Over the past thirty (30) years Non-communicable Diseases have been a major cause of mortality, morbidity and economic burden in the Caribbean and Jamaica, accounting for over 56% of deaths annually. In 2007 in Port of Spain, Trinidad, the CARICOM Heads of Government signed a 14-point declaration: Uniting to stop the epidemic of chronic NCDs. The National Committee on Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) was established by the Ministry of Health and Wellness in keeping with this Declaration.
Mission
Provide leadership for multisectorial action towards mitigating the impact of the non-communicable disease epidemic in Jamaica.
Purpose of the National Committee on NCDs
The purpose of this Committee is to provide the overall strategic direction, leadership, expertise and guidance to the Ministry of Health and Wellness and all other stakeholders on matters related to the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in Jamaica. The goal of the Committee is to advocate and recommend policies and programmes for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases.
Function of the National Committee on NCDs
The National Committee on NCDs performs the following roles and functions:
- Review and make recommendations to the Ministry of Health and Wellness, partners and stakeholders on the policies, laws and programmes with regards to Jamaica’s obligations arising from the Port of Spain Declaration, St. Ann’s Declaration, United Nations Global Political Declaration on the NCDs and any other national, regional and international commitments related to NCDs.
- Advise the Ministry of Health and Wellness on policies and legislation related to prevention and control of NCDs.
- Promote a whole of government, whole of society and integrated response to the NCD epidemic.
- Monitoring of the implementation of the National Strategic Plan for the prevention and control of NCDs.
- Assist in the mobilization of resources through advocacy to facilitate the implementation of the national NCD prevention and control programme.
- To promote NCD research, to monitor and evaluate NCD programmes, projects and interventions to prevent and control NCDs.
- Monitor regional and international trends and developments and advise on national responses.
- Review, assess and report on progress of the NCD programme.
- Submit a bi-annual report of its activities to the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
- Shall establish sub-committees as necessary in order to carry its mandate.
Membership
The membership of the National Committee on NCDs comprises of a multisectoral team of twenty-eight (28) persons assigned by the Minister of Health and Wellness.
Standing sub-committees
In addition to the National Committee, nine (9) standing sub-committees support the Committee’s work.
See below for details.
Committee Members
- Chairman – Professor Trevor Ferguson
- Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health & Wellness
- Director, Non-Communicable Disease and Injury Prevention Unit
- National Council on Drug Abuse
- Director Policy, Planning & Development
- Director, Legal Services, MOHW
- Chairman, National Food Industry Taskforce
- Chairman, Mental Health Technical Advisory Group
- National Health Fund
- Ministry of Education, Youth and Information
- Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security
- Ministry of Land, Environment and Climate Change
- Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
- Ministry of National Security
- Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports
- Private Sector Organization of Jamaica
- The Press Association of Jamaica
- Diabetes Association of Jamaica
- Heart Foundation of Jamaica
- Jamaica Cancer Society
- Planning Institute of Jamaica
- Medical Association of Jamaica
- Nursing Association of Jamaica
- Caribbean Institute for Health Research
- Violence Prevention Alliance
- Jamaica Mental Health Advocacy Network
Technical Sub-Committees
- Surveillance, Monitoring & Evaluation, Research
- Alcohol & Tobacco control
- Physical Activity
- Nutrition
- Health Promotion, Education, Communication & Social Marketing
- Screening and Integrated Disease Management
- Violence and Injury Prevention
- Mental Health
- Policy
The National Committee on Non-communicable Disease may be contacted for further information via email at ncncds@moh.gov.jm.
