Caribbean Wellness Day celebrated across region

Caribbean: The Caribbean region commemorated Caribbean Wellness Day 2023 on September 9, Saturday. In this regard, all the Caribbean countries wished the general public and raised awareness about healthy lifestyles and well-being.

The health ministries and authorities of the Caribbean region took social media handles to wish the public.

Considerably, the authorities of St Kitts and Nevis mentioned, “In observation of Caribbean Wellness Day 2023 on Saturday, September 09, the Governor-General of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dame Marcella Liburd, hosted individuals at Government House for an afternoon of calming, peaceful and rejuvenating yoga exercises.”

It added, “The exercise was facilitated by Imagine Yoga. Along with this, it also shared the objectives of Caribbean Wellness Day.”

In addition to this, Saint Lucia’s Health Ministry mentioned, “The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs is continuing its observance of Caribbean Wellness Day with the hosting of two Family Fun Days on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at the Vieux-Fort Square and Saturday, September 23, 2023, at the La- Clery Playing Field. Both activities will run from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. All are invited to attend and participate in the several planned activities and sessions.”

Furthermore, Trinidad and Tobago also joined hands with other countries to send greetings on the Caribbean Wellness Day 2023.

“Caribbean Wellness Day is celebrated by CARICOM countries on the second Saturday in September and forms part of the Region’s strategy to promote health and prevent and control the rates of Non-Communicable Diseases or NCDs,” the health ministry of the Caribbean country stated.

In addition to this, the authorities mentioned that the concept for Caribbean Wellness Day was agreed upon at the Regional Summit on Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) held on September 15, 2007, in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, under the theme “Stemming the Tide of Non-Communicable Diseases in the Caribbean.” The Regional Summit was historic, and its outcome document is called the Port of Spain Declaration.

Over the years, CARICOM Member States have worked towards enhancing the awareness of their populations on the threat posed by NCDs to their health and well-being. The overall theme for the celebration of Caribbean Wellness Day over the period 2020 – 2024 is “Power through Collective Action.”

Moreover, Montserrat wished, “It’s Caribbean Wellness Day! This year, we celebrate under the theme “The Care We Need: At Work, At School, At Home.” What is the care you need? Be an active participant in your health and advocate for the care you need. #CWD2023.”

Along with this, the authorities of Guyana also wished to public and shared information about Guyana’s joining its CARICOM member states to commemorate Caribbean Wellness Day and Caribbean Wellness Week under the theme: ‘Power through Collective Action with the sub-theme “The Care We Need: At Work, At School, At Home”.

As per the update, the activity was attended by over 400 persons, including top government officials, members of the diplomatic corp and our private sector partners.

The feature address was delivered by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health Malcolm Watkins, who, in his speech, advocated for Guyanese to practice healthy lifestyles to prevent Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).