Good health a priority says Smith

Everyone has a responsibility for improving the health and well-being of current and future generations.

This was the message from Health Minister, Angela Smith who today addressed a world-wide delegation at the opening of the 2003 International Healthy Cities Conference in Belfast.

Welcoming the 700 delegates from countries all over the world including Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, Canada and the African continent, the Minister stressed the importance of good health.

“Good health and well-being is an issue which unites us all, wherever we live," she said. "It is the single issue upon which people place most value for themselves and their families and it is therefore of utmost importance that we make every effort to make our cities and our regions healthy.”

Commenting on the efforts of the government in Northern Ireland to improve health, the Minister outlined one of the main priorities in the Programme for Government – 'Working for a Healthier People'.

“This priority committed the government to improve the health of all the people here and to reduce health inequalities," she said. "It resulted in the publication of the Investing for Health strategy in March last year.

“In recognition of the fact that the health sector alone cannot bring about the improvements in health that are required, but that action is needed right across the government and beyond, this strategy was developed by a cross departmental group – the Ministerial Group on Public Health."

This year's 2003 International Healthy Cities Conference runs until the October 22.

The four-day conference is organised by the World Health Organisation and takes place every five years to mark the end of a phase of Healthy Cities work.

It is the first time the conference has been held in Northern Ireland.

(MB)