BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, March 1, 2021 (MMS-SKN) — Federal Minister of Health the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett is assuring the nation that the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 Vaccine being rolled out in the country is safe and that the Indian company making it is a world-leader in vaccine production.
“The vaccine is safe,” said Health Minister Byron-Nisbett. “We won’t tell you that it is safe if it wasn’t so. I want to encourage everyone to go out and get vaccinated.”
The Hon Byron-Nisbett, who is also the Minister of ICT, Entertainment, Entrepreneurship and Talent Development, made the remarks on Saturday February 27 when she addressed participants of Prime Minister’s Monthly Health Walk who had assembled at the Ottley’s hardcourts at the end of the walk.
“Serum Institute of India is producing the most AstraZeneca Oxford vaccinations that are being distributed throughout the world,” advised the Honourable Minister. “The AstraZeneca Oxford brand would not have asked Serum Institute to make the vaccine for them if they did not believe that they were capable of doing so. So there is no need to fear that the vaccines are from India. That has nothing to do with whether or not the vaccine would do what is expected to do.”
According to the Hon Byron-Nisbett, roughly 90 percent of the vaccines made in the world are from the Serum Institute of India. She advised the audience that many of the vaccines they received as children, and those now being received by their children are made from the Serum Institute of India.
The information session on the vaccine rollout, which was held at the end of the walk, was also addressed by Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr Delores Stapleton-Harris, National HIV/AIDS Programme Coordinator and Health Educator Dr Mathias Afortu-Ofre, medical practitioners Dr Dail Crawford and Dr Leroy Richardson, and District Medical Officer Dr Bernicia Nisbett who is also the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.
“I had my shot – everybody saw that – on Monday and I am still feeling good,” commented the Hon Byron-Nisbett. “There is no reason not to take the vaccine – we have more reasons to take it than not to take it.”
Members of the audience at the Ottley’s hardcourts were told they have an option, not to take the vaccine and get Covid-19 and risk having severe Covid-19 and possible death, or to take the vaccine and would not have severe Covid-19 nor would they die from Covid-19. She advised them to register under the tent that had been set up on the hardcourts and make an appointment to take the vaccine.
“The Ministry of Health will never tell anyone to take it if we do not believe it to be safe,” pointed out the Honourable Minister of Health. “The Prime Minister would not have taken it if he did not think it would be safe. We would not have allowed the Prime Minister take it if we did not believe that it was safe. So the fact that the Prime Minister took the vaccine the Ministry of Health endorsed that it is safe for our Prime Minister, the leader of this country to take the vaccine. That means you too can take the vaccine.”
Two members of the public Mr Eldon ‘Big T’ Harris, and Mr Damien Weekes who had already taken the vaccine testified that it did not have any notable effect on them.
Health centres on St. Kitts offering the vaccine, according to Hon Byron-Nisbett, are Basseterre, New Town, Sandy Point, Tabernacle, Cayon, and Molineux, while St. Peter’s Health Centre would be added to the list in the week starting Monday March 1.
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BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, February 27, 2021 (MMS-SKN) — St. Kitts and Nevis, which aims at having 70 percent of its population vaccinated against Covid-19, is on track to achieve the milestone with over 600 persons having been vaccinated since Monday February 22 when the vaccine rollout was launched at the New Town Community Centre in Basseterre.
“For the week so far, over 600 persons have gone to get their vaccination,” revealed Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris on Saturday February 27. “Over 600 persons, and ask yourself ‘600 have gone, why not me?’ What are you waiting for? So, I just want to encourage you by and large to be part of the programme and go quickly. The life you will save may very well be your own.”
Prime Minister Harris gave the information at the Ottley’s hardcourts at the end of the popular Prime Minister’s Monthly Health Walk, which had taken participants from Bellevue to Ottley’s in Constituency Number Seven, where a special session was held sensitise walk participants and members of the general public on the importance of being vaccinated.
“I just want to say that the vaccine is good for you, and that is why the entire government ministers have gone to get the vaccine,” assured Dr Harris. “That is why close to 30 medical doctors, some of them you know, have gone to take this vaccine. Do not be the one that is left out, for when you look at some who are going and some who are yet to go, you have to wonder if people are not noticing.”
Also addressing walk participants and telling them about the were Minister of Health the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr Delores Stapleton-Harris, National HIV/AIDS Programme Coordinator and Health Educator Dr Mathias Afortu-Ofre, medical practitioners Dr Dail Crawford and Dr Leroy Richardson, and District Medical Officer Dr Bernicia Nisbett who is also the Deputy Speaker.
According to Prime Minister Harris, the vaccine is being provided free of cost while it is coming at a very high price. Organisation of the Eastern Caribbean (OECS) countries will on Sunday February 28 receive 125,000 doses of vaccine from India costing EC$700,000 bought through the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB). Prime Minister Harris, who is the chairman of the ECCB Monetary Council, had earlier in the week stated that the Federation would receive 41,600 doses of the vaccines, which is in addition to 2,000 doses it had previously received.
“The world is changing rapidly – you now have to carry your negative test to most countries when you are travelling,” reminded the Honourable Prime Minister. “I believe the next step, once you want to travel, you are going to have to show that you have been vaccinated. Do not wait until you find yourself in an emergency to be looking to say you want to get vaccinated.”
Further Prime Minister Harris informed walk participants that a vaccination session was taking place that morning between 9:00 and 11:30 at the New Town Health Centre, where a number of security force officers, from the Prisons, Police, and Fire and Rescue Services were going to get their vaccine. He noted that the government wants the entire country to be vaccinated.
Addressing his constituents, Dr Harris said: “You have in this constituency the opportunity to get vaccinated at the Molineux Health Centre, and you have the opportunity to do so at the Tabernacle Health Centre. At least those are two places, but I am sure if you go to any health centre, you will not be turned back, and we want to increase.”
Inviting persons to join him at the St. Kitts Nevis Anguilla National Bank 50th Anniversary church service to be held at the Rivers of Living Water Christian Centre in Lime Kiln, West Basseterre, on Sunday February 28 at 5:00 pm, Prime Minister Harris ended by saying: “If you can make it, you are invited. Please wear your mask. Until we reach what Dr Crawford called ‘herd immunity’, that is having at least 70 percent of the people in the country vaccinated, you will still need to wear your mask.”
As a further defence, Dr Harris advised persons to continue wearing the masks even when they take vaccines, “because remember, until a certain number has done it, they will put all of us at risk, and that is why you have to be encouraging your friends, your family members so that they will be part of the circle of people you know who are vaccinated. That is why the entire Cabinet has been vaccinated. So when we are sitting down at the table, we know all of us have done what we can to protect ourselves.”
]]>BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, February 25, 2021 (MMS-SKN) — The highly popular Prime Minister’s Monthly Health Walk will be held on Saturday February 27, taking participants on the regular route from Bellevue to Ottley’s. At the end of the walk there will be a special session where participants and members of the general public will be sensitised on the Covid-19 vaccine rollout.
“This particular health walk is a little special because Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris is going to join in the educational drive on the Covid-19 vaccine rollout bringing it to his constituency level, and his constituents, by having some health officials to give information on the vaccination, and the importance of becoming vaccinated,” said Ms Myrtilla Williams, one of Prime Minister’s Monthly Health Walk organisers.
According to information received through the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr Delores Stapleton-Harris, who is herself a regular Prime Minister’s Monthly Health Walk participant, National HIV/AIDS Programme Coordinator and Health Educator Dr Mathias Afortu-Ofre will be among the health officials giving out information. He will be joined by medical practitioners, who are regular health walk participants, Dr Dail Crawford, and Dr Leroy Richardson.
“The Prime Minister, in his responsibility to his constituents, nation and also on a regional level as CARICOM’s lead spokesperson for health, is once more giving persons the opportunity to take part in the walk for their own health benefits,” said Ms Williams.
Participants will assemble at the bus stop in Bellevue for the walk that starts at 5:30 am to take them along the Island Main Road to Ottley’s.
“We know that we in St. Kitts and Nevis have been managing the Covid-19 pandemic, and so we are at a stage now where we have a vaccine,” noted Ms Williams.
