Portmore councillor wants tougher laws to combat unhealthy eating and chronic diseases

Councillor for the Waterford Division in Portmore, St Catherine, Fenley Douglas, is calling for stronger legislation to address unhealthy eating habits and to regulate food imports, which he believes contribute to Jamaica's growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Speaking at the launch of the Ministry of Health and Wellness' digital initiatives, Jamaica Moves and Chronic Care Connect, at the Social Development Commission (SDC) complex in Spanish Town on Wednesday, Douglas argued that changing the nation's eating habits must be a central part of the public health agenda.

Representing Mayor of Spanish Town Norman Scott, Douglas said the country has reached a point where the welfare of citizens must take precedence over commercial interests.

"We need stronger laws to protect our people against some of the food imports," he said.

Douglas pointed to Ministry of Health and Wellness statistics showing that seven out of every 10 Jamaicans who die annually succumb to non-communicable diseases.

He said the figures underscore the need for tougher measures to curb the importation and consumption of products that contribute to lifestyle-related illnesses.

"What it means is that you have to be cruel to be kind. We have to craft laws that may hurt some interests in order to save lives," Douglas said.

The councillor maintained that policy interventions are necessary if Jamaica is to effectively tackle rising rates of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and other chronic illnesses.

While commending the Ministry of Health and Wellness for introducing the two digital health initiatives, Douglas lamented what he described as increasingly unhealthy lifestyles among Jamaicans.

He argued that despite growing awareness of the dangers posed by NCDs, many people remain inactive and continue to make poor dietary choices.

Douglas said Jamaicans are "eating themselves to death" and suggested that excessive use of social media has contributed to increasingly sedentary lifestyles.

The Jamaica Moves mobile application and Chronic Care Connect platform were launched as part of efforts to strengthen the country's response to non-communicable diseases by promoting healthier lifestyles and improving the management of chronic conditions.

- Ruddy Mathison

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