Jamaicans Urged to Include Physical Exercise in Daily Regime

Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, is encouraging all Jamaicans to include physical exercise in their daily regime.

“Exercise for even 30 minutes a day and ensure that you eat right, but you must also enjoy your surroundings, nature, your family and your friends,” he urged.

The Minister was speaking at the Manchester High School Class of 1987 Dinner, Dance and Expo held at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville, Manchester, on July 8.

Dr. Tufton, who was Head Boy at the school from 1986-87, also urged his peers to worry less as they approached the age of 50, which the Minister described as the new 30.

“At 50, don’t allow anything to dominate your thought process in a negative way at this stage of your life, because it’s not worth it. That’s like bringing down stress on yourself, and the only person you affect when you harbour bitterness in your heart is yourself,” the Minister said.

“I am not willing to do that at 50, and it does not mean that things will not happen. People will do things to upset you, but, frankly speaking, you’re better off leaving it alone,” he added.

Dr. Tufton also encouraged his colleagues to be bold and do more with their lives.

“I do not think that at 50 we should stifle our thoughts, our creativity or settle for things that are mundane and routine. We should dare to dream and go after those dreams,” he said, noting that many persons do not see things that way as they get older.

He challenged the class of ‘87 to do that and to move away from the expectations of society.

The Minister, who was honoured by his former schoolmates for his service to the country, lauded the grounding he received from Manchester High School, which gave him the fortitude to overcome all the challenges in life.

Two other members of the class of 1987 were honoured for their service to country.

They are Solicitor General and Head Girl from 1986-87, Nicole Foster-Pusey and Executive Director of the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities, Christine Hendricks.

Consultant Neurosurgeon and Medical Chief of Staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Dr. Carl Bruce; and Founder, President and CEO of PCN-Kids, Garth Abiola, were honoured for service in the area of philanthropy.

The Class of 1987 handed over a cheque for $750,000, raised through their numerous fundraising efforts, to the school and pledged to donate more by the end of the year.