Jamaica Government Implements Five-year Plan To Deal With NCDs

KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – The Jamaica government says it has implemented a five-year strategic plan aimed at tackling the prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the country.

Health Minister, Dr. Fenton Ferguson, said the plan would address the four major causes of death and illness here, namely cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and chronic respiratory disease.

He said the program would also tackle the four major risk factors for NCDs including physical inactivity, unhealthy eating, harmful use of alcohol, and tobacco use.

Dr. Ferguson said the government would continue to place great emphasis on the reduction of NCDs in Jamaica, noting that the problem poses a threat to national development.

NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension, heart conditions and cancer, account for some 36 million deaths each year globally, and are the leading cause of death and illness in Jamaica. Statistics show that in 2009, NCDs accounted for approximately 60 percent of deaths among men and 75 percent of deaths among women.

“What is of great concern is that more and more people are developing these conditions at a much younger age, because of unhealthy lifestyle choices. As policy makers, we have to put strategies in place to combat the incidence of these debilitating illnesses to improve the health of our population,” Dr. Ferguson said, adding that a “whole society approach” was needed to tackle the problem.

“The aim of the Ministry is to build alliances with various groups to promote physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing, which will enhance the quality of life of the Jamaican people by empowering individuals and communities to make good decisions for their health,” he said, noting that the Jamaica National Building Society’s (JNBS) Wellfest Family Fair 2013 launched over the weekend was in keeping with the objectives of the government.

“We welcome partnerships like these as the Government alone is unable to address all the health needs of the population,” he said.

The JN Group Wellfest 2013 will be held on November 16 under the theme “Your Health, Your Wealth…Lifetime Investments”.