The Prime Minister has given an outline of two health initiatives, one targeted at the individual level and the other on a national scale, to address Barbados' Chronic Non Communicable Disease problem.

The first project, a national exercise initiative will be spearheaded by the Prime Minister's wife, Mara Thompson, a former physical education teacher.
"I have asked my dear wife Mrs. Mara Thompson to head a voluntary National Task Force to facilitate a major national exercise initiative to get Barbadians moving," announced Thompson.

The second project deals with the beleaguered Queen Elizabeth Hospital - however the Prime Minister has left open the long-standing question of whether the hospital will be renovated or a new one built altogether.

Instead, this decision will be up to a Ministry of Health-appointed task force which will "consult with major stakeholders as a matter of priority to ensure the fullest possible consultation to resolve the outstanding issues."

Thompson has proposed a Special Purpose Vehicle which will be "specifically for the purpose of the designing, financing and major renovation of the existing Hospital and/or construction of the extension to the existing Hospital and/or a new Hospital rather than under the project management of the Ministry of Health.