est. 2007

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Sweet drinks

Sweet Drink Tizzy

In a country reported to have a high incidence rate of non communicable diseases one of the issues causing Bajan tongues to wag violently is the increase in the excise tax on ‘sweet drinks’. During last month’s budget presentation Prime Minister Mia Mottley decreed that effective 1 April 2022 (today) the excise tax on sweet…

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In a country reported to have a high incidence rate of non communicable diseases one of the issues causing Bajan tongues to wag violently is the increase in the excise tax on ‘sweet drinks’. During last month’s budget presentation Prime Minister Mia Mottley decreed that effective 1 April 2022 (today) the excise tax on sweet drinks increases by 20%.

On the face of it one would have assumed the imposition of a sin tax in the prevailing circumstances should be accepted for what it is. Instead many Bajans are expressing that it is a revenue grab instead of part of a holistic approach to tackling the health of the nation. 

It seems ridiculous any government should have to legislate to encourage individuals to take responsibility for health decisions, such is the reality; people have to be protected from themselves. The government needs to tax citizens to ensure a balanced budget and at the same time implement effective policies to ensure there is a seamless relationship between achieving financial and non financial targets. Bad decisions taken by SOME Barbadians ultimately effect ALL Barbadians in the pockets.

Can we agree a national debate promoting a healthy lifestyle given the high incidence of NCDs is a good thing? The ‘proposed’ increase in the price of sweet drinks has triggered a national discussion, mission achieved. The blogmaster deliberately used the word proposed because a feature of the Mottley government has been to back out or delay a few decisions taken. Latest example is the postponement of breathalyzer testing because a metered taxi rate system needs to be implemented. You simply cannot make this stuff up.

There is voluminous information to support the conclusion sweet drinks have a high calorific content and therefore high consumption by individuals is likely to negatively impact ones health. The evidence is apparent that the current health trajectory Barbados is on must be interrupted. While we jabber away money must be found to pay for lifestyle choices made by Barbadians. If we want to drink sweet drinks and exhale smoke from our nostrils like Portvale factory, we must pay for it. A good government has to provide leadership that redounds to the benefit of the nation. There are numerous risk factors to manage as it relates to a healthy lifestylke, it is established sweet drinks contribute negatively to the risk factors associated with NCDs.

The blogmaster looks forward to those in the public and private sector charged with healthcare working together to implement effective measures to save Barbadians from themselves. 

See relevant link:

Sugary Drinks Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Sugary Drinks

251 responses to “Sweet Drink Tizzy”

  1. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    The small sugar tax will not save anyone. The fact is that after the end of the plantation era, our Aborigines are getting fatter and fatter. If you shop at Pricesmart, you’ll see either slim expats or native hippos.

    I therefore advocate a 500% sugar and fat tax.

  2. GP Avatar
    GP

    TRON
    IS THERE A SIMPLE WAY THAT WE CAN RELIEVE OURSELVES OF YOU AND YOUR BLASPHEMY IN THE SAME WAY THAT WE CAN GO TO THE TOILET?

  3. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    Oh shiiiite..!!!

  4. Lawson Avatar
    Lawson

    Like when my buddy’s used to ask me about the island ….How do you seduce those bajan girls……..piece of cake

  5. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    Two words you have never seen together before and you will probably never see again…

    awesome Lawson

  6. GP Avatar
    GP

    SORRY BT
    BUT YOU GOT SERIOUS INTELLECTUALS & AN APPARENT NATIONAL SERVANT LIKE VINCENT TRYING TO
    1- EXPLAIN WHY SUGAR IS NOT REALLY THE ISSUE
    2 – OFFER WORKABLE ALTERNATIVE IDEAS
    AND
    3 YOU, DETAILING THE EXACT SITUATION IN WHICH WE FIND OURSELVES.
    THEN YOU GOT AN APPARENT SCHOOL CHILD LITTERALLY EFFUXING FAECOLITHS AND EXALTING AN OBESE HOMOSEXUAL JACKASS AND DICTATOR OPENING HER BIG MOUTH TO CLEARLY INDICATE THAT SHE IS A HIGHLY QUALIFIED MEDICAL ILLITERATE.
    MAN THERE IS A LIMIT
    THIS IS WHY WE CAN NOT GET ANYWHERE ON THE ISLAND.

  7. Lawson Avatar
    Lawson

    All kidding aside the first time I went to the island in 1984 I was surprised how produce tasted sweeter the , the fruits, the vegetables etc. I thought to myself it must be the years of producing cane has some how has had an effect on the soil, and the stuff grown in it. It just seemed everything was sweeter the cakes the coke vanilla and strawberry milk the juices a total sugar rush. There is a marked difference between consumables on the island and at home. The businesses tailor there products to the taste of the consumers making them addictive like mcdonalds fries.

  8. Lawson Avatar
    Lawson

    I saw one of the rubenesque ladies coming out of the water at the beach, wearing a t-shirt saying I am a maneater,
    She noticed me looking and said you want to ask me how many men I have eaten ..No …I think you spelled manatee wrong.

