"Combatting Alzheimer’s Disease a Part of the National Agenda.
PM Presented with World Health Organization Publication on the Disease
The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams opened the Regional Workshop of Alzheimer’s Disease International on Thursday afternoon at the Sonesta Great Bay Resort. The two-day regional workshop brings together various regional and international partners to discuss global solutions for the disease that affects some thirty million people worldwide.
"Allow me on behalf of the Government and people of St. Maarten to welcome all of the participants at this very important workshop and all who have travelled to our shores to attend. I want to thank Alzheimer’s disease International and our local St. Maarten Alzheimer’s Foundation to bring all the groups together to discuss ways to treat and combat the disease. St. Maarten is honored to have professionals in the field of Alzheimer’s to discuss some of the strategies and to share your practices and what you have learned on ways forward in treating patients
"Governments all over the world are coming together to explore ways to tackle this disease and St. Maarten is no exception. Together with our Local Alzheimer’s organization and our service clubs Government is moving forward in putting the disease high on the National Agenda. We need to provide the necessary care to the patients and the support to the families while simultaneously ensuring that the information in the community regarding Alzheimer’s is constant and pertinent," stated the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister was also presented a World Health Organization Publication entitled "Dementia; A Public Health Priority" by Johan Vos, Director of Development for Alzheimer’s Disease International, Mr. Vos was joined by Dr. Daisy Acosta, Honorary Vice President of Alzheimer’s Disease International, Mr. Keith Franca, President of the St. Maarten Alzheimer’s Foundation, and Drs. Raymond Jesserun, St. Maarten Alzheimer’s Foundation and Alzheimer’s Disease International WHO/ PAHO Volunteer.
"As we will be having a conference on Sustainable Development on Friday this meeting definitely falls within that scope. Ensuring healthcare is part of our Sustainable Development and combating and treating Alzheimer’s disease is definitely a part of that," concluded the Prime Minister.