Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belmar-George is living proof that while women may indeed be naturally gentler than the opposite gender, they definitely are not “the weaker sex.” Although she may have her fair share of detractors (after all, too many of us seem to thrive on negativity!) there is no doubt that especially since March this year she has made a legion of fans island-wide— and wherever there are Saint Lucians— who are not shy about expressing respect for her professionalism and unwavering dedication.
Her telegenic charm and projected affability, not to say her conversational tone even when the latest word on COVID-19 is less than good, have turned her, much to her chagrin, into a reluctant celebrity. But there’s much more to this young doctor, wife and mother, as we were happy to discover during a recent sit down with the STAR.
STAR: You assumed your current position in January 2020. Just three months later you were confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic. What prepared you for this Sisyphean challenge?
CMO: COVID-19 has been a challenge for all of the region’s Chief Medical Officers. I truly believe we human beings are tested to discover our strengths, not show our weaknesses. I’ve had over a decade of working in public health, managing from the Ebola outbreak preparation, outbreaks of Dengue Fever, Zika, Chikungunya. I worked closely with former CMO Merlene Fredericks. She permitted me every opportunity to lead public health interventions, facilitating my hands-on experience. I’ve also had the opportunity to participate in public health training programs through the Pan American Health Agency and Caribbean Public Health Agency, in preparation for outbreaks of this kind. I have been able to establish a secure network of support through these agencies. From working in most of our public healthcare facilities, I am well aware of the strengths and weaknesses of our system. It can only get better from here. [Smiling]
STAR: How has the recent upsurge in active cases affected you and your team?
CMO: With our opening up of economic activity, we anticipated and planned for increased cases. The higher number has placed added strain on our team on many levels. We’ve been working long hours on a daily basis and updating protocols to facilitate new issues: increased numbers accessing care at the respiratory clinics, more patients at the respiratory hospital, increased testing requirement daily, all of that has caused an increased use of the procured supplies and equipment. Within the COVID-19 plan, procurement forecast is an important element. We ensure we have at least three months’ worth of supplies at any one point. The Pan American Health Organization has also supplemented the country supplies to manage the increase in cases. I’m always concerned about my hard-working and dedicated team, their families, their mental health. The limited gratitude shown them can at times be quite demotivating but we know our priorities.
STAR: What’s been responsible for the almost daily increases in active cases?
CMO: Saint Lucia has three main risks for introduction of cases and community spread. They include the high incidence of COVID-19 disease in the global environment, the illegal entries from high-risk islands, and the violations by home quarantined returning nationals. Also, the assessments received from the Environmental Health Officers and the analysis from the contact tracing team reveal high rates of transmission from positive cases due to poor adherence to infection control measures. This includes the inconsistent use of masks in public places, lack of physical distance, attendance numbers at social events, and going into public places with respiratory symptoms.
STAR: Why has Saint Lucia opted for the PCR over the Rapid test?
CMO: The PCR remains the gold standard for accurate, sensitive testing and based on the nature of COVID-19 it is imperative it’s maintained until a reliable faster and more accurate test is approved.
STAR: Do you anticipate the imminent lifting of travel quarantines, or at least a reduction to a week or so?
CMO: We do not anticipate the lifting of travel quarantines, although we are exploring time reduction based on new information by the CDC indicating that the rate of new infection is lower in the last four days.
STAR: Why haven’t current safety procedures been more effective?
CMO: At this stage, I believe the correct policies are in place. They would certainly be more effective with greater compliance. Non-adherence and poor enforcement of the recommended safety measures don’t help.
STAR: Some countries have been forced to order more lockdowns. Do you foresee this happening here?
CMO: The Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the numbers, ensuring the cases do not overwhelm the healthcare system. Health indicators are examined on a weekly basis. We are effectively managing this second wave and at this point do not anticipate a lockdown.
STAR: When will the health department be in a position to offer vaccinations?
CMO: The Ministry of Health and Wellness is working closely with the COVAX Facility and PAHO to provide vaccines. We estimate their availability by the March 2021.
STAR: With the increase in active cases, what are your concerns about the Wellness Center and other local health facilities?
CMO: The Ministry of Health has been attempting to manage the COVID-19 cases and ensure the delivery of services for the other health conditions and programs within our portfolio. We continue to monitor the outcomes as our chronic-care patients who are most at risk need to remain well controlled at this time. We are concerned about the increased workload on our healthcare workers who have been doing an amazing job at the clinics at personal risk. Also of concern is the reduced expenditure for non-COVID-19 conditions.
STAR: In this election season, how difficult has it been to stay above the fray?
CMO: As a technical officer, I strive, as they say, to stay in my section. But I don’t exist in a bubble. It would be naïve not to anticipate the political pressures, at this time especially. I remain focused on providing evidence-based recommendations. The negativity can be depressing especially when one’s integrity is unfairly questioned. I am able most of the time to ignore the noise.
STAR: Have you grown accustomed to life in a fish bowl?
CMO: I have never considered myself a party animal. But I do miss the few social activities I normally enjoyed: the gym, movies, once in a while an evening out with special friends.
STAR: How do you keep so calm and collected, whether delivering bad news or answering trick questions from gotcha reporters?
CMO: It’s my nature to avoid confrontation. I believe in always being prepared. I am never hesitant to say ‘I don’t know’ to a question. These are things I learned from my amazing mother. She taught me the importance of being solution-based, quick thinking, and never over-reacting.
STAR: How difficult has it been juggling your roles as wife, homemaker and mother, as well as holding down what may well be the most important job at this time?
CMO: I’ve grown pretty good at balancing my professional and family lives. I enjoy being a housewife, cooking, cleaning, doing the laundry and so on. COVID-19 has forced its changes on the way we live. It seems most of my time is taken up trying to keep the pandemic at bay; even at weekends. Still I am able somehow to make quality time for family.
STAR: Home schooling is by no means a piece of cake, yet your twins Dominique and Ava Marie recently topped island-wide Common Entrance scores. How involved were you in their preparations?
CMO: From very early, I have played an active role in the education of my twins. Most importantly, teaching them life skills, discipline and dedication to their goals. This definitely paid off when I found myself unable able to take a planned vacation during the last few months before Common Entrance. With the support of their dad and my family network of teachers, they kept working. Quite successfully, I’m proud to say.
STAR: What makes Sharon Belmar-George tick?
CMO: My ever supportive husband, my family, my small network of friends, Soca-fit, my flower garden—and of course shopping! [laughs]
STAR: How often do you cry from frustration?
CMO: Almost never!
STAR: What makes you laugh?
CMO: My amazing kids!
STAR: How hopeful are you that COVID-19 will soon be under control—even overcome?
CMO: I think we’ll be managing continuous waves of COVID-19 for a while yet. I anticipate at least another year of managing cases, even after the introduction of the vaccine.
STAR: Do you have a not so blue Christmas message?
CMO: Christmas is the season for reflection, to appreciate the things that really count: health, family, faithful friends. Let’s celebrate the positive, live in the present, and be thankful for the greatest gift of all: life!
This article first appeared in the December 2020 edition of the STAR Monthly Review, available on newsstands and here: https://issuu.com/starbusinessweek/docs/star_monthly_review_december_2020
