Portraits of Excellence is an annual scholarship awards and gala event at the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC) that celebrates students who truly represent the values of the USC Man and Woman. It recognises individuals who demonstrate strong faith, integrity, cultural awareness, critical thinking, and a genuine commitment to service and lifelong learning. Through creative expression, research, and community involvement, the event highlights students’ personal growth and achievements while celebrating diversity and holistic development.
Question:
“If you were the Minister of Health of your country, describe one health initiative you would implement to support Goal #3 of the UN SDGs?”
Answer:
If I were the Minister of Health of Saint Lucia, I would implement a Community Health Strengthening Initiative focused on preventive care, nutrition, and equitable access to health services to support UN SDG #3: Good Health and Well-Being. This initiative would upgrade health centres, provide unique digital health ID cards for continuity of care, and deploy certified nutritionists to community clinics for personalized diet planning. Additionally, I would support local farmers by establishing markets for affordable produce and mobilizing teams to reach underserved communities.
This strategy aims to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases, advancing SDG targets 3.4 and 3.8 by enhancing universal health coverage and access to quality healthcare services.
Question:
“If you were the Minister of Health of your country, describe one health initiative you would implement to support Goal #3 of the UN SDGs?”
Answer:
As a Minister of Health, my priority would be to address the ongoing issues of Non-Communicable Diseases and malaria, which together constitute 70% of the disease burden in Guyana.
To achieve SDG Goal 3, I would introduce the Guyana Heart & Hinterland Wellness Initiative. This program would scale the “HEARTS” initiative to all ten regions, integrating mobile NCD screening (hypertension and diabetes) with malaria testing in mining and logging communities.
Through the implementation of Wellness Vans and training community health workers in task-shifting, we would guarantee life-saving preventive care and early diagnosis.
This project will ensure that every Guyanese, no matter the location, is provided with the health and hope they deserve.
Question:
“If you were the Minister of Health of your country, describe one health initiative you would implement to support Goal #3 of the UN SDGs?”
Answer:
If I were the Minister of Health of the Commonwealth of Dominica, I would launch a “Blue & Green Schools Initiative” to support United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #3.
This program would focus on improving students’ mental health by using nature in schools. As the “Nature Isle” of the Caribbean, Dominica’s rich flora and fauna make it easier to incorporate blue and green spaces into schools. Every school would develop accessible gardens, shaded courtyards, and small water features to create restorative environments.
Being exposed to greenery and water reduces stress, boosts concentration, and fosters emotional resilience. Students would engage in outdoor classes and peer activities in these spaces, normalizing mental health care as part of daily learning. This initiative would nurture healthier minds, stronger communities, and a sustainable culture of wellbeing.
Question:
“If you were the Minister of Health of your country, describe one health initiative you would implement to support Goal #3 of the UN SDGs?”
Answer:
If I were the Minister of Health of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, I would introduce a programme that provides free access to medication for people living with chronic illnesses, similar to Trinidad and Tobago’s Chronic Disease Assistance Programme (CDAP).
Managing chronic diseases like PCOS, diabetes, and hypertension, is expensive to manage, especially since some chronic conditions require long-term or even lifelong treatment. For many people, keeping up with prescriptions becomes a financial struggle.
This initiative would help patients afford their prescriptions, stay consistent with their medication, reduce complications, and improve quality of life. This program aligns with the UN’s SDG 3.4, which is concerned with reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through effective treatment, and promoting overall health and well-being.
Question:
“If you were the Minister of Health of your country, describe one health initiative you would implement to support Goal #3 of the UN SDGs?”
Answer:
If I were the Minister of Health of Trinidad and Tobago, I would introduce Healthy Futures TT, an empowerment programme that makes health education mandatory in primary, secondary, and tertiary schools. Students would learn about and be able to log their food choices, calorie intake, physical activity levels, and mental health habits.
The initiative would include a smart health application (offline option available), with a hotline, that uses technology to allow the Government to meet youth where they are and keep them engaged. Reward points can be used to redeem community gym access or food discounts.
Once embraced, it is the hope that the Healthy Futures TT campaign will mitigate against lifestyle diseases and ultimately build a healthier generation for Trinidad and Tobago.
Question:
“If you were the Minister of Health of your country, describe one health initiative you would implement to support Goal #3 of the UN SDGs?”
Answer:
If I were the Minister of Health, I would work towards cheaper and more accessible healthcare for all, which includes subsidies for essential drugs, and biweekly house visits for persons who are unable to travel to a doctor. I would also ensure that the public is well educated about their health by running community wide health seminars and checks.
Working with the Minister of Youth and Sports, I would work towards not just a playing field in every community, but an outdoor gym area, allowing citizens the opportunity to level up their physical health and fitness.
Question:
“If you were the Minister of Health of your country, describe one health initiative you would implement to support Goal #3 of the UN SDGs?”
Answer:
If I were the Minister of Health of my country, I would introduce a National Digital Mental Well-Being and Media Literacy Initiative to address the growing mental health challenges linked to excessive digital media use among young people, in support of UN Sustainable Development Goal #3: Good Health and Well-Being. As online spaces increasingly shape youth identity and self-worth, this has become a critical public health issue.
Research from international public health and academic organizations links heavy digital media use among youth to increased social comparison, lower self-esteem, and poorer mental well-being, prompting countries such as Australia, France, the United Kingdom, and several European Union states to adopt age-based and school-level measures. Building on this global shift, the initiative would equip young people with practical skills through mental health education, body image awareness, and responsible digital media use, supporting early prevention and healthier outcomes.
Question:
“If you were the Minister of Health of your country, describe one health initiative you would implement to support Goal #3 of the UN SDGs?”
Answer:
If I were the Minister of Health of Antigua and Barbuda, I would launch a national initiative to improve youth nutrition and reduce non- communicable diseases by increasing access to healthier food. In the Caribbean, 20-35 % of adolescents are overweight or obese, a figure that elevates their risk of lifelong illness.
My plan would expand school gardens, subsidize fruits and vegetables at markets, support farm-to-school programmes, and strengthen nutrition education in schools and communities. Making nutritious choices more affordable and accessible would help children thrive and bring us closer to achieving SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being.
Question:
“If you were the Minister of Health of your country, describe one health initiative you would implement to support Goal #3 of the UN SDGs?”
Answer:
If I were the Minister of Health, I would implement a national men’s mental health initiative focused on early intervention, emotional education, and accessible support services. This initiative would expand community-based counseling programs, mobile mental health clinics, and safe spaces where men can openly discuss emotional struggles without stigma.
By promoting emotional regulation, early help-seeking, and culturally sensitive mental health education, this approach would reduce rates of depression, suicide, and untreated mental illness among men, directly supporting SDG #3’s goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.
Question:
“If you were the Minister of Health of your country, describe one health initiative you would implement to support Goal #3 of the UN SDGs?”
Answer:
If I were the Minister of Health in Trinidad and Tobago, I would implement a national youth physical activity programme to address rising physical inactivity among young people. This programme would take place during school vacations and bring students together at central hubs, where they would participate in sports based on their interests, such as football, cricket, tennis, rugby, and badminton.
Through structured training and fundamental skill development, youths would improve their physical health while building friendships and healthy rivalries. Encouraging regular physical activity from an early age fosters lifelong healthy habits, reduces sedentary behaviour, and may even produce future national sporting heroes, directly supporting SDG #3: Good Health and Well-Being.
