By Onelicia Ramsammy
In response to Guyana’s alarming rate of cardiovascular disease, the “Strengthening Our Cardiovascular Advocacy (SOCA)” project was officially launched this morning at the Windjammer Hotel in Georgetown.
This initiative aims to address the high incidence of heart-related deaths in the country, which has the highest rate of cardiovascular disease-related deaths in CARICOM.
The SOCA project is spearheaded by STRIDE592 in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Caribbean Heart Institute, and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s (GPHC) Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology.
The goal of the project is to mobilize 90,000 individuals to embrace healthy lifestyle practices and increase awareness of non-communicable diseases.
Onika Jervis, Founder of STRIDE592, highlighted the global and local context of cardiovascular disease, noting that heart disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, claiming approximately 20 million lives annually.
She emphasized the urgent need for improved public awareness and lifestyle changes.
Dr. Mahendra Carpen, Head of Internal Medicine and Cardiology at GPHC, spoke about the increasing prevalence of heart conditions among younger populations, attributing this trend to a lack of awareness about critical health indicators such as blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony provided practical advice for healthier living, including regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and stress management.
He announced that on July 28, eight free running and walking groups will be established across communities in Georgetown.
Additionally, the SOCA Heart Health Sonic will take place on September 27, and a 5 and 10K heart run will be held on September 29 to mark World Heart Day.
The SOCA initiative is themed “Know Your Numbers, Make a Plan” and is expected to make a significant impact on public health by promoting cardiovascular wellness and preventive measures.