A national vaccine rollout started on Monday February 22 at the New Town Community Centre where Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris was the second person to receive the vaccination, after the Chief of Medical Staff at the JNF General Hospital Dr Cameron Wilkinson.
“We know a lot of people how they are – there is maybe some resistance to taking the vaccine, or there is concern because the internet has a way of giving information some of which is misleading and we do not know which is true or which is not true,” observed Ms Williams. “And so these persons will be there to assist us with answering any question and so on.”
The health walk organiser added: “Directly after the walk, we are inviting persons to come and get informed. It is the health of the individual person, your family, your seniors, your children, and the nation on a whole – you know they say a healthy nation is a wealthy nation.”
The walk is held under the umbrella of SKN Moves, and expected to give support to the health team as it reassures the public on the safety of vaccines being rolled out here in St. Kitts and Nevis will be three regular Prime Minister’s Monthly Health Walk participants, Minister of Health the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr Delores Stapleton-Harris, and District Medical Officer who is also the Deputy Speaker, Senator the Hon Dr Bernicia Nisbett.
]]>BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, January 31, 2021 (MMS-SKN) — Overcast skies shortly before the first light of the day did not deter health-conscious walk enthusiasts from assembling at the bus stop in Bellevue Village, St. Kitts, on Saturday January 30 in readiness for the first Prime Minister’s Monthly Health Walk for Year 2021.
Regular walk participants welcomed members of the successful Molineux/Cayon Cricket Club (MCCC), who in the spirit of community bonding joined Prime Minister and the Area Parliamentary Representative Dr the Hon Timothy Harris on the now highly anticipated monthly health walk which he has been sponsoring since 2007.
Star of the walk was Ms Lucina Chapman of Clay Ghaut in Gingerland, Nevis, whose birthday was on the previous day (Friday January 29), but came dressed as a ‘Birthday Queen’. At the end of the walk Prime Minister Harris introduced her to the walk participants and asked them to sing the ‘Happy Birthday’ song but to omit the ‘how old are you’ part of the song, which they did lustily.
The assembled walkers were called to order by Chairman of the Peoples Labour Party (PLP) Mr Warren Thompson at 5:45 am, where he recognised the members of the Molineux/Cayon Cricket Club and hoped that they will be taking part in the walks on a regular basis. He then requested Pastor Glenville Mills to offer a word of prayer after which they set off at 5:50 am walking along the Island Main Road towards Ottley’s Village.
Resident Ambassador of the Republic of China on Taiwan, His Excellency Tom Lee, who is a regular participant, was among those who had assembled at the Bellevue bus stop for the walk. He was accompanied by members of the Taiwan Technical Mission in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Regular Prime Minister’s Monthly Health Walk participants who showed up yesterday included Permanent Secretaries Dr Deloris Stapleton-Harris of Health and Mr William Vincent Hodge of Education, Deputy Speaker Senator the Hon Dr Bernicia Nisbett, Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly Ms Trevlyn Stapleton, and medical practitioner Dr Dail Crawford, among others.
Joining the participants at the end of the walk was Minister of Health, the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett, who congratulated them for taking their personal health seriously by taking part in the walk. Prime Minister’s Monthly Health Walks are held under the umbrella of SKN Moves which is supported by the Federal Ministry of Health.
At the end of the walk Prime Minister Harris thanked members of the Molineux/Cayon Cricket Club (MCCC), who were led by their Manager Mr Steve Saunders and Coach, the legendary cricket player, Mr Noel Guishard. The team also included media practitioner Mr Loshaun Dixon who was last year awarded for being the most consistent player to practice.
Also taking part were students from the various schools in the constituency and outside of the constituency, many who walked the entire route. Among them was nine-year old Miss Sherika Mchayle, a pupil at the Joshua Obadiah Williams Primary School in Molineux, who was the first of the junior walkers to arrive at the Ottley’s hardcourts – the finish point.
Birthday celebrant Ms Lucina Chapman, who is a farmer in Nevis, said: “My birthday day was yesterday the 29th of January, I am over here on my walk as usual with the Prime Minister, Dr the Hon Timothy Harris, and I am still enjoying celebrating. I have been having a good time here with the Prime Minister and all the participants.”
