Health Minister calls for Collaboration, Advocacy to Combat NCDs Crisis in the Caribbean

KINGSTON, Jamaica. Thursday, September 25, 2025: Jamaica’s Health & Wellness Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, CD, MP has urged Caribbean leaders to use their voices and their votes within the UN system, to advocate for the recognition of the special circumstances of small island development states (SIDS) in the effort to combat the NCDs and mental health crisis. 

Delivering the closing remarks at the CARICOM Breakfast Side Event at the UN Headquarters in New York on Wednesday (September 24), the Minister said, “Importantly, colleague Ministers, Prime Ministers, stakeholders, we must use our voices and our votes in the multilateral halls of the United Nations, including inside PAHO and the WHO, as elsewhere, to grow our advocacy for greater recognition of Small Island Development States (SIDS) and our unique requirements in order to successfully attain and maintain universal health coverage.”

“Let us use this moment not only to celebrate 18 years of leadership and unwavering drive, but to recommit ourselves to decisive action on NCDs, on mental health, and on climate change. The health of our people, our economic resilience and our future depend on it,” Dr. Tufton further stated.

The Minister also implored the gathering to tackle the rising costs of drugs; examine and determine how to make best use of new and emergent technologies, including artificial intelligence; and to find new and creative ways to human resources for health in sufficient numbers and competencies, to ensure consistency of care.

“If not tackled effectively and through our collaborative best efforts, the challenges of NCDs, mental health and climate change can be catastrophic for Caribbean SIDS, undermining our sustainable development and compromising our survival,” the Minister noted.   

NCDs account for up to 65% of deaths in our region, with lives lost prematurely to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancers, and chronic respiratory illnesses.