The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

Reducing unnecessary deaths and disability caused by chronic non-communicable diseases in the country is the goal of the Healthy Bahamas Coalition.

The HBC said it is ready to serve as the National Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Commission for the Bahamas and set to provide a “ mechanism for effective multi-sectoral action in prevention and control of NCDs at the national level” through re-orienting and strengthening the national response, especially with regard to risk factors.

The organisation consists of 12 subcommittees which concentrate on the following areas: alcohol and consumption reduction; tobacco control and cessation; nutrition; child and adolescent health; physical activity for all ages; cancer awareness; hypertension and diabetes awareness and prevention; promotion of the HBC; the national NCD strategic plan; mental health; older persons health; violence, and injury prevention.

Melissa Major, lead for the cancer awareness committee, said the uniqueness of this coalition lies in its ability to provide an opportunity for civil society, the government, and academia to work with the everyday man and woman, who can also participate in building the organisation.

She envisions the HBC being around for a very long time, but believes there is still some work to be done.

To further push the group’s objective, members are looking forward to being a part of events that assist in promoting awareness.

Last year, the HBC took part in the Caribbean Health and Wellness Week Explosion, and in an Royal Bahamas Defence Force mega fitness event called “Promoting Fitness by Engaging our Youth” at Fort Charlotte. The HBC’s official launch took place in January of this year.

This month, the cancer awareness committee – comprised of members from the Cancer Society of the Bahamas, SMB Care Foundation, Ministry of Health, nutritionists and health educators, Sister Sister Support Group and US TOO – made a courtesy call on Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling to celebrate World Cancer Day on February 4. Also, monthly HBC town hall meetings are held every third Thursday at the Ministry of Health. 

“The Healthy Bahamas Coalition is important and beneficial to Bahamians because there will be a strategic development and implementation of plans for the prevention and management of chronic diseases among persons residing in the Bahamas,” said Ms Major.

As World Cancer Day aims to save millions of lives each year by raising awareness and promoting education about the disease, governments and individuals across the world to take action. Ms Major said ideally the HBC’s approach is to also use this opportunity to spread the word and raise the profile of cancer.

“Nobody wants to talk about the ‘Big C’. It is associated with suffering and death; individuals are very fearful. And because of this it paralyses persons from taking charge to get treatment. Not to mention the high cost of cancer treatment which a lot of persons without insurance cannot afford. It has become a burden to our country,” she said.

“We have made some good advancements in the past years. There is a lot of work being done by the Cancer Society of the Bahamas by bridging the gap for many to get help. We are doing what we can to educate persons and promote the screening guidelines so persons can lower their cancer risks.”

Ms Major said Bahamians should implement healthy lifestyle habits to boost the immune system to prevent cancer.

On a daily basis, Ms Major said everyone’s goals should be eating the recommended fruits, vegetables and balanced meals, as well as exercising, sleeping, reducing stress levels and being more aware of environmental surroundings; to not smoke and make sure to undergo medical examinations each year, including pap smears, prostate tests for men, breast examinations for women and so forth.