Mission to reduce NCDs cases by 50%

With estimates indicating that eight out of ten deaths in Barbados are caused by non-communicable diseases, Government is on a mission to see a 50% reduction in new non-communicable disease cases as part of its six missions contained in the Mission Barbados Declaration.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Health, Davidson Ishmael, says the implementation of the national strategic plan for prevention and control of non-communicable diseases 2023 – 2030 will assist in this regard.

He was speaking during the second installation of the National Nutrition Centre Nutrition Conference, at the Radisson Aquatica Resort this morning, operating under the theme ‘Good Nutrition: A Prescription for NCDs Prevention and Control” as one of the many activities held to mark Nutrition Month.

Meanwhile, Hedda Phillips-Boyce, Education Officer in the Secondary section of the Ministry of Education, says the Barbados School Nutrition Policy, which was implemented last April, has been working, but she is calling on Government to intervene and assist with the vending policy as education was key to ensuring full compliance with the nutrition policy.

She added that the overall intention was to change eating habits, and although it would not happen in one day, baby steps need to be taken to achieve full compliance.

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