Jamaica Moves, the flagship non-communicable diseases (NCDs) response program of the Ministry of Health & Wellness, was on full display on Sunday (May 26), in Geneva, Switzerland.

The occasion was the ‘Walk the Talk: Health for All Challenge’, a precursor event to the 77th World Health Assembly.

The Ministry of Health & Wellness was specially invited to infuse its Jamaica Moves brand into the fun run/walk, organised by the World Health Organization (WHO), as it culminated its 75th anniversary celebrations.

The Walk the Talk event saw more than 8,000 individuals from over 30 countries, along with Swiss locals, participating to raise awareness about the NCD crisis affecting the global population.

Speaking at the event, Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton lauded the WHO for hosting the event and thanked the organisers for the invitation.

“I am pleased that our local NCD response programme, Jamaica Moves, has been given the opportunity to highlight the work being done by the public health team as we fight the scourge of non-communicable diseases,” he said.

“Today is an important day, as we recognize that countries around the world face the same fate, and this provides an opportunity for greater collaboration and partnership as we all seek the best health outcomes for our people,” the minister added.

The Health & Wellness team, led by Dr Tufton, along with Ambassador Richard Brown, the Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the United Nations Office at Geneva, and his staff, engaged participants at the event through an interactive booth display that spotlighted the Jamaica Moves components of physical activity, healthy eating, and age-appropriate health screening in its three settings: schools, workplaces, and communities.

Jamaica Moves forms a part of the island’s coordinated national response to the increased incidence of NCDs.

The program is designed to educate, engage, and build supportive environments, with the goal of reducing NCDs by 25 per cent by 2025.

Jamaica Moves has gained national, regional, and international attention, having been awarded locally and receiving public endorsement from the Director General of the WHO, Tedros Ghebreyesus, and CARICOM leaders.

Additionally, the programme has been adopted by special interest groups and other countries.