In a bid to transform public health communication through creativity, the Ministry of Health Wellness and Elderly Affairs officially launched ‘Health Expression’, a groundbreaking initiative that fuses spoken words, music, and open dialogue to deepen community engagement around health. 

Led by Family Life Educator, Janelle Alexander Dupre and funded by the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (Taiwan ICDF), the ‘Health Expression’ initiative was aimed at redefining how health messages are created, communicated, and absorbed within communities. Officially launched at the Entrepot Human Resource Centre, the event brought together a vibrant cross-section of creatives, youth, healthcare professionals, and community advocates. 

More than just a performance platform, ‘Health Expression’ was intentionally designed as a safe, inclusive space for connection, reflection, and learning. Through this initiative, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs seeks to reach a broader and more diverse audience, particularly young people and vulnerable groups. 

In his keynote remarks, Dr. Glensford Joseph, Medical Officer of Health, underscored the power of integrating art and health promotion. “We have an opportunity to express or observe health in the art form. Art provides a dynamic platform where people can see themselves, their families, and their realities reflected in what is shared. It allows us to move beyond statistics and science and reach people where they feel most seen. It is in these spaces that we also draw attention to important health observance, days that anchor us in global and national efforts to raise awareness and take action.” 

Dr. Shana Cyr-Philbert, Senior Medical Officer for Noncommunicable Diseases, expressed her hope that this event would be the foundation of a new approach to health education in Saint Lucia. “I am hoping that this is the beginning of things to come. Health Expression is about more than tonight’s performances it’s about building a future where health messages resonate more deeply and meaningfully. I look forward to seeing how we grow this platform and how, as a nation, we come together and make that change because that’s how transformation truly begins,” noted Dr. Philbert. 

One of the evening’s most powerful moments came during the open dialogue session led by Nadia Gaillard Weeks, President of the Saint Lucia Renal Association. In a moving and personal account, she shared her journey living with kidney disease. “My reason is still a mystery because I got sick when I was 27 years old. One day I was fine, and the next, I wasn’t. My body started shutting down and doctors couldn’t pinpoint the cause. Six months later I 

began dialysis. That journey has been difficult, but it also gave me purpose. Speaking today is a part of that purpose to help others understand the challenges and the resilience it takes to keep going,” she explained. 

The event’s performances reflected the creativity and depth of Saint Lucia’s artistic community. Students from Castries Comprehensive Secondary School and St. Joseph’s Convent delivered stirring spoken word pieces exploring mental health, stigma, and youth resilience. Their courage and insight were met with enthusiastic applause from attendees. 

Local artists Glen Charlery and Ngozi added to the evening’s emotional resonance with performances that skillfully combined music, poetry, and advocacy. Charlery’s moving rendition of a piece on emotional wellness reminded listeners of the healing power of community, while Ngozi captivated the room with a rhythmic blend of storytelling and social commentary focused on domestic violence and its impact on health. 

Health Expression marks a growing recognition of the vital role creativity plays in public health advocacy. By reaching audiences through poetry, music, and lived experiences, the initiative aims to break down barriers, challenge stigma, and ultimately inspire collective action. 

Read more: https://www.govt.lc/news/ministry-of-health-fuses-creativity-with-public-health-advocacy

Listen: https://pod.co/government-of-saint-lucia/ministry-of-health-fuses-creativity-with-public-health-advocacy

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ae4IcggjpsE