Ministry of Youth and Sports Considers Collaboration with Ross University School of Medicine for Athlete Healthcare Initiatives

The Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment, announced this weekend that it is exploring a framework for cooperation in several areas with Ross University School of Medicine, which will positively impact athletes and sports organisations.

Minister Charles Griffith on Friday led a delegation which met with Dr Rhonda Mc Intyre, Senior Associate Dean of Ross University School of Medicine, External Affairs and Dr Carlene Radix, Assistant Dean of Community Medicine and Global Health at Ross University, for approximately 90 minutes on Friday.

The discussions at the Ministry’s Haggatt Hall, St Michael offices, were initiated by Minister Griffith’s interest in supporting sports persons who may face challenges that require first response medical interventions while at games. He contended that “most of the over 70 national sporting federations in Barbados have very few personnel to cover medical injuries that may arise and it’s high time that this issue be addressed.”

The discussions included a range of individual, group, and community health care initiatives, expanding into the various engagements of the sections within the Ministry where attention is also needed.

Some of the opportunities for consideration shared by the Ross team, included a Heart Savers Programme, a Basic Life Support Programme, Community Medical Interventions, the use of Automated External Defibrillators, training for sportspersons and coaches and educational programmes including NCDs, parental awareness, cancer awareness for men and women.

Stating that she was “excited with the initiative which can be incorporated into a formal agreement between the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment and Ross University”, Dr Mc Intyre added that the overall framework agreement, with all the various components would guide the process.

Minister Griffith said he had “learned a lot” from the talks, and he is looking forward to ensuring the initiatives set out under the agreement are supported and implemented. In acknowledging the Minister’s commitment and enthusiasm, Dr. Mc Intyre noted that the two sides can work towards a letter of agreement that could effect an agreed timeframe to execute the programmes.

Before Friday’s talks, Ross University School of Medicine and the Ministry held two rounds of deliberations which explored the co-operative framework.

The Ministry delegation also included Joy Adamson, Permanent Secretary; Cleviston Hunte, Director of Youth Affairs; Neil Murrell, Director of Sports at the National Sports Council; Yolande Skeete, Chief Community Development Officer (Ag); Kay Hinds, Deputy Chief Community Development Officer (Ag); Andrea Titus, Principal Youth Development Officer (Ag); and Wanda Reid-Beckles, Public Relations/Liaison Officer.