BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, January 2nd 2010 (PAM Secretariat) - People’s Action Movement (PAM) Shadow Minster of Health, Glenroy Blanchette has issued a passionate appeal to the public to place more emphases on their lifestyle for 2010.
Blanchette said that with the alarming increase of persons contracting non-communicable and communicable diseases, it is incumbent on the public to understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
He said that the Ministry of Health’s 2009 performance indicates there are many problems that constitute major challenges for the Federation in the near future. In his appeal for a better lifestyle in the New Year, Blanchette explained that the change must not only be reflected in the high caloric intake, but also in the quality of food.
He said that to ensure a healthy body one must have a healthy lifestyle. “I must say it is very typical that we tend to loose focus on maintaining a healthy body and lifestyle and only seek to focus on healthy lifestyles when we are directly affected by some thing,” he said.
Blanchette explained that as a result of more fat being consumed in people’s diet, and as lifestyle changes, it results in decreased consumption of fruits and vegetables. He Blanchette further explained that changes in dietary habits and reduced physical exercise, coupled with increased consumption of alcohol mean that Kittitians and Nevisians have opted for a lifestyle inconsistent with healthy lives.
The PAM candidate stressed that this could led to further challenges for both the individuals and Federation. He pointed out that too many young people are engaged in unsafe sex and noted that they are several persons who still drive under the influence of alcohol.
He stressed the importance of the public understanding the importance of choosing lifestyles more conducive to healthy living. This, he said, would aid in relieving the government of increased health challenges.
Blanchette expressed the desire for greater effort to be placed on healthy lifestyles by all. He noted that it is pertinent for people to be committed to change in behaviour, which would bring about healthier lives resulting in a stronger and healthier St. Kitts and Nevis.
