CARICOM must remain committed to fighting NCDs – PM Holness
PRIME MINISTER of Jamaica and Chairman of CARICOM Andrew Holness has called on heads of government in the Caribbean region to remain steadfast and committed to the fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The prime minister says the region must renew its commitment, which was made more than 10 years ago, to tackle NCDs.
“Recognising that NCDs remain a major challenge to the health of our populations, we have again elevated this to the UN development agenda for prioritisation of efforts to reduce risk factors,” said Holness.
He was speaking in New York at the 3rd UN High-level Meeting on NCDs yesterday, where CARICOM launched the “Step it up” initiative.
Jamaica is set to lead the CARICOM region in the fight against NCDs. This initiative is an adaptation from the ‘Jamaica Moves’ initiative.
Prime Minister Holness highlighted six priorities that were endorsed by the heads of government at the 39th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community in July this year.
He said that these priorities are to guide member states in the negotiation of the outcome document for the Third HighLevel Meeting on NCDs.
The meeting was held during the high-level week of the UN General Assembly, under way in New York in the United States.