  9. GP Avatar
    GP

    MANY OF US WHO COME HERE GREW UP IN THE 60’S.
    PEOPLE TENDED TO BE MORE HONEST
    WE ATE SIMPLE FOODS, AND NOT MUCH OF IT AND WE ATE COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES LIKE CASSAVA, POTATOES, YAMS ALLL OF WHICH CONTAIN GLUCOSE LINKED MAINLY BY BETA 1=>4 BONDS.
    SINCE OUR AMYLASES CAN ONLY DEAL WITH ONLY ALPHA 1=>4 BONDS WE GOT A BELLY FULL BUT NOT A BLOOD STREAM FULL OF GLUCOSE. SO WE HAD LESS DIABETES.

    Q: DO WE STILL EAT LOTS OF .COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES LIKE CASSAVA, POTATOES, YAMS?

    BACK THEN WE ATE MUCH LESS MEAT AND LESS PROTEINS GENERALLY IN OUR MUCH DIMINISHED CALORIC INTAKE COMPARED TO WHAT IN IS THE NORM TODAY.

    NOW WHEN THE BODY MEETS PROTEINS IT CUTS OF AN ELIMINATES THE NH2 GROUPS IN THE COMPONENT AMINO ACIDS LEAVING US WITH CARBON SKELETONS WHICH ARE EITHER GLUCOGENIC WHICH WILL BE CONVERTED TO ACETYL COA, OR CARBON SKELETONS WHICH ENTER FAT METABOLISM TO MAINLY CAUSE ACETYL CO A, WHICH INTER ALIA ENDS UP MAKING TRIGLYCERIDES I.E FAT IE WE GET OBESE JUST LIKE MIA MUTTLEY THE DICTATOR
    SO WE HAVE THE POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK.

    Q. SO SINCE WE HAD NO NCD’S TO SPEAK OF IN THE EARLY 60’S THINK. WHY ARE WE HAVING THEM NOW.
    CAN ANYONE LIST AND DISCUSS THE VARIOUS THINGS IMBIBED OR SPRAYED OR ARE OTHERWISE ENTERING OUR BODIES BY MOUTH BY THE SKIN OR RESPIRATORY TRACT OR NASALLY.

    INSTEAD MIA MUTTLEY THE DICTATOR AND TRON HER STOOL CONTAMINATING OUR SENSES WHEN WILL PEOPLE ON THE ISLAND WHO ARE PAID TO THINK START TO THINK AND TO TEACH, AND GUIDE AND LEAD US INTO RELEVANT TRUTH

  10. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    Explain the abbreviation NCD to Lawson
    He thought it mean non-caulified doctors

  11. Dame+Bajans Avatar
    Dame+Bajans

    @DR. GP

    Everyone seems to have gained weight during Covid lockdowns. Guess what? I lost. Cant believe it myself. I guess it is all the steel cut oats that keep me filled up and the greens for dinner. I do walk everyday for at least two kilometres.,

  12. David Avatar
    David

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb3at3QspKj/

  13. GP Avatar
    GP

    So did I Pat
    I have been on a keto diet
    Trying to fine tune it and not make it monotonous—-that is the challenge
    I eliminated metformin from my anti diabetic regime, and plan to eliminate the other rx for that.
    When I feel hypoglycemic I use 3-4 cinnamon rolls. This is my main source of carbs and only source of sugar intake.
    I Use cinnamon in my coffee, and chromium piccolinate. for diabetes.
    It definitely works
    You can experiment with those two. I know that you definitely have both the discipline and sense to handle this information
    I recommended chromium piccolinate to a white fella on one of the Sunday walks in the 90’s and it sent his sugar levels into his boots …..lol
    .
    I lost 56 lbs in a year but just 8 in the last 4 months—very frustrating
    As you know the new Atkins says you need some fat in your diet besides the brocolli cauliflower zucchhini etc
    So I have added ham slices with the marblised fat. and cheese but trying to figure out how much carbs to use as the greens dont really give you much glucose on metabolism. Trying to find out if more carbs are needed.
    I am debating with my self how much carbs to use and if this at all needed because i have been thinking that I would get all of my glucose via gluconeogenesis from the protein and fat I use——-i.e from glycerol or lactate
    I definitely need to exercise …….but I have proven that you can lose weight without exercise. by going from the conventional 2000 cal daily diet down to 1200-1500.

  14. Dame+Bajans Avatar
    Dame+Bajans

    You can get some carbs from fruit. I substitute rice and potatoes with an extra fruit or two. I also eat bitter melon but the Indian one as I find the Chinese type too bitter. I eat quinoa instead of rice and put it in tabouli instead of bulgar. I cook rice on Sundays when my son is coming for dinner but tomorrow I am making soup. Just took out my bones and I bought cassava, green bananas and sweet potato. The yams were $4 a pound, so I passed on them. I will add bok choi and okras and tomatoes and from my garden. It should be licking. I have not decided yet whether to put in pumpkin or carrots for the yellow veggie.

