Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) continue to be a major concern for Caribbean Governments, says Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, who described NCDs as not just a health issue, but a developmental one.

Mr. Stuart made the comments recently when the newly-appointed Representative of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), Dr. Godfrey Xuereb, paid him a courtesy call at Ilaro Court.

He said the prevalence of NCDs was an issue governments could not allow to disappear from the regional agenda.

???It is a challenge we have to confront and discuss, and work towards behavioural change,??? he stressed.??He pointed out that a lot of the money allocated to the Ministry of Health in Barbados was spent dealing with NCDs, and noted that this was an untenable situation.

Dr. Xuereb agreed with the Prime Minister that NCDs were a developmental issue, and said there was a need for a strategic think tank to determine what should be done better to prevent those chronic diseases.

Prime Minister Stuart told Dr. Xuereb that Barbados and PAHO have had a very good relationship over the years, and the organisation???s work was valued by this region. During the discussions, Dr. Xuereb also praised the Minister of Health John Boyce and his team for their good work.

sharon.austingill-moore@barbados.gov.bb

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