News

President of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Her Excellency Sylvanie Burton, has called for a stronger, unified national response to the growing challenge of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Dominica.

The President issued the call during her address to Parliament ahead of the 2025–2026 National Budget presentation.

“The rise in NCDs such as diabetes and hypertension is a matter of national concern,” the President stated. “It is not just a health issue but one that affects productivity, families, and our national development.”

Her Excellency emphasized the importance of personal responsibility alongside continued government investment in healthcare and wellness promotion.

She called on schools, families, civil society, and the private sector to work together to tackle risk factors such as poor diets, sedentary lifestyles, and substance abuse.

“Wellness must be a way of life. Our survival as a healthy, productive society depends on it,” she added.

The President also commended community-level health efforts and called for the expansion of grassroots wellness initiatives.

The address sets the tone for a health-conscious fiscal year, with expectations that budgetary allocations will align with national wellness goals.