  15. Magnificent a.k.a Magno – Yu Heard Formula: C₂₁H₃₀O₂ IUPAC ID: (−)-(6aR,10aR)-6,6,9-trimethyl- 3-pentyl-6a,7,8,10a-tetrahydro- 6H-benzo[c]chromen-1-ol Avatar
    Magnificent a.k.a Magno – Yu Heard Formula: C₂₁H₃₀O₂ IUPAC ID: (−)-(6aR,10aR)-6,6,9-trimethyl- 3-pentyl-6a,7,8,10a-tetrahydro- 6H-benzo[c]chromen-1-ol

    Qigong for Weight Loss | 20 Minute Routine

  16. David Avatar
    David

    Closer look at sugar-sweetened beverage tax

    The Government’s further ten per cent tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has evoked a knee-jerk reaction from some manufacturers. This reminds me of the extraordinary steps taken by the tobacco industry when the medical profession and then governments collaborated on the campaign to reduce cigarette smoking because of its devastating effects on the health of smokers.
    The reduction of consumption of SSBs following a tax has been shown in many studies in many countries, including studies in Barbados, even though the tax imposed here in 2015 was only a tiny ten per cent. Cheaper sugary beverages and bottled water sales increased.
    The World Health Organisation, Professor Sir Trevor Hassell, the NCD Commission, I and others in the medical profession recommended a 20 per cent tax in 2015. Government was reluctant to upset the industry, it seems, and compromised.
    The abuse of SSBs by many in our community, especially children, and the impact on obesity, with the long-term consequences, are incontrovertible. The huge costs of the complications of rampant obesity, diabetes and heart and blood vessel diseases are driving our government eventually towards bankruptcy, and the inevitable inability to provide the care needed for our many patients with amputations, kidney failure and heart disease.
    Many times greater
    The annual cost of medical care in Barbados for a patient with diabetes and an amputation has been shown to be many times greater than that of a nonamputee control. Meanwhile, the increasing obesity in our school
    children is now at epidemic and crisis levels, and they merit special focus.
    The challenge therefore is for manufacturers and agencies to provide low sugar alternatives and not to engage in an unscientific, emotional, illogical and implausible plea, which ignores both the scientific evidence and common sense.
    Finally, the tax on SSBs is but one, albeit a most important one, of several public health measures to encourage reduction of sugar intake and healthy living. Additional measures include policies that discourage or ban sale of SSBs in schools and the engagement of children in their marketing; regulation of the marketing of other unhealthy foods to children; mandatory Front of Package Labelling of products, so that consumers are easily and quickly aware of the contents; and continued education about healthy living, including a major increase in physical activity by all, and especially in schools.

    – Professor Emeritus Sir Henry Fraser


    Source: Nation

  17. David Avatar
    David

    Diabetics warned to be careful

    A medical professional is warning against possible unforeseen consequences arising from the removal of value added tax (VAT) from diabetic drinks.
    From last Friday, an extra ten per cent tax was placed on the already existing ten per cent tax on sugar-sweetened drinks while items such as health and feminine hygiene products became VAT zero-rated.
    Dr Kenneth Connell, the deputy dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the Cave Hill Campus, University of the West Indies, however, said diabetics still had to be careful.
    “I recognise what the hope was with the diabetes products however you also have to recognise that what could happen is diabetics then stop using these substances as meal substitutes and, because they are now cheaper, begin to use them as meal additives,” he said.
    Connell explained products such as Ensure and Glucerna were supposed to replace one potentially unhealthy meal a day but warned against using them alongside meals as this would defeat the purpose.
    “If they do, diabetics would actually be taking in more calories than they should as they would be adding it to a normal meal. I think there is going to have to be some public education so people don’t think ‘well, instead of having my lunch with a Frutee, I’ll have it with a Glucerna’. That, I think, is a real possibility,” he said.
    Tax should be greater
    While praising the initiative, Connell said the tax should have been even greater.
    “I strongly support this [initiative] from Government though it is certainly delayed. The thing is though we’ve already had the evidence from the WHO (World Health Organisation) clearly stating a 20 per cent tax was the minimum taxation required to be effective so while the ten per cent tax is a step in the right direction, it certainly isn’t the target,” he said.
    Connell, who is also a member of the Childhood Obesity Prevention Commission, said a multi-pronged approach was necessary – taxation, public education and measurement – as the issue was not just getting people to buy healthier but to influence the sugar sweetened drink industry while gathering data.
    “The taxation is meant to bring about behavioural change but I think that the public has interpreted this to mean this change is only to be made by the public – they consume less sugar-sweetened beverages, the industry loses money and there is less impact of NCDs (noncommunicable diseases) – but there is another important side of this nobody is mentioning,” he said.
    The medical researcher said this other side involved changing the behaviours of the industry itself where healthier alternatives would “hopefully” start to appear on store shelves.
    (CA)

    Source: Nation

  18. John Avatar
    John

    Pat

    You should try some Sugar Babies!!

