I refer to the “Letter of the Day” for November 14 by Dr Kenwyn Nicholls, “Get Moving on TT Moves”, which provided very valuable information on various attempts to tackle the situation with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the region, going as far back as the Port of Spain Declaration of 2007.
In my view, for TT Moves to get moving, the Ministry of Health needs to work closely with the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government and take TT Moves to one or two communities in each of the 14 municipalities, perhaps on weekends and during the Christmas school vacation period, in an intensive health promotion drive.
In addition, it may be useful for the Ministry of Health to get support for TT Moves from the leadership of faith-based bodies with a view to have these bodies increase their health promotion efforts.
One major consideration in tackling the NCD crisis is for the Ministry of Health to give specific attention to policy formulation in the interest of promoting healthy living and NCD prevention and management.
In this country, several policy measures are needed, which have been clearly outlined in one or more of the following documents: the Port of Spain Declaration (2007), the CARPHA Six-Point Policy Package (2017), and the Bridgetown Declaration (2023).
The population needs to know what the Ministry of Health is doing with regard to the implementation of the various recommendations that have been made over the years to combat NCDs. Some of the points for action identified in the documents include:
• addressing the matter of the marketing of unhealthy foods to children,
• the introduction of octagonal front-of-package warning labels,
• the elimination of industrially produced trans fats,
• the development of a comprehensive School Nutrition Policy, and
• the preparation of National Dietary Guidelines.
In addition, to take TT Moves forward, discussion should also be held with the Ministry of Education to ensure that Physical Education is given more attention in the school system, and that steps be taken to significantly increase the participation and involvement of students in sporting activities.
In the interest of a healthier Trinidad and Tobago, TT Moves really needs to get moving.
Ian Green
Couva
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