Caribbean Wellness Day reports strong community participation
Government Information Service - Friday, September 24th, 2010 at 10:32 AM
Friday, September 24 – The Health Promotion Unit is reporting a successful Caribbean Wellness Day with strong community support and participation.
Ms. Ivy George, Coordinator of Health Promotion Services in the Ministry of Health and Social Development stated, “The event was well received and is on its way to being community-based”.
She added, “We tried to reach as many communities as possible and we are pleased to have had community participation from eight out of nine districts, including the addition of districts four and six who are new to the programme.”
Under the theme “Love that Body”, community oriented events were organised throughout the participating districts. These included health educational sessions, exercise demonstrations, men’s basketball games, health walks and screenings.
The Coordinator of Health Promotion Services commended each community and district health and wellness committee for taking ownership of their events. She said, “Each district planned their own events for Caribbean Wellness Day and added their distinct flavour to it.”
Highlights included Sea Cows Bay, where students at the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School were encouraged to make healthier drink choices with a “Drink Your Fruit and Vegetables Day” organised by the district three health and wellness committee.
Longstanding participants, the district two health and wellness committee, opened its event with a morning walk, followed by a community breakfast and educational displays which focused on bush medicines and a historical research paper on the district.
In East End and Long Look, the men in the community were targeted for health education sessions. On the sister islands, the Jost Van Dyke health and wellness committee reported 30 persons participating in its health walk and launch of its weight reduction program. In Anegada, 12 persons also participated in a health walk which will continue on a monthly basis.
Ms. George expressed sincere gratitude to all district coordinators, committee members and participants as well as to Body Images Gym and Cutting Edge Gym for helping to make Caribbean Wellness Day in the Virgin Islands a success. She advised that the Health Promotion Unit will continue to spearhead initiatives to promote healthy lifestyles and healthy communities. Caribbean Wellness Day was first observed around the region in 2007.
The day is observed annually on the second Saturday in September to showcase national and community oriented activities to promote healthy living and encourage community members to develop healthy lifestyle practices. These include regular physical exercise, eating healthy foods, advocating for smoke-free environments and safe spaces for physical activities.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development aspires to provide leadership that promotes health, social wellbeing, and a safe environment as positive resources for living and sustainable development of the Virgin Islands.
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