On Wednesday, First Lady Cecile de Jongh participated in the filming of the “Healthy Pregnancies, Healthy Babies” television commercial, in cooperation with the Division of Personnel and TV-2 at the Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Center on St. Thomas. The public service announcement is part of a greater wellness initiative of the Government of the Virgin Islands, along with CIGNA, and seeks to raise awareness on the resources available to families welcoming a new baby into their home. 

“This initiative seeks to remind new and expecting mothers, as well as their families, about the importance of maintaining good overall health during pregnancy and throughout one’s life. With this program, the collective goal, and our hope, is to help improve healthy child outcomes overall. Quality prenatal care and community involvement is key,” the first lady said.

Wednesday’s filming was the last in a series of segments towards completing the final, 60-second public service announcement, which will soon air on television stations 2 and 8, as well as on the Government Access Channels 6 and 10. 

The first lady is Chairperson of the Children and Families Council which seeks to recommend changes to improve the delivery of services in the Territory and to develop a strategy to empower families through economic opportunity and overall wellness.