Pan American Health Organization Donation

BDF Media Release| 20 Mar 2020

Photography credit: BDF Media

As part of the national emergency response to the COVID–19 pandemic, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits to the Barbados Defence Force (BDF). Colonel Glyne Grannum, Chief of Staff BDF, received the equipment during a brief handover–takeover ceremony from PAHO/WHO representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Dr Gebre Yitades.

The Personal Protective Equipment consists of surgical gowns and masks, gloves, N95 masks, safety glasses and bio-safety bags.
The Barbados Defence Force continues to participate in Government’s COVID-19 response plan, providing a range of operations which include the provision of medical personnel for screening at Barbados’ Ports of Entry and other medical and logistics tasks.

BDF Field Medical Facility Expands QEH Accident and Emergency

BDF Field Medical Facility Expands QEH

Accident and Emergency Unit

BDF Media Release| 20 Apr 20

Photography credit: Private Kyle Straker

As part of Operation Trident Shield, the Barbados Defence Force’s (BDF) contribution to the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a second element of the Field Medical Facility (FMF) has been set up at Jemmott’s Lane as a Respiratory Short-Stay Unit (RSSU). The RSSU is an annex to the QEH Accident and Emergency Department and is located next to the UWI Clinical Skills Building. The role of the FMF RSSU is twofold: (1) to improve the efficiency of medical care delivered by the MHW and (2) to provide targeted care for patients requiring brief treatment and dischargeable as soon as clinical conditions are managed. The first element of the FMF has been deployed at Paragon Base Campsite as a swabbing test centre since 23 March 2020.

During a tour of the RSSU with Chief of Staff BDF Colonel Glyne Grannum, QEH Emergency Services consultant Dr David Byer; Minister of Health and Wellness, the Honourable Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic, expressed his satisfaction at the BDF’s efficiency in deploying the FMF as an essential service for the overall healthcare of Barbadians. The visit also observed key personnel and facility staff engaging in training for the correct methods for donning and doffing personal protective equipment, in-processing of patients, sanitization techniques and other medical procedures.

Dr Byer further stated that the set-up of the Field Medical Facility was mainly for persons who present with mild symptoms and require general testing. The facility will be ready to accommodate patients who have been referred from the main Accident and Emergency Unit at the QEH from Monday 20 April 2020.

The BDF FMF Coordinator, Major Junior Browne, indicated that this current set-up can accommodate a maximum of 20 patients as it is dual-purposed in reducing the density at the A&E Department. He went on to explain that the facility will be manned by QEH medical and auxiliary staff, Cuban Volunteer Nurses and BDF personnel.

Highlights

A Fallen Brother In Arms

Fallen Brother In Arms

BDF Joint Media Release| 07 April 2020

Photography credit: Online Resourced

JOINT STATEMENT ON DEATH OF BDF SOLDIER

The Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) has launched an investigation into the shooting death of a soldier on the compound of the District “A” Police Station this afternoon around 5:35.

Preliminary investigations indicate that Lance Corporal Pablo Kinch and three colleagues from the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) had just returned from a joint patrol with police officers, and were awaiting transportation back to their base when the incident occurred.

Lance Corporal Kinch, who is attached to the army’s Paragon base, was shot in the right sternum but succumbed to his wound despite valiant efforts to resuscitate him by Police Constables Farley and Manning, both of whom are emergency medical technicians.

Lance Corporal Kinch, Lance Corporal Grandison, Private Gill and Private Brathwaite were at the base of the Police’s Tactical Response Unit at District “A” Station when a weapon was discharged.

Assistant Superintendent of Police David Wiltshire, of the Criminal Investigations Division, has been assigned to investigate the matter.

“We wish to publicly express our sorrow at this most unfortunate incident and to extend sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Lance Corporal Kinch. Our country has lost a brave defender of law and order, who performed his duties on joint patrols with the police over the past year with vigour and enthusiasm. He will be missed.”