  19. David Avatar
    David

    Every Bajan is a star
    National transformation means personal transformation. There is no other way.
    Barbados will be transformed, evolved, developed Bajan by Bajan or it will devolve in cultural clumps. The time to understand this is now. The time to act on it is yesterday. We will not legislate our way through history. There are no policies that can trump or override the consciousness of the people. The days of dragging citizens along kicking and screaming are coming to an end.
    This is the season of long, patient communication or it is the season of slow, agonising regression.
    Kicking and screaming may be an exaggeration. Bajans have traditionally been more mumblers and grumblers. But the effect is the same; a bunch of laws, rules, policies and regulations that mostly leave a mark on the paper which they are written on, leaving the hearts of the citizens untouched. The nation is the people. It is not the laws, the government, the land or the sea. It is we.
    The task of all Caribbean governments is to facilitate the cultivation of a free and conscious people out of a people whose culture and consciousness are shaped by colonisation, slavery, exploitation and cultural genocide.
    If wunna tink it done wunna fooling wunnaselves. Generations to get in means generations to get out. How do we know when we are actually out? Just keep moving in the direction of the light. We will know when we get there.
    This is a process of ongoing education. Getting rid of the 11-Plus sounds great. Focusing on STEM subjects is a must. But if we have not yet realised that education is more than test-taking and job preparation then we are not yet a mature nation.
    It means that we still see ourselves and each other simply as a source of cheap labour and services. Serfs.
    Barbados is still then a glorified plantation.
    This is the reality of the global political and economic system. Its origin is in European colonialism.
    It has not moved too too far from its roots. But if we are honest with ourselves we can admit that we haven’t moved far enough from ours either. But we are moving. Sometimes not in the direction of
    the light. But that is all right. You have to feel your way out of the dark cave.
    Demanding reparations
    The other side of demanding reparations from former colonisers is demanding self-reparations of ourselves. As long as we are still emotionally attached to colonial systems, and still comfortable in our colonial consciousness, then reparations will be funding the continued colonial mess. We have to root the plantation out of us in order to escape the plantation system.
    Broken spirits are not mended by the stroke of a pen or a word from on high. Only the word from inside each and every one of us works. National transformation depends on the personal transformation of individual Barbadians. “The people” is made up of individual persons.
    In ancient societies all the glory of the nation was thought to be bottled in the body of the monarch. In early democracies it was the ruling class that was the reflection of God’s glory on Earth. In these modern nations, born of the plantation, capital is king.
    The ruling class rules by the power of the dollar. In the direction of light, where we are headed, each citizen is an honoured official. The nation is not bigger than the nationals themselves.
    True national transformation means the personal transformation of every Bajan.
    In a transformed Barbados, the nation is a constellation and every Bajan is a star.

    Adrian Green is a communications specialist. Email: Adriangreen14 @gmail.com


    Source: Nation

  20. John Avatar
    John

    And now for some history on the water melon …. if you believe it!!

    … all part of the plantation from which we should esacape.

  21. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    @7:05
    Excellent 👍👍
    Summary: A200 yard sprint with the second half being the faster 100 yards.

    I am sitting here wondering when AG found the fountain of truth. It would appear that he has moved away from giving us useless platitudes to ramming the cold hard truth down our throats. If you are not prepared to face the truth and do some soul searching, I would advise you to abandon him at this point “Barbados is still then a glorified plantation.”

  22. Lawson Avatar
    Lawson

    Theo I was not concerned about the sugar issue much, until I heard Donna got all dressed in her white Sunday finest and while stopped at a red light driving to church people rushed up and smashed her windows thinking the air bag had gone off.

  23. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    “As long as we are still emotionally attached to colonial systems, and still comfortable in our colonial consciousness, then reparations will be funding the continued colonial mess. We have to root the plantation out of us in order to escape the plantation system.”

    saying it a thousand, thousand times, over and over until it resonates and sticks in heads, is the only way…..everyone is responsible for their own personal transformation…writers are doing their parts, everyone else has to get on board to make it work.

    Educational Stunting & Cultural Genocide
    By Yolande Grant
    “Philosophy: The underlying characterless substance that supports attributes of material reality.”
    The philosophical substratum to successful broad-based education was radically excluded in the system of miseducation super-imposed on unaware fragile perceptions throughout the last hundred years of undereducation. With a view to produce the perfect acquisitive consumer who questions nothing, while agreeable to everything no matter how debasing, was the consequent destination. The imagery is suggestive of long-haul artifices stretching into multiple epochs without cessation, and
    although a worldwide outreach was initiated, this specific design was aimed directly at Afrika’s people, exclusively. A well-placed instability that never brings balance, equanimity, or equality to the targeted. The fact that expert torturers became self-declared educators, with hallucinations of saving the souls of victims, while empty of any themselves, is too repugnant for comic relief. The intellectual stunting required to hinder normal growth, development and progress of Afrikans and conceal the original scholarship invented by and attributed solely to our ancestors, but denied descents, while wickedly mislabeling the new version, which is undeniably miseducation in its most dubious forms as the only tuition available: that during its glory days produced untold damage consistent with previous historical physical traumas, is longer lasting, causes no understanding of dire situations, limits reality to the size of a pinhead, and though perceived as difficult, now behind schedule for immediate and permanent reversal. A studied approach instituted over time through social and silent debasement got the desired results.

