The family doctor is important

I AM very happy to be sending this message on the celebration of World Family Doctor Day 2022 by the CCFP (Jamaica chapter).

The family doctor is an important professional in the delivery of good medical care in any country. In fact, here in Jamaica, family physicians provide greater than 50 per cent of the medical care of our citizens. Without their input the public sector would buckle under pressure. The current COVID-19 pandemic has brought more to fore the valiant contribution of this group of medical professionals. NCDs, being the main contributors of ill health in our society, have been the comorbidities which have resulted in most deaths in the COVID-19 pandemic and, therefore, the proper management of these diseases within a changing health profile in our country demands a new approach to dealing with them.

The approach of preventative medicine has to be emphasised and encouraged as only with lifestyle changes with proper exercise and proper diet for our sedentary population will we be able to fight this scourge.

I am pleased to note that this year’s celebration will be under the theme ‘Let’s work together to combat chronic diseases in the COVID era’ as the pandemic has altered in many ways how we as a people have had to function as well as how medical care is being delivered, and that family doctors have stepped up to the plate to deliver quality care in this new normal. New innovations, employing new technologies such as telemedicine, among others, have to be explored and utilised.

I wish you all the best as you celebrate this year, and as you go forward wish to remind you that the burden of providing for a healthy nation rest on your shoulders.

Morais V. Guy Opposition Spokesman on Health & Wellness