The CDSMP programme, started by Stanford University, was introduced to the Caribbean region in 2015. Since its introduction to the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, there have been 42 trained Living Healthy Leaders.
The training process requires that the living healthy leaders complete a four-and-a-half day Training Workshop. They are then required to conduct a six-week self-management programme for persons listed on the Disease Management Registry and/or caregivers or persons at risk.
These six-week workshops have been conducted throughout the year and will continue into 2019. Persons interested in learning how to manage their chronic conditions and reduce their medical costs can contact the Ministry of Health’s Health Promotion Unit at 869-467-1236 or visit their nearby health centre to get information on the programme.
On November 30 at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Conference Room, certificates were presented to 25 newly trained leaders in the programme.
The newly minted Living Healthy Leaders are Marlene Huggins-Stevens, Dr Marissa Carty, Dr Sharon Archibald, Beverlyn Prentice, Joseph Johnson, Samantha Browne, Mechelle Browne, Nadine Carty Caines, Michael Henville, Jacqueline France, Maria Stapleton, Jedalyn Lapitan, Taresa Maynard, Magdalena Watson, Roslyn Warner, Keith Warner, Amanda Caines, Eulynis Brown, Barbara Carey, Claudine Bergan Pennyfeather, Abi Begho, Ruth Phillip, Merlyn Hobson, Chere nAnn Weaver, and Novelia Nwuso.
Special awards were given to Dr. Marissa Carty, Marlene Huggins-Stevens and JoAnn Charles for their significant contribution and demonstration of selflessness during their stint in the workshops. An “Above and Beyond Award” was also presented to Joseph Richardson.
Health Planner in the Ministry of Health, Sylvester Belle said that chronic diseases and other chronic conditions have gradually surpassed communicable diseases as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Federation. He added that, often times, the sufferers of these chronic conditions lack the basic skills to adequately care and manage their own conditions.
“As such, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with regional partners, made the decision to embark on training programme aimed at empowering and improving care management skills for a cadre of health professionals and subsequently individuals suffering with chronic conditions,” he said.
