In response to the increasing mortality associated with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors, the National NCD Committee has convened a high-level stakeholder consultation aimed at fostering collaboration and strengthening national strategies for prevention and control. The consultation is taking place at the 5th Floor Conference Room, Finance Administrative Centre, Pointe Seraphine.
The event brings together key stakeholders to engage in knowledge sharing and explore a whole-of-society approach to combatting NCDs. The consultation seeks to improve the visibility of the Ministry of Health’s efforts in addressing NCDs, raise awareness of their significant impact on morbidity and mortality, and strengthen community-based initiatives through partnerships with athletic clubs and other organisations.
Senior Medical Officer for NCDs, Dr Shana Cyr-Philbert, highlighted the importance of a coordinated approach in addressing the issue, stating, “We can only tackle non-communicable diseases through a holistic and sustainable approach. This can only happen through multisectoral coordination. Today we will explore the Ministry of Health’s role in limiting diseases, the limitations, NCD trends and NCD risk factors. We will also embrace the approach to disease prevention which has been proven to work.”
Additionally, the forum promotes collaboration in the rollout of initiatives such as Saint Lucia Moves, the Community-Based Programme (CBP), and Know Your Numbers, while enhancing participation from NGOs, workplaces, and wider communities in mitigating risk factors like sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diets.
Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs, Ernest Norbal, reinforced the necessity of collaboration, noting, “Collaboration is necessary for the implementation of policies, programmes, and interventions which will promote access to healthy foods, adequate physical activities, and lifestyle choices, especially for the most vulnerable in society.”
Highlighting the importance of public engagement and lifestyle changes, Physical Education Sports Specialist Selva Wilson emphasized, “It is a very important step to have persons onboard to help combat the challenges that we face with persons with NCDs and those who do not know that they have NCDs. If we can get the message out there, I figure more persons will be informed and it would be a great attempt in getting persons to make that lifestyle change.”
The consultation serves as a critical platform for addressing NCD prevention and control efforts in Saint Lucia, ensuring that multi-sectoral partnerships drive impactful and sustainable health outcomes for the nation.