Dr. John Hall (left), consultant neurologist and past president of the Medical Association of Jamaica), chats with Steve Evans (right), president of the Rotary Club of Kingston and Shelly-Ann Bowen, past Rotary International Ambassador Scholarship recipient, at the weekly Rotary Club luncheon held at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston, yesterday. - Rudolph Brown/ Chief Photographer
The newly-formed Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) could have serious health implications for the country, according to consultant neurolo-gist, Dr. John Hall.
Dr. Hall said yesterday that a rise in HIV/AIDS cases and the level of violence and the use of drugs are some problems that could develop.
He was speaking during the weekly Rotary Club of Kingston luncheon at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.
Additionally, he noted that lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and obesity, as well as diseases related to smoking, could become a menace.
Making reference to drugs and violence, "a menace" in the Caribbean, Dr. Hall said the CSME must critically examine the problem internally, economically and politically.
"This raises the question of good border controls, good policing and the question of trafficking people," he continued.
Dr. Hall argued that the Government must coordinate aspects of the public health sector, such as tele-medicine, spas and the country's medical tourism sector, which he believes will have tremendous potential with the activation of the CSME.
He said the future challenges of the CSME include the direction of population movements; the ratio of nurses and physicians to the population; the training standards and licensing of medical personnel; the establish-ment of a unified Caribbean Medical Council; and a disciplinary authority to assist in preventing the spread of (health) epidemics.