    In order to ward off the worse effects of the resident ungodliness, ancestral strength was magnified thousands of times to prevent further loss of responsiveness in the strongest. Unfortunately, the majority took the brunt of the false teachings and misdirection: the fallout from which is evident and consumes everyone like a raging inferno, causing extended periods of misinterpretation of life experiences and real time events. With the churches decidedly the worse and main culprits as armed with vessels of deception from as far back as the 12th and 13th centuries.

    When the 14th century arrived, our continent was seen as the playground to upend the earth by any means necessary. Fast forward to today, and it is only the Afrikan in the west, particularly those on small islands who have the most severe challenges coming to terms with who they really are, the only group in the world who do not know the full extent and truth of their heritage. While indoctrinated to believe that they are more European than direct descents of the earth’s original Afrikan bloodlines, but strictly denied every social and financial benefit that comes with such a designation. With entire cross sections of populations resistant to reestablishing the severed links to the knowledge of what ancestors gifted them or the inheritance to which they are entitled from birth. Too many melanated remain in comfort zones of mental relaxation, all too willing to spend the rest of their days in a trapped condition, see this as their only hope, and determined to remain comfortably ensnared in acceptance, compromised as envisioned, and makes rehabilitation of the locked in mind a formidable exercise.

  24. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    William….you notice that writers are leading the charge in this new era, and actually well received by readers, finally, something frutiful in the educational arena, way outside of the old wasted, tired conventional media of misinformation and same old.

    Writers were always from the days of Kush, Kemet and Timbuktu the conduits for changes in any society….way over 5,000 years and counting, with ancient writings still in play…….today we have armies of writers AND technology…..a total win win….the pen, mightier….than…….

  25. John Avatar
    John

    Ms. Mockley needs to do something about something else that is put into sweet drinks.

    Alcohol.

    Raise taxes, ban it or something.

    It is far more destructive than any sugar that is put into sweet drinks and far more likely to cause death or injury.

    https://imgur.com/DH4stBR

  26. David Avatar
    David

    Plant-based diet could be key to health

    I HAVE FOLLOWED closely Government’s approach in dealing with the non-communicable disease (NCD) problem. I support the soft drink tax. However, the tax deals with a symptom, rather than the root of a health problem syndrome, caused by deep socio-cultural and historical factors.
    Dr Elliot Douglin has asserted for many years in his programme Prescription for Prevention that the NCD problem is caused by a food culture in the Western diet based on very heavy animal protein and fat, starch, sugar and salt. He seems to assert that the NCD problem can only be reduced significantly if Barbadians adopt a whole food, plant-based diet which reduces the high levels of inflammation and acid in the body. Such a diet is sometimes referred to as a vegan or vegetarian diet.
    Over the years, I have not seen any written criticisms or extensive debate of Dr Douglin’s views in
    the Press. His analysis appears to be extensively and eruditely researched in the scholarly journals. His approach implies that NCDs can only be reduced, if and only if, there is a revolution in the total food culture of Barbadians.
    If Dr Douglin’s arguments are evaluated by experts in the field and found to be correct, how can the Government planners persuade Barbadians to eat predominantly plantbased foods? His approach implies that Barbadians would have to reduce significantly red meat, chicken and dairy, along with sugar and salt, which is historically and culturally difficult for them to do. Barbadians would also have to reduce significantly their purchases of fast foods from restaurants. I am very pessimistic. I believe that Government has to plan for a large health budget in the years to come and hope for the best. – PROFESSOR MICHAEL HOWARD


    Source: Nation

  27. David Avatar
    David

    Call to shift health focus

    by SHAWN CUMBERBATCH shawncumberbatch@nationnews.com
    WITH MILLIONS OF DOLLARS being spent on health care for Barbadians, a senior insurance executive says the time has come for his industry and the country to shift their financial focus from treatment to preventative care and wellness.
    Executive vice-president and general manager of Sagicor Life Inc., Paul Inniss, said the initiative was one he intended to pursue with Barbados’ entire insurance sector, but made it clear that “if we have to go it alone we will”.
    Inniss told the DAILY NATION that last year Sagicor Life paid out more money for policy benefits to clients in Barbados and he reported that the increase related mainly to COVID-19 pandemic deaths.
    “During these difficult times we also were able to continue our support for our policyholders and this was demonstrated in paying out 15 per cent or more in policy benefits when compared to the previous year,” he said.
    “These increases were primarily as a result of higher mortality associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. We saw some claims related to some of our unfortunate citizens and residents of Barbados and we were able to provide support to their families.
    “We also saw an increase in withdrawal from saving components of insurance policies as well as policyholders seeking to lessen the financial impact of the pandemic. But that is why insurance exists and that is why we are here so that we can provide the additional safety net for our communities and our clients in the time of need,” he added.
    However, Inniss said Barbados had a health care financial challenge that went far beyond the pandemic, a problem he stressed could not be allowed to continue without an effort to resolve it.
    He noted Sagicor spent millions of dollars in medical care for its policyholders and that “at the end of the day it is the customer’s money that we manage in terms of paying for medical services”.
    “There is an opportunity for us to actually provide some preventative care and wellness initiatives and education to help our people better take care of themselves as opposed to waiting until it is too late,” he said.
    “It is something that I intend to pursue nationally with the other insurance companies, but if we have to go it alone we will because we actually have a significant share in Barbados in terms of market share.
    “Government is struggling and trying to find ways to finance the medical system, the thing is that people don’t want to pay for medical [care] and in some cases they can’t afford to, but at the end of the day the quality of medical care is one of the fundamental deliverables for any government if you want a healthy and productive citizenry and population,” he said.
    Inniss believes that while there is a role for Government, “we have to find a way to reduce the cost and our view is that can be done through preventative care and wellness programmes and geting more people taking care of themselves and doing the things that are necessary”.
    “This is a challenge I have put to myself and the team here: should we be really focused on budgeting and spending money for when you get sick? Or should we really put our focus on preventative care and wellness? Should we spend the money up front as opposed to the end?” he asked.
    “Generally the insurance industry has been looking at it as after an event but why don’t we play a more proactive role and get involved in helping people manage their lives in a much better way? And that is challenge for the insurance industry on a whole, not just Sagicor.”

