The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment is strengthening the response to the rising scourge of non-communicable diseases here in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).{{more}}

In this regard, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Ministry will convene a one-week training workshop on Chronic Diseases Self-Management during the period September 26-30, 2016, at the Administrative Building in Bequia, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily. Participants will be drawn from Bequia, Canouan and Union Island.

According to a release from the Ministry, the training is designed to empower persons in the Grenadines living with chronic diseases, e.g hypertension, diabetes etc, as well as persons who can assist someone with chronic diseases to manage and live a better life, by providing the necessary skills in mastering the symptoms of these lifestyle diseases.

The training will focus primarily on three major underlying skills related to chronic diseases self-management. These include action planning, decision making and problem solving skills. Participants will learn more about these skills and, in turn, will be motivated to teach others to enhance their ability to manage their chronic conditions through this programme.

The facilitators will be Dr Tomo Kanda, PAHO advisor on Chronic Diseases and Mental Health, and Rosemary Muckett, Community Nutrition officer in the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment.