PM Douglas unveils initiatives to tackle chronic non-communicable diseases
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| St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas (Photo by Erasmus Williams) |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, SEPTEMBER 18TH 2007 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas was among Caribbean leaders who attended a special summit focusing on developing strategies to deal adequately with chronic and non-communicable diseases (CNCD) that were taking a toll on the socio-economic development of the region.
Regional leaders admitted during the opening ceremony of the one-day event that the Caribbean had a “very serious problem” in combating CNCD and warned that the situation was getting worse.
The St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, who has lead responsibility within the CARICOM quasi cabinet for health, told the summit that a number of deaths associated with CNCD could be avoided, and listed a number of initiatives that regional governments could pursue to deal with the situation which he said was no longer sustainable socially or economically.
He said increased taxation on alcohol and tobacco could provide funds for Caribbean states to finance the treatment of people suffering from CNCD brought about by the lifestyles associated with those products.
Dr. Douglas called for a smoking ban in public places, and the compulsory introduction of physical education and activities in schools and said regional governments should also consider giving tax relief to businesses that establish areas for workers to exercise as well as promote a “CARICOM Wellness Day.
~~Adz:Right~~ “This situation is simply not sustainable and the time for action is now,” he said, adding “there is still a great deal to be done in the Caribbean.”
He said there should also be a ban on cigarette and tobacco advertising near schools and a curtailment in the promotion of alcohol products targeting women and children.
The St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister told the summit, that it was also necessary for Caribbean people to do away with many myths surrounding CNCD, including the belief that chronic diseases were issues that affected rich countries.
“We in the Caribbean have not escaped that,” he said, pointing out that chronic diseases like heart attacks, hypertension, and diabetes accounted for 63 percent of deaths worldwide in 2005.
Dr. Douglas said over the past two years, figures had shown that heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes had become “the big killers of our people in our Caribbean.”
“If the known risk factors are controlled, at least 80 percent of heart disease, stroke and diabetes and 40 per cent of cancers are preventable and in addition there are cost effective interventions available for control.”
Douglas also said it was “critical” for the Caribbean to strengthen health services for the management and control of chronic diseases as well as to deepen partnerships with public and private sectors as well as civic society in the fight against CNCD.
But he told the delegates who included representatives from regional and international health organisations like the World Health Organisation, the Pan American Health Organisation that “above all we must take personal responsibility and lead by example.”
