KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Minister of Health, Christopher Tufton, says it will cost Jamaica approximately $77 billion over the next 15 years to treat people suffering from cardiovascular-related diseases and diabetes.

“The data suggest that just from two sets of diseases it will cost us some $77 billion …just to deal with the treatment cost and the loss of productivity from persons who are affected within those two categories alone,” he said.

He was speaking at the launch of the 2017 Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K at the Alhambra Inn in St Andrew yesterday.

Tufton said the statistics coming from a recent study done by a group of experts justifies the Government’s push for Jamaicans to adopt a healthy lifestyle, including being more physically active.

He is imploring persons living with these conditions and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to make exercise a part of their daily habit.

 “It is said that if you are unfit and have a non-communicable or a lifestyle disease, be prepared to spend up to a third of your disposable income in treating with that particular ailment. Now, when you put it in that context, you are talking about it hitting your bottom line. It’s affecting your pocket. Not to mention the pain and the suffering and the inconvenience… from having to go to the doctor or take 15 tablets a day,” he pointed out.

The health minister hailed the Reggae Marathon as a good initiative, and encouraged persons living with NCDs to train for and participate in the event.

“It is so important that, as part of our policy framework, we preach, we teach, we demonstrate the importance of what a Reggae Marathon is promoting, separate and apart from the fun, the enjoyment and the experience… that it has implications for your well-being (and) your health,” he contended.

The Reggae Marathon, slated for December 2 in Negril, Westmoreland, will conclude the Jamaica Moves Get Moving Corporate Challenge.