Saint Lucia implements an action plan to reduce the prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases in the country.
The PAN American Health Organization (PAHO) recently held a two-day consultation in Saint Lucia, on chronic non-communicable diseases.
The National Stakeholders Consultation on Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases Policy and Multi-Sectoral Action Plan brought together a cross section of participants from the ministries of Agriculture, Education, Health, and Social Transformation; the Saint Lucia Blind Welfare Association, the Diabetes and Hypertension Association, faith based organizations and the Lung and Heart Association.
Julieta Joseph, Assistant Principal Nursing Officer in the Ministry of Health said chronic non-communicable diseases is the leading cause of death in Saint Lucia.
“Diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular illnesses, cancers and other upper respiratory diseases like asthma are the leading causes of death in Saint Lucia, cancer being the most common, while almost eight percent of the population has diabetes.
“The collaboration of all ministries and organizations coming together to combat this national problem can result in positive outcomes for Saint Lucia. We may not be able to make non-communicable diseases disappear, although that is our goal, but we can reduce the incidence and prevalence of them in Saint Lucia.”
Dr. Tomo Kanda, PAHO’s Advisor on non-communicable diseases said the prevention and control of such diseases does not reside solely with the Ministry of Health, but requires the cooperation, partnership and commitment of other stakeholders. Saint Lucia has seen increasing morbidity rates due to non-communicable diseases, she added, particularly because of unhealthy food, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption and tobacco.
The multi-sectoral action plan will focus on four major strategic lines of action: surveillance;
the coordination, partnership, and management of the program; the reduction of risk factors and improvement of protective factors; and the health system’s response to non-communicable diseases.
It is expected that the final Policy And Multi-Sectoral Action Plan will soon be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers for approval.
The workshop was held at the Cardinal Kelvin Felix Pastoral Centre on April 27 – 28.
