KINGSTON Jamaica – UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) and the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) extended congratulations to the Jamaican government for its recent approval of the National School Nutrition Policy.

“[We] acknowledge that the availability and equitable access to healthy foods are now even more critical for children and adolescents. For this reason, we congratulate the Government of Jamaica on the recent— approval” the groups said via a statement on Saturday.

UNICEF and PAHO also applauded the ministries of education and health in advancing the Cabinet approval of the policy, describing it as a tangible commitment to the health and well-being of Jamaica’s children and adolescents.

The policy must still be passed by Parliament to be implemented in schools, an advancement the groups maintained that they are “eagerly awaiting.”

“We recognise that these efforts require a whole-of-society approach, with collaboration from all stakeholders including government, academia, the private sector, civil society, schools, and families. The decisions made today to invest in children’s health and nutrition will shape the health of the population for generations to come,” the agencies said, adding that they are committed to supporting the Government and other stakeholders in implementing evidence-based policies that support health and nutrition.