The Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services will kick off its Health Promotion Campaign with the celebration of the 10th year anniversary of Caribbean Wellness Day (CWD) during the entire month of September 2017.
Caribbean Wellness Day is celebrated annually on the second Saturday in September throughout the Caribbean Region. This year it will be celebrated on the 9th of September. The aim of CWD is to increase awareness and promote activities to address the epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) e.g. cancers, hypertension and diabetes which continues to severely impact the health, economy, and development of the region.
Every year, the overall theme of Caribbean Wellness Day is “Love that body.” Aside from the overall theme, Caribbean Wellness Day also has a special theme each year. This year, the theme is “Securing a future generation through eating healthy and not smoking” with a slogan “Be fresh, be cool, reduce the risk” with a focus on youth ages 15 – 29.
Recognizing the threat posed by NCDs, the CARICOM Heads of Government outlined key strategies to prevent, control and reduce NCDs through the life course. This includes the need to improve nutrition and increase physical activity in the entire population, especially among children and youth.
The Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services joins CARICOM in their efforts to promote healthy lifestyles and eradicate NCDs. The Ministry recognizes that all individuals have a responsibility when it comes to healthy living and wants to encourage all individuals in the Turks and Caicos Islands to make a least one lifestyle change during the month of September.
Activities planned for Turks and Caicos Islands for Caribbean Wellness during the month of September are as follows:
Thursday, 31st August – Official announcement from the Minister of Health, Agriculture and Human Services opening the month of September Nationwide as Caribbean Wellness Month including all health promotion events and activities planned for the month.
Thursday, 31st August – Announcement of Shopping Basket Cook-off in Grand Turk (for teams including Government departments, private organizations, churches, civic groups, NGOs, etc.) – who will use five ingredients selected by the Ministry, plus any optional extra ingredients that they may have in their own store cupboards at home to prepare a healthy dish as a team. Each team will compete against other teams on their island, and a panel of judges will award 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes. The competition will rotate from island to island.
A Press Conference in Providenciales on the 7th to announce Caribbean Wellness Day and upcoming health promotion week to address risk factors associated with NCDs. During the week following CWD, the Ministry encourages all individuals in the TCI to make a least one lifestyle change.
1st – 30th September – A Caribbean Wellness “Love that body” health promotion message will be played daily on multiple radio stations throughout the day. See enclosed sample list of messages.
9th September – Caribbean Wellness Day, will signify the start of health fairs that will be held on the islands of Grand Turk, Providenciales, South Caicos and North Caicos. Mini fairs and clinics will be held on Salt Cay and Middle Caicos.
There will be mini health clinics, fairs and talks on the islands of Middle Caicos and Salt Cay – members of the community will be invited to come to the clinic for a full physical examination. Also, health personnel will conduct community outreach to visit those who may not come to the clinic. Additionally, on the same day, mini health fair and talks will be held with community residents to discuss health promotion, risk factors for NCDs, and chronic disease management.
Caribbean Wellness Days – As a nation, we will celebrate health promotion by addressing a risk factor of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, etc. on each day of the week:
11th September – Mental Health Monday
12th September – Take a Fruit to Work/School Day
13th September – Drink Water Wednesday
14th September – Walk, Run, Cycle (Fitness) Thursday
15th September – Rest and Relaxation Friday
