A National Workplace Wellness Programme has been launched in Anguilla with the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Labour Department and the National Non-Communicable Disease Commission. The agreement also involves the participation of a number of stakeholders representing employees.
The memorandum was signed on Friday, July 4, at CuisinArt Resort and Spa. The main signatories were Dr Bonnie Richardson-Lake on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Social Development; Mrs Aunika Webster-Lake on behalf of the Labour Department; and Mrs Charmaine Rogers on behalf of the Department of Public Administration.
Other current signatories are the Social Security Board, CuisinArt Resort and Spa, Viceroy and the Caribbean Commercial Bank.
The signing ceremony was chaired by Mrs Maeza Demis-Adams, Director of the National AIDS Programme and a member of the Non-Communicable Disease Commission. She explained that the public and private sector workplaces initiative was a response to a number of life-threatening diseases which should be guarded against.
Dr Bonnie Richardson-Lake said that Non-Communicable Diseases were the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in Anguilla. “Health data from the various district health centres of the Health Authority of Anguilla have revealed that over 1,075 patients are receiving treatment for diabetes and hypertension,” she said.
“In 2012 approximately EC$1.3m was spent on dialysis which [accounts] for 52% of the total expenditure for local medical treatment. Expenditure for dialysis in 2012 increased significantly by 66% when compared to 2011.”
She stated that the Non-Communicable Disease Commission would serve as a broker for effective involvement of all relative organisations and to assist in the mobilisation of resources to facilitate the implementation of prevention and control programmes. She pointed out that the Ministry was currently working towards expanding the mandate of the AIDS Programme with particular emphasis on Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases.
“We are confident that you will see the importance of implementing this wellness programme, and will work to ensure that the programme is completely integrated into your organisation,” Dr Richardson-Lake told representatives and other persons.
Mr Delroy Lake, President of the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association stressed the importance of health particularly in the tourism sector. He urged more organisations to become involved in the work of the wellness programme.
The wellness programme was welcomed by Mrs Webster-Lake, the Labour Commissioner, who said that her department was coordinating access to the workplaces to encourage their participation.
Mr Timothy Hodge, Director of Social Security, said he was shocked by the number of persons, in Anguilla, below 50 years who were applying for disability benefits, signifying that they were grappling with certain non-communicable illnesses. He suggested that they and other persons should follow a course of healthy habits and exercises to help combat illnesses.
The National Workplace Wellness Programme was approved by the Executive Council.