Ms Chapman’s assurance was: “Next year (2022) my birthday will be on a Saturday – yesterday it was on a Friday. So next year it will be bigger and greater on a Saturday – the day of Prime Minister’s Monthly Health Walk.”
]]>BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, November 30, 2020 (MMS-SKN) — Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris who has been organising monthly health walks since April 2007, is being applauded at the regional level for embracing the regional Caribbean Moves with the launch in St. Kitts and Nevis of SKN Moves last year.
Caribbean Moves is an initiative launched in 2018 that is based on the successful Jamaica Moves campaign which focuses on physical activity, healthy eating and age-appropriate health checks.
“We are here on the last Saturday in November to once again walk with the Prime Minister for his monthly Prime Minister’s Health Walk, which is now in collaboration with the SKN Moves initiative,” said Federal Minister of Health the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett on Saturday November 28 at the end of the latest edition of Prime Minister’s Monthly Health Walk.
According to Minister Byron-Nisbett, SKN Moves was started in 2019 when the Minister of Health of Jamaica, Dr the Hon Christopher Tufton would have introduced the idea to CARICOM following the success of Jamaica Moves, and he would have then come to St. Kitts and Nevis to help launch the SKN Moves on Friday August 9 last year.
“Just recently at a Caribbean Health Ministers meeting, the Minister of Health of Jamaica the Hon Christopher Tufton would have applauded the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis for really taking up the initiative and running with it,” said Minister Byron-Nisbett. “Prime Minister Harris is also the Minister with responsibility for health for CARICOM and so he is making sure he does his part to set the example for the rest of the Caribbean region.”
Minister the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett who was accompanied on Prime Minister’s Monthly Health Walk by her Permanent Secretary Dr Delores Stapleton-Harris noted that they were always pleased that Prime Minister Harris continues to support the Ministry of Health and the SKN Moves initiative the way he does.
“This should be the last Prime Minister’s Health Walk for this year and we will see everybody in January,” said the Hon Byron-Nisbett. “We wanted to make sure you get that last exercise in before you eat all of the good Christmas food, but come January we will be back again making sure that persons remember that we have to keep moving.”
The Minister added: “We have to make sure we take care of our primary health especially now in the time of Covid it is important for us to make sure we do our annual check-ups, visit our doctors regularly and be able to make sure we stay healthy so that we can live longer productive lives.”
In St. Kitts and Nevis in particular NDCs is a huge problem noted Minister Byron-Nisbett, who stressed that the only way the country can combat it is by making sure that people eat right, exercise properly, and do all of their regular check-ups and invest in primary health care to avoid the country’s institutional-based health services being overwhelmed.
“And so I am just encouraging persons, don’t let this be the end of it for the year for you,” said the Honourable Minister. “Keep moving, keep exercising, keep eating right – even make sure you look at your portions in December so that we ensure that we reduce our NCD rates, diabetes and all of those other illnesses that tend to tackle us and we just look forward to everyone continuing to move, being encouraged to move, and we will see you in January for the continuation of the monthly Prime Minister’s Health Walk in collaboration with SKN Moves.”
]]>BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, November 28, 2020 (MMS-SKN) — Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr the Hon Timothy Harris, is once again thanking persons who participated in the latest edition of Prime Minister’s Monthly Health Walk on Saturday November 28 describing them as dependable soldiers in the fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
“We had another successful health walk this morning, and I take this opportunity to thank all those who participated, both our regulars and the new participants who joined us on the walk in appreciation of the health benefits they stand to derive from such an activity,” said Prime Minister Harris at the end of the walk, which had taken participants from the bus stop at Bellevue Village, following the Island Main Road to the hardcourts in Ottley’s Village.
Dr Harris, who also has lead responsibility for Human Resource Development, Health and HIV/AIDS issues in the CARICOM’s quasi-cabinet, said he was encouraged by the large regular turnout for the monthly health walk.
He pointed out to the fact that the large turnout is a clear indication that the fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in St. Kitts and Nevis has dedicated soldiers who use the walk as a weapon to keep NCDs at bay.
