Secretariat stated.

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Under the theme “Love that Body – Make it Last” the Ministry of Health in partnership with CARICOM, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and Nestle yesterday observed Caribbean Wellness Day. Some of the persons at the Bourda Mall that attended the Health Ministry’s Caribbean Wellness Day Fair. According to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, Wellness Day, the second Saturday in September, provides an opportunity for persons to focus in a special way together as a Region, to give even greater focus to the importance of healthy eating habits, avoidance of substance abuse and excessive use of alcohol and the imperative of regular exercise in combating the chronic non –communicable diseases.Member States united in the observance through health fairs, fitness walks, fruit sales, sport and family day activities and launching of initiatives such as smoke free spaces. Some member states are going beyond the observance of Wellness Day to designate the entire month of September as a time for collective focus on healthy living.CARICOM’s input stems from the Port of Spain declaration; in recognition that citizens of the Caribbean region need to protect their bodies, health and future.This year the Ministry of Health teamed up with Nestle at the Bourda Mall Georgetown.The event focuses on five main health points which include eating healthy, controlled eating portions, being active, checking health and being happy.At the health fair visitors were informed about the five main health points and they were also able to receive massages, test their body mass index, weight, height, and pressure; while some were entertained by edutainment pieces based on substance abuse, singing, dancing, quiz and exercise competitions.“Our region has led the way with the first ever Summit of Heads of Government on non-communicable diseases and has now successfully advocated at the United Nations for a Special High Level Meeting to address non-communicable diseases to be held in September 2011 in New York.We, in the Caribbean can only continue to lead the way effectively if every individual takes personal responsibility for healthy living as we strive to promote the ‘Wellness Revolution’ in our homes, schools, workplaces, communities and countries. We still have a long way to go,” the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat stated.