The NCD Coordinator Ms. Valarie Williams chairs the NCD and Wellness committee in coordinating initiatives and programs geared towards preventing controlling and managing diseases associated with NCDs. This is done through advocacy, education and research activities that addresses five strategic areas to include:
To lead a collaborative effort in engaging all stakeholders in society to respond to effectively prevent, control and manage NCDs and their associated risk factors, aimed at raising awareness of NCDs as a priority on the National Health and Development Agenda.
The NCD Department was established in June of 2015, along with a Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) policy paper and action plan for the period of 2015-2019. Followed, by the launch on 22nd September, 2015.
The Port of Spain Declaration came into being at a CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Port of Spin Trinidad on 15th September, 2007.
As its mandate, the declaration seeks to unite Caribbean nations to work toward ending the epidemic of chronic non communicable Diseases (NCDs). Moreover, it aspires to lend leadership and support to the agreed strategies for the reduction of the burdens of chronic non – communicable diseases.
This declaration along with other regional and international resolutions and mandates forms the legal framework of the guiding principles for developing and coordinating efforts to address the NCD epidemic.
Antigua and Barbuda held a series of meetings with a wide multi sectoral stakeholder group to address the prevention, control, and management of NCDs. This resulted in the formulation of a national policy and multi sectoral plan for the prevention, control, and management of NCDs in Antigua and Barbuda.
Ms. Valarie Williams is a registered Nurse Midwife and trained Sexual Assault nurse Examiner who has completed several advanced training to include advanced fertility management and Certificate in Public Administration from the University of the West Indies. ; Advanced Nursing Management from JICA in Tokyo Japan, Certificate in Facilitation and Training Approaches for Community Change from The Cody Institute at St. Francis Xavier University in Halifax Nova Scotia. Mrs. Williams served for a number of years in various positions within the Government including Ward Sister at Holberton Hospital, Unit Manager, Quality Assurance Nurse Manager of the Mount St. John’s Medical Center, and Acting Director of the Directorate of Gender Affairs. Ms. Williams is currently the NCD Coordinator in the Ministry of Health Wellness and the Environment and chair of the Wellness Committee who plans, implements and coordinates initiatives and programs geared towards preventing, controlling and managing NCDs through advocacy, education and research activities.