Authorities about to get ready for Caribbean Wellness Day 

Minister of Health and Social Development Hon. Dancia Penn, OBE, QC

Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Social Development Honourable Dancia Penn, OBE, QC, has already committed her full support for the event, which will be held this September. 

“I am extremely supportive of any programme that can help to bring about a reduction in the incidents of chronic non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension which continue to affect so many of our people,” she said.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Irad Potter said Caribbean Wellness Day is expected to be the launching date for a series of regular population-based physical activity initiatives that focus on persons who are over 40 years old and who are not currently active. The event, he noted, will be observed throughout the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on Saturday, 13 September under the theme “Love that Body.”

Caribbean Wellness Day will also commemorate the anniversary of the CARICOM Heads of Government Summit in September 2007 where the Port-of-Spain Declaration “Uniting to Stop the Epidemic of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases,” was issued.

“Some countries plan to implement a ‘Streets for Wellness’ programme where certain streets will be blocked every Sunday afternoon, and activities and attractions provided to encourage people to come out onto the car-free streets to ‘move their bodies’ and eat healthy,” the Chief Medical Officer said. Dr. Potter also revealed that the first local planning meeting for Caribbean Wellness Day is scheduled for Wednesday, 13 August.   ~~Adz:Right~~

The Ministry of Health and Social Development works to provide leadership that promotes health, social well-being, and a safe environment as positive resources for living and sustainable development. Among other things, the Ministry is responsible for safeguarding and promoting the health and social development of the Territory.