ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, August 20th, 2012 – On Saturday, September 8 the Virgin Islands will join its regional counterparts to observe Caribbean Wellness Day (CWD), an occasion where communities unite to promote and maintain healthy lifestyles.
Speaking on the GIS Report, Coordinator of Health Promotion Services, Ms. Ivy George said, “Caribbean Wellness Day is designed to help nations and communities to focus on activities that would help to improve wellness.”
Ms. George added, “Over the past years under the theme ‘Love That Body’ activities highlighted during CWD included eating healthier foods, advocating for smoke free environments, getting regular exercise, reducing stress and having routine health screenings”.
This year, in addition to continuing with the “Love that Body” theme, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is rolling out a three year focus on Healthy Schools: Healthy Children. This initiative highlights the need to promote more physical activities and healthier food choices in schools.
In speaking with the Department of Information and Public Relations, Ms. George referred to the Port of Spain Declaration, a health policy where the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) united in an effort to stop the epidemic of Chronic Diseases.
In this policy CARICOM countries declared, “We will mandate the re-introduction of physical education in our schools where necessary, provide incentives and resources to effect this policy, and ensure that our education sectors promote programmes aimed at providing healthy school meals and promoting healthy eating.”
The coordinator further stated that in the Virgin Islands, from Grade One to Grade 10 physical education is mandatory. However, this is not the case at grades 11 and 12.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development is currently developing a policy brief as a basis for collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Culture to advance the concept of Health Promoting Schools; in an effort to safeguard the health and wellness of the Territory’s children.
Other efforts to observe this year’s Caribbean Wellness Day are being spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and Social Development; including support and encouragement to communities to organise various events such as walks, health educational sessions, exercise demonstrations and cooking demonstrations showcasing nutritional options for healthier meals.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development encourages all communities to participate in the activities planned for Caribbean Wellness Day.
This is the sixth year that the Territory will be observing Caribbean Wellness Day. Persons interested in participating CWD should telephone the Coordinator of Health Promotion Services, Ms. Ivy George at 468-3701 Ext. 2273.
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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