Acting CMO says local farming needed to improve health in BVI
The territory’s Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ronald Georges, says society needs to place greater focus on farming so the public can have better access to fresh and nutritious foods.
Dr. Georges acknowledged that it is each individual’s responsibility to improve their diet by avoiding processed and sugary foods, but said the government also has a role to play in making healthier options available to everyone.
“It’s important for us to have healthful, fresh and accessible foods at affordable prices. Everything in the Virgin Islands is expensive, and a lot of our food takes a long time to get here. So we either need to find shorter routes for the food to get here or promote our own agricultural production of fresh foods. That’s where I’d start,” Dr. Georges explained.
He revealed that the Health Ministry has developed the Eat Well Guide, which they want the public to study and incorporate into their daily lives.
The ministry will also use the guide to recommend a basket of foods to the government that should remain affordable, so the average person can access healthier options every day.
But beyond government and medical initiatives, Dr. Georges said Virgin Islanders must also abandon sedentary habits and commit to becoming more active.
“I know it’s hot, especially outside of the winter months. But on a daily basis, if you can program some physical activity—whether it’s walking around or taking a walk in the evening—that would help. Then two or three times a week, try to do some more intense physical activity. That, together with diet, would do well,” Dr. Georges urged.
He also encouraged the community to incorporate regular health screenings into their lifestyle, as they are a good way to detect early signs of both communicable and non-communicable diseases common in the Caribbean.
“You want to detect things that can be treated as early as possible. It’s better to detect pre-diabetes than diabetes. It’s better to detect an abnormal pap smear or HPV infection rather than cervical cancer. These are things people can do to have longer health spans, not just longer life spans,” said Dr. Georges.
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Government is dumping raw sewage in the sea off Slaney and dried sewage from Burt Point up in Pariquita Bay
What National governing agency should such infractions by this Government be reported . Our households’ lack of adequate water is another egregious act by the VI Government in violation of our Basic Human Right.
I not too long started a little garden in my backyard and what I have found is the fruits and vegetables I get from my yard actually taste better and last longer without spoiling than the same imported items bought from the supermarket. Most people don’t even know what they missing buying everything from the store is only when you have the two to compare you get to really see how much better locally grown really is.
He is so right I glad I don’t have money so God is good I plan my own food not a drop off water I put on them the rain coming in time and I only eat from my garden, I seen people buying hog food I call because the food that are calling not cook good or don’t taste good, Big up Happy lion good food
Put on suits, get on a staheand talkthe same shyte year in year out, collect a big check, live good while doing nothing tangoble for the OBESITY that is challenging the people.
Sadly, the BVI’s terrain is not suitable for large-scale commercial farming. Never has been and it’s foolish to think that farming can feed our community. But locally-grown food is infinitely more nutritious than the stuff bought at the supermarket, so it’s great advice, and fun, to tend your yard, plant food and enjoy local produce. Plus support those local farmers who do produce a surplus for sale to the public. it’s great stuff.