Protect Your Kidneys With Healthy Choices
The Ministry of Health and Social Development is urging Virgin Islands residents to protect kidney health through better nutrition and healthier lifestyles, highlighting that many kidney conditions develop silently. The ministry is promoting the BVI Eat Well Guide and launching radio programmes, flyers and other public education efforts to help residents reduce risk factors such as high salt intake, obesity, diabetes and hypertension.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development is encouraging residents of the Virgin Islands to take practical steps to protect their kidney health as part of ongoing efforts to reduce the burden of chronic non-communicable diseases. Kidneys perform essential functions including filtering waste from the blood, regulating fluid balance and supporting multiple body systems.
Patrice Maduro warned that kidney disease often develops without obvious symptoms, and many people are unaware of damage until the condition is advanced. “Many of the conditions that lead to kidney disease are preventable. By making healthier food choices, reducing salt intake, drinking adequate water and maintaining a healthy weight, persons can significantly reduce their risk,” Ms.
The Ministry is promoting the BVI Eat Well Guide as a practical resource to help residents build balanced meals using locally available foods. The guide supports healthier choices across all age groups and is intended to be a simple tool for families, schools and community groups aiming to lower risk factors linked to kidney disease.
As part of the campaign, the Ministry will roll out a series of public education initiatives including radio programmes, press releases, radio commercials and educational flyers to raise awareness of how nutrition and lifestyle influence kidney health. Residents are specifically encouraged to reduce salt intake, drink adequate amounts of water, maintain healthy blood pressure, manage diabetes effectively and follow the Eat Well Guide for balanced nutrition.
Health officials say managing common risk factors — notably high blood pressure, uncontrolled diabetes, overweight and high salt consumption — is critical to preventing kidney damage. Regular check-ups to monitor blood pressure and blood sugar are practical steps people can take to identify risks early and get medical advice when necessary.
The Ministry reiterated its commitment to protecting and promoting the health and social well‑being of the people of the Virgin Islands through effective policies, sustainable programmes and strategic partnerships. For further information or to request materials, contact the Ministry’s Public Health Communications Specialist Natasha Lettsome‑Humphrey at (284) 468‑2286 or nlettsome@gov.vg.
Protecting health begins with everyday choices; the Ministry says that by adopting healthier habits, residents can reduce the burden of chronic diseases and improve quality of life across the Territory.
Primary source: BVI Government