Caricom praised for health focus

Amuleru-Marshall delivered the feature address Friday at the annual public health lecture hosted by South-West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA).

Speaking to several health care professionals at Paria Suites in La Romaine, Amuleru-Marshall said: “The decision to go on the offensive, methodically, against non-communicable diseases, including obesity and mental illness, was a very good move. This move would surely impact on the progressiveness of good health.” Noting that the move would also embrace taxing tobacco products and imposing a ban on smoking in public places, Amuleru-Marshall said that such vices were contributing factors to public health life. Also speaking at the lecture was Amuleru-Marshall’s wife — Zuri. Zuri, who spoke on “Maternal and Child Heath Care” said one strategy to prevent the infant mortality rate in the Caribbean, is to strive to reduce teen pregnancy.

There must also be an effective working of the Family Planning Associations, in countries in the region, she added.

More importantly, Zuri told the gathering of public health officers, was the care given to the newborn. “Early and continuous prenatal and newborn care, is of paramount importance,” she said.