    Source: Nation

  28. Magnificent a.k.a Magno – Yu Heard Formula: C₂₁H₃₀O₂ IUPAC ID: (−)-(6aR,10aR)-6,6,9-trimethyl- 3-pentyl-6a,7,8,10a-tetrahydro- 6H-benzo[c]chromen-1-ol Avatar
    Magnificent a.k.a Magno – Yu Heard Formula: C₂₁H₃₀O₂ IUPAC ID: (−)-(6aR,10aR)-6,6,9-trimethyl- 3-pentyl-6a,7,8,10a-tetrahydro- 6H-benzo[c]chromen-1-ol

    It is not my intent to go to War with Wuraola again so I tread cautiously choosing my words carefully not to offend.
    The Bajan writing style of Yolande is too flowery and embellished to show off and a less is more approach to proof reading is called for, with an assumption that the intended audience need some simpler explanations breaking down basic details as an introduction.
    Accounts of Kemet / Egypt could be expanded to explain the fuller history and it’s spheres of influence especially in regions outside of Africa such as Middle East.
    Criticism of British system of Education to brainwash rehabilitate and subordinate is applicable everywhere.
    Examples of holistic African teaching methods that should be applied needs to be fleshed out such as teamwork, strong helping weak, creativity in arts, dancing, singing, storytelling, vocational training etc.

  29. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Imagining Abolition (Episode 3): The Abolitionist Pod

  30. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Still not fat, Lawson. Just carrying more than I am accustomed to and feel comfortable carrying.

  31. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    I am not giving up meat or sugar. Moderation has always been the key.

    Whatever happened to the concept of a BALANCED diet?

    And EXERCISE!

    I am closer to sixty than fifty. I have no high blood pressure, no diabetes, no cholesterol issues, no heart issues.

    I ate a balanced diet from childhood, no smoking, very little drinking of alcohol and plenty of exercise. But I did enjoy my sweet stuff. I was active and slender all my life until recently. What changed? MENOPAUSE! I now need to do more than before and I am doing less.

    MY BAD! BUT…there is still time. No damage has yet been done.

    This is not rocket science.

  32. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Criticisms and robust debates of articles on Bu comes with the territory. Artists need to improve their act.
    #ATribeCalledQuest #CanIKickIt
    A Tribe Called Quest – Can I Kick It?
    When I saw A Tribe Called Quest perform one of their first shows in a small club in NYC Q-Tip asked my opinion, where they were rapping standing still and the crowd were watching, I suggested they needed to engage people more and needed more movement.
    The next time I saw them they worked the crowd and had them jumping and going wild.

  33. David Avatar
    David

    This blog is about sugary drinks for crissakes.

  34. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    lol…..ancient writings carrying sway…

    the frauds and their enablers must be exposed.

  35. David Avatar
    David

    Dr Elliot Doughlin – Assisting the Body to Fight Coronavirus – Barbados Underground

    https://barbadosunderground.net/2020/03/19/dr-elliot-doughlin-assisting-the-body-to-fight-coronavirus/

  36. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Hip Hop / Rap Music has become the soundtrack for TV Adverts Marketing Campaigns (getting large paycheques)

    A Tribe Called Quest Sprite 1994

    Sprite Obey Your Thirst (Pete Rock, C.L. Smooth, Grand Puba)

  37. Miller Avatar
    Miller

    @ John April 3, 2022 4:18 PM
    (Quote):
    Ms. Mockley needs to do something about something else that is put into sweet drinks.
    Alcohol.
    Raise taxes, ban it or something.
    It is far more destructive than any sugar that is put into sweet drinks and far more likely to cause death or injury.
    (Unquote).
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    From where would the Bajan government get its large slice of tax revenues if alcohol be banned?

    From the land taxes levied on your family’s now idle plantations which were responsible for some of the highest production of sugarcane on the island?

    Maybe the same “Ms. Mockley is signalling her administration’s intention to close down the sugar industry as demanded by the IMF.

