PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- Caribbean Wellness Day (CWD) will be observed across the region on Saturday, September 13, reminding Caribbean communities to take action and maintain healthy lifestyles under the theme ‘Engage, Empower, Elevate: Working Together to Improve Health and Well-being for All.’
CWD is also about promoting collectively good health and well-being of the whole of society, the Collective Prevention Service (CPS), a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (Ministry VSA) said.
The burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the Caribbean has reached epidemic proportions, representing one of the most significant public health and economic challenges facing the region.
With NCDs like cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes accounting for over 75% of all deaths, the region has one of the highest rates of premature mortality from these conditions in the world.
This crisis is fueled by a number of behavioral risk factors, including unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption.
The high prevalence of NCDs places a tremendous strain on healthcare systems, which are often ill-equipped to manage the long-term, chronic nature of these illnesses, thereby impeding progress toward universal health coverage.
Beyond the human toll, NCDs exact a profound economic cost on Caribbean nations. The direct costs from healthcare expenditures, coupled with the indirect costs from lost productivity due to absenteeism, disability, and premature death, are estimated to be between 1.36% and 8% of the region's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
NCDs are prevalent in Sint Maarten, and CPS uses its annual Health Observance Calendar (HOC), which highlights Caribbean Wellness Day, as well as raising awareness about NCDs that impact the community, such as hypertension, diabetes, prostate cancer, and breast cancer.
CPS is urging all citizens to assess their eating habits and behaviors to identify areas for improvement and prevent chronic diseases.
Many cancers are attributable to lifestyles acquired while persons mature from youngsters to the aged (adulthood). Changes made to poor dietary practices and a lack of activity, such as exercise, can greatly improve a person's health outcomes and overall wellness.
CPS encourages members of the community to consult with their family physician or other health-related organizations to learn more about healthy lifestyles and take action to improve their overall wellness.
CPS also encourages residents to participate and get involved in promoting health and wellness in their neighborhoods. Influencing positive lifestyle changes is achieved by working together to improve community and individual health.
The CARICOM Heads of Summit on Chronic Diseases in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, September 2007, established Caribbean Wellness Day.
Caribbean Wellness Day is observed every year on the second Saturday of September.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset continued its strong commitment to maternal and child health by distributing 100 maternity baskets to new and expectant mothers at the hospitals on both the Dutch and French sides of the island. This meaningful initiative, carried out during July and August, reflects the Club’s dedication to supporting vulnerable families and strengthening partnerships with local healthcare institutions. The first distribution took place at the St. Maarten Medical Center (Dutch side), followed by the second at the Centre Hospitalier Louis-Constant Fleming (French side), with each hospital receiving 50 baskets. The baskets, filled with essential items for newborns and mothers, were donated to assist families in need as they begin their journey into parenthood. In addition to the hospital distributions, the Club also had the privilege of personally presenting baskets to two expectant mothers, one on each side of the island, symbolizing the project’s direct impact on families within the community. “Maternal and child health is one of Rotary’s key areas of focus, and as a Club, we remain committed to making a positive impact in our community,” said Alex PIERRE, President of the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset.
“By donating these baskets, we hope to ease the transition for mothers in need and remind them that their community supports them.” The distribution on the French side further allowed members to connect with nurses, doctors, and hospital administrators, leading to constructive dialogue about future collaboration. The Club expressed its enthusiasm about the possibility of working closely with the hospital’s Managing Director on upcoming health-related initiatives. The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset also extended heartfelt thanks to its community partners, particularly Divico, Nagico, and St. Maarten Nectar, whose contributions made this year’s distribution possible. This initiative exemplifies Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self” by ensuring that families, regardless of which side of the island they reside on, receive the care, encouragement, and support they deserve at such a critical stage in life. About Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset: Chartered in 2018, the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset is one of the newest and fastest-growing Rotary Clubs in District 7020. The Club is dedicated to serving the community through impactful projects focused on Rotary International’s areas of focus, including maternal and child health, education, and economic development.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of VROMI (Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment & Infrastructure) informs the public that the current partial road closures on Cannegieter Street, from the intersection of Percy Labega Street to Manzanilla Steeg, will be extended to full nightly closures.