Minister of Health and Wellness, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville tabled the Health Promotion and Wellness Bill in the House Of Assembly on Wednesday.
The proposed legislation is intended to promote healthy lifestyles and wellness, to empower the adoption of national, regional and global public health policies, to reduce non-communicable diseases and premature death linked to unhealthy and or harmful lifestyles.
During his presentation Dr. Darville told Parliament, “forty percent of our teens and 71.6% of adults are overweight that is why this administration is not shying away from the bold actions needed to safeguard our children and the next generation. Too much is at stake and as a government we must address this public health issue head on. Our health sector faces its most significant financial burden from the demand for tertiary health care services predominantly driven by preventable non-communicable diseases.”
The Minister went further saying, “we are tired of seeing people losing limbs and losing their eyesight because of diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension and vascular disease brought on by poor diet choices.”
The bill also establishes the National Food and Nutrition Commission to act as the advisory body on food and nutrition along with other relevant agencies.
