In the run up to America’s Cup 2017, a series of meetings and training sessions are shining a spotlight on the connection between tourism and public health.  The Ministry of Health and Seniors is partnering with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) to improve health and safety for tourists and for the local population alike through participation in the regional Tourism and Health Program. The Ministry is supported in this endeavor by the Ministry of Tourism, Transport and Municipalities, the Bermuda Tourism Authority, the Bermuda Hotel Association and various other stakeholders.

Good afternoon, guests and Government team members.

The future healthcare needs of our community are being determined by the changes we see in disease patterns and the demographic shift to an ageing population.  Early onset of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and heart disease will dictate the need for healthcare professionals to address these areas. In particular, there will be demand for a workforce to support the lifestyle changes required to prevent and control these diseases.

The Ministry of Legal Affairs and the Department of Court Services will host the official opening of the Bermuda Mental Health Treatment Court Programme (MHTCP) on Thursday, 20 October.

After years of preparation and development, the Ministry, in partnership with other agencies, launched the pilot programme in October, 2013 The programme models the Drug Treatment Court Programme and aims to provide appropriate levels of treatment and services to persons over the age of eighteen (18) accused of offences and suffering from a mental illness.

Earlier today, The Premier, the Hon. Michael H. Dunkley, JP, MP,  officially launched the Premier's Youth Fitness Programme under the auspices of the Premier’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. Supporting the launch were the Minister of Education, the Hon. R. Wayne Scott, JP, MP; Acting Minister of Health and Seniors, R. Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, JP, MP; and Junior Minister of Social Development and Sports, Nandi Outerbridge, JP, MP, as well as Premier’s Council members, Department of Health officials, sponsors and educators.  Please see the Premier’s remarks below:

The Ministry of Health awards the Dr. Barbara Ball Public Health Scholarship annually to Bermudian students with proven financial need seeking careers or professional development in public health. 

About Dr. Barbara Ball

The scholarship is offered in honour of Dr. Barbara Bertha Ball who was the first born-Bermudian woman to practice medicine in Bermuda and a tireless champion for people’s rights. Born in 1924 in Bermuda, she graduated from Liverpool University Medical School in 1949.

The Department of Health confirms that a person who recently travelled to a Zika-affected country has been diagnosed with Zika. This represents the second confirmed imported (travel-related) case of Zika virus in Bermuda. 

Although widespread, ongoing local transmission remains unlikely, the public is asked to guard against mosquito bites and sexual transmission both away and at home in order to keep Bermuda’s risk as low as possible.

The Ministry of Health and Seniors does not discuss the specifics of individual cases, but can confirm that there are several people who recently returned from overseas who are suspected of having Zika virus. Given that we have a population that travels frequently, this will occur from time to time.  

Vector Control’s team is always checking properties to control mosquitoes in order to reduce the risk of onward transmission through mosquito bites. To protect oneself against any mosquito-borne illness, the public is reminded to:

Ministerial statement by: The Honourable Jeanne J. Atherden, CA, PCA, JP, MP

Mr Speaker and Honourable Members,

It brings me great pleasure and pride to advise this Honourable House of my Ministry’s latest wellness initiative. This one is particularly dear to me because its purpose is to help anyone on a tight budget to be able to have a healthy, nutritious diet.