EDITORIAL

The time for collective action is now

THERE is a need for Barbados to go beyond the discussions about the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in our country.

It is a debate that has gone on for a number of years, yet the figures we continue to hear about incidences of NCDs such as heart disease, diabetes and strokes are becoming frightening.

As a country we have to do better, bearing in the mind the loss of many of our citizens – some in the prime of their lives – to NCDs and obesity, and the enormous financial costs in treating these issues at a time of slender Government resources.

On Friday, our Prime Minister, The Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, dealt with the subject during her address at a United Nations High Level Meeting in New York on the prevention and control of NCDs. That meeting, importantly enough, had as its goal the undertaking of a comprehensive review of the global and
national progress achieved in putting measures in place that protect people from NCDs.

According to her, “If we want to win this battle as we have done with our diseases in our history, then the time for collective action is now.”

We agree!

Prior to Ms. Mottley’s address, Professor Anne St. John, Director of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados, gave a timely reminder as to what precautions the country needs to take to ensure that “the school environment does not contribute to the ever increasing epidemic of obesity and overweight in children”.

At that same function, the country heard about statistics outlining the prevalence of overweight and elevated blood pressure in 600 Class three students. It was pointed out that genetic or hereditary factors play a role for some overweight and obese children and adults, but most are affected because of numerous external or environmental actors.

In Barbados, it was further revealed, these developments are directly linked to relative new cultural changes, such as changes in diets to calorie dense refined foods high in salt, refined sugars, cholesterol, trans fat and saturated fat in immense proportions, disproportionate for age.

Having listened to this assessment of what Barbados faces, then it is a battle, as was pointed out by the Prime Minister in her address in New York. Now comes the real issue as to how the authorities and the policy makers in Barbados can play an active role in cutting down on those things which affect the dietary habits of Barbadians and those who are at risk of NCDs.

The Prime Minister said her Government is considering the implementation of Health and Wellness Grants to those who have changed their lifestyles to exercise and improve their diets.

It must be recognised that some people are already trying to confront the problem. They can be seen exercising at the Garrison, near the Gymnasium, at the beaches and even on the highways.

The authorities could also institute a policy, if that has not been done already, where they monitor what is sold outside the school gates, and instruct parents what should be consumed by their wards.

Barbados has the ability to beat this problem, and it must.

Barbados Advocate

Mailing Address:
Advocate Publishers (2000) Inc
Fontabelle, St. Michael, Barbados

Phone: (246) 467-2000
Fax: (246) 434-2020 / (246) 434-1000