March 23 - April 2 2013

Special Feature - Cervical Cancer Advocacy Workshop 2013

21-22 March 2013 - Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort & Casino, Sint. Maarten

Caribbean history was made on March 21-22, 2013 in St. Maarten when 19 Cancer NGOs representing 16 Caribbean countries came together for a Cervical Cancer Advocacy Capacity Building workshop. The workshop was hosted by the Healthy Caribbean Coalition in partnership with the Sint. Maarten Ministry of Public Health Social Development And Labour - Collective Prevention Services. This groundbreaking activity was made possible through the generous support of the American Cancer Society, Health Action Partnership International (UK) and GlaxoSmithKline.

In a compelling example of the collective power of civil society, Caribbean cancer societies and foundations emerged from the 2-day workshop having produced DRAFT Organizational Advocacy Action Plans, an Advocacy Handbook & Planning Tool for Civil Society, a Social Media How-to-Guide for Civil Society, a DRAFT cervical cancer e-Petition, and consensus on the establishment of a Caribbean Cancer Network.

St. Maarten Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams expressed strong support for the capacity building workshop in her feature address. "As you focus on advocacy for bringing that message across the region I encourage you to give it your best shot. There is a lot of available information and best practices and ideas and experiences that I am sure will be shared during this conference. I think all of your coming together is a powerful way of moving this message forward."

Professor Trevor Hassell, President of the HCC remarked that there has never been a coming together of such a large number of Caribbean cancer organizations, an achievement of which he is proud.

Collectively we have now planted the seeds for a regional 'cancer movement', the hard work really starts now as these organisations move forward focussing on the implementation of their advocacy plans and the establishment of a regional Caribbean Cancer Network.

Visit our dedicated Workshop page to download presentations, see images from the workshop and more.

The workshop and related events featured also featured heavily in the local media

• Caribbean Civil Society Cervical Cancer Advocacy Workshop planned for March 21-22.
• Non-Governmental Organizations can now Link to the Healthy Caribbean Coalition to Combat Chronic Diseases.
• Prime Minister Wescot-Williams at Two Day Cervical Cancer Conference: Finances should not be a prohibiting factor to women being able to access treatment or support
• Minister of Health De Weever welcomes participants to the First Regional Caribbean Civil Society Cervical Cancer Advocacy Workshop (www.sxmislandtime.com)
• Minister of Health De Weever welcomes participants to the First Regional Caribbean Civil Society Cervical Cancer Advocacy Workshop (www.smn-news.com)
• Minister De Weever appeals to Men in the Community to Attend Panel Discussion Wednesday evening on Men's Health
• Rotary Club of St Martin Sunrise hosted men"s health panel discussion as they kick off awareness campaign

News Roundup

Rotary Club of St. Maarten - MENTAKE CHARGE GET CHECKED! - On March 20, 2013 the Rotary Club of St Martin Sunrise hosted a panel discussion on Men's Health under the theme "MENTAKE CHARGE GET CHECKED!" at the Divi Little Bay Resort. The event, was organized in collaboration with the St. Maarten Positive Foundation, and Collective Prevention Services Department of the Ministry of Health, aimed to bring awareness about health issues affecting men.Read more

PAHO World Health Day concept - Sunday, 7 April 2013 - Theme: Hypertension - Context: High blood pressure (hypertension) is the leading risk factor for deaths and illness worldwide. Uncontrolled hypertension (³ 140/90 mm Hg) is the most important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), particularly heart attacks and strokes, and can also cause kidney failure, blindness, peripheral vascular disease and heart failure. The risk of developing CVD and other complications is increased when high blood pressure occurs together with other risk factors such as tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, lack of physical activity, obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol.Read more

PAHO World Health Day online discussion - Experts to discuss hypertension in the Americas. High blood pressure is the leading risk factor for death worldwide. One in three adults has hypertension, which increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney failure. Hypertension is the theme of this year’s World Health Day, which is celebrated every April 7. In observance of World Health Day, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) will convene a panel of experts to discuss the problem and its impact in the Americas. April 5, 2013, 9:30 – 11:30 am online: www.livestream.com/paho

NCD Alliance - Global Campaigns Update - Key messages, final submission to draft Global Action Plan consultation. Detailed submission on revised draft Global NCD Action Plan 2013-2020. The final round of informal consultations on the draft Global NCD Action Plan 2013-2020 concludes today, Friday 29 March. Building on our key messages circulated earlier this week, the NCD Alliance has developed a detailed submission to share with WHO, Member States, and our network.Read more

Healthy Caribbean Coalition