“The participation of veteran medical practitioner Dt Leroy Richardson in this health walk also takes the message, admonishing people to lead healthy lifestyles, to a new level as he shows his clients by example,” observed Dr Harris. “Dr Richardson is a regular participant and also on the walk was another medical practitioner, Dr Dail Crawford. Their combined message is powerful enough to put our country on an even keel as it relates to the fight against NCDs. Our efforts are bearing fruits.”
The Prime Minister’s Monthly Health Walk, which is organised by the National Executive of the Peoples Labour Party (PLP), is held under the umbrella of SKN Moves.
The Ministry of Health was well represented, with Health Minister the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Dr Delores Stapleton-Harris taking part. Both were among the top finishers.
Permanent Secretary Dr Delores Stapleton-Harris, who is a regular Prime Minister’s Monthly Health Walk participant, jogged all the way from the Bellevue bus stop arriving at the finish point at the Ottley’s hardcourts in the fifth position. All the participants who made it to the Ottley’s hardcourts were treated to fresh fruits and water.
Other regular participants taking part in the walk on Saturday included Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Mr William Vincent Hodge, Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, Ms Trevlyn Stapleton, Chairman of the St. Kitts Nevis Anguilla National Bank Group of Companies, Mr Alexis Nisbett, and Director of St. Christopher and Nevis Social Security Board, Mr Antonio Maynard.
Walk participants had started assembling at the Bellevue bus stop from as early as 5:15 am, and with the building up of numbers, National Chairman of the Peoples Labour Party (PLP), Mr Warren Thompson, called them to order at 6:05 am and requested Pastor Glenville Mills, who is also the Chairman of PLP Constituency Number Five Executive Branch to lead the gathering in a word of prayer before they set off.
The Prime Minister’s Health Walk on Saturday November 28 was the last for the year, to give participants time to take care of family obligations during the holiday month of December. Prime Minister Harris promised that the public will be advised of the date for the first walk for next year.
]]>BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, November 27, 2020 (MMS-SKN) — Health conscious walk enthusiasts are back on the road tomorrow Saturday November 28 for the latest edition of Prime Minister’s Monthly Health Walk which starts at 5:30 am from the bus stop in Bellevue Village.
Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris, who has all along taken seriously the fight against the scourge of NCDs among the public through practical ways, is sending out a special invitation to the regular walk participants and their friends to join him tomorrow for the walk.
The walk which traditionally takes the participants along the Island Main Road from the bus stop in Bellevue through the various picturesque Constituency #7 villages, Tabernacle, Mansion, Christchurch, Bourryeau, Lodge, Lodge Project, and ends at Ottley’s hardcourts has been attracting new participants each month.
Prime Minister Harris, who also has lead responsibility for Human Resource Development, Health and HIV/AIDS issues in the CARICOM’s quasi-cabinet, has 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 now hugely popular Prime Minister’s Monthly Health Walk that is currently being held under the umbrella of SKN Moves, was initiated in April 2007 by the Area Parliamentary Representative for St. Christopher Seven, Dr the Hon Timothy Harris. It was then known as the Dr Harris Constituency Number Seven Health Walk.
“The idea of the health walk came about because most of the constituents wanted to see more of their representative while he at the same time, being a man of the people needed to have a first-hand opportunity to personally know everyone in the constituency,” noted Mr William Phillip, who has been taking part in the health walks all these years.
According to Mr Phillip, health walk has taken a whole new meaning as today it is no longer an event for the people of Constituency Number Seven taking into consideration the fact that the initiator of the health walk is the Prime Minister of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis and is also CARICOM’s lead spokesperson on human resources, health and HIV matters.
“Dr Harris has been taking the matter of healthy lifestyles seriously ever since the idea of the health walk was actualised over thirteen years ago, and today although he is still our Area Parliamentary Representative, he is the Prime Minister of all and he wants his message to go out to all,” noted Mr Phillip. “Put on your sneakers and join us tomorrow for this great walk.”
]]>BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, September 26, 2020 (MMS-SKN) — An early morning downpour in the north-eastern parts of St. Kitts shortly before the start of Prime Minister’s Monthly Health Walk from Bellevue to Ottley’s on Saturday September 26 did not deter health-conscious walk enthusiasts who had assembled at the starting point from as early as 5:30 am.
Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris hailed the wide representation from the SKN Moves, and singled out Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr Delores Stapleton-Harris who not only participated, but was among the top finishers. He also hailed the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Mr William Vincent Hodge who also participated.
“When we had the anniversary celebrations for SKN Moves, it was said that every activity that groups were having they would want them to become branded to be associated with the SKN Moves because SKN Moves then becomes the broad umbrella under which the country organises its physical activity response to the whole issue of non-communicable diseases,” said Prime Minister Harris at the end of the walk in Ottley’s.
Joining Prime Minister Harris for the walk included Deputy Speaker Senator the Hon Dr Bernicia Nisbett, Ambassador His Excellency Ian Patches Liburd, Ambassador of the Republic of China on Taiwan His Excellency Tom Lee, and Mrs Lee, and veteran medical practitioner Dr Leroy Richardson.
Others included President of Constituency Number Seven Domino League National Executive Mr Calvin Farrell, and the National and Branch leadership and membership of the Peoples Labour Party (PLP) led by National Chairman Mr Warren Thompson.
Before the participants set off, Health Permanent Secretary Dr Delores Stapleton-Harris recommended that they engage in some warm-up exercises which were dutifully conducted by Mr Warren Thompson. After a word of prayer, participants took off at 6:07 am.
“The health walk here is the longest and most consistent group organisation of a regular physical effort,” said Dr Harris, who is also the Area Parliamentary Representative for St. Christopher Seven. “I am delighted that it continues to bring new people, draw increasing interest and as you see if you were to compare this month’s walk with the one last month, this was far more successful in my view in terms of the turnout, but certainly in terms of the broad cross-section of representation that we have here – so I am very happy about that.”
Ambassador His Excellency Ian Patches Liburd who was accompanied by a group from Constituency Number One (East Basseterre) said he brought the group with him to show their support for the Prime Minister’s Health Walk, and in the process derive some physical enhancement and bring people together.
“The important message we want to send is togetherness once we all come together,” said Ambassador Liburd. “The country wanted that and we gave the country that, so we just need to enhance it. Enhance it not only for our own benefit but the benefit of our generations to come, because it is important especially in times like these unpredictable times – unprecedented times – each one has to help the other.”
He concluded: “Showing support, demonstrating support publicly is something we have to demonstrate and let the younger ones emulate, because togetherness is key.”
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 14 , 2020 (ZIZ News):The People’s Action Movement hosted its annual health and Independence Charity walk on Saturday September 12.
The walk began in Cayon from the PAM Constituency #8 office and made its way into Basseterre where it ended at the PAM Constituency #2 office.
At the end of the walk, Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the People’s Action Movement, Hon. Shawn Richards said the walk is an initiative that helps to bring people together.
Party Chairman, Hon. Jonel Powell said one highlight of the walk was seeing the first Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis participating in the event.
Meanwhile, former leader of PAM Sir Kennedy Alphonse Simmonds explained how the walk which began under his tenure as Prime Minister came about.
He told ZIZ that although he had not been to the annual walk for a quite a number of years, he wanted to be present to honour one of the founders of the party, Mr Richards Caines CSM JP who passed on July 27 2020.
PAM’s Deputy Leaders, Hon. Lindsay Grant and Hon. Eugene Hamilton were also present at the walk. Ambassador Ian Liburd, all executive members along with supporters of the People’s Action Movement and health enthusiasts from the various constituencies also participated in the walk.
The PAM Independence Charity walk began in 1983 following the achievement of Independence for St. Christopher and Nevis.
]]>BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, September 13, 2020 (MMS-SKN) — When the Caribbean Wellness Day walk took off on Saturday morning September 12 from the Cenotaph at the War Memorial in Basseterre under the SKN Moves umbrella, among the participants were over 90 employees of the firm Kajola-Kristada Ltd.
Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis Dr the Hon Timothy Harris, who also has lead responsibility for Human Resource Development, Health and HIV/AIDS issues in the CARICOM’s quasi-cabinet, was among the hundreds of walk enthusiasts who took part in the walk that had taken off at 6:10 am.
