Dominica tackles non communicable diseases

healthy livingDominica could soon implement a policy to address diseases which health officials said are causing “havoc” in Dominica.

Stakeholders in the health sector are currently engaged in a workshop, to finalize the development of a policy on Chronic Non Communicable Diseases (CNCD).

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Helene Royer, said once finalized, the policy will give strategic direction to the management of CNCDs at a national level.

She said CNCDs have placed a burden on the health system and social services in Dominica and despite advances, persistent challenges remain.

According to Royer, the Ministry of Health has taken some aggressive steps to tackling the serious problems of CNCDs, some of which includes the recognition of health days and the hosting of three major national consultations.

However Royer said the policy is essential to the Ministry of Health and stakeholders as the drive to combat the CNCD epidemic continues.

Meantime Chief Medical Officer Dr David Johnson called for a collaborative approach to fighting CNCD in Dominica.

“Clearly over the past few years there has been a greater recognition that CNCDs can only be prevented and controlled by all of society approach. This is a clear indication that CNCD is far too big for the health sector alone to deal with,” he said.

According to Johnson, sedentary lifestyle, poor eating habits and the implications from the use of tobacco, contribute to the alarming statistics of obesity.

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10 Comments

  1. my 2cents
    March 28, 2013

    I totally agree with the previous comment that terms should be defined so that the general public may have an idea as to the true nature of the problem. A lot of the things that we do which are wrong, insanitary, general health hazzards is done because we are not educated to the alternatives and also culture has influenced us to accept certain behaviours that hinder our development as a people.

    • Justice and truth
      April 3, 2013

      All it takes is to simply check the research, Thesaurus and dictionary. It is a learning process of new words. They will indicate the meaning of those words. This is what sensible people will do, if they do not want to appear as people who are not smart.

  2. FLORIDA
    March 28, 2013

    There are some people living on the island right now with Lupus and had not been diagnosed properly nor been treated properly simple because there isn’t any Rheumatologist on the island.

    What is LUPUS:- Systemic lupus erythematosus (S.L.E.), commonly called Lupus, is a Chronic Autoimmune Disorder that can affect virtually any organ of the body. In lupus, the body’s immune system, which normally functions to protect against foreign invaders, becomes hyperactive, forming antibodies that attack normal tissues and organs, including the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, and blood. Lupus is characterized by periods of illness, called flares, and periods of wellness, or remission.

    Because its symptoms come and go and mimic those of other diseases, lupus is difficult to diagnose. There is no single laboratory test that can definitively prove that a person has this complex illness.

    Common Lupus Symptoms

    Achy joints (arthralgia)
    Fever over 100 degrees F
    Swollen and painful joints (arthritis)
    Prolonged fatigue
    Skin rashes
    Anemia
    Swollen ankles (kidney involvement)
    Chest pain upon deep breathing (pleurisy)
    Butterfly-shaped rash across cheeks and nose
    Sensitivity to sun (photosensitivity)
    Unusual hair loss
    Abnormal blood clotting problems
    Pale or purple fingers from cold or stress (Raynaud’s Phenomenon)
    Seizures
    Mouth ulcers (often painless, at roof of mouth)

    • Justice and truth
      April 3, 2013

      And there are oh so many more non-communicable diseases, too many in these times and escalating which we never heard of in those days. I heard there are some which doctors are not able to diagnose in progressive countries as Canada.

    • Justice and truth
      April 3, 2013

      Many of them could be prevented with proper nutrition, rest, sleep, less anxiety and stress.
      Health websites provide cures for some of them especially if they are not terminal (and even so); also what to eat as fruits, vegetables and Vitamins.
      I have a book of cures for many symptoms. I also have a Vitamin Bible which I bought just by chance when I was at a store. They are extremely informative. We must make it our duty to know these matters.

  3. Anonymous
    March 28, 2013

    please health ministers when talking about CNCD i think you should explain what this is all about. so that our people can better understands these terms. many people do not know obout this. please keep us educated thank you

    • Openeyes Observer
      March 28, 2013

      Very good point. I can’t believe those responsible for editing does not realise this, and need to be told – just incredible.

    • Anonymous
      March 28, 2013

      CNCD stands for Chronic NonCommunicable Disease. This includes Diabetes and Hypertension.

    • Justice and Truth
      March 28, 2013

      CNCD – Chronic Non Communicable Disease. Chronic means long-term illness and is usually terminal illness.

      The above words are self-explanatory and should give you a clear indication of what the Health Minister communicated. Those who do not comprehend the words should look up their meaning in the Computer Research, Thesaurus and dictionary. They serve a purpose. This is how we learn the meaning of words and in order not to appear uneducated. As per the following:

      Non transmittable diseases; non infectious; non contagious; non catching. In other words you cannot get sick from being in the presence of those who have them. They do not spread from person to person.
      As an example, they mean cancer, liver, pancreas, throat and lung disease and the likes. Such diseases are caused by lack of exercise, poor eating habits and negligence. This should inform you what non-communicable diseases are.
      In simple terms, communicable diseases are those that others catch from others – transmitted from one person to another which could cause an epidemic and in some cases, death. You should know what they are.

      Non-communicable diseases are unhealthy. It could cause early demise in young people and older ones. I hope this explains your concern.

    • March 29, 2013

      @Anonymous March 28, 2013

      Here is what CNCD means according to the news article: “Chronic Non Communicable Diseases”

      Perhaps you are asking the Health Minister to be more specific, as for example, what are those CNCD which are creating that havoc in Dominica. I would like to know at least one also–I hope she is not talking about obesity for that problem is world-wide.

      “Chronic” means “Constant”
      “Communicable” means “infectious”, except that there is the prefix “non” before communicable, so it means that the disease does “not spread from one person to the other”.

      I can see why you want to know, I would like to know also, because I cannot see obesity to be a “disease”, it is born theough the lack of control in a person’s eating habit–that is true–but the article is speaking about “disease” and the only aspect that is related to the physical body is “OBESITY”–good heaven!

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