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Information and Logistics Circular
SIDS MINISTERIAL MEETING ON NCDS AND MENTAL HEALTH
14 – 16 June 2023
Bridgetown, Barbados
Dear Participants,
Welcome to beautiful Barbados, the island just “Beyond your Imagination”, famed for its
amazing beaches.
As you are aware, the SIDS Ministerial Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health will be held in
Bridgetown, Barbados during the period 14 – 16 June 2023 at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre
(LESC), Two Mile Hill, St. Michael, we are happy to have you participate in this activity.
The historic city of Bridgetown is the capital and commercial center of Barbados and has been
recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Steeped in rich history and culture, Bridgetown
today reflects a mix of the old and the new, with historic sites and buildings sitting amongst
modern structures like multi-story offices, financial institutions, and shopping malls.
For additional information on Barbados, see www.visitbarbados.org which is the official
website of Destination Barbados and the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI).
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Essential Information
Visa and Entry Requirements ........................................................................................................................ 3
Overnight Flights ........................................................................................................................................... 3
Arrival at the Grantley Adams International Airport [GAIA] ......................................................................... 4
Transportation to Hilton Hotel, Needham Point, St. Michael ...................................................................... 4
Venue of the Meeting ................................................................................................................................... 5
Hotel Reservations – Hilton Hotel, Needham Point, St. Michael .................................................................. 5
Meals During the Meeting Days ................................................................................................................... 6
Dining Facilities at The Hilton Resort ............................................................................................................ 7
Dining Facilities Outside of Hilton ................................................................................................................. 7
The Weather ................................................................................................................................................. 8
Currency ........................................................................................................................................................ 8
Electricity Specifications ............................................................................................................................... 9
Emergency Medical Services ......................................................................................................................... 9
Pharmacy .................................................................................................................................................... 10
The Meeting Format ................................................................................................................................... 10
Registration ................................................................................................................................................. 11
Manager and Secretariat Contact in Barbados ........................................................................................... 12
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Visa and Entry Requirements
All visitors to Barbados must have a valid passport and a valid return ticket. Visitors from most
countries around the world do not need a visa to enter Barbados. However, participants are
advised to contact the Barbados Consulate in your country or liaise with your local Ministry of
Foreign Affairs to verify your visa requirement prior to travelling to the island. Additionally,
participants can check the link below to determine visa and entry requirement for their
respective country. What Visa & Entry Requirements Do You Need to Visit Barbados?
or https://www.visitbarbados.org/plan-your-trip/visa-and-entry-requirements
For participants requiring a visa, the Ministry of Health and Wellness Barbados will facilitate a
Visa Waiver. Kindly indicate this to the WHO Secretariat along with a copy of your passport bio
page.
All visitors are also required to supply the Immigration Department of Barbados with the name
and address of their hotel or place of residence in order to be allowed entry into the island
(Hilton Hotel, Needham’s Point, St. Michael, Bridgetown, Barbados).
COVID-19 Requirements: At present there are no COVID-19 Restrictions for air travel and proof
of vaccination is not required for entry into Barbados. Participants transiting through other
countries should check that country COVID-19 vaccination requirement. For easy transit through
immigration upon arrival in Barbados, travellers can download the BIM Safe App to complete
immigration and customs forms online. This is not mandatory and can be done using the kiosk
in the arrival lounge. The site can be accessed Barbados - Online Customs & Immigration Portal
(travelform.gov.bb)
Overnight Flights
PAHO/WHO is not responsible for securing hotel rooms outside of Barbados. Participants are required to
secure their own hotel rooms at their overnight destinations.
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Arrival at the Grantley Adams International Airport [GAIA]
Immigration
All travellers can complete the online Immigration and Customs forms found at
https://travelform.gov.bb/ 72 hours prior to arrival. This can also be done on arrival
using the kiosks.
Customs
After clearing Immigration, participants should then proceed to the Customs Hall to
collect checked luggage. A list of dutiable items can be found on the back of the
Barbados’ Customs Declaration Form.
