Prime Minister Bruce Golding will leave the island today to attend a one-day summit of heads of government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on chronic non-communicable diseases in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. This is Mr. Golding's first official visit overseas since assuming office as Prime Minister on Tuesday.

According to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, heads of government will also meet in caucus to deal with economic and trade issues relating to the European Union, which must be finalised by year end. They will also discuss issues to be raised at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Uganda in November.

The health summit is being held against the background of a report from the Caribbean Commission of Health which was presented at the 27th Conference of heads in 2006. The report drew attention to the high rates of heart disease, diabetes and hypertension in the region. In February heads endorsed a proposal to convene a regional summit on non-communicable diseases with a view to developing a regional policy to reduce the prevalence of these lifestyle diseases.

Dr. Ken Baugh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and Rudyard Spencer, Minister of Health, will accompany the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is scheduled to return to the island this afternoon. During his short absence, Derrick Smith, Minister of National Security, will be in charge of the Government.