Jamaica's health minister calls for culture change to fight NCDs

Jamaica's Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton, has called for a cultural shift to tackle non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the region.

He was speaking at a virtual meeting at the start of a two-day regional consultation on the Framework for the Caribbean Moves Initiative hosted by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (Carpha) in Jamaica on October 24.

Tufton, the keynote speaker, said he is happy with progress and hopes further policies can be developed to combat NCDs. He said the region is guided by the three Fs – food, fete and friendliness – but must find a way to incorporate a healthier lifestyle.

Tufton said, "We must abandon practices that are harmful to our health," since mortality rates are rising and quality of life declining. He asked member countries to share and learn from one another, noting that each country's issues are unique, but they can all learn from each other.

He called for intense brainstorming sessions and asked the private sector to participate in the fight against NCDs.

He used school sporting events as an example, saying athletic events sponsored by unhealthy sugary products are counterproductive.

Tufton urged people to become more active and called on governments to build safe walking places in cities to encourage walking, saying these measures could help transform people's behaviours. He said ignorance is a factor in fighting the region's "number one public enemy" (NCDS).

Helen Royer, director, Human and Social Development, Caricom Secretariat, who presided over the meeting, said 70 per cent of NCDs result in death, and this also contributes to the region's economic burden. She said further development, implementations and intervention are needed, and called for "robust discussions."