Grenada has taken a bold step in the fight against non-communicable diseases by officially launching the HEARTS Initiative, a globally recognized program aimed at improving hypertension management and reducing cardiovascular disease. By joining over 15 Caribbean nations in this initiative, Grenada is prioritizing standardized clinical pathways for early detection and effective treatment—key strategies in tackling the island’s leading cause of death.
Spearheaded by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), HEARTS is championed by Dr. Kerry-Ann Renaud, Grenada’s Director of Primary Healthcare. The program promotes a unified approach to hypertension treatment, ensuring that healthcare professionals follow evidence-based protocols to prevent complications and improve patient outcomes.
To roll out the initiative, medical professionals participated in training sessions at the Radisson Beach Resort on February 11 and 12. Attendees included Dr. Taraleen Malcolm, PAHO Advisor for Non-communicable Diseases for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, as well as officials from the Ministry of Health, representatives from Grenada’s medical community, St. George’s University, and private healthcare providers.
Grenada’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shawn Charles, emphasized the urgent need for the program, noting that cardiovascular diseases remain the island’s leading cause of death. Alarmingly, he estimates that nearly a third of Grenada’s population is living with elevated blood pressure, underscoring the critical importance of standardized treatment and prevention strategies.
As part of the HEARTS Initiative, essential hypertension medications are now readily available at all public health facilities, and private sector providers have been briefed on the Ministry’s treatment guidelines. Community Health Nurse Naomi Thomas highlighted another key aspect of the program: “We’ve standardized blood pressure readings, ensuring all healthcare staff are properly trained to check and monitor blood pressure accurately.”
HEARTS—an acronym for Healthy lifestyle counseling, Evidence-based treatment protocols, Access to essential medicines and technology, Team-based care, and Systems for monitoring—is already implemented in 33 countries worldwide. Healthcare providers in Grenada will now benefit from virtual training courses, practical workshops, and standardized regional training sessions through PAHO’s online platform.
With the introduction of HEARTS, Grenada is strengthening its primary healthcare system, shifting the focus toward prevention, early detection, and long-term disease management—an essential move in curbing the rising tide of non-communicable diseases on the island.
