Jamaica’s Minister of Health, Dr. Christopher  Tufton, has appealed to his Canadian-based  fellow alumni to  work  more closely together to “do more”  for Jamaica.

Dr. Tufton who was Head Boy at Manchester High school in Central Jamaica, suggested that members of  the school’s  alumni association in Toronto  should adopt a community health clinic “back home.”

He  was speaking at the alumni’s 2018 gala at which he was presented with the Champion Award.

Paul Gunter, the founding president of the Association , was also the recipient of an award.

Among  the special guests at the gala were Lloyd Wilkes, Jamaica’s Consul General in Toronto,  and Adaoma Patterson, President of the Jamaican Canadian Association.

Dr.Tufton who had a chance to meet many former students of his  alma mater whom he knew personally, took his audience  “down memory lane” in his address  as he spoke about  the  “old days” at the school.

The health minister also discussed  the “Jamaica Moves” campaign.

(The campaign  is part of  Jamaica’s National Strategy and Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of  non-communicable diseases which covers seven main categories — cardiovascular conditions, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, sickle cell, mental health disorders and chronic renal failure.

It also focuses on community-level interventions to facilitate increased physical activity among the population.)

He noted that other Caribbean countries are being encouraged to adopt the “Jamaica Moves” campaign.

In his welcoming remarks, Desmond Grant, president of the Association, said that  its members continue  to live up to the school’s motto, Sic Luceat Lux ( let the light shine) and “have caused our light to shine here in Toronto.”

Grant noted that proceeds from the gala will go towards supporting the Manchester High School Welfare Program.

  Boy-Manchester-High-school, Dr. Tufton, Head