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JAMAICA: Discussions Begin with Manufacturers to Reduce Sugar in Drinks

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#Kingston, September 12, 2018 – Jamaica – Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, says discussions have started with manufacturers who distribute sugary drinks to schools about the steps they will be taking to reduce the sugar content, before the Government implements its new policy on these drinks in January 2019.

Speaking at the release of the ‘Are You Drinking Yourself Sick?’ post-obesity-prevention campaign survey results, which took place at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston on September 10, Dr. Tufton said manufacturers are key stakeholders that the Government wants to see producing juices that are more fruit-based and healthy for the nation’s children.

“There are three months to go [before the policy is implemented in January].  In the meantime, we have been having discussions with a number of the critical stakeholders, including manufacturers,” Dr. Tufton said.

“I think it’s important that the dialogue continue.  I think it’s key for the behavioural change that we seek to include all concerned, because this campaign, this public advocacy, is not just about behavioural change for our children, our teachers, our vendors and our policymakers; it’s also about behavioural change for those who supply the goods that we would like to consume,” he added.

Dr. Tufton said he is encouraging school-beverage manufacturers to embrace the approach the Ministry of Health has been taking, as the goal is to reduce obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among our nation’s children.

“It’s good business to say to your consuming public that we have a product that’s good for you, and frankly speaking, a drink that contains four times the daily recommended amount of sugar cannot be good for you,” the Minister argued.

According to the ‘Key Findings in the Obesity Prevention Public Opinion Survey, Jamaica’, which were presented at the event, seven out of 10 Jamaicans attributed negative health impact to sugary-drink consumption; approximately eight out of 10 respondents were concerned about the effects of sugary drinks on their children’s health, and there was evidence to show that children had easier access to sugary drinks at school, when compared to their homes or other places outside of their homes.

The survey also stated that approximately 54 per cent of respondents agreed that children had most sugary drinks at school; approximately 83 per cent of them strongly supported policies on the provision of healthy food and beverages in schools; approximately 71 per cent of Jamaicans interviewed support the imposition of a tax on sugary drinks; eight out  of 10 persons agreed that the tax revenue should be spent on programmes that reduce obesity, especially among children; and 91 per cent of respondents agreed that there should be clear warning labels on the front of food and beverage packages to alert consumers when products are high in sugar, salt or fats.

 

Release: JIS

 

 

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New Tilapia Hatchery Slated for Completion Later This Year

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#Kingston, Jamaica, March 27, 2024 – The new tilapia hatchery under construction in Twickenham Park, St. Catherine, is slated for completion towards the end of 2024.

The 12,000 sq. ft. facility, being built at a cost of approximately $574 million, is intended to address the major issue of shortages in good-quality seed stock for fish farmers islandwide.

Manager for the Promoting Community-based Climate Resilience in the Fisheries Sector Project, Selena Ledgister, says the hatchery’s establishment is critical for securing a sustainable fisheries sector.

“Construction is on in earnest and we are looking before the year is out – which would be by around September or October – to complete the building part of it. The Project will be supporting the purchase and installation of the recirculating aquaculture system. This system will provide over five million advanced fries (young fish) per year, using the recirculating aquaculture system,” she told JIS News.

The bio-secure climate-resilient modular hatchery, being developed in partnership with the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), will feature a solar standby generator, plumbing system, rehabilitated guard host and administrative building.

Mrs. Ledgister said the hatchery, to be built and operated under environmentally friendly conditions, will impact the lives of fish farmers islandwide.

“I believe we have over 120 aquaculture farmers, and that number is growing; so, this will benefit the industry significantly. The hatchery is also expected to cushion the demand for fish. Fish farmers will also get the supply of advanced fries to restock their ponds. This is a significant impact that the Climate Resilience Project, as well as JSIF, will be creating for the Jamaican fish farmers,” she said.

