Following the recent launch of the “Saint Lucia Moves” campaign, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs issued a call to individuals to remain active and strive for improved health.

The Saint Lucia Moves campaign is aimed at reducing the burden of NCDs by encouraging individuals and organisations to promote and support healthy behaviors through various interventions.

Senior Medical Officer for Non-Communicable Diseases NCDs Dr. Shana Cyr-Philbert encouraged Saint Lucians to keep moving.

“As we launch the Saint Lucia Moves campaign, we commit to move; to move forward. We commit to change. We commit to progress and a positive journey towards wellness.”

Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Jenny Daniel believes the St. Lucia Moves campaign will play a significant part in taking steps towards ensuring overall wellness of citizens.

“Today, we also launch our St. Lucia Moves campaign which is the most visible and key component of our journey towards overall national wellness. Whereas, physical activity is an essential component of wellness, we would like to emphasis that exercise does not single ally equate wellness by any means at all, but rather that wellness encompasses a holistic approach towards healthy and positive lifestyles and living that extends beyond the life span, however it is a start. The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs therefore invites you to embark on this journey with us as we rebuild our national health profile and health sector.”

Minister for Health Hon. Moses Jn Baptiste says he is extremely grateful for the campaign which demonstrates the dedication towards taking action against the impacts of NCDs.

“The aim of St. Lucia moves is to get Saint Lucians physically active to combat conditions like obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. We extend an invitation to all Saint Lucians to get even more serious about health and wellness. I invite all organizations whether religious or sporting, business or recreational, all of us; get active. Let us change the way in which we work and play. Remain active. Let us keep St. Lucia moving.”

The St. Lucia Moves campaign serves as part of the Caribbean Moves initiative which calls for regional commitment focused on tackling NCDs through preventative actions.

Officials within the Ministry of Health also participated in the Caribbean Moves launch which was held at Emancipation Park in Kingston, Jamaica on September 14th.

During this activity, Saint Lucia was recognized for its recent launch of the Saint Lucia moves campaign ahead of the launch of Caribbean Moves.