BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, August 2, 2021 (MMS-SKN) — St. Kitts and Nevis (SKN) Moves, an initiative of the Ministry of Health aimed at reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Federation by creating a healthy lifestyle culture centred on healthy eating practices, regular physical activity, and regular health checks/screenings, will be celebrating its second anniversary in grand style.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Delores Stapleton-Harris, made the announcement on Saturday July 31 at the end of Prime Minister’s Monthly Health Walk, which is held under the aegis of the SKN Moves, where she invited all the participants to join the SKN Moves celebratory health walk which will be held on Saturday August 7.
Prime Minister’s Monthly Health Walk had started at Bellevue bus stop, and ended at the Ottley’s hardcourts where participants assembled for refreshments and were addressed by the Permanent Secretary. The participants included Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris, and Minister of Health the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett.
Accompanying Dr Stapleton-Harris on the walk were National HIV/AIDS Programme Coordinator and Health Educator, Dr Mathias Afortu-Ofre, and Administrative and Communication Officer at the Permanent Secretary’s office in the Ministry of Health, Ms Marcia Bassue.
According to the Permanent Secretary, August 9, 2021 marks the second anniversary of the enactment of the SKN Moves Programme. To commemorate the anniversary, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister will engage in a campaign that will span seven weeks as per the following:
Week 1 – World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7); Week 2 – SKN Moves Anniversary Celebrations (August 8-14); Week 3 – Community in Ya Kitchen (August 15-21); Week 4 – Water Challenge (August 22-28); Week 5 – Mindfulness Challenge (August 29-September 4); Week 6 – Self Care and Management (September 5-11); and Week 7 – Caribbean Wellness Week (September 12-17).
“The marquee event is the annual SKN Moves Health Walk on Saturday August 7, the second annual SKN Moves Health Walk commencing at 5:30 a.m. from the Caribbean Cinemas along the FT Williams and Kim Collins Highways to the roundabout at ECCB, back to Caribbean Cinemas along Cayon Street,” observed Dr Stapleton-Harris.
Participants, she advised, should wear their SKN Moves shirts and can register for the Health Walk at the Health Promotion Unit at phone # 467-1233/1237 or email skhealthpromotionunit@gov.kn for details on purchasing the SKN Moves T-shirts.
Permanent Secretary Dr Delores Stapleton-Harris also reminded persons that the Ministry of Health continues to roll out the Covid-19 vaccine and congratulated all who have taken the vaccinations and reminded participants to encourage those who haven’t taken to do so to protect each other.
“That initiative basically is to foster a healthy lifestyle where we eat healthier, we increase our physical exercise, and we have regular health checks, so that we can decrease the burden of diseases especially non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in St. Kitts,” observed the Permanent Secretary.
ENDS