Transportation to Hilton Hotel, Needham Point, St. Michael
The Ministry of Health & Wellness has organized shuttles for all delegates airport/hotel/airport
transfers. After exiting the Arrivals Hall, ushers with SIDS NCD Ministerial Meeting banners will
greet and escort delegates to the shuttles. Travel itineraries should be shared with the
secretariat to allow for the necessary arrangements to be made in block time according to the
arrival times of the delegates.
Departure transportation for participants will be available until the 18
th
of June, given the variety
in travel arrangements. Any departures past this date will be the responsibility of the participant.
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Venue of the Meeting
The meeting will be held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre (LESC), Two Mile Hill, St. Michael
during the period 14 - 16 June 2023. Transportation has been arranged from The Hilton to this
conference centre and back, every day for the Meeting. Unfortunately, transportation cannot be
provided from other hotels. Kindly refer to the meeting webpage and app for further details.
Visit the conference centre’s official website for further details: https://lescbarbados.com/.
Hotel Reservations – Hilton Hotel, Needham Point, St. Michael
PAHO-WHO has secured a block of hotel rooms with buffet breakfast for the participants
attending the meeting. The hotel will provide you with a code, through which participants can
confirm their booking. Each delegate will be responsible for their dinner and any other incidental
expenses incurred during their stay at the hotel. Self-paying participants are included in the
rooms blocked by PAHO/WHO and will be required to indicate this at check-in to receive the
agreed hotel rate ($229 USD per night, exclusive of local additional taxes).
Hilton Barbados Resort
Needham’s Point
St. Michael,
Bridgetown,
Barbados
Tel: 1-246-426-0200
website: www.hiltonbarbadosresort.com
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Hilton Barbados Resort is ideally located and offers direct access to two white-sand beaches just
minutes away from the capital, Bridgetown, and 20 minutes from the airport. Feel free to peruse
the website above to learn more about the hotel.
NB: There are limited walk-in showers available for those with disabilities. If you require one,
please indicate to the WHO Secretariat.
Upon checking in at the Hilton Barbados Resort, all participants (self-paying and sponsored) are
required to provide their credit card, which is required in the event of any incidentals. There is
no immediate charge if using a credit card.
However, if using a debit card or cash, you will be charged $50 USD (or $100 BBD) per day. If no
charges are incurred during your stay, the debit card will be refunded but will take some time.
If you paid in cash, please note the refund will be given on departure in Barbadian dollars BBD.
Hilton Barbados Resort has been notified of all early arrivals ahead of the workshop as per your
e-ticket dates.
Meals During the Meeting Days
• Buffet Breakfast is included in the nightly room rate at the hotel
• Lunch – Participants will be provided lunch at the meeting
• Dinner – Participants will be responsible for Dinner
• Coffee Breaks will be provided at the meeting
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Dining Facilities at The Hilton Resort
The hotel offers the following restaurants and bars.
o The Grille – Indulge in gourmet delicacies in the
ambiance of this fine-dining restaurant. Options
include signature steaks, succulent seafood.
o Water’s Edge Bar – Relax at the pool-bar gazebo
with a selection of cocktails, wines, beers and
casual lunch from the grill menu.
o Careenage Bar – Socialize and soak up the Caribbean vibe with cocktails and evening bites
o Lighthouse Terrace Restaurant – Enjoy fresh buffet or à la carte options on the terrace
while overlooking the ocean.
Dining Facilities Outside of Hilton
Barbados, the dining capital of the Caribbean, offers a full range of options from sophisticated
fine dining to the local rum shops and seaside fish fries. Below is a list of some dining facilities
located on the south coast of the island and within close proximity of the hotel. Feel free to
coordinate other options with the hotel front desk
• Sizzle Steakhouse – Tel: +1 (246) 622 -1101
• UMI Asian Fusion - Tel: +1 (246) 622-1101
• Mama Mia Italian Deli & Pizzeria – Tel: +1 (246) 434-3354
• Jake’s Barbados – Tel: +1 (246) 622-1726
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The Weather
Barbados boasts bright sunshiny days for most of the year. With occasional showers, every now
and then, expect mainly warm temperatures averaging around 28°C / 84°F. Light clothing is
recommended when venturing outside.
The meeting at Hilton will be held in air-conditioned rooms. Feel free to wear a blazer/jacket to
stay warm.
