NCDs Commission makes first appearance at Health Expo
By Kipenie Jordan
DPI, Guyana, Friday, June 7, 2019
The Presidential Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Commission, established in 2014, for the first time has made an appearance at the Health Expo being hosted at the Sophia Exhibition Complex. The commission has a booth at the event.
Commissioner, Dr. Holly Alexander explained the commission’s role: “This is a commission that was organised and founded by Cabinet who made a decision to have this presidential commission, after a Port of Spain declaration by CARICOM and we are following the mandate of having that body that looks into the interest of non-communicable diseases, so that our people can be healthy.”
The declaration was passed in 2007 where it was first mandated that Governments across the Caribbean organise National Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) Commissions.
Dr. Alexander added, the commission will be looking at policies surrounding NCDs and the risk factors. The commission is also tasked with advising the Public Health Minister on ways to deal with NCDs.
Technical Officer of the Chronic Diseases Unit (CDU), Dr. Michael Pereira said his unit is responsible for the treatment and management of chronic illnesses. The most common are, diabetes, chronic lung diseases, cancer and hypertension.
At the expo, learning about these diseases was not just in ‘black and white’, interactive sessions were hosted, in the form of games, to ensure all who visited the booth went away informed and willing to reduce their intake of unhealthy foods.
Dr. Pereira said the booth aims to promote the ABCDE of being healthy, A: Avoid Alcohol, B: Be physically active, C: Cut down on salt and sugar, D: Don’t use tobacco products and E: Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Visiting the booths, 63-year-old Joyce Caddle and 19-year-old Abiola Alexander were attending the Health Expo for the first time.
Alexander shared that she has learned a lot about cutting down on her salt and sugar intake and believes she is now in a position to educate others on the importance of healthy lifestyle choices. “Watch what they’re eating, not everything that looks good and tastes good are good for your body, choose a more health-conscious way.”
Caddle commended the Public Health Ministry on hosting the fair. She heard of the event via television and radio advertisements.
After this year, Health Expo will become a bi-annual event.
Images: Giovanni Gajie