic fight, many of them carrying military headings, reflecting the storied career of Bostic, who spent some two decades as a soldier.

Bostic noted while his training prepared him for many things, nothing prepared him for the pandemic, even though he approached it with military precision, as it was a constantly unfolding puzzle of twists and turns. More than once, he admitted, he almost gave up but in his down times was inspired by health workers and the sacrifices of Barbadians.

Among the troubling situations he enumerated were the Alpha variant, the flood of children who were not infected but who turned up at facilities with parents who had no one to care for them, instances of abuse of health workers and the resistance of even some health care workers to vaccination.

Bostic said the pluses included the leadership and the decision-making of Prime Minister Mia Mottley in anticipating needs and providing the resources to fight the pandemic, the community mapping managed by the UWI, Cave Hill, private sector and diaspora support, the dedication of health care workers and, overall, the good behaviour of Barbadians.

What stood out, according to Bostic, was the level of cooperation between intergovernmental agencies, and the public and private sectors. Multinational agencies and governments – something he never experienced and something that should continue in Barbados.

The session included a reading of Bostic’s bio, a special salute from renowned media guru Julian Rogers, a friend of the former Minister, and remarks by Peter Mayers, BTMI Director USA and Holder.