By Gerrino J. Saunders
Journal Staff Writer

After more than three years of research by the Ministry of Health’s planning unit
and one and a half years of collaborative work and consultation with the Office of
The Attorney General and other stakeholders, the government is ready to launch its
new approach to attaining improved health among the nations’ citizens.
From Parliament the Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Michael Darville laid on
the table of the House a copy of the Health Promotion and Wellness Bill, 2025
which he describes as a “life changing piece of legislation.”
He first reminded that it was the Prime Minister’s idea to add wellness to the
Ministry of Health’s portfolio; a decision he said was driven by the recognition that
achieving good health is not just about treating illnesses or medical conditions, but
about focusing on the prevention and maintenance of health and wellness.
According to the Health Minister the primary focus of the new legislation is to
promote health, improve quality of life, and enhance the well-being of all
Bahamians.
He said, “it does so through a framework that includes robust health regulation,
behavior change interventions and dedicated national health promotion strategies.”
Darville said the specific objectives of the Bill are to:

• Promote healthier lifestyles across all age groups, encouraging both physical
  activity and improved nutrition.
• Strengthen synergies among government agencies to ensure food and nutrition
  security is maintained and improved.
• Reduce the incidence of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and prevent
  premature deaths related to excessive and sustained consumption of food products
  that are of public health concern and finally
• To implement global and regional health policies that will support our national
  health promotion and reduction of NCDs.

“Chronic NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and kidney
failure are crippling our healthcare system,” said Darville.
Continuing he said, “studies after studies confirm that habits formed during
childhood often continue into adolescence and then into adulthood. National data
bears this out. In the Bahamas, 40 percent of teens and 71.6 percent of adults are
overweight. That is why this administration is not shying away from the bold
actions needed to safeguard our children and the next generation. Too much is at
stake and as a government we must address this public health issue head on.”
The Health Minister lamented the fact that the country’s health sector faces its
most significant financial burden from the demand for tertiary healthcare services,
which he said is predominantly driven by preventable NCDs.
“These conditions are largely attributable to poor lifestyle habits, such as excessive
consumption of unhealthy food products, alcohol, smoking and the lack of physical
activity.”
Dr. Darville believes the new policy comes at a crucial time, as it works hand in
hand with the recent announcement by the Ministry of Finance of a 5 percent VAT
reduction on unprepared foods along with upgrades to primary healthcare facilities
across the country.
He said, “together, these initiatives signal the commitment by this Davis- led
administration to making healthier food choices more accessible and affordable;
while also providing the public with the tools they need to make informed
decisions about their health and nutrition.”
He noted that part two of the Bill provides for the creation of a Health Promotion
and Wellness Plan and the adoption of specific public health policies designed to
drive the national health and wellness agenda.
Part three outlines the establishment and role of the National Food and Nutrition
Commission, which will be responsible for implementing a national nutrition
surveillance system and advocating for best practices in food and nutrition.
According to Dr. Darville the Bill also contains a component that would help the
public understand the importance of reading food labels carefully, spotting harmful
additives like excess salt, sugar, colors, and preservatives, so that consumers can
make healthier, more informed decisions about what to eat.
Additionally, Darville said the government’s commitment to this approach will
include actively monitoring the foods coming into the country, particularly for any ingredients that may be carcinogenic or contribute to cardiovascular disease and
premature death.
To ensure the effective implementation of the new measures the Ministry of Health
in consultation with relevant ministries, will have the authority to coordinate policy
development across various portfolios.