Spencer committed to dealing with non-communicable diseases

"A multi-sectoral approach must be taken if we are to effectively tackle the problem of NCDs. We have been doing a number of things and met with our public- and private-sector partners, as well as NGOs, in June this year," he noted.

Spencer was speaking on day two of the World Bank regional dissemination workshop on the findings of a study on NCDs. The workshop was held yesterday at the Wyndham hotel in Kingston.

Spencer said the interventions being undertaken to reduce the impact of NCDs on the Jamaican population include the draft tobacco control/smoke-free environment bill, which should soon be placed before Parliament for consideration.

"We have been moving ahead with the implementation of our obligations under the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control even though it might have appeared that the finalisation of formal instruments has been delayed," Spencer explained.

The minister added that he was aware that Jamaica had fallen short in some areas but noted that the country has remained strong in others where NCDs are concerned.

He added: "We will be taking some of the recommendations (by the World Bank) on-board to assist us to design appropriate policies and targeted interventions to improve the health of the population."

Among the policy options recommended by the World Bank to ease the growing burden of the diseases are to tackle risk factors, develop and enforce legislative and policy actions, and to mobilise resources for implementing strategies and programmes.