“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. “It warmed my heart to see the large turnout today, and also to see a large contingent of workers from Kajola-Kristada Ltd who participated in the walk.”
Caribbean Wellness Day is celebrated by CARICOM countries on the second Saturday of September as part of a unified response to promote health and prevent and control the epidemic of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). This year it was celebrated under the theme ‘Power Through Collective Action’ with the sub theme ‘Stronger Together 2020”.
“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, and I want to thank the management and staff at Kajola-Kristada Ltd for coming out to participate in this event,” said Dr Harris.
The Honourable Prime Minister, who has been organising monthly health walks since April 2007, added: “Other corporate entities should borrow a leaf from Kajola-Kristada Ltd and engage their members of staff in more physical activities as this is a sure way of reducing loss of valuable man-hours as a result of sickness. This will ultimately result in increased productivity.”
According to Mrs Faith Caines, Safety Co-ordinator at Kajola-Kristada Ltd, approximately 92 workers took part. Three of their staff members rode on a pick-up truck distributing water to the walk participants, and Ms Nerissa Wilson had a loud hailer through which she kept on advising and updating the walk participants.
“Apart from just walking, every year we celebrate Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Awareness week,” said Mrs Caines. “We do this every year, and so when I saw the email from the Caribbean Wellness people I decided to merge with them – we partner with them and incorporate my Safety Awareness week in the walk. So that is why we are here today.”
Health-conscious walk enthusiasts had assembled as early as 5:30 am at the War Memorial, and the gathering was called to order by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Delores Stapleton-Harris, at 6:00 am. After a prayer, the participants were taken through a warm-up aerobics session by fitness guru Mr Wayne Liddie.
The participants who also included Minister of Health the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett, and her husband Mr Alexis Nisbett, Deputy Speaker Senator the Hon Dr Bernicia Nisbett, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Mr William Vincent Hodge, set off at 6:10 am.
They walked, and some including Dr Delores Stapleton-Harris and Dr Benicia Nisbett sometimes breaking into runs, through Irish Town Bay Road to downtown Basseterre and on to New Town Bay Road, and on to the Central Bank roundabout from where they took the Kim Collins Highway, the F.T. Williams Highway, and at the roundabout with the St. Peter’s Road they walked through Fry’s Village, and back to the Cenotaph.
The walk which is part of the independence celebratory activities was held under the SKN Moves umbrella, as had been noted by Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris who on August 29 during Prime Minister’s Monthly Health Walk had advised that every activity people were doing that they try to bring it to the extent possible under the branding of the SKN Moves.
]]>BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, August 31, 2020 (MMS-SKN) — The latest edition of Prime Minister’s Monthly Health Walk, which was held on Saturday August 29 and attracted a large turnout, was a national effort according to Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris.
“Today we had a successful, large turnout and we are very happy to see that our first event after the period of lockdown has been as successful as it was,” said Dr Harris who walked the entire Bellevue to Ottley’s route. “It really was a national effort – we had presentation from all regions of St. Kitts.”
The health walks, initially known as Dr Harris Constituency Number Seven Health Walk, have since 2017 been rebranded as the Prime Minister’s Health Walk. Unlike in 2007 when they first started and used to mainly attract persons from the constituency, they today attract participants from around St. Kitts and occasionally from Nevis as well.
Taking part in the Saturday August 29 Prime Minister’s Health Walk included the Resident Ambassador of the Republic of China on Taiwan, His Excellency Tom and Mrs Lee, and embassy staffer Ms Grace Wang. On the local scene ambassadors His Excellency Kevin Williams, and His Excellency Ian Patches Liburd took part.
Also from outside Constituency Number Seven included the Minister of Health the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett, and Deputy Speaker Senator the Hon Dr Bernicia Nisbett.
There were representatives from all the constituencies on St. Kitts, but Mr Glenville Mills, who is the Chairman of PLP Constituency Number Five Executive Branch, brought a large contingent from the Sandy Point area. It included Vice Chairperson Ms Marsha Lewis, and Women’s Arm Representative Ms Janice Lewis.
A first time participant in the Prime Minister’s Health Walk, Ms Sheryll Reid from the New Taylors Housing Development in Constituency Number One said that the walk was quite invigorating and that she liked the idea of it, which is to keep people fit.
