BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – POPULAR medical practitioner and St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party’s caretaker for Constituency Eight, Dr. Terrance Drew is claiming that a number of persons are still affected by Non-Communicable Diseases in the St. Peter’s community.
Dr. Drew made this disclosure after hosting a one-day Health Fair on Saturday (Apr. 29) at the St. Peter’s Community Center, where he and several other doctors treated patients for a number of ailments.
The young doctor did not go into details about his findings, but told SKNVibes that the fair was “well supported by many, many patients”.
“I worked nonstop along with the dentist, the other doctors that took care of the foot and others with general care. We were happy to serve the people of St. Peter’s free of cost and this is an endeavour that we would take to other parts of the constituency.”
He pointed to some of the major disease affecting a number of persons who attended the fair.
“The number one issue that we found was Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases, such as Hypertension, Obesity and Diabetes, which leads to, of course, the number one cause of deaths in the Federation. We also found the presence of Cardio Vascular Disease.
“So, by allowing people to be check, we were able to advise them on what they can do to take care of themselves and ensure a healthier life.”
St. Kitts and Nevis is known for having a high rate of Non-Communicable Diseases, and many deaths are related to such medical conditions.
At the opening of the Oncology Center back in November, Junior Minister of Health Senator Wendy Phipps had indicated that St. Kitts and Nevis has an 83% NCD rate, with 45% being cancer.
The Government of National Unity has made pleas for persons to take their health seriously with the pending implementation of the National Insurance programme.
Senior Minister of Health, the Hon. Eugene Hamilton told reporters last year that the Ministry’s Health Promotion Unit needs to do more in terms of public education, such as stepping up their wellness promotions to highlight eating right and exercising.
“The challenge that we face is that people, especially men, normally don’t like to go to the doctor, and then it is only when something happens and it is too late that we reach the doctor,” Hamilton said. “The truth is that we in St. Kitts and Nevis are lucky that we have 17 Health Centers across the country.”
Dr. Drew stated that the initiative is not limited to the St. Peter’s community or within Constituency Eight but also other parts of St. Kitts, and that plans are on the front burner to visit to those areas.
