BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, April 1, 2021 (MMS-SKN) — Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris will, on Saturday April 3, be leading health-conscious walk enthusiasts on the latest edition of Prime Minister’s Monthly Health Walk that will follow the regular route from Bellevue to the Ottley’s hardcourts.
“It is a long holiday weekend and people are anxious to indulge in their Good Friday food – their salt fish, dumpling, breadfruit etc. and then Monday is a holiday and people may go on picnic and indulge a little bit,” observed Prime Minister’s Monthly Health Walk organiser Ms Myrtilla Williams. “But in all of that we think that it is crucially important to ensure that exercises remain a vital, essential element of our everyday life.”
The walk could not be held last Saturday (March 27) to give way to the Peoples Labour Party (PLP) 2021 National Convention which was held on the grounds of Ottley’s playing field. Prime Minister Harris is the National Political Leader of the Peoples Labour Party.
“We are happy to jump straight into it and get it the next Saturday which is this one – April 3,” observed Ms Williams. “Health is vital – it is vital for us to keep going at it (the walk) to fight the everyday non-communicable diseases (NCDs), diabetes, high blood pressure etc.”
According to Ms Williams, walk participants will assemble at the Bellevue bus stop for the event that will start at 5:30 am.
The hugely popular Prime Minister’s Monthly Health Walk, now held under the umbrella of SKN Moves, draws scores of health conscious individuals from across the island of St. Kitts, and even from Nevis. It was initiated in April 2007 by the Area Parliamentary Representative for St. Christopher Seven, Dr the Hon Timothy Harris.
Prime Minister Harris, who also has lead responsibility for Human Resource Development, Health and HIV/AIDS issues in the CARICOM’s quasi-cabinet, takes the message of leading healthy lifestyles to the people seriously and does it by example. Ms Williams has advised that the message has been well received as the number of walk participants continues to grow.
By participating in the walks, residents of the Federation have been benefitting from the personal efforts of Prime Minister Harris who believes that the fight against NCDs will only be won if a collective approach is taken to make it a habit for persons to take part in regular physical activities, as they are critical for the success of the fight.
“The walk is just once a month and we are going to try everything that we can to ensure that we get that exercise in place, and so we are inviting everybody to come on out join in the walk,” said Ms Williams. “Put on your walking shoes and let’s hit the pavement on Saturday morning from 5:30 am. Snacks will be served at the end of the health walk to all participants.”
