PM Harris hosts another successful health walk, acknowledges new participants
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, November 7, 2020 (MMS-SKN) — Prime Minister’s Monthly Health Walk continues to attract new participants as was evident on Saturday November 7 on the latest edition of the now highly popular event that took the energised participants on the regular Bellevue to Ottley’s route in Constituency Number Seven.
“The walk today was as usual a national effort with presentation from all regions of Kitts, several of them taking part for the first time,” said Prime Minister and Area Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Number Seven, Dr the Hon Timothy Harris. “We had a strong presentation from our Caribbean brothers and sisters residents in the country, notably members of Haitian and Spanish communities.”
Prime Minister Harris, who also has lead responsibility for Human Resource Development, Health and HIV/AIDS issues in the CARICOM’s quasi-cabinet, noted that the walk is an effective tool in the fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and that he is encouraged by the regular, and high turnout for the monthly health walks that he organises.
“The fight against NCDs will only be won if a collective approach is taken to make it a habit for persons to take part in regular physical activities, as they are critical for the success of the fight,” said Prime Minister Harris at the end of the walk. “The more people we have involved engaging in any form of physical activity, be it walking, running, swimming or biking will result to their wellness.”
While the walk took off at 6:15 am from the Bellevue bus stop, a number of participants who came late joined in the walk from the different points along the way. A delegation from the Haitian Association of St. Kitts and Nevis, led by their President Mr Ralph Felix took part from the starting point in Bellevue.
“I think the walk is a good initiative because it will help us to keep fit and also to enjoy the wonderful island because in the morning the sun rises up really nice,” said Mr Felix. “The Prime Minister is doing everything to keep us safe by encouraging people to lead healthy lifestyles, and we are enjoying the camaraderie brought about by the walk. We as Haitians who are living here we support the Prime Minister’s Health Walk, and we will always be participating.”
A contingent from the Spanish community living in St. Kitts also took part, and two of their spokespersons Mr Osiris E. Ellis Roche, who would have been on the walks before, and Ms Yuliza Grant, who was on her second walk, said that members of their community always look forward to being part of the health-conscious walk enthusiasts who every month join Prime Minister Harris for the walk.
“By taking part in these walks, we not only benefit from a health point of view as that is what the walk was intended to do for the people by the Prime Minister who initiated it, but it also helps members of the Spanish community to integrate with the general population,” said Mr Roche. “I always ensure that we spread the word and with every walk, we encourage more participation by members of the Spanish community.”
Regular participants included Minister of Health the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett, Resident Ambassador of the Republic of China on Taiwan His Excellency Tom Lee, and Mrs Lee, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Mr William Vincent Hodge.
The Peoples Labour Party (PLP), which Prime Minister Harris is the National Political Leader, was represented by Deputy National Chairman, Mr Craig Tuckett, who called the assembled participants to order for prayers before they set off from Bellevue; National Party Organiser Mr Alexis Nisbett; National Women’s Arm Representative Mrs Sonia Henry; and Chairman of PLP Constituency Number Five Executive Branch, Mr Glenville Mills, who offered the prayers.