ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, September 27th, 2011  – In an effort to encourage residents to live a healthier lifestyle, the Government of the Virgin Islands has approved a National Strategy for the prevention of chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as cancers, diabetes, heart disease and respiratory diseases.

The National Strategy was laid on the table by Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Social Development, Honourable Dancia Penn, OBE, QC on September 6 at the Twelfth Sitting of the Fourth Session.The National Strategy is based on a population health approach and requires action from the public and private sector, as well as non-governmental organisations.

It presents a ten-year national framework for system-wide strategic action that draws on international best practice and reflects the input of various stakeholders to ensure that it is reflective of the Territory’s needs.

The National Strategy requires the Government to consider a range of new policy initiatives in all Ministries that would enhance or create opportunities for the population to engage in healthy lifestyle activities.

These initiatives would include promoting eating healthier foods; engaging in more physical activities; the introduction of low salt menu choices; promoting the personal benefits of not smoking; the introduction of more stringent regulations for access to alcohol and continued awareness on the importance of reducing stress.

The National Strategy for the prevention of chronic NCDs is designed to provide a unifying framework for chronic disease prevention and management, that will ensure that actions at all levels, and by all sectors are mutually supportive.

The burden of NCDs is rapidly increasing throughout the world, and NCDs are the cause of a number of deaths in the Virgin Islands. These diseases are linked by common risk factors including physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, abuse of alcohol, high blood pressure, cholesterol and obesity.

In an effort to determine the prevalence of these risk factors among the local population, the Ministry of Health and Social Development, in partnership with the Social Security Board conducted the Territory’s first PAHO/WHO STEPS Risk Factor Survey in 2009. Of the 1,105 respondents, 41.4% of persons ages 25-44 had three or more risk factors identified for chronic diseases, and the percentage increased to 51.5% for respondents ages 45-64.

The Government is greatly concerned with these figures in light of the significant burden NCDs place on individuals, communities and the health services since the economic and social costs of NCDs are high and expected to rise.

The large number of dialysis patients receiving treatment at the Peebles Hospital illustrates the severity of NCDs in the Virgin Islands.

There are currently 40 patients receiving treatment, a 300% increase since the inception of the programme in 2000. Currently, the cost to provide treatment is $7 million annually, with only one third of patients covered by private insurance. The majority of this expenditure is borne by Government.

This trend indicates that the treatment of NCDs will consume a significant portion of the Territory’s budget and impact the productivity of the labour force, and ultimately lower the gross domestic product of the Virgin Islands.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development endeavours to provide leadership that promotes health, social well-being and a safe environment.

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