Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton has called for collaboration and advocacy to combat the non-communicable diseases crisis in the Caribbean.

Dr. Tufton made the appeal while delivering the closing remarks at the CARICOM breakfast side event at the United Nations headquarters in New York, United States of America, on Wednesday.

The Minister has urged Caribbean leaders to use their voices, and their votes, within the UN system, to advocate for the recognition of the special circumstances of small island developing states in the effort to combat NCD’s and mental health challenges.

The Minister also implored the gathering to, tackle the rising costs of drugs, and examine the best use of technologies, including artificial intelligence.