Minister of Health, Terrence Deyalsingh, calls for robust and targeted approaches to address marketing strategies used by multinational corporations which encourage increased consumption of fast food by teens and adolescents, with the aim of preventing an explosive increase in the rate of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) including Cancers.
Minister Deyalsingh made the call during his delivery of the national statement, at the 76th World Health Assembly currently taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, where he highlighted the scourge of NCDs and called for more robust, targeted action on this front.
With Trinidad and Tobago listed as one of the 28 front runner countries set to receive support from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to implement strategies aimed at prevention and management, Minister Deyalsingh noted that unrepressed expansion of NCDs posed devastating global health consequences for individuals, families and communities, and threatens to overwhelm health systems around the world.
Minister Deyalsingh also spoke on the issue of childhood vaccinations including poliomyelitis.
During his visit, the Honourable Minister met with Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, and presented a letter of invitation from the Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley, to visit Trinidad and Tobago at his earliest convenience.
Among the issues discussed at the Assembly were the importance of the global Pandemic Accord, particularly for Small Island Developing States such as Trinidad and Tobago, and the need for heightened collaboration and resource-sharing among countries in the context of post COVID-19 recovery.
Minister Delaysingh is leading the Delegation of Trinidad and Tobago to the World Health Assembly, which is taking place from May 21 – 30, 2023.
He is accompanied by Dr. Jeanine St. Bernard, County Medical Officer of Health, Ministry of Health and Officials of the Permanent Mission of Trinidad and Tobago to the United Nations, Geneva.