Chronic Non-communicable diseases (CNCDs) are among the leading cause of death worldwide and here in the Territory it’s no exception, announced Dancia Penn-Sallah, Minister for Health and Social Development, at the Caribbean Wellness Walk held last Saturday.

In 2006, the three leading causes of death recorded in the VI were cancer, hypertension and diabetes. However, the Health Minister acknowledged that the plight in the Territory is the dialysis population is quite troubling.

“The dialysis services was started in 2000 with a total of three persons requiring dialysis, but today, there’re over 30 persons needing the services – five times as many as when the Unit first opened,” she stated.

Additionally, from 2000 to present, a total of 33 deaths were recorded among patients on dialysis.

According  to Minister Penn-Sallah, “This is remarkable, especially in light of he global statistics that suggest a norm of one patient per 10,00 persons. This suggests that the Territory with a population of just over 25,000 should not have no more than three dialysis patients.”

However, from all indication the numbers recorded is 10 times as many persons receiving dialysis.

The Minister also pointed out that of the 30 persons receiving dialysis – 27 require the treatment due to complications of NCDs, and over the years the ‘age of onset’ is decreasing.

“This has numerous implications for the family unit and for the country,” she added. 

 Meanwhile, the youngest person on dialysis in the Territory is 13 while the oldest is 87. The Health Minister gave a breakdown of the age factor.

·           Below 20: one patient

·           Between 20 –29: one patient  

·           Between 30 – 39: 2 patients 

·           Between 40 – 49: 7 patients 

·           Between 50 – 59: 8 patients 

·           Between 60 – 69: 8 patients 

·           Between 70 – 79: 4 patients

·           Between 80 – 89: one patient

In light of this number, Minister Penn-Sallah, also stated that dialysis is costly emotionally, physically, socially and financially.

‘Presently, the cost to run the Unit is well over US$2M. And that figure is conservative as it dies not represent the total cost associated with dialysis care since it does not include monies lost from non-productivity when employees must take time out from work to be dialysed,” the Minister explained.     

Plans to be undertaken

While she outlined her concerns about NCDs, Minister Penn-Sallah gave her assurances that the Health Ministry will be doing everything possible to address the issue holistically.

She revealed that the Ministry has recently assigned an Officer to coordinate all NCD related activities to ensure that there’s a focal point at the Ministry’s level.

“Consideration is being made to establish a commission that will have as its focus the management of NCDs, and enabling inter-sectorial participation,” she said.

Other initiatives briefly touched on by Minister Penn-Sallah included:

·           A risk factor survey to determine the prevalence of NCDs in the Territory is being conducted in partnership with the Social Security Board and with Technical support from PAHO.

·           The Health Ministry is planning to team up with the Education Ministry to conduct a Global School-Based Students Survey (GSHS) for children between the ages of 13 and 15 throughout the Territory.  

·           The Health Ministry will also be working along with other sectors to ensure that a comprehensive, integrated programme, which will focus on: policy and advocacy, surveillance of NCDs; disease prevention and health promotion, and treatment and management. 

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