PR – Fellow citizens of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique,
As we prepare to celebrate Child Month 2026, we take this opportunity to reflect on an issue of paramount importance: the health and safety of our children, who are the future of our nation. Each year, Child Month reminds us that ensuring the well-being of our children is not merely a choice — it is an obligation.
The theme for this year’s celebration, “My Health, My Safety: Our Responsibility!” reminds us that safeguarding each child’s health is our shared duty; it is one that rests with families, communities, institutions, and leaders alike. It is crucial to foster an environment that promotes the health and safety of all children.
To build a strong, resilient, and prosperous Grenada, we must ensure that every child has the chance to grow up healthy, safe, and protected. It is imperative to provide children not only with nutritious food, a clean environment, and access to quality healthcare, but also safe spaces to learn, play, and dream. We need to shield our children from harm, abuse, neglect, and exploitation and teach them the importance of care and respect for themselves and others. We have an obligation to listen to their voices, defend their rights, and build communities where they feel loved and supported.
When we promote healthy lifestyles and habits from a young age, we lay the foundation for our children to enjoy longer, healthier, and more productive lives and thus to avoid many of the illnesses and chronic diseases with which we currently grapple as a society.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 2.4 million children under age five die each year from preventable causes. This figure highlights the urgent need to improve child health, safety, and nutrition. In Grenada, some of our children face hunger and abuse. It is imperative that we join forces to identify ways to eradicate these scourges that prevent our children from realizing their full potential.
Vaccination remains one of the single most successful public health achievements in modern medical history. In Grenada, our dedicated health care workers have worked tirelessly to protect our children against preventable communicable diseases. Grenada’s Public Health (School immunization) Act requires children under the age of 13
to be immunized against key communicable diseases before school entry, yet there has been a decline in children being vaccinated. Despite continued efforts to educate the public about the importance of vaccination, vaccine hesitancy among parents and guardians persists. Addressing this hesitancy is essential to protecting children’s health and reducing the harmful and, in some cases, long-lasting effects of preventable diseases.
My fellow Grenadians, each of us has a role to play. We must come together—families, communities, and government—to build environments where our children can grow physically, emotionally, and socially. As responsible adults, we must be attuned to the needs of our children and protect them from all forms of danger, harm, and abuse. We must be the voice for the voiceless, the hope for the hopeless, and the defenders of the vulnerable. Trustworthiness, confidentiality, and dependability should guide our actions as we take on this important responsibility.
Parents and caregivers have a crucial role to play in modeling healthy lifestyles and creating safe environments for children. Communities are also important. Their involvement in guiding and mentoring children is a valuable and longstanding tradition in Grenada that needs to be strengthened and, in some cases, revived.
My government recognizes the importance of improving child health services, including mental health support, nutrition efforts, and vaccination programs. However, the decline in childhood vaccination rates in recent years is an area of concern. It highlights a significant gap in awareness and understanding of the importance of vaccines. We must strive to do better
In closing, I encourage local organizations, schools, and businesses to support government-run community and outreach programs, particularly those related to healthcare and nutrition, as these two areas are vital to ensuring the safety and well-being of our children.
Together, let us strive to build a future where every child feels safe, healthy, and supported. Let us reaffirm our commitment to creating a Grenada where every child wakes up healthy, walks safely to school, and learns in a secure and nurturing environment. This is not only our duty; it is our moral obligation. We are called upon to make a meaningful difference in children’s lives. Let us face this challenge with single-mindedness of purpose and with unwavering determination.
I wish all a successful month of celebrations.
Thank you.
