The Ministry of Health and Environment and Dominica by extension celebrate World Down Syndrome Day under the theme ‘My Voice, My Community’ by organizing a number of activities to raise awareness.
In a statement made by the Minister for Health and Environment, Dr. Kenneth Darroux, on Tuesday March 21st 2017, he said that the ministry is collaborating with the Down Syndrome Society Inc. to host various activities geared towards raising awareness and support for those with Down Syndrome.
This provides a voice to the voiceless population and facilitates the integration of these into the wider national economic agenda, according to Darroux.
In addition to this, Darroux said that persons with Down syndrome must be treated as equals in our society and must not be subject to belittlement.
“This year’s theme is a call to action for the recognition of the rights of persons who live with Down syndrome and it must be recognized by all, that persons with Down syndrome have the same basic human rights as other members of the community,” he said.
Darroux encourages the nation to know that Down Syndrome can affect anyone regardless of the present divisions, and so they need to be treated with dignity and respect.
“We observe International Down Syndrome Day, in my capacity as Minister for Health, I encourage the nation to recognize that Down Syndrome occurs in families regardless of social, economic, cultural, religious or racial background and persons with this condition need to be treated with dignity and respect and need to be embraced as citizens of our beautiful country,” he remarked.
In Dominica, there are a total number of fifty persons living with Down Syndrome.
In December 2011, the General Assembly declared 21 March as World Down Syndrome Day.
As a means of raising public awareness, the United Nations General Assembly decided, effective 2012, World Down Syndrome Day will be observed on 21 March each year.
All Member States, relevant organizations of the United Nations system and other international organizations, as well as civil society are encouraged to partake in the commemoration of this day.
Down Syndrome exists in all regions across the globe and although the condition commonly affects the learning styles and physical characteristics of individuals, many of them live long healthy lives.
Darroux it not altogether true that down Syndrome can affect all of us. If you are a medical doctor, in this case perhaps if you had taken a course in genetics you would not have spoken that crap, so here is medical, and scientific truth in regards to the disease : Down’s Syndrome is a congenial condition characterized by physical malformations, and some degree of mental retardation. The disorder was formerly known as mongolism because the patient’s facial characteristics resemble those of persons of the Mongolian race.
It is also called trisomy: Right here I want to introduce you to the scientific term “chromosome.” It is also called trisomy 21 syndrome because the disorder is concerned with a defect in Chromosome 21. Note Mr. quack, the cause of Down’s syndrome are not known. There is nevertheless, a relatively high incidence in children of mothers who are in the older child-bearing age, especially older than age 40. A particular type of Down’s syndrome that occurs in…
Continue Reading Mr. Quack:
A particular type of Down’s syndrome that occurs in children of younger mothers seems to have a tendency to occur in certain families. That would indicate hereditary Mr, Quack! so how can it affect anyone of us?
The term trisomy refers to the presence of three representative chromosomes in a cell instead of the usual pair. In Down’s syndrome the twenty-first chromosome pair fails to separate when the germ cell; usually the ovum is being formed. Thus the ovum contains 24 chromosomes, and when it is fertilized by a normal sperm `carrying 23 chromosomes, the child is born with an extra chromosome, or a total of 47 per cell.
Although not all of the physical characteristics of Down’s syndrome are always found in a child experiencing from this disorder, there is usually a combination of several of them so that diagnosis at birth can be made without difficulty. These characteristics include a small, flattened skull, a short, flat-bridged nose,…
Finally Mr Quack:
These characteristics include a small, flattened skull, a short, flat-bridged nose, wide-set eyes, epicanthus, a protruding tongue that is furrowed, and lacks a central fissure, short, broad hands and feet with a wide gap between the first and second toes, and a little finger that curves inward. The muscles are hypotonic, and there is excessive mobility of the joints.
The genitalia are often underdeveloped, and congenital heart defects are not uncommon, As these children grow older they remain below average in height and evidence some degree of mental retardation. there is no cure for the disease. Depending on the level of intelligence, the child often can be helped to live a productive life!
You see Darroux many of us majored in Health Science too, though we did not graduate, when we read the crap you talk we know you are not much of a doctor you see!
LOL. Why you calling the man Mr. Quack? LOL
To the Minister I would like to extend the appreciation for recognizing the Down Syndrome needs across the island. However, please note that more would be appreciated to strengthen the supports for all people on the island living with some form of Intellectual Developmental Disability. As the current Minister of Health, much work is needed to provide all around supports for people with different disabilities and also for those suffering from Mental Health conditions. Keep working at it, this is one of the much needed areas of need on the beautiful Nature Island.