KINGSTON, Jamaica. Tuesday, May 28, 2024: Jamaica Moves – the flagship non-communicable diseases (NCDs) response programme of the Ministry of Health & Wellness – was on full display on Sunday, May 26 in Geneva, Switzerland.
The occasion was the Walk the Talk: Health for All Challenge – a precursor event to the 77th World Health Assembly.
The Ministry of Health & Wellness was specially invited to infuse its Jamaica Moves brand into the fun run/walk, organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO), as it culminated its 75th anniversary celebrations.
The Walk the Talk event saw more than 8,000 individuals from more than 30 countries together with Swiss locals participating to raise awareness about the NCDs crisis affecting the global population.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Health & Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, MP, lauded the WHO for hosting the event and thanked organisers for the invitation.
“I am pleased that our local NCDs response programme – Jamaica Moves – has been given the opportunity to highlight the work being done by the public health team as we fight the scourge of non-communicable diseases,” he said.
“Today is an important day, as we recognise that countries around the world face the same fate and this provides an opportunity for greater collaboration and partnership, as we all seek the best health outcome for our people,” the Minister added.
The Health & Wellness team, led by Dr. Tufton, along with Ambassador Richard Brown, the Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the United Nations Office at Geneva and his staff engaged participants at the event through an interactive booth display that spotlight the Jamaica Moves components of physical activity, healthy eating and age-appropriate health screening in its three settings – schools, workplaces and communities.
Jamaica Moves forms a part of Jamaica’s coordinated national response to the increased incidence of NCDs. The programme is designed to educate, engage and build supportive environments, with the goal of reducing NCDs by 25% by the year 2025.
Jamaica Moves gained national, regional and international attention, having been awarded locally and has received public endorsement by the Director General of the WHO, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus and CARICOM leaders. Additionally, the programme has been adopted by special interest groups, and other countries.
The 77th Annual World Health Assembly sees health officials convening in Geneva from May 27 to June 2 to discuss the global health agenda.