Opposition Leader Mark Golding has described the Health Ministry’s Know Your Numbers initiative as a joke.

The programme, launched in 2023 is aimed at getting citizens to be more aware of their health status, especially for non-communicable diseases so that they can take the necessary steps to improve their well-being.

These steps include being screened for lifestyle diseases.

Making his contribution to the budget debate in Parliament yesterday, Mr. Golding said the next People’s National Party (PNP)-led administration will implement a national screening programme.

This is part of a proposed policy shift, away from public relations.

Mr. Golding said there needs to be a change in focus from secondary to primary care.

He noted that the PNP’s national screening programme will reduce the burden on hospitals.