Caribbean News
JAMAICA: Get Back to The Basics of Health – Dr. Tufton
#Jamaica, May 09, 2018 – Mandeville – Health Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, is calling on Jamaicans to “get back to the basics of health” by practising a healthy lifestyle and reducing risks of accidents and injuries. He argued that “as a consequence of our own actions, we have impacted our state of public health and the demand on the system”.
He said that the responsibility for health and wellness begins with each individual, and with “how we live in the environment, interact with each other, how we treat ourselves and a recognition that health and wellness starts at the community level”.
“Many of the demands for more and better healthcare would not have been there if, at the community level, people were practicing some very basic healthy behaviour,” he stressed.
The country, he said, has lost its way in that regard and needs to “get back to basics”.
“Public health is not just about the number of hospitals we have or surgeries we can perform. Those represent the manifestation of a society that has missed the core fundamentals and principles of sustainable health and wellness,” Dr. Tufton said. “Jamaicans must get back to the basics of promoting and living a life in the interest of our community – that is, the practice of preventative healthcare. These habits would lead to less pressure on the system,” the Minister contended.
He was speaking at a ceremony last Thursday (May 3) to officially open the newly expanded Portsea Health Centre in St. Elizabeth. Dr. Tufton said that there is significant demand on the public health system, with hospital and health centre visits reaching 1.2 million and 1.9 million, respectively, in 2017. There were 187,000 hospital admissions last year.
The Minister estimates that 70 per cent of visits to accident and emergency departments were for injuries related to traffic accidents and crime and violence.
“Statistics of road accidents in Jamaica show that human error, breaches of the road code, drinking and driving, faulty tyres, improper overtaking all combine to create a demand on the accident and emergency ward. Trauma cases related to domestic violence also fill the accident and emergency wards daily,” he said.
Dr. Tufton noted that lifestyle conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease were also putting a strain on the health system. He said that seven out of every 10 deaths in Jamaica were linked to preventable lifestyle illnesses.
“Could these have been prevented given our consumption of salt, sugar, fat, alcohol and smoking?” Dr. Tufton asked, highlighting the need for moderation in consumption habits.
Three treatment rooms were added to the Portsea Health Centre at a cost of $5 million. The facility, which was built in the 1950s, provides child/maternal care, antenatal/postnatal care, nutrition advice, curative services, disease control and much more, five days per week. It serves 4,000 residents with about 300 visits monthly.
Release: JIS
Caribbean News
Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts celebrate a night of wins, and take home a total of 16 titles at the 32nd Annual World Travel Awards
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (October 6th, 2025) – CaribCon, the Caribbean conference celebrating culture, innovation, and creativity, will welcome some of the region’s most influential voices to its inaugural edition in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The event, set to be a dynamic gathering of thought leaders and cultural icons, will feature impactful panel discussions, inspiring and intimate fireside chats and a flow of knowledge from some of the Caribbean’s brightest and best in the creative sector.
Elizabeth “Lady” Montano
Jamaica’s own Dr. Terri-Karelle Johnson, celebrated communications specialist, media personality, and global keynote speaker, will headline CaribCon as the official keynote speaker. Known for her ability to connect authentically and inspire audiences worldwide, Dr. Reid will share her insights on Caribbean identity, storytelling, and the power of representation in shaping global narratives. Another highlight of CaribCon will be the presence of Elizabeth “Lady” Montano, mother and former manager of soca superstar Machel Montano. Lady will launch her award-winning book, King of Soca, in which she is positioned as the ultimate insider, chronicling the evolution of one of the Caribbean’s most iconic entertainers. She will also share her invaluable experiences on nurturing talent, building a brand, and sustaining longevity in the competitive music industry in an intimate fireside chat. Adding further star power to the event is Simon Baptiste, CEO of Question Mark Entertainment, co-founder of ODOS, a global collective network spanning over 1000 professionals in 35 countries, film director, talent manager and creative strategist. Baptiste will bring his expertise to conversations on shaping the region’s creative sector and talent.
Simon Baptiste
“CaribCon is where the Caribbean’s voices, ideas, and creativity converge,” says Omega Simmons, founder of CaribCon and CEO of SOS Media. “Having leaders like Terri Karelle, Lady Montano, and Simon Baptiste share their stories and expertise truly embodies the spirit of this event. Their presence reinforces the power of Caribbean culture to inspire and influence on the world stage.” CaribCon will take place at the Shore Club in Providenciales, the Turks and Caicos Islands, from October 23rd to 26th. Attendees can look forward to networking opportunities, panel discussions, and meaningful dialogue to foster an ecosystem that develops the region’s creative sector and propels it onto the global stage.
Sponsors are:
Signature Experience Partners: Ministry of Tourism, Experience Turks and Caicos, and The Shore Club.
Other sponsors: PPID, Invest TCI, InterCaribbean Airways, Subtronic Sounds, Spotlight Communications.
Hotel partners: Ocean Club Resorts, Waterloo Hotel Management, The Somerset on Grace Bay and Ports of Call Resort.
For more information, tickets, and updates, visit www.caribcon.co or follow @caribconhq on all social media platforms.
For more information please email: contact@caribcon.co
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