    Maybe the increased tax on ‘sweet’ drinks is earmarked to cover the additional costs associated with the coming closure of the very industry which you always claim has always been more a financial burden than a moral curse on the island.

    Why keep an industry that produces the very products conveniently blamed for the increasing bad health of people?

  38. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Because the fault lies with the people who indulge to excess and not with the product.

  39. GP Avatar
    GP

    re Whatever happened to the concept of a BALANCED diet?

    LET ME NOW ASK A FEW QUESTIONS VERY VERY POLITELY, CAUSE AS YOU ALL KNOW, I DONT KNOW TOO MUCH.

    WHAT EXACTLY IS A BALANCED DIET?
    WHO DECIDED WHAT IS A BALANCED DIET?
    NUTRIONISTS? DIETICIANS?
    DID NOT THESE SAME MORONS GIVE US THE FOOD PYRAMID AND TELL US WHAT FOODS WE SHOULD EAT FROM EACH GROUP IN THE FOOD PYRAMID?

    IS IT NOT TRUE THAT LOTS OF THE BOVINE EFFLUXATIONS OF THE FOOD PYRAMID AND BALANCED DIET IS BARE BULL SHIT.?

    DO THE VEGANS CONSUME A BALANCED DIET? IF SO HOW SO?
    WHAT ABOUT THE ELEPHANTS WHO GET REAL BIG ON GRASS AND BARK AND WATER. DO THEY HAVE A BALANCED DIET?
    /
    WHAT ABOUT THE BIG CATS WHO DO QUITE WELL ON MEAT ONLY AND WATER.DO THEY HAVE A BALANCED DIET?

    I AM 60 AND HAVE NO DISEASE. SO THAT MEANS I AM A GENIUS AND HAVE DONE EVERYTHING RIGHT?
    NO IT MEANS I SHOULD THANK GOD FOR GIVING ME GOOD HEALTH.

    I DONT DRINK OR SMOKE OR DO THIS OR DAT? NIETHER DOES A TELEPHONE POST..

    THERE ARE SOME THAT DRINK LIKE FISH AND LIVE LONG LIVES UH LIE?
    THERE ARE SOME DAT SMOKE LIKE CHIMNEYS AND NEVER GET CANCER OF THE LUNGS, UH LIE?

    AND THERE ARE THOSE THAT HAVE DIED FROM OAT CELL CANCERS OF THE LUNGS AND HAVE NEVER SMOKED ONCE UH LIE?.

    EVERYTHING IN MODERATION PEOPLE COCK AND DEAD TOO UH LIE? SO WHAT?
    WHY DO PEOPLE REALLY DIE?
    WHY DO INDIVIDUALS DIE WHEN THEY DO DESPITE ALL THEIR MODERATION AND BALANCED DIET IDEATION AND PONTIFICATIONS.?

    WHY DO FOLK WHO EXERCISE NUFF ALL THEIR LIVES ALSO COCK UP AND DIE?

    HOW DID OUR OBESE LESBIAN DICTATOR GET OBESE? WAS SHE NOT OBESE FROM CHILDHOOD?
    OH AND SHE IS A LESBIAN CAUSE GOD MADE HER SO RIGHT? CAUSE GOD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR EVATING WRONG PUN EARTH EVEN THOUGH WE DONT TINK THAT THERE HAVE A GOR RIGHT/

    AND WE DONT BELIEVE THAT THERE IS GRIM REAPER UNTIL HE IS AT OUR DOOR OR BED SIDE?

    IT IS WRITTEN IN 1 CORINTHIANS 3:18 THUS
    Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise.

    IT IS WRITTEN IN Romans 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
    I GOING AND DO SOME SERIOUS STUDY HEAR?

    I HAD ENOUGH MIRTH FOR THE MORNING

    I WILL BE BACK TO READ THE EMOTIONAL CLAP TRAP THAT THIS POST WILL GENERATE BY THE BU INTELLIGENTIA

    BUT CAN ANYONE LIST THE NCDS AND TELL ME HOW SUGAR INTAKE CAUSES NCD’S

    CAN ANYONE AT CAVE HILL OR IN BAMP OR WHITE EX PROFESSORS OF MEDICINE OR OBESE LESBIANS TELL ME HOW, AND WHY THE AETIOLOGY OF NCDS AND KIDNEY DISEASE IS RELATED ONLY TO SUGAR INTAKE OR SALT INTAKE OR TELL US WUH THE REAL CAUSATION IS

    TELL US FOR EXAMPLE HOW ALL THIS IS RELATED FOR EXAMPLE TO CAUSING THOSE LOVELY COMPLEXES THAT ARE FORMED IN THE GLOMERULI THAT ARE PICTURED IN RECENT EDITIONS OF ROBBINS

    HAVE WUNNAH THROWN AWAY ROBBINS LIKE HOW WUNNAH FOLLOWED FALSY TO THROW WAY THE CHAPTER PUN THE TREATMENT OF CORONOVIRUSES ENUNCIATED CLEARLY IN HARRISON’S TWO YEARS AGO?

