Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 18, 2017 (SKNIS): Non-communicable Diseases (NCD’s) in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis continues to be a prominent issue which the government is taking a proactive approach to, in order to combat some of the risk factors that lead to these diseases.
At a press conference on August 18 at the NEMA Conference Room in Limekiln to update the press on the calendar of activities for the 34th Anniversary of Independence, Dr. Marissa Carty, Non-communicable Disease Programme Coordinator in the Ministry of Health, said that Caribbean Wellness Week is a continuation of the observance of Caribbean Wellness Day, which is celebrated on September 15 by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
Caribbean Wellness Week will run from September 09 – 15, 2017, with a list of activities that will promote a healthy lifestyle.
Dr. Carty mentioned some noteworthy activities that will take place during Caribbean Wellness Week including National Fruit Day to be observed on Tuesday, September 12 and National Sneaker Day on Friday, September 15. She explained that the Ministry of Health has established a Chronic Disease Self-Management Programme designed to assist persons suffering from NCD’s to aid with the proper management, care and lifestyle choices that will help to minimize the effects of these diseases. She further mentioned that the ministry will be having a number of sessions for this programme during its week of activities.
The risk factors of NCD’s explained by Dr. Carty are unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and alcohol and tobacco misuse. She said that the week will focus on educating persons about the risk factors of getting NCD’s so that the necessary precautions can be taken.
“We have decided that during this week, we will focus on some of these risk factors and share with the nation the best ways in which it can help persons in terms of not falling into the trap of these risk factors,” she stated.
The week will conclude with a “Youth Socacise” on National Sneaker Day at Fort Street, Basseterre, as well as the re-establishing of the “Rethink Your Drink” Campaign. The public is invited to participate in cardio aerobic exercise, as well as join in the social media campaign to promote healthy drinking.
