Wellness goes beyond long talk

The Vincentian leg of the launch, the trappings, the fanfare of what is really a Caricom initiative, Wellness Day, was generally a success.

Those responsible for the activities at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex last Saturday must be commended for at least trying to bring, in a single setting, together, most of the strands perceived about wellness.{{more}}

Whilst the theme tries to encompass the entire human being, the Mind, Body and Spirit, there seems to be down playing on the emphasis on the latter, the spiritual aspect, which in my opinion is the most important element in the exercise.

Unless this component is in tact, the others will fall by the way.

And, today, more than ever, the region is in need of spiritual wellness, as a precursor to find ways to combat those who are spiritually malnourished. This deficiency has given rise to the many social ills that we face.

Here, we are not exempted.

The proliferation of young men, especially in Kingstown, engaged in the sale of fruits is a step in the right direction, as many try to earn a decent and honest living away from the temptations of the fast dollar, but at the same time encouraging us to eat healthily. But that is a drop in the bucket, as we endeavour to give hope to the hopeless.

The challenge is on to ensure such a programme of wellness achieves its desired goals of taking actions against the chronic Non-Communicable Diseases.

The initiative is everyone’s business, but is compounded with hill climbs by the inherent nature of man to be disobedient.

And, as the authorities declare war on the NCD’s, the hurdles are being fixed in some instances.

At the schools’ level, students are still being bombarded with carbonated drinks and other junk, while the school feeding programmes find it fit to serve some innutritious food with regularity.

There are also principals who are reluctant to have students indulge in more moral education, while others, and teachers alike, use deprivation of Physical Education as a form of punishment.

Hope is a gamble that the misinformed get the message soonest.

But as we move forward, this national awareness must not be seen as a platform for politicians to “pamperset” about its introduction, but genuinely seek to have Vincentians lead lives which in the long run will result in a more productive nation.

Neither should it be used as a political whip over those who do not see the relevance of such an awareness campaign.

It is immaterial at this point under whose reign of power the awareness was launched, but suffice to say it is a meaningful one.

Instead we should be aiming to see our local labour force being more alert on the jobs, ready to go the extra mile, extend more pleasantries and up their overall work ethic.

Maybe work places could start setting aside a few minutes each day for the building of that spiritual side of the man as well as some physical and mental exercises.

The challenge is also on for the government authorities to do the balancing act, as while they promote the initiative, one has to keep in mind the economic juggling that goes with it.

Can governments forgo the returns from taxes on alcohol and tobacco in the interest of wellness?

Do we have that political will to bring laws against smoking in public places?

This awareness also puts a strain on the maintenance of health facilities and top class delivery of health care, as we must now practice what we preach.

Likewise, with the rising cost of food, how far can the hands of compromise be extended?

It was good to hear the Prime Minister conceding that the several playing fields around the state must be unloosed by the administrative stranglehold. But we are waiting anxiously to see the follow-up.

By the same token, the casual or brisk walkers who choose the early mornings, or the late afternoons, to keep their bodies in shape, should be protected by legislation against dog attacks.

The awareness has just begun, the revolution will come later down the road, when we definitely see a complete turn around in the attitude of our people about their lifestyles.

But the community of Sion Hill needs a revolution to get rid of that “Mound” at its playing field.

email: kingroache@yahoo.com