President Sylvanie Burton has urged Dominicans to adopt healthier lifestyles as diabetes, hypertension and cancer cases continue to rise.
Dominica: The President of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Sylvanie Burton, has called for a united national action to combat non-communicable diseases in Dominica, urging the citizens to adopt healthier lifestyles as a nation’s success is measured by not only its projects, but also by the wellness and quality of life of its people.
Delivering her address ahead of the 2026 national budget presentation, President Sylvanie Burton expressed concern about the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases in Dominica.
It is therefore with a sense of urgency that I once again draw attention to the growing challenge of non-communicable diseases. Despite increased awareness, conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer and obesity continue to affect far too many of our citizens and remain among the leading causes of illness and death in our country, stated President Burton.
She reported that more than 600 new cases of diabetes, over 1,100 cases of hypertension and close to 600 cases of cancer have been diagnosed in Dominica in a span of 5 years (2020-2025). This is according to the latest surveillance data collected by the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services.
For a nation of our size, these figures are deeply concerning and serve as a stark reminder that non-communicable diseases remain one of the most significant threats to the health and well-being of our people, expressed the President of Dominica.
She went on to encourage everyone to embrace healthy practices that can help prevent chronic illnesses, stressing, “Prevention must become a national priority. We must embrace healthier lifestyles through better nutrition, regular physical activity, routine medical checkups, stress management, and greater attention to mental well-being. This responsibility does not rest solely with the health sector.”
President Burton has called on every citizen to commit to building a healthier nation, adding that it is a cause that requires the collective action of families, schools, workplaces, faith-based organisations, communities, and citizens alike.
The benefits of development can only be fully realised if we are healthy enough to participate in and contribute to our nation's progress. Let us therefore embrace health and wellness as a shared national responsibility, urged the President.