CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (June 13, 2007) -- Health Minister on Nevis the Hon. Hensley Daniel, announced that a Health Conference to be hosted by the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) from July 16-20, 2007 at the Four Seasons Resort, would have immense benefit for Nevisians as health issues were brought to the fore and strategies developed.
Mr. Daniel made the disclosure on Wednesday June 13, 2007, during an interview with the Department of Information. He said the NIA decided to host the inaugural conference because there were indicators that chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, HIV/AIDS, obesity, hypertension and diabetes were on the increase and had become the leading causes of death in the countries of the Organisation of the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
“Tackling these complex challenges is a priority for these small states. Although other policy initiatives and programmes already exist, there are opportunities to strengthen these through partnerships with regional and international experts.
“The Conference will provide a forum for local, regional and policy leaders, health care practitioners and the community to examine key issues and strategies for improving the OECS region,” he said.
He urged Nevisians to participate but noted that the Administration had made provisions for a number of locals to attend the conference.
“We have made provisions for 25 persons to take part who belong to the various Diabetic Associations, since the focus is going to be heavily on diabetes and hypertension. We have also made provisions for 20 persons who are involved in health care delivery in Nevis to be participants at the conference. We have also invited the medical students and faculty from the Medical University of the Americas here in Nevis,” he said. ~~Adz:Right~~
According to Mr. Daniel, the Health Conference will highlight opportunities for the improvement of the health status of the countries of the OECS region; facilitate closer dialogue between health care practitioners, policy, education and community leaders to develop as they developed and implemented strategies to improve the health of the population.
It would also review current best practices in clinical and public health management of key health conditions such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, hypertension and obesity; Heighten community awareness with regard to the prevention and management of key health conditions; establish effective local, regional and international partnerships to strengthen the health care infrastructure and improve health care delivery.
He noted the conference was expected to be staged every two years with the assistance of a group of Nevisian doctors who resided outside of Nevis who expressed their interest and who had so far assisted with the organisation of the first stageing.
The Health Minister named a number of critical regional and international partners who have committed to support to the Conference which included the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), the Charles Drew University, the Jackson Memorial Hospital, the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the United States National Institute of Health (minority health and health disparities).
The conference chairman is Mr. Odel Bussue of Butlers Village who is a resident of Maryland USA and Deputy is Dr. Lincoln Sargeant a Nevisian Epidemiologist who is currently engaged in research on diabetes. He too is a resident of the USA.
