Latest update February 10th, 2025 7:48 AM
National Wellness Warriors Club officially launched
The Ministry of Health’s Wellness Warriors Club was yesterday officially launched by President Donald Ramotar in the presence of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, visiting Director of the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), Dr. Carissa Etienne and other local and regional health sector officials.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds flanked by Mrs. Yvonne Hinds and Dr. Carissa Etienne and Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran (second from right-front row) and other regional health sector officials and members of the Wellness Warriors Club
This Club was launched along with the National Commission for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Guyana at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC). The launching ceremony is part of the activities being spearheaded by the Health Ministry in observance of Caribbean Wellness Day (CWD) on September 13.
While malaria and other vector-borne diseases, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis still present formidable challenges to small developing and first-world countries alike, NCDs, also known as chronic diseases, have emerged as the leading causes of death in all regions except Africa.
However, current projections indicate that by 2020 the largest increases in NCD deaths will occur in Africa.
Data from the Ministry of Health revealed that in 2011 to 2012, NCDs accounted for over 60 percent of deaths among males and 70 percent among females. NCDs are interconnected and not only share many of the same risk factors, but also act as risk factors for each other.
For example, being overweight or obese increases the risk for cardio-vascular diseases, cancers and diabetes; while diabetes increases the risk for cardio-vascular diseases. The main modifiable behaviours that lead to NCDs are poor diet, physical inactivity, and alcohol and tobacco use.
While Guyana’s Health Ministry has been continuously promoting initiatives to raise awareness and education on NCDs, there is need to develop and utilise information, communication materials and strategies that are gender appropriate and which target specific groups within the population.
It is against this background that the Wellness Warrior Club was conceptualised. This national club consists of 10 wellness warriors’ chapters for each of the 10 administrative regions in Guyana. Its membership comprises mainly in and out of school youths, and young adults.
Each of the 10 regional chapters will be headed by a coordinator and supported by a secretary. A national coordinating committee will be established comprising the coordinators of the regional chapters and officials from the Ministry of Health.
These individuals will undergo structured training administered by professional health care providers from the Health Ministry in basic non-invasive testing techniques such as blood pressure and blood sugar testing.
The Ministry hopes to promote healthy, active lifestyles and health literacy nationwide using the energies of these trained teenagers and young adults. The main function of the Wellness Warriors Club is to increase and raise health awareness and educate communities on the benefits of healthy, active lifestyles, provide education and information on risk factors that predisposes ill-health.
They will conduct peer-helping programmes and activities that will create an environment that will encourage individuals, families and communities to become more conscious of their health and well-being and take action to prevent illnesses by adopting healthy lifestyles.
The Wellness Warriors will also support medical outreaches and screenings by the Ministry of Health and its strategic partners; sponsor health literacy activities among large body of young people such as schools and youth groups; engage in environmental health activities such as clean up campaigns and conduct drives and awareness sessions public activities such as fairs and other gatherings.
A quantity of equipment and basic testing apparatus were handed over to members of the Wellness Warriors Club by Dr. Etienne at yesterday’s launching ceremony.
The four main types of NCDs are cardiovascular diseases (heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructed pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes.
Wellness Day was first observed in 2008 as a result of one of the decisions taken by CARICOM Heads of Government.
This year’s activities are being held under the theme, “Promoting healthy lifestyles for national and regional development”.
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