“As you know we have joined the Caribbean Moves and we now have SKN Moves, and so in keeping with that I think it is a good idea for the Prime Minister to have this monthly health walk,” said Ms Reid. “I find that it was well attended this morning – very, very much well attended and the people are excited so that we would be back again for another Health Walk. We are looking forward to that.”
Ms Verna Lewis from Cayon in Constituency Number Eight pointed out that she would have taken part in the Prime Minister’s Health Walks on numerous occasions. She noted: “This morning, it was really refreshing. It was long, but being somebody who is always exercising, I enjoyed it very much.”
According to Ms Lewis, the Prime Minister’s Health Walk gives people a lot of health benefits and she noted that at the end of the walk, participants were served fruits which she noted was a very healthy way of feeding the walkers. She termed it a good idea and while saying she will be back, she challenged others to follow suit and take part when the dates for the next health walk are advertised.
“So to have a wide cross-section as we have had, people of all walks of life, people from all regions, to me it was very encouraging this morning, including the representatives of the Spanish community, because our message ‘health wellness’ must in fact resonate through all alleyways and byways of St. Kitts and Nevis,” observed Prime Minister Harris.
]]>BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, August 8, 2020 (MMS-SKN) — Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris is again reiterating that health comes first and is advising that the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis will prosper only if its people are healthy, observing that the health of a nation becomes its wealth.
“Your health must be given priority,” said Prime Minister Harris on Saturday August 8 at the Frigate Bay lawns as he congratulated hundreds who had participated in the SKN Moves anniversary Health Walk. He observed that if persons are not healthy they will not be able to accomplish much in anything that they do.
Dr Harris, who also has lead responsibility for Human Resource Development, Health and HIV/AIDS issues in the CARICOM’s quasi-cabinet, told the walk participants: “The advice is that we make health our number one priority. The health of the nation becomes the wealth of the nation, because only if we have healthy people working and contributing to the best of their abilities can we generate a prosperous country and stand stronger and safer.”
The health walk, which started at the Caribbean Cinemas parking lots in West Basseterre and ended at the Frigate Bay lawns, was a collaboration of the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Health. It was held as part of the first anniversary of SKN Moves which was launched last year on August 9 at West Independence Square.
Coordinating the entire exercise was Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr Delores Stapleton-Harris. Participating included Minister of Health the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett, Chief Medical Officer Dr Hazel Laws, NCDs Programme Coordinator in the Ministry of Health Dr Marissa Carty, District Medical Officer for Parsons to Newton Ground and Deputy Speaker Senator the Hon Bernicia Nisbett, Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Education Mr William Vincent Hodge, and Mrs Carla Astaphan who heads the St. Kitts and Nevis National Reparations Committee.
Also participating in the walk was Resident Ambassador of the Republic of China on Taiwan His Excellency Tom Lee and Mrs Lee, and members of the embassy staff. Prime Minister Harris thanked Ambassador Lee “for participating, and for the contribution which your government has been making into the health sector and beyond the health sector to the socioeconomic life of St. Kitts and Nevis.”
According to Prime Minister Harris, CARICOM Heads of Government had recognised that one of the region’s key challenges was non-communicable diseases (NCDs) at a time when the world at large was focused on communicable diseases such as HIV, TB and so on.
“Out of the concern with respect to obesity in the region, the notion of our people becoming more involved in physical activity was given birth to, and out of that we had the Caribbean Moves being developed, and each member state within CARICOM was required to form a branch so that we know that the regional approach to challenging obesity was being supported in every member state,” said the Honourable Prime Minister.
He said that last year around this time the government of St. Kitts and Nevis engaged in the formation of St. Kitts-Nevis Moves, and later in the year went to Charlestown and formed the Nevis branch of the SKN Moves. He noted he was happy that after one year, the country has kept the movement alive.
The government, he added, has plans to broaden the movement for it to get more persons involved in it. He requested persons that whatever they do, when they are engaged in physical activities that they wear their SKN Moves shirts to show that the association with which they are participating that they too are in support of the goals of SKN Moves.
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