Jamaica’s presence on the international political scene continues to increase as Health and Wellnness Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, will chair the 2022 Commonwealth Health Ministers Forum.
The meeting, which runs from May 17 to 19 at the headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat, is being held under the theme ‘The Road to COVID-19 Recovery: Lessons Learnt for Building Health System Resilience to advance Universal Health Coverage and Global Health Security in the Commonwealth’.
Tufton departed the island on Sunday for London, England, and is accompanied by his Permanent Secretary Dunstan Bryan and Chief Medical Officer Dr Jacquline Bisasor-McKenzie.
A release from the Health Ministry says the meeting aims, among other things, to facilitate partnerships on a range of health priorities, including the COVID-19 response, addressing Non-Communicable Diseases, cervical cancer, malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases, as well as advancing Universal Health Coverage goals.
Meanwhile, in his year-long role as chairman for the Commonwealth health ministers group, Dr Tufton is expected to champion progress on the mental health impact of COVID-19; approaches to building back better after the pandemic; and enhancing digital health innovations.
The Minister is also to guide the Commonwealth Health Ministers in producing a joint statement for presentation at the 75th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland from May 22 to 28.
He will also be present at that meeting.
