Health Ministries of the Department of the Andrews Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church, in partnership with Uchee Pines, launched their ‘Health Restoration and Wellness Optimization Symposium’ on Wednesday, February 19, at Pegasus Hotel with a strong message—76 per cent of Jamaicans die annually from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and lifestyle changes are needed to see improvement.
Highlighting the persistent threat posed by conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and even mental health issues, stakeholders renewed calls for urgent action in combating these health challenges.
The event featured remarks from Pastor Phillip Castell of the East Jamaica Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists; Dr Dudley Hosin, Director of Jamaica’s Health Ministries at the Jamaica Union Conference; Dr Leslie Meade, President of the Medical Association of Jamaica; Dr Omar Z.D. Oliphant, Senior Pastor at Andrews Memorial Seventh-Day Adventist; Professor Floyd Morris, Director of the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of the West Indies; Dr Alfred Dawes, Opposition Spokesperson on Health; and Dr Simone Spence, Director of the Health Promotion and Protection Branch at the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Attendees also heard from a Uchee Pines representative and Mrs. Judith James-Watts, a Jamaican who shared a personal testimonial on the benefits of lifestyle coaching.
