Govt to launch national nutrition policy amid growing NCD concerns

National Nutrition Policy is being developed to tackle the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Davidson Ishmael said on Wednesday.

Ishmael made the announcement at the inaugural National Forum for NGOs on Non-Communicable Diseases at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre. The forum marked a united effort by government and civil society to address the island’s leading health challenge – the impact of lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, cancer and obesity.

The policy, which is in its planning stages, seeks to implement wide-ranging measures to promote healthier lifestyles across all sectors of society, the minister said.

He highlighted the importance of this initiative in combatting the surge in diet-related NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, which continue to affect a significant portion of the Barbadian population.

“I am happy to inform you that the Ministry of Health and Wellness is currently working with partners to develop the Barbados National Nutrition Policy which emphasises promoting food security, reducing obesity rates, and addressing the increasing prevalence of diet-related NCDs,” said Ishmael.

The minister noted that the government had already made strides in addressing the issue among the youth through the School Nutrition Policy, launched in 2023. This policy promotes healthier diets, physical activity, and NCD education for students.

The next phase, he explained, would be a broader initiative targeting the entire population, with support from NGOs and other stakeholders.

Ishmael suggested that tackling NCDs requires a collaborative approach: “The complexity of NCDs necessitates a multi-sectoral approach that includes government, healthcare professionals, NGOs, the private sector, and international partners.”

In a related announcement, Ishmael revealed that ministers have designated September as National Wellness Month. This initiative will serve to promote healthier lifestyles across the island, with a series of health-focused activities planned to engage the public, according to the minister.

“This month will be filled with several health-related and focused activities and initiatives, and we encourage civil society and our private sector to come on board fully with this thrust by producing your very own health and wellness activities for the good of your direct constituents but also the wider general public,” he said.

Ishmael described the forum as a critical step in reinforcing the health ministry’s commitment to addressing the NCD epidemic. He referred to alarming statistics from the 2015 Health of the Nation Survey, which showed that nearly 40 per cent of Barbadian adults suffer from hypertension, while approximately 20 per cent are living with diabetes.

“These statistics highlight the urgent need to focus on lifestyle choices and preventative measures as key components of NCD control,” he said.

Ishmael praised the strong turnout at the forum, with around 38 health-related NGOs represented, alongside civil society organisations and members of Corporate Barbados, noting the collaboration’s significance in tackling the NCD crisis.

He said: “Today demonstrates that this commitment is clearly shared not only by the ministry but by a wide cross-section of society, and it symbolises the collective strength of our partnership. This level of collaboration is both necessary and inspiring, and your presence here today signifies a collective willingness and eagerness to work together to create the desperately needed change.” (SB)