Call to Action Again

St Vincent and the Grenadines has mastered the art of being hot and sweaty as well as the stop and startphenomena about many things.

We are often quick at the draw to respond to well-presented and packaged ideas, only for fervour and hype to dissipate in an instance, leaving behind the whiff of memories in the trail.

One such that has come and gone in a whimper is the observance of Caribbean Wellness Day, whereby St Vincent and the Grenadines joined the rest of the region to pay attention to persons’ health and wellbeing, as it relates to Non – Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

This CARICOM initiative in 2007, followed a decision by the Conference of Heads of Governments with their declaration, “Uniting to Stop the Epidemic of Chronic Non- Communicable Diseases”.

After the initial years, that has gone flat here in St Vincent and the Grenadines with a deafening silence.

Hence, the designated day, the second Saturday in September, goes by unnoticed, notwithstanding that in 2022 there was the massive launch “Vincy Moves”.

Well conceptualized and meant, Vincy Moves sought to pool together health districts, sports associations, fitness and walking groups, operators of gyms, interest groups, and communities in forging and sustaining movement for healthy living.

Again, that too slowly walked off in style, with not much being heard of the movement per se, from a governmental standpoint.

This is against the realities that persons with self-interest are getting in their movements, but there needs to be that zip from our policy makers to reignite Vincy Moves.

Our sporting clubs, national associations, federations, unions by their mere mandates, are promoting wellness and physical engagements via their operations.

Too, ever so often, the country is a hive with the staging of wellness walks, glow runs, fitness walks, you name it- St Vincent and the Grenadines over the years has experienced its full share and diet of these events.

Church groups are getting into the act, likewise the St Vincent and the Grenadines Olympic Committee with its hosting of a Sports Fair recently, is endeavouring to bring to light the need for Vincentians in this instance, be more active.

Surveys and reports are showing that St Vincent and the Grenadines continues to rack up high numbers on diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases, kidney diseases, cancers and strokes.

These debilitating incidences are often highlighted with no serious and structured approach towards preventative actions.

Therefore, figures are collated from these investigative surveys, assessments done, and the findings are made through reports.

But invariably, that is the end point of all the processes. Then, when there is a spike in NCDs, the replay takes effect again.

Beyond the statistics, there are other factors that are combatting the fight for a healthier St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Among the forced predicaments is the increase in the number of motor vehicles in the country being imported with an alarming regularity.

Evidently, the luxury of being able to move to and from one’s destination takes precedence over health ramifications. Undoubtedly, we are in a quandary, as the lure of what is proposed as nice food and best lifestyles through the medium of advertisements, creates another distortion.

The task is huge for St Vincent and the Grenadines to excavate its position. However, there should be that political will emerging from those with the clout and guiders of the national pathway to rally St Vincent and the Grenadines into a more physically active and health-conscious country.

A resetting of the apparatus and the co-ordination through the conduit of the education system and the health sector must be the preferred route.

Then, we can really and truly boast that a healthier nation is a wealthier nation.