
Acknowledging the NIC’s concerns regarding the provision of a robust safety net of social security, the entity asserts its commitment: It refuses to be a bystander and will lead the charge in driving the population towards better health and wellness.
Importantly, the WHO estimates that around 80% of NCDs are preventable.
To tackle this pressing issue, the NIC is focused on three critical fronts:
– Education to promote a healthy lifestyle.
– Encouraging and facilitating physical activity.
– Influencing policy direction.
NIC Director Matthew Mathurin firmly stated that education will be a primary focus. “Our subconscious has been manipulated by mass marketing towards food choices and habits that undermine both our health and our finances. To achieve optimal health, the public must be armed with information that enables easy, readily available, and cost-effective interventions.”
Key areas where information is vital include:
– Food information: Understanding what, how, and when to eat to manage the gut microbiome for optimal health.
– The microbiome is recognized as the new frontier in modern medicine.
– The benefits of fasting, particularly Intermittent Fasting.
– The significance of physical exercise—not just during carnival time or the first two weeks of New Year’s resolutions.
Hippocrates, widely regarded as the “Father of Western Medicine,” made critical pronouncements almost 2500 years ago (in Greek):
– All diseases start in the gut.
– Let food be our medicine, and our medicine be our food.
– Positive health requires knowledge of human constitution and the benefits of various foods. Eating alone is insufficient for health; exercise is also essential. If there’s any deficiency in food or exercise, the body will become ill.
– Just as food can cause chronic disease, it can also serve as a powerful cure. While we cannot dictate what people eat or drink, we will educate them to make informed decisions regarding their diet, exercise, and lifestyle.
The NIC director declared, “This education programme is designed to target the population from kindergarten through to retirement homes.”
On the physical activity front, Mathurin asserted, “We will actively encourage greater participation in physical activity. To this end, the NIC plans to install up to 30 outdoor fitness gyms in communities throughout the island.”
Currently, there are three gyms in operation, with plans for 18 more by December 2026 and an additional 12 as demand arises. This initiative will be bolstered by certification training for local fitness coaches who will execute age-appropriate programs in their respective communities.
To date, 22 coaches have been certified.
Regarding policy advocacy, Mathurin emphasised, “We will influence national policies, regulations, and laws to incentivize and support NCD prevention and control. This will involve collaborating with relevant entities, especially government ministries, departments, and agencies.”
The NIC director stated, “Our ultimate aim is to transform the mindset from focusing on sick care (akin to repairing a car) to prioritizing healthcare (akin to regularly servicing that car); we aim to implement measures that significantly reduce doctors’ visits and hospital admissions, focusing on prevention rather than correction, thereby promoting wellness and well-being.”
In summary, NCDs lead to elevated healthcare costs, productivity losses, a rise in the need for expensive long-term care, and hinder social and economic growth.
Mathurin asserted, “The NIC will take a leading role in addressing NCDs to stem the tide of premature deaths, improve productivity, and critically reduce the risk to the NIC from the soaring Sickness Benefit claims.”
He added, “Through a collaborative approach, targeted advocacy, and the invaluable guidance of Dr. Stephen King and his highly qualified NCD Committee, we will not only stem the growth but also reverse the trajectory of NCDs in Saint Lucia.”