The National Policy on Ageing, designed to address the growing needs of Barbados’ senior citizens, was the subject of debate in Parliament on Tuesday, with some praising the policy’s potential to significantly improve elderly care while others suggested that more time and consultation are needed to refine the policy.
Leading the debate, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Davidson Ishmael, highlighted the increasing global ageing population, projecting that by 2050, some 1.5 billion people worldwide will be aged 65 and older.
He noted that combined with the high prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), this growing demographic has intensified the need for a stringent policy response.
“Seventy-five per cent of deaths among persons 65 and older are caused by NCDs. This underscores the importance of updating our national policy on ageing,” Ishmael said.
He revealed that the Ministry of Health and Wellness has so far allocated over $59 million this year to primary healthcare initiatives, focusing on preventative care – an investment which will ensure elderly Barbadians have better access to essential health services, including dental, eye care, and general wellness checks.
“We must ensure that our elderly can afford the medications they need and access the necessary medical services,” he said. “This will allow them to age in an active, healthy, and dignified manner.”
Minister Ishmael highlighted ongoing efforts such as the National NCD Commission and the Advanced Care of the Elderly Programme, which provides additional support for geriatric care through public-private partnerships. He reiterated that the focus on preventative care and community-based health initiatives is critical for tackling the growing challenges faced by the ageing population.
“I wholeheartedly support this policy on ageing. I believe that . . . we are already doing a stellar job of providing care to our elderly but more needs to be done,” Ishmael said. “Our elderly must be able to walk into any healthcare facility and receive urgent care and attention. They should be able to walk into any of our facilities and be prioritised simply because they are elderly. They have made a contribution to our society and they deserve to be treated with that level of respect and to be given that level of favour.”
Also supporting the policy was Minister of Labour Colin Jordan who said it represents the ethos of the country.
“An ethos that values the humanity of all citizens, that recognises that even as you age, you are still of worth and that you are still in need of protection and sustenance,” he said.
Encouraging citizens to familiarise themselves with the main points of the policy, Jordan added: “I encourage Barbadians to recognise that time passes, and we will all get there if we live long enough.”
However, some concerns were raised about the current state of the policy, with some Members of Parliament, including St Michael East MP Trevor Prescod, expressing concern about the need for more in-depth discussions and a comprehensive action plan to ensure its successful implementation.
“A debate on how we treat our elderly is massive and needs greater input. We must avoid a ceremonial exercise that leads to no real transformation,” Prescod said, advocating for a more thorough study of the policy’s language and mechanisms for governance.
Deputy Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw also agreed with the need for deeper dialogue, warning that without a comprehensive action plan, the policy risks becoming “a glossy document that will sit on a shelf”.
She emphasised that factors like public sensitisation, nutrition, fitness, social media engagement, and housing support for the elderly must be carefully considered to bring the policy to life.
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