STATEMENT BY DEPUTY PREMIER AND MINISTER OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT HONOURABLE DANCIA PENN, OBE, QC AT THE ELEVENTH SITTING OF THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE FIRST HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TUESDAY, 30 AUGUST, 2011

Mr. Speaker, I inform this Honourable House that on Saturday, September 10, we will once again join with the countries of the Caribbean to observe Caribbean Wellness Day 2011. This is an occasion where persons of all ages are encouraged to become engaged in activities to promote and sustain healthy lifestyles.

Our efforts here are being spearheaded by the Coordinator of the Health Promotion Services Unit in the Ministry of Health and Social Development, Ms. Ivy George. The Ministry provides support and encouragement to communities to organise various events such as walks, health educational sessions, exercise demonstrations and cooking demonstrations showcasing nutritional options for healthier meals.

Over the years, under the theme “Love That Body”, communities have become increasingly creative in their participation. This year, several district communities on Tortola, as well as on the Sister Islands of Jost Van Dyke and Anegada will be hosting events. Members of one community will participate in a Tri-ath-lon, while others will be hosting a healthy cookout competition and aerobic exercise demonstrations.

The observance of Caribbean Wellness Day was one of the decisions taken by the CARICOM Heads of Government when they met in Port of Spain, Trinidad on September, 17 2007 to design a plan of action to stop the epidemic of chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs); this came out of a deep concern about the physical, economic, and social burdens caused by lifestyle related diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory diseases like asthma, obesity and cancers. Observed annually on the second Saturday in September, Caribbean Wellness Day showcases national and community level activities to promote healthy living and to encourage residents to develop good health and dietary practices.

The main objective of the campaign is to build awareness of the importance of achieving small, but realistic health oriented goals that can be maintained beyond the Caribbean Wellness Day. These include eating healthier foods, advocating for smoke free environments, getting regular exercise, reducing stress and having regular health checks - health practices that can be achieved through consistent, gentle practice, rather than drastic unsustainable activity.

Mr. Speaker, Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases are the leading cause of deaths in our region. Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases such as diabetes, cancers, respiratory diseases and heart disease, all of these conditions are lifestyle related and largely can be prevented. Too many precious family members and friends, members of our communities, are lost to these diseases and our society loses their social and economic contribution.

As the Government continues its work in the fight against these diseases, I am pleased to report that we will shortly be presenting a Chronic Non Communicable Disease Strategy that will allow us to institutionalise various health promotion mechanisms across all sectors of our community.

Improving the health of our people requires personal responsibility, as well as a commitment from each of us as leaders, and as individuals, to work together to create an environment that is conducive to, and supports healthy living.

I invite and encourage members of our community to participate in the activities planned for Caribbean Wellness Day, and other activities that are planned throughout the year.

Mr. Speaker, I will, on Saturday, September, 10, lead yet another Heart Healthy Walk. I invite everyone to join in this walk, the route of which will be soon announced on radio.
I thank you Mr. Speaker.

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