Minister of Health, Donville Inniss

Dermatology is one of the medical specialties gaining increasing popularity.

This assertion was made yesterday by Minister of Health, Donville Inniss as he addressed the 2nd Anniversary of the Dermatological Institute of Barbados.   

He remarked: “The increasing popularity of this specialty may be due in large part to the fact that both men and women are more conscious of their skin, face and body. Additionally there have been marked advances in our understanding of the disease mechanisms in dermatology and also in available therapy for common dermatological problems.”

While commending Founder and President of the Institute, Dr. Suleman Bhamjee on his success in the field, Minister Inniss said, “… dermatologists have therefore earned the respect of their peers by the successful treatment of these health problems which can cause pain, discomfort, embarrassment and threaten our general well-being.  In a larger context, you can say that dermatologists play a role in the overall productive and social capacities of a country.”

Noting Government’s commitment to close collaboration with the Institute, the Health Minister stressed that “through such collaborations, mechanisms for monitoring changes in health and the sharing of information can be firmly rooted in the total framework for health management”.

He concluded, “This is recognition of the fact that cooperation is essential for the creation of new partnerships for health.”

Since 1999, the services of a consultant dermatologist had been made consistently available to persons seeking care at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and between January 2001 and December 2005, 2,312 clients were seen at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, on an outpatient basis.

A supporting dermatology service has also been established in the polyclinic system.  This service is now available at least once monthly at all eight polyclinics and clients may be seen on a referral basis. 

Dermatology involves the treatment of skin disorders including pimples, liver spots, acne, rashes and eczema.  

  

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