VFCSS Students Take Charge at Health Expo

Students of the Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School (VFCSS) recently made a significant impact at a Health Expo, where they actively promoted Healthy Living.

Health authorities are firmly committed to combating chronic illnesses and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), starting from the school level.

In this context, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs is decisively delivering the message of healthy living to the youth of Saint Lucia.

On September 12, VFCSS students set aside their books for an entire day dedicated to health and wellness activities, joining the rest of the region to celebrate Caribbean Wellness Day 2025.

Under the banner of the Saint Lucia Moves campaign, this initiative seamlessly combined education with enjoyable activities to empower students to take control of their health. The event included a Caribbean Wellness Day-themed assembly, featuring a health expo and outdoor sporting challenges that emphasized physical activity, nutrition, mental well-being, and substance-use prevention.

Dr. Shana Cyr-Philbert, Senior Medical Officer responsible for NCDs and Mental Health, stressed that young people are central to the Ministry’s strategy in addressing NCDs, pointing out that schools provide the ideal environment for instilling positive lifestyle choices that have lasting effects.

“Today, we celebrate Caribbean Wellness Day through the Saint Lucia Moves initiative. It is an excellent opportunity to align our goals with these significant days and initiatives,” stated Dr. Cyr-Philbert.

“We are determined to inspire our youth, our future, to embrace healthy lifestyle choices, engage in physical activity, maintain healthy diets, and avoid substance abuse,” she added.

Dr. Cyr-Philbert acknowledged the students’ enthusiasm and their crucial role in communicating these messages to their peers through the Saint Lucia Moves initiative.

“We are reaching out to schools because we recognize that foundational changes start with our youth. We are dedicated to empowering them to make decisions that will have a lifelong impact on NCD prevention and control,” she affirmed.

Collin Elliot, a Family Life Educator from the Health Education and Communications Unit, endorsed the initiative, highlighting its timely reminder of the importance of adopting healthy lifestyle practices, particularly in a generation facing increased risks of chronic illnesses.

“We set up a booth with comprehensive brochures covering diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, and breast cancer,” he explained. The initiative also featured a ‘spin the wheel’ activity designed to engage students and encourage physical challenges.

Elliot emphasized the significance of this activity, stating, “We are witnessing a concerning rise in diabetes and hypertension among young people, making it crucial to tap into their potential early and energize them about physical education.”

The VFCSS Faculty and Staff expressed their deep gratitude for the Ministry’s efforts in embedding these essential life lessons within the school environment, asserting that “the message will resonate well for our students, not just here but beyond these walls.”

With education, engagement, and empowerment at the forefront of this year’s celebration of Caribbean Wellness Day, the Ministry of Health is actively sowing the seeds for a healthier generation: one student, one school, and one community at a time.