PM leads war against non-communicable diseases

By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – “To a large extent, we can seriously tackle the high incidence of chronic non-communicable diseases if we would pay great attention to our nutrition,” Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas has recommended.

In delivering the main address at the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI) Awards Dinner held last night (Nov. 26) at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, the leader of St. Kitts-Nevis said the discourse that reconciles food security must be ventilated now and ideas must work in tandem with action and action-oriented research.

“The multifaceted approach to nutrition and food security is clearly indicative of the level of collaboration and inclusiveness required to find a solution that reduces the impact of the current crises, but targets in particular to relieve some of the effects on the more vulnerable countries within the Caribbean,” he stated.

In referencing a CFNI May 2008 document, Douglas said “There is a positive correlation between the centrality of nutrition and food security policies and programmes and sustaining a good quality of life.

There are also a number of negative impacts for development of our human resources, the Caribbean’s most vulnerable and valuable asset, if we do not implement corrective measures.”

He emphasize that the challenge would take a combination of political will as well as social and personal responsibility as it requires intervention that would change attitudes toward agricultural production in the Caribbean region.

“This challenge requires partnership, some traditional and others in the form of new and innovative coalitions, but all directed to ensure that our people survive this new century as productive citizens in optimal health.”

The Prime Minister stressed the need for more individual initiatives which in turn would propel collective efforts to promote proper nutrition in the wider Caribbean.

He indicated that the monies spent by regional governments in curative, corrective tertiary-level medicinal treatment and care can be put into other areas for social and economic development.

Douglas noted that the region has arrived at a solution that is applicable globally, and challenged all present to recognize that “the charge lies within you, young people, as you have demonstrated that you are going to be our advocates [of proper nutrition and food security] for the future”.