Regional Consultation on Caribbean Moves Underway

The region is moving closer towards the implementation of Caribbean Moves, an initiative aimed at reducing the burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

The first of a two-day Regional Consultation on the Framework for the Caribbean Moves Initiative was held on Tuesday (October 24) at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston.

The consultation, hosted by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), is focused on presenting the major components of the proposed Caribbean Moves Framework, developed by the Caribbean Training and Education Center (C-TECH).

It also seeks to provide an overview of the proposed governance structure, gain stakeholder input and buy-in, and collaboratively develop an implementation plan.

Caribbean Moves was conceptualised and received the endorsement of CARICOM Heads in 2018, against the background of NCDs accounting for 70 per cent of all deaths in the region.

It models Jamaica Moves, which engages all sectors of society in behaviours aimed at NCD prevention and control, such as physical activity, healthy eating and routine health checks.

In his keynote address, Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, said NCDs “are public enemy number one”, noting that Caribbean Moves can lead to a better region, once people see and adopt the initiative as a lifestyle.

“Noncommunicable diseases are linked to the lifestyle choices that we make, and so [Caribbean Moves] is an intervention that is necessary,” he underscored.

In her opening remarks, CARPHA’s Executive Director, Dr. Joy St. John, said she was pleased to be at the consultation stage of the process.

“What we must do over the coming days, is to ensure the sustainability of this unique product. This is a Heads of Government-approved initiative and a tangible way of involving people in their communities in achieving optimal health and wellbeing, in fulfillment of the Port-of-Spain Declaration,” Dr. St. John pointed out.

In 2007, CARICOM held the first global summit of Heads of Government on NCD prevention and control and issued the landmark Declaration of Port-of-Spain: Uniting to Stop the Epidemic of Chronic NCDs.

Dr. St. John said the goal is to leave the two-day consultation with a “clear implementation plan”, which will enable the region to provide coordination, technical and executional support for each country’s launch.

Meanwhile, CARICOM Secretariat Director of Human Development, Helen Royer, commended Member States launching their national Caribbean Moves initiatives.

Ms. Royer pointed out that the consequences of NCDs on Caribbean countries are significant and multifaceted.

“The impact does not only include increased mortality rates and reduced quality of life for affected individuals, but it places an economic burden on countries that affects healthcare systems and national budgets [due to] increased healthcare expenditure and lost productivity,” she pointed out.

Ms. Royer said comprehensive prevention strategies targetting risk factors and promoting healthy lifestyles are required to address the problem.

The regional consultation is being attended by chief medical officers, regional NCD coordinators, public health promotion coordinators, behaviour change and nutrition specialists, among other stakeholders.