The Turks and Caicos Islands join in the celebrations of Caribbean Wellness Day

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday, 7th September 2023: Since 2007, CARICOM has declared the second Saturday in September to be Caribbean Wellness Day (CWD). Caribbean Wellness Day is a regional response to combatting non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Observed annually, countries throughout the Caribbean celebrate by promoting activity and healthy lifestyles. This year, The Turks and Caicos Islands will not only be recognising CWD on 9th September but all week long!

In 2020, the five-year theme for CWD was announced to be ‘Power Through Collective Action’, and the sub-theme for 2023 is ‘The Care We Need: At Work, At School, At Home’. The objectives for CWD 2023 will be to:

• Promote Policy Advocacy: advocate for policies at the institutional, national, and regional levels (via CARICOM) that would positively influence the practice of health promoting behaviours in Caribbean people.
• Foster Wellness Initiatives: encourage the adoption of programmes and activities within workplaces and schools that promote physical activity, healthy eating, mental wellness and health seeking behaviours.
• Address Health Barriers: promote strategies to reduce the barriers to adopting healthy behaviours on an individual and household level.

The Minister of Health and Human Services, Hon. Shaun Malcolm commenting on CWD said, “While my Ministry advocates for healthy living each day, on this year’s Caribbean Wellness Day I wish to remind us all of the importance of prioritizing our health and well-being. Let’s practice healthy habits, stay active, and make positive choices for a happier and healthier life.”

Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Raven Saunders, speaking on NCDs says, “As we celebrate Caribbean Wellness Day, I ask that we commit to the practices and policies that we know support the health and wellbeing of our Turks and Caicos Islanders. The prevalence of NCDs has been rising all over the Caribbean, and childhood obesity even more alarming. It is critical that we come together and reimagine a healthier and more active Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Director of the Health Promotions and Advocacy Unit, Mrs. Aldora Robinson described some of the activities planned for the day, “There are walks organised for each island and we encourage individuals young and old to join the community walks on their respective islands on the 9th September. Together we can make Turks and Caicos a healthier nation”.

To help promote wellness, the Health Promotions and Advocacy Unit (HPAU) will be celebrating Caribbean Wellness Day, all week long! Starting on Saturday, 2nd September the HPAU will be hosting a health and wellness symposium, and will end the week on Saturday, 9th September on CWD with an inter-island walk, and a cook-off in Grand Turk. Please see the schedule below, we encourage everyone to come out to celebrate health and wellness as a community.

Saturday, 9th September

• Inter-Island Wellness Walk – Join your community in celebrating CWD by lacing up your sneakers and hitting the roads! Location and time TBA.
• Men in the Galley Cook-Off – The much-anticipated event to bring awareness surrounding men’s health. Governor’s Beach, Grand Turk @ 2:00 pm.

Monday, 11th September  – Mental Health Monday – Take deep, conscious breaths to help reduce stress.

Tuesday, 12th September  – Take a Fruit Work/School Day Tuesday – We invite you to post a picture of your fruit and tag us @ TCI Health Promotions & Advocacy.

Wednesday, 13th September – Drink Water Wednesday – We want you to show off how much water you drink in a day by posting a picture of you drinking water or your water bottle and tag us @ TCI Health Promotions & Advocacy.

Thursday, 14th September – Sneaker Day Thursday – Exercise for at least 20 minutes, take a picture with your sneakers and tag us @ TCI Health Promotions & Advocacy.

Thursday, 14th September – Health Symposium ‘My Health, My Priority’ – Beaches Resort conference room, 12 pm – 5 pm. All are welcome! Spots are limited, so please register beforehand using the link: https://forms.gle/QuHs6ufSEot6jzfB7

Friday, 15th September – Know Your Numbers Fridays – We encourage people to go to their respective health centres or pharmacies to get their blood sugar and blood pressure tested.

Happy Caribbean Wellness Day!