Tyrone Griffith, Commissioner of Police, RBPF
Colonel Glyne Grannum, Chief of Staff , BDF

(April 6, 2020)

BDF AGAINST COVID 19

BDF Media Release| 06 April 2020

Photography credit: BDF Media

As an essential service in Barbados’ response to the COVID – 19 pandemic, Barbados Defence Force personnel will wear protective masks and display name tags at all times.

They will NOT wear scarfs, balaclavas or handkerchiefs.

They will conduct themselves in accordance with BDFs codes of conduct and discipline.

#BDFFightsCOVID19 #StayHome

COVID-19 Sensitization

News & Updates, Stories

COVID-19 Sensitization

BDF Media Release| 18 Mar 2020

Photography credit: Able Bodied Seaman Bryan T

The Barbados Defence Force (BDF) conducted a COVID – 19 sensitization briefing with its members in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Port Health Medical Officer, Dr. R.A. Manohar Singh MD, Dip. Chest & Lep, Dip. Cmed, Dip. HSM, MPH. COVID – 19 is a new strain of the novel Corona virus, identified in January by the Chinese authorities, not previously identified in humans. Dr. Singh reminded the Command and Staff of the BDF that although the virus was first discovered in Wuhan China, it has affected every continent and is rapidly spreading.

Coronaviruses are said to be a family of viruses that cause illness ranging from common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). They can also lead to pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. These viruses were originally transmitted between animals and people. Dr. Singh advised at the possibility that the main cause of the virus’ spread, is due to the illegal trading of live food in Wuhan Food Markets, known to sell over 112 live animals.

The members of the BDF were also informed that the symptoms of the novel coronavirus are:

1. Fever

2. Cough

3. Shortness of breath/breathing difficulties.

4. Aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea.

Dr Singh cautioned that while these symptoms may seem easy to detect as they are mostly external they are also mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell. However, about 80% of persons infected without the need for any special treatment. It was recommended that persons with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should see medical attention especially older persons, and those underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes are most likely to develop serious illness. This virus can lead to pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is working closely with global experts, governments and partners to rapidly expand scientific knowledge on this new virus, to track the spread and virulence of the virus, and to provide advice to countries and individuals on measures to protect health and prevent the spread of this outbreak. WHO has set out the following guidelines as safety precautions from COVID – 19.

1. Travellers arriving from a country of a concern you must inform the port of Entry officer.

2. In the case of symptoms suggestive of acute respiratory illness either during or after travel, the travelers are encouraged to seek medical attention immediately and share their travel history with their health care provider.

3. Maintain social distancing.

4. Wash your hands frequently.

5. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.

6. Practice respiratory hygiene

Highlights

Barbados Regiment Week

News & Updates, Stories

Barbados Regiment Week

BDF Media Release| 17 Mar 2020

Photography credit: BDF Media

The Barbados Regiment hosted a week of activities in recognition of the receipt of their Colour 67th Anniversary. The week of activities held from 23 – 28 February 2020, included a number of events such as; Barbados Regiment Colour to Church held at the St Paul’s Anglian church under the theme of “A Sense of Organizational Unity, Unity in History, Unity of Purpose, Unity of Vision”. Lieutenant Colonel, the Honourable Jeffrey D. Bostic, M.P. Minister of Health and Wellness was the principle guest and reviewing officer.

Other activities comprised of a general cleaning of the Sterling Children’s Home environs, a Treasure Hunt around the Garrison Historical area and a traditional Regimental Dinner.

The week of activities culminated with the Freedom of the City March from Pelican Village via Cheapside to Independence Square. This Military tradition started in the 1950’s when Ernest Deighton Mottley, the first Mayor of Bridgetown and grandfather of Prime Minister, the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Q.C., M.P. gave the Barbados Regiment the Key to the City, thus, granting them permission to March into the city with its Colour displayed, beating drums and bayonets fixed.