PM Terrance Drew addresses Ministry of Health’s first NCDs conference

St Kitts and Nevis: Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis Dr Terrance Drew delivered a keynote address at the Ministry of Health’s first National Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) conference on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. 

The conference started on February 7 and will be held till February 9, 2023. PM Terrance Drew took to Facebook and shared glimpses of the conference in which he could be seen outlining some aspects of health-related matters. 

He cited, “Today I gave a presentation at the Ministry of Health’s first National Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) Conference at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.” 

The conference was also attended by various government officials, representatives from non-governmental organizations and the private sector. “The conference will be held from February 7-9 and includes government officials, representatives from non-governmental organizations and the private sector, “he noted. 

The conference will feature a discussion on various diseases, health challenges and noncommunicable diseases. The experts will also outline the ways to improve the health structure and infrastructure of St Kitts and Nevis. 

Participants will be asked to review and discuss the incidences of NCDs in St. Kitts and Nevis and seek the most effective ways to address them.

Non communicable Diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, are a major health challenge globally, regionally, and locally. The government, private sector, civil society, and regional and international health partners must collaborate and adopt an integrated approach in response to the major noncommunicable diseases, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and mental and substance abuse disorders.

Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew also emphasized the significance of the science and use of advanced techniques in the health sectors. He asked to implement sustainable interventions to address risk factors in the health sector. 

He cited, “We need to be guided by science and data in funding and implementing sustainable interventions that address the NCDs and their cross-cutting risk factors including-unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, obesity, alcohol use, tobacco use, air pollution as well as the socio-economic and environmental determinants of health.”