THE Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) and the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs recently collaborated to host a free Health Fair at the Grace Playing Field in Vieux Fort.
The Health Fair was held on Sunday, September 22, 2024, and offered patrons free blood pressure checks, free diabetes screening, free nutritional advice, mental and dental wellness, and other activities that sought to address the risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Other highlights included bouncy castles and face painting for children, physical activities, health booths, and a special performance by Sly, Saint Lucia’s 2024 Groovy Soca Monarch.
During the event, speakers underscored the need for citizens to get regular check-ups for non-communicable diseases and also adopt a healthy lifestyle to safeguard their health.
In his remarks, H.E. Peter Chia-Yen Chen, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Saint Lucia, recalled the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs and Taiwan launching the “Public Health Bilateral Capacity Building Project for the Prevention and Control of Metabolic Chronic Diseases”, in March 2023. The overall aim of the project is to reduce modifiable risk factors for non-communicable diseases such as insufficient physical activity and unhealthy diets through the creation of health-promoting environments, thus improving NCD primary and secondary prevention.
“Over the past year, this project has completed the training of policy-making personnel and 11 seed instructors,” Ambassador Chen said. “We also organized health education events and screening activities in communities with more than 1,000 people involved. Today’s Health Fair marks another example of Taiwan’s partnership with the Government, communities and people of Saint Lucia in promoting a healthy lifestyle and well-being of everyone.”
Ambassador Chen also extended gratitude to Hon. Moses Jn. Baptiste, Minister for Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs, for his unwavering support, noting that under the Minister’s leadership, Taiwan can work with that Ministry and undertake various impactful and meaningful initiatives in Saint Lucia.
Meanwhile, Hon. Moses Jn. Baptiste, who is also the Parliamentary Representative for Vieux Fort North, said many people in the Caribbean, including in Saint Lucia, continue to face challenges posed by diabetes, hypertension, strokes and high blood pressure.
“A lot of our people are growing older, (and) our population is what we call an ‘ageing population’,” Hon. Jn. Baptiste said. “So we’re having a lot of problems with diabetes, hypertension, and so on.”
Hon. Jn. Baptiste stressed the need for people to exercise and relax more, maintain good mental health, and eat properly, to enjoy a more balanced and healthy life. He also pledged his Ministry’s continued efforts to heighten awareness about NCDs across the island.
“We continue to focus on what we call our Universal Health Coverage Programme. We continue to focus on improvements at our health and wellness centres, so our nurses are doing continuous training to ensure that we improve the conditions. We continue to work very hard with our hospitals,” Hon. Jn. Baptiste explained.
Despite his Ministry’s commitment to these initiatives, Hon. Jn. Baptiste cautioned citizens to ensure they manage their health properly, as failing to do so will create a burden on the country’s limited resources.
According to Nurse Jasmaine Janice Daniel, Public Health Nursing Supervisor, said the Taiwan International Cooperation Development Fund (TaiwanICDF), Cathay Hospital, and the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs will undertake a four-year capacity-building project for the prevention and control of metabolic diseases in Saint Lucia, through the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM). She added that the goal is to screen 20,000 Saint Lucians aged 15 years and older.
“Metabolic diseases have affected millions of people worldwide,” she said. “In Saint Lucia, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are among the top ten leading causes of death. Today’s event is an opportunity to screen persons (who are) at risk for metabolic diseases and raise awareness.”