CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – THE Ministry of Health in the Nevis Island Administration is making a concerted effort to ensure Wellness Month 2009 is a success on the island. To this end, the Ministry has planned a number of activities spread over the month of September.
Health Planner in the Ministry Nicole Liburd revealed on yesterday (Aug. 27) that activities planned include a Wellness Fair on September 10, a Wellness Walk and Rally on September 11 in Charlestown, and the observance of Caribbean Wellness Day on September 12. There will also be several other walks in parishes around the island.
At the Wellness Fair, patrons can test their blood pressure and blood glucose, check their weight and height, get dietary counselling, HIV/AIDS testing and be informed on breast care by the Pink Lily Foundation. There will also be a health and safety demonstration by members of the police force.
During the month, which will be launched on Tuesday (Sept.1) with an address by Minister of Health Hon. Henlsey Daniel, there will also be Pap Smear testing at various health centres across the island, Wellness Education during assembly in schools, as well as Wellness messages and activities at churches and health centres.
Liburd made the revelations at the Fit Wellness Centre at RAM’s Plaza in Stoney Grove, where the Ministry launched its programme to partner with businesses establishments to promote Wellness during September.
David Walwyn of the Fit Wellness Centre was happy to be part of the programme and announced that the Centre would be offering a number of discounts during the month. According to Walwyn, these discounts include 10 percent from anyone joining the Fit Wellness Club in September, 50 percent off for senior citizens, 50 percent off items purchased at the Fitness Warehouse Store, and 10 percent off all equipment sales.
Liburd explained that the Fit Wellness Centre is the first business in many to be targeted for the promotion and others will be visited in the coming days.
According to information received from the Ministry of Health, Caribbean Wellness Day is one of the decisions taken by Caribbean Heads of Governments in response to the heavy burden of non-communicable diseases on the citizens of the region.
The Heads issued the Port of Spain Declaration in September 2007 - “Uniting to Stop the Epidemic of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases” - and declared that the second Saturday in September should be celebrated each year as Caribbean Wellness Day.
The release said the purpose of this day is to heighten awareness of the risk factors for chronic diseases and help to mobilise a sustained response to reducing these factors, “thus improving our health and well being”.
