Wellness Week 2024 Brings Belize Together

This year’s Wellness Week is bringing together individuals across the nation under the theme, “Greater social cohesion, better health.”

The initiative highlights the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Caribbean and SICA region.

Karen Lewis Bell, representative of PAHO/WHO, discussed the theme on Open Your Eyes on Tuesday morning. She stated, “This is really about the importance of attachment, engagement, solidarity, individuals coming together to promote health and well-being; because we realise that when there is attachment, certainly our youths would be less engaged in gang violence and use of illicit drugs.” Bell added, “When communities get together, we support each other; there is a sense of belonging, and it does a lot for our health, not just our physical health, but our mental health as well.” 

Robyn Faber, nutritionist for the Ministry of Health and Wellness, said, “Our focus at the Ministry is really to bring people together, look at programs, activities, and interventions that we can support together as a team, having healthy communities, healthy schools.”

This year, the ministry involved Miss Universe Belize, Halima Hoy, in its initiatives. 

 

 

The ministry organised a series of activities across every district for Wellness Week, dedicating each day to a specific focus. Monday kicked off with a theme of solidarity, while Tuesday highlighted Disability-Inclusion Day, promoting rehabilitation for differently-abled individuals.

Today, Wellness Wednesday is centred on raising awareness of chronic diseases and STDs in workplaces. Looking ahead, Thursday will focus on early detection of cancer and family planning, culminating on Friday with “Better Together Friday,” which includes a Socathon in Belmopan to promote physical activity and community engagement.