Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs Minister Moses Jn Baptiste is concerned about violent crime’s impact on many sectors, particularly health.
He spoke at Wednesday’s media launch of the 68th Annual Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Health Research Conference.
The Minister highlighted that the impact of crime on health ranges from physical injuries to mental health disorders.
He told the event that anxiety and depression are also prevalent in communities most affected by criminal activity.
Jn Baptiste said the health sector faces increased costs related to treatment, hospitalizations, diagnoses, and sick leave days.
He explained that this puts a strain on resources that could be used to manage chronic and other conditions and results in health workers’ burnout.
Jn Baptiste declared that a public health approach would identify the determinants and prevention strategies to address crime and violence.
He said such an approach would involve multiple agencies to facilitate a holistic approach.
In addition, the Minister said the CARPHA conference would provide policymakers with ‘great insight’ into research and clinical findings to make evidence-based decisions.
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So Minister are you going to put this in place or just make declarations like all the Polititians do here?
Sometimes the root of the problem may be sitting right next to you. St. Lucia has got smart and everybody knows who the criminals at the top are and all about their heinous crimes.
Dr Sharon Belmar George AND the directors of the SLMADA have voiced their concerns for a long time now. As the Min of Health, you were quite quiet!