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VI needs comprehensive approach to health issues—Dr Samuel

VI needs comprehensive approach to health issues—Dr June Samuel
Dr June M. Samuel, was at the time speaking with Honestly Speaking, Mr Claude O. Skelton Cline, during his Tuesday, September 11, 2018, Live radio broadcast. Photo: Team of Reporters
Dr June M. Samuel, was at the time speaking with Honestly Speaking, Mr Claude O. Skelton Cline, during his Tuesday, September 11, 2018, Live radio broadcast. Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - There is need for a more comprehensive approach in the manner with which the Virgin Islands (VI) treats with medical challenges, a notion raised recently by Vice President of the VI Alzheimer Association, Dr June M. Samuel—as the Territory joins with the world in Observing Alzheimer’s Month.

“Overall, I would say we have to have a comprehensive approach to our health, I see health not just whether or not we have particular medical illness,“ according to Dr Samuels, who stressed that there are in fact numerous social determinants that lead to medical problems.

She was at the time speaking with Honestly Speaking, Mr Claude O. Skelton Cline, during his Tuesday, September 11, 2018, Live radio broadcast.

According to Dr Samuel, often when persons in the VI think of Health, the focus is on the Ministry for Health and Social Development but, “health is about all the various agencies working together to address all the various determinants.”

Diabetes & Hypertension High

Speaking directly to Alzheimer’s in the VI, it was pointed out that while the Association is in the process of compiling its database on dementia specific illnesses in the Territory, the level of diabetes which per capita is relatively high domestically, is a good indicator since the two illnesses are related.

Dr Samuel explained saying, “we know we have in the BVI a prevalence of diabetes and hypertension here, it is significant in our population and that increases your risk for developing Alzheimer or one of the other dementias.”

It was pointed out since there is no long term cure found as yet for dementia illnesses, this makes the matter of even more importance to the Association.

According to Dr Samuel, persons in the Territory are encouraged to ensure and recieve regular medical check-ups, since dementia illnesses can often times be misdiagnosed.

The VI’s Alzheimer Association, will as part of the month of observances, host a fitness walk and vigil, on September, 21, 2018—World Alzheimer Day.

6 Responses to “VI needs comprehensive approach to health issues—Dr Samuel ”

  • Hmm (13/09/2018, 09:55) Like (29) Dislike (13) Reply
    Oh shut up ! Stop injecting people’s chidlren without a probable cause. You do more harm than good. You do not take time to properly evaluate . You are quick to medicate which can sometime do more harm than good. Shame on you Samuels. (Sorry you don’t deserve to be called a doctor in my opinion).
  • Comprehensive hmmm (13/09/2018, 09:57) Like (10) Dislike (16) Reply
    Yep Agreed. They also need a comprehensive approach in looking at nurses and Doctors issues.. Nurses and Doctors on contract should be granted resident status after 10 yrs. Look at all the other public service people they get their rights immediately. Nurses and Doctors deserve some favourable appreciation and consideration.. We all get paid but nothing more important than a token of appreciation..
  • ... (13/09/2018, 10:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    good show I enjoyed the information see you at the walk
  • Zulu (13/09/2018, 17:33) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    What about encouraging our elected officials to fix the district clinics and make them functional so persons could go there and get help in their own community?

    Clinics could be used to disseminate health information as well as perform health screening at the community level.

    I do not have all the answers to the problem but like others in the community we can help if given a chance.
  • E. Leonard (13/09/2018, 18:46) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    The BVI has progressed from a little sleepy locale, improving residents’ quality of life and standard of living. Nonetheless, there is farther to travel. This travel must include a holistic approach on health, education, social services, economy, public safety, agriculture, fishing, infrastructure, environment........etc. The territory needs a national development plan (NDP). This approved NDP should bind any government whether, ie, ABC, LMN, XYZ......etc; government should have little opportunity to change the plan. Any major changes will require a majority of electorate approval. Currently, it appears as if systems are not effectively interconnected; things seem to happen reactively, not proactively. Undoubtedly, a comprehensive approach to the physical, mental and emotional health of the territory is needed. This comprehensive approach must be an integral part of the NDP.


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