Currency
Barbados has its own currency, the Barbados Dollar (BBD). However, as a tourist-friendly destination,
most places also accept the United States Dollar (USD). This is accepted at a flat rate of 1 USD = 2 BBD.
Other currencies such as the Euro and Pound are not frequently accepted in most places.
If you seek to change currency through a bank or similar institution, the calculated rate will be slightly
higher. This is usually at a rate of 1 USD = 2.02768.
Many stores and restaurants also facilitate purchases with VISA and MasterCard credit and debit cards,
as an additional spending option.
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Electricity Specifications
There are two types of plugs used in Barbados: type A and Type
B. The country operates using a 115V supply voltage and 50Hz.
If your plug does not conform to these two options, you will
definitely need a universal travel adaptor in order to charge your
personal devices (see left).
Emergency Medical Services
The Ministry of Health and Wellness has provided a medical team to be on site throughout the
conference. If you are feeling unwell at any time during the conference, please contact
Dr. Walter Alleyne immediately at +1 (246) 836-3536. Calls can be made via the hotel or by
WhatsApp.
Other nearby services
• Elcourt Clinic, Maxwell, Christ Church, Tel: +1 (246) 428-9452. Opening Hours 8:00 a.m.
– 10:00 p.m.
• Sandy Crest Medical Centre, Sunset Crest, St. James, Tel: +1 (246) 419-4911 Open 24 hrs.
• FMH Emergency Medical Clinic, 3
rd
Avenue Belleville, St. Michael, Tel: +1 (246) 228-6120
or +1 (246) 228-6121. Opening Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Type A Type B
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Pharmacy
Major pharmacies on the island offer a wide variety of prescription products, toiletries, and over-
the-counter products. Pharmacies within close proximity to the hotel include:
Lewis Drug Mart www.lewisdrugmart.com Tel: +1 (246) 435-8090 and
Massy Stores Pharmacy at Worthing at www.massystores.com.bb Tel: +1 (246) 435-9588
The Meeting Format
• This is a hybrid meeting with in-person and virtual participation.
• The meeting will facilitate high-level discourse through panel discussions, plenary
sessions and interactive side events.
• The meeting will be in English with Spanish and French translation for all plenary sessions.
Side events will be in English.
• Free wireless Internet access will be available throughout the meeting.
• While the meeting will be largely paperless, the facilities for printing and photocopying
will be made available by the meeting Secretariat as necessary.
• For meeting updates, please check the following meeting link regularly:
https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2023/06/14/default-calendar/sids-ministerial-
conference-on-ncds-and-mental-health
• A meeting app will be provided to allow access to updates and interactions during the
meeting.
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Registration
• Kindly be informed that participation in this meeting is by invitation only.
• All registrations for the Member State/Country nominees and PAHO/WHO staff should
be made through WHO’s registration platform on the following link
https://indico.un.org/event/1005191/ by Wednesday 31st May, 2023.
• Registrations MUST be completed, even if you are only attending virtually
• At the venue, a registration/information desk will be set up to provide logistical and
administrative support to participants during the meeting.
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Manager and Secretariat Contact in Barbados
Dr. Amalia Del Riego
PAHO/WHO Representative
Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries
Email Address: [email protected]
Tel: +1 (246) 434-5200 | Ext: 40001 | Cell: 246-832-5206
Ms. Patricia Cabrejo
Administrator and Program Officer
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +1 (246) 434-5200 Ext. 40006
Dr. Taraleen Malcolm
Non-communicable Disease and Mental Health Advisor
Email Address: [email protected]
Tel +1 (246) 836 2675 (via WhatsApp)
Ms. Janet Phillips
Director General
Social & Environmental Policy
Email Address: [email protected]
Tel: +1 (246) 836-3501
Dr. Arthur Phillips
Senior Medical Officer of Health (NCDs)
Ministry of Health & Wellness
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +1 (246) 536-3866
Mailing Address:
The Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization
Dayrell’s Road & Navy Gardens
P.O. Box 508
Bridgetown BB 11000
Barbados
Tel: +1 (246) 434-5200
Wishing you a safe trip and a successful workshop!!
Websites:
www.paho.org/ecc or
www.paho.org/cpc
You may also contact the
SIDS Secretariat directly by
email at:
SIDSminconf2023@who.int
