Motorcyclists in Westmoreland urged to wear helmets

Motorcyclists in Westmoreland, particularly young men, are being encouraged to wear a helmet when riding their bikes, in order to reduce the risk of sustaining head injuries in the event of an accident.

This urging comes from Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton, who notes that the young men riding motorcycles are often inebriated and proceed to carry multiple pillion passengers, resulting in accidents.

He emphasised that motor-vehicle accidents in Westmoreland are putting a strain on the parish’s public health facilities.

“Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital is full of young men who are in accident and emergency (A&E), who [also] fill up the male surgical ward, [and] the operating theatres, who are riding motorcycles and don’t have on a helmet,” Tufton stated.

He was addressing residents during the Westmoreland leg of the Health Ministry’s ‘Know Your Numbers’ Tour, which was held at Independence Park in Savanna-la-Mar on April 19.

During the event, citizens were able to access several free health services, including blood pressure. dental and vision checks; sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing, and nutrition counselling.

Tufton told JIS News that there was a “very good turnout” for the day’s proceedings, citing the “hundreds of people” who attended.

“The purpose of this [initiative] is that people need to know their numbers so that they can preserve themselves and take action, if necessary, rather than wait until it’s too late,” the Minister said.

He further underscored the importance of taking screening exercises to citizens, noting that many do not do regular health checks.

Tufton pointed out that the tour is an attempt at changing that behaviour by making it easier for persons to get screened, adding “so it’s part of the outreach”.

The islandwide tour, which commenced last year, is designed to encourage Jamaicans to know the numbers that are vital to their health and well-being.

- JIS News

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