    AND DO SOME SERIOUS THINKING AND READING AND STOP WRITING THE SHIT YOU ARE PUTTING OUT IN THE PAPERS CAUSE WUNNAH NOT MEKING SENSE AND WUNNAH NOT FOOLING THE POPULACE OR COMING UP WITH NO SOLUTIONS

    BUT DONT BOTHER WID ME CAUSE I AINT NOBODY, AND NEVER WAS LOL LOL LOL LOL

  40. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    TheO,

    Again I say, Adrian’s message has not changed.

    You are one of the reasons he continues to repeat it.

    Eventually, it sinks in.

  41. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    David,

    Score one for your persistence in posting!

  42. GP Avatar
    GP

    Q WHAT IS THE BENEFIT TO THE BODY OF CONSUMING ALCOHOL…….EXCEPT FOR WHEN ALCOHOL IS USED AS A SOLVENT IN NECESSARY MEDICATIONS.

    RE John April 3, 2022 4:18 PM
    (Quote):
    Ms. Mockley needs to do something about something else that is put into sweet drinks.
    Alcohol.
    Raise taxes, ban it or something.
    It is far more destructive than any sugar that is put into sweet drinks and far more likely to cause death or injury.

    JOHN KNOX YOU ARE AGAIN 100 % CORRECT
    CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL BY CAUSING PANCREATIC DYSFUNCTION LEADS TO THE ONSET OF TYPE TWO DIABETES CONSIDERABLY FASTER THAN INTAKE OF EXCESS SUCROSE

    SO TAX SUGAR TAX ALCOHOL AND TAX ALL FAST FOOD OUTLETS TOO CAUSE EXCESS CALORIE INTAKE WILL ALSO LEAD TO DIABETES TOO UH LIE
    THIS IS BARE MOCK SPORT AND HYPOCRISY GUH-ING ON HEY

  43. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Poor you! Sorry the Lord did not spare you!

  44. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    As if we don’t know that there are other factors at play.

    Still…a balanced diet and exercise is one way to mitigate.

    Worked for most of my family. Or maybe we have good genes.

    Murdaaaaah!

  45. Miller Avatar
    Miller

    @ GP April 2, 2022 7:37 PM
    (Quote):
    When I feel hypoglycemic I use 3-4 cinnamon rolls. This is my main source of carbs and only source of sugar intake.
    I Use cinnamon in my coffee, and chromium piccolinate. for diabetes.
    It definitely works
    (Unquote).
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Very good of you, dear Doc!

    Keep it up! It might just help you to raise the dead resulting from your diabetes.

    Cinnamon along with clove and aloe vera (Barbadensis) make up the ‘vitally raising’ main ingredients in the bottling of the Chinese painting brush.

    Now here is a great opportunity for a budding entrepreneur to ‘create’ the Bajan brand of a ‘cocky-stand’ called the GP fowl-cock!

  46. GP Avatar
    GP

    MILLER

    IT SEEMS THAT YOU ARE TELLING ME AS JESUS TOLD NICODEMUS IN JOHN 3 …ARE YOU A MASTER IN BARBADOS AND KNOWETH NOT ALL THESE THINGS”?

    I MUST CONFESS MY IGNORANCE SIR LOL LOL

    MAYBE I SHOULD ADD THE clove and aloe vera TO MY COFFEE. FOR THE OTHER INDICATION TO WHICH YOU ALLUDE AS A CLINICAL TRIAL LOL I.E TO just help you to raise the dead ressulting from your diabetes.

    BUT WHEN YOU PATENT THAT PREPARATION DUE TO MY ENDORSEMENT, AND WHEN IT USED BY ALL AND SUNDRY IN BIMSHIRE, THEN YOU WILL HAVE HANTS OR CLEO OR VINCENT ASKING HOW IT IS THAT THEY HAVE NCDS FROM EXTRA PERKING.

    THEN IT WILL BE TAXED BY THE DICTATOR SINCE IT WONT BE MARKETED OR INDICATED FOR BITING, AND MAY TAKE SOME TIME TO BE PRESENTED IN NEW EDITIONS OF HARRISON’S TEXT BOOK OF MEDICINE

  47. William Skinnet Avatar
    William Skinnet

    @ WURA
    Writers and other creatives are always the backbone of all struggles. It’s obvious that our entire political system is now directed ,influenced and controlled by a majority of non- thinkers, who have nothing to offer the country or the region.
    The best we can hope for is that somebody arises to arrest the pathetic nonsense.
    I admire your patience and tenacity but as always we prefer to shoot the messenger and not pay attention to the message.
    That’s why we could be given a 14 cents deduction in gasoline less than two weeks ago and now that same 14 cents is going back on!
    But the apologists will find a way to defend any and everything.
    Take it easy- more fun to come.
    Peace.
    .

  48. David Avatar
    David

    @William

    You understand what a cap on VAT for fuel means as oppose to a cap on the cost of the fuel?

  49. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ David
    Yep! I understand hocus pocus bull shit very well, my brother.
    There aren’t many carrots left to dangle before the horse anymore.
    Political PR has a shelf life like everything else.
    Peace

  50. David Avatar
    David

    No problem William, in that regard you have the blogmaster at an advantage.

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