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<p><strong>&nbsp;</strong>The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis is set to
launch SKN Moves, an initiative that is geared towards promoting healthy
lifestyles and combating Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).</p>
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<p>SKN Moves, which was launched on Friday, August
09, forms part of a regional initiative, <strong><em>Caribbean Moves </em></strong>– a re-energizing
and intensification of the health promotion efforts through creative and
innovative multi-sectoral collaboration.</p>
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<p>Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime
Minister, Andrew Skerritt, and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hazel Laws, appeared
on “Working for You” on Wednesday, August 07, to speak about the health
initiative. Dr. Laws noted that the initiative is important for several
reasons—one of the major reasons is helping to combat NCDs.</p>
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<p><em>“This
initiative is very important because Non-Communicable Diseases is critical, is
a big problem Caribbean-wide and in our Federation. Three out of four deaths in
the English-speaking Caribbean can be attributed to NCDs,” said Dr. Laws. “And
let’s bring the picture closer home. When you look at our statistics coming out
of the Ministry of Health as much as 83 percent of our deaths are as a result
of cancers, heart diseases/attacks, strokes… and the complications of
diabetes.”</em></p>
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<p>Permanent Secretary Skerritt shared similar
sentiments and noted that it is important for persons to practice healthy
lifestyles.</p>
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<p><em>“Chronic Non
Communicable Diseases are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the
Federation. We don’t want to outspend ourselves. We want to have a sustainable
form of healthcare. It costs a lot to treat diabetes, hypertension, strokes,
build renal facilities,” he said. “So, if we can encourage change through
physical activity, through healthier dieting habits, through knowing your
status… these things are quite important.”</em></p>
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<p>&nbsp;Skerritt
noted that the initiative was pioneered by Dr Christopher Tufton, Jamaica’s
Minister of Health, who then introduced it to the wider CARICOM Heads of
Government.</p>
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<p>Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis,
Dr.Timothy Harris, who is the CARICOM lead head with respect to Health and
Human Resource, is definitely leading by example. He has extended an invitation
to Dr. Tufton, to be a part of the launch in St. Kitts and Nevis.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Caribbean Moves</em></strong><em>,</em> was launched in 2018 by several CARICOM Heads
of Government. This initiative will build on the experience of the <em>Jamaica Moves</em> initiative which creates a
movement that promotes physical activity, healthy eating and age-appropriate
health checks at the level of the school, workplace and community. It will
contribute to one of the goals of the CARICOM Heads of Government to change the
Caribbean culture towards a lifestyle of regular physical activity and
healthier diets.</p>
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