SIDS Ministerial Conference on NCDs and Mental Health

NCDs and Mental Health Re-focus. Civil Society has a Key Role to Play

by HCC

Ministers at the Ministerial Conference on NCDs and Mental HealthThe 2023 Bridgetown Declaration on Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health has been launched. With 15 commitments identified and annexes, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) member countries leveraged the opportunity provided by the SIDS Ministerial Conference on NCDs and Mental Health which was held in Bridgetown, Barbados on 14-16 June 2023.

Throughout the Conference, themes continued to highlight that SIDS including islands of the Caribbean, the Pacific and African nations are disproportionately affected by climate change, lack of health financing, non-communicable diseases and mental health. However, there was varied progress made in addressing NCDs and mental health in SIDS.

Various break-out sessions were spear-headed by WHO/PAHO Representatives. Several panelists and delegates spoke to NCD prevention, where it was driven home that commercial determinants must be considered. The healthcare options are sometimes more expensive however, during the COVID-19 pandemic, everybody worked together which can also be modelled for NCD prevention taking into consideration that our health is driven by the environment. Community engagement through civil society advocacy and drive are important to ensure health policies are implemented.

Carrot and Stick – Right Approach

In the break-out session on commercial determinants, Professor Alafia Samuels highlighted the role the food and beverage industry has played in nourishing our people as it has helped with reducing malnutrition in the world thus improving the health status in the world. She reminded the delegates however that the food and beverage industry is a profit making industry. She also noted that there are many people who can afford a healthy diet but are not seeking that diet, which speaks to taste, marketing and the environment. The tools she highlighted which are at our disposal included taxation and legislation. She noted that the parallel approach was required as high income countries have ban trans fats and that Jamaica has the ability to test for trans fats.

Dr. Arthur Phillips, Senior Medical Officer of Health, Ministry of Health and Wellness, highlighted that there was commitment to address NCDs and their risk factors in Barbados. Barbados has implemented its school nutrition policy (SNP) and raised the tax on sugar sweetened beverages to 20% which intervene against commercial interests. He noted the calls from the general public which states that healthy things are not accessible, which opens the opportunity to assess the risks and commercial determinants of health. He noted the importance of civil society to continue to flag issues where government is not putting systems in place to identify impact, as we all have a responsibility to protect those who are vulnerable. Dr. Phillips noted that civil society has been able to have an impact on the public with clear messages.

In the Caribbean, industry funded research competes with research funded by global and regional research bodies.
Maisha Hutton, HCC Executive Director

Nobody Cooks Anymore

Dr. Ronald George, Chief Medical Officer of Health, British Virgin Islands (BVI), took the audience home where we imagined the very hilly terrain in the BVI which in itself was restrictive. He noted the high incidence of obesity and alcoholism and the heavy reliance on the tourism sector which provides 50% of the economy coupled with a 90% food import bill from global spaces. Dr. George thought at best the civil society arm in the BVI needed strengthening and with lessons learned from Barbados, he would like to see what a school nutrition policy would look like for the BVI. An audience suggestion included a policy paper of commercial determinants of health to convene actors outside of health as an immediate next step.

Health as an Outcome of Development

Dr, Adi St. Hilaire, Dominica, reminded the delegates of a major barrier which must be considered by SIDS, in natural disasters, as in times of need we are forced to accept foods which are high-in everything especially salt, which in his tenure, he has seen to impact the blood pressure of our people. Mrs. Maisha Hutton, HCC Executive Director shared that the HCC is currently finalizing a Donations Protocol which can assist in guiding member states on an approach to encouraging wholesome donations, especially in times of need.

Up Close and Personal with the Delegates

Dr. Bente Mikkelsen, Director of World Health Organization Department for NCDs

Dr. Bente Mikkelsen, Director of World Health Organization Department for NCDs (left) with Dr. Kenneth Connell, Vice President, HCC

What have been the takeaway points of the conference? and do you see a substantial role for CSOs such as the Healthy Caribbean Coalition?

Senator The Hon. Jonathan LaCrette, Minister of Health of Grenada

Senator The Hon. Jonathan LaCrette, Minister of Health of Grenada (left) with Dr. Kenneth Connell, Vice President, HCC

What are your thoughts on the meeting thus far?

Hon. St. Clair Prince, Minister of Health, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Hon. St. Clair Prince, Minister of Health, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (centre) with Maisha Hutto, Executive Director, HCC (left) and Sir Trevor Hassell, President, HCC

What are your views on the role of CSOs in advancing the NCD agenda in the Caribbean?

Dr. The Honourable Michael Darville, Minister of Health, the Bahamas

Dr. The Honourable Michael Darville, Minister of Health, the Bahamas

What do you think is the role of the CSOs in advancing the health agenda and especially the Bridgetown Declaration?

Dr. Arthur Phillips, Senior Medical Officer of Health, Ministry of Health and Wellness, Barbados

Dr. Arthur Phillips, Senior Medical Officer of Health, Ministry of Health and Wellness, Barbados (left) with Sheena Warner-Edwards Communications Officer, HCC

How do you see SIDS working together now that the 2023 Bridgetown Declaration on NCDs and Mental Health has been signed and launched, for NCD prevention?

How do you see SIDS working together with civil society now that the 2023 Bridgetown Declaration on NCDs and Mental Health has been launched?

Dr. The Honourable Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health and Wellness, Jamaica

Dr. The Honourable Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health and Wellness, Jamaica (right) with Dr. Karen Sealey, Founder and Chair TT NCD Alliance and Board Member, HCC

What do you think about the Declaration?

The UN General Assembly High-level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage will take place in September 2023. This conference will also feed into preparatory processes leading to the fourth High-level meeting on NCDs in 2025.

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