 

Contact: Twila Wheelan

Release: JIS

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Trust Fund for Poor Children Born On or After August 6, 2022

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#Kingston, Jamaica, March 27, 2024 – Children born on or after the 60th anniversary of Jamaica’s Independence, who are wards of the State or beneficiaries of the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), will be eligible for the Jamaica 60 HOPE (Hope, Opportunity, Prosperity and Empowerment) For Children Trust Fund.

Jamaica celebrated its Diamond Jubilee on August 6, 2022.

In his contribution to the 2024/25 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on March 21, Prime Minister, the Most. Hon. Andrew Holness, said the purpose of the Fund is to help to close the wealth gap and address the issue of intergenerational poverty by creating a trust account specifically catered to vulnerable children.

“The HOPE for Children Trust Fund will provide each eligible child with a long-term savings account funded through annual contributions from the Government. Parents, guardians or other donors will also be able to make deposits into the account for the future benefit of any specific child,” Mr. Holness said.

The accumulated funds, including interest, will be accessible on or after the child’s 18th birthday, for specific purposes such as education, purchase of a home or commercial property or investment in a business.

“The central idea behind the programme is to provide children with a lump sum to start them in life upon attaining adulthood. Our initial target is a lump sum of between $600,000 and $800,000, to be available on the 18th birthday of any eligible child,” Mr. Holness said.

He noted that the Government will also explore alternatives to establish and manage the Fund, adding that it could form part of the National Insurance Fund or be administered by private insurance companies.

“This is, I believe, a ground-breaking initiative to truly grapple with inequality in the society. From a historical perspective, there are many households who have no endowment in Jamaica, meaning that they can’t look towards anything bequeathed to them from their family. There is no asset being passed down to them from generation. The only way that they are able to create any wealth is through their labour, through the dint of their effort – literally pulling themselves up by their bootstraps,” Mr. Holness said.

The Prime Minister emphasised that as the economy grows, the Government has a responsibility to take instrumental and decisive steps to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty and correct structural inequalities.

“The intention here is great, the amount may be considered small, but it is the first step in the right direction to truly create a more equitable society,” Mr. Holness said.

 

Contact: Judana Murphy

Release: JIS

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Port Royal Museum to Open in May

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#Kingston, Jamaica, March 26, 2024 – The long-awaited Port Royal Museum is expected to be opened in May of this year, with the first exhibit set to be unveiled at the event.

Construction of the two-storey facility, which will be the first fit-for-purpose museum erected in Jamaica, was done at a cost of $788 million with funding from the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ).

Major work on the building was completed in December 2023, with finishing touches and furnishings left to be done.

Director of the National Museum Jamaica (NMJ), Dr. Jonathan Greenland, told JIS News in an interview that the new museum will replace the older and much smaller facility at Fort Charles.

“It didn’t touch all the subject areas… so we lobbied for the Port Authority to collaborate with us and develop a museum in Port Royal, and so they’ve actually constructed a huge building with restaurant facilities, lots of parking, multifunctional space and meeting rooms, shops and everything that a modern museum should have,” he said.

The museum will also be fully accessible to members of the disabled community with wheelchair ramps and an elevator.

Dr. Greenland added that the location of the museum is also of notable significance to the history of the sunken city.

“Right on the spot where the museum is going to be, there was a rebellion of the enslaved workers from the dockyard. The leader of the rebellion or uprising was a skilled bricklayer and when you look at the walls around the whole area where the dockyard used to be, he was probably involved in building that,” he said.

He further pointed out that the museum will present a new opportunity for the NMJ to attract even more visitors and facilitate cultural tourism.

“We’re very excited…. and you know Port Royal is a very interesting place and the history is fascinating. We always had loads of visitors from all around the world without doing any marketing whatsoever, and this is going to be a whole different level of merchandising, marketing and tourism. This is fascinating history and it’s going to be quite dramatic,” Dr. Greenland told JIS News.

 

Contact : Jermi-Lee Nelson

Release : JIS

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