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The Taoiseach has insisted Ireland\u2019s health sector is \u201cnot a black hole\u201d as the department fights off a myriad of criticism.<\/p>\nThe Taoiseach has insisted Ireland\u2019s health sector is \u201cnot a black hole\u201d as the department fights off a myriad of criticism.<\/p>\n
Leo Varadkar was speaking in Dublin as he launched the 2019 Healthy Ireland campaign, announcing funding of \u20ac1 million to boost community engagement on health in every county.<\/p>\n
\u201cSadly, as we know, our health service only ever seems to make the news for the wrong reasons, whether it\u2019s hospital overcrowding, waiting lists, patients waiting far too long to see the specialist they need to see, or for the operation they need to have, and these of course are all very real problems, and we should never seek to play them down in any way,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel that we should also make space to tell people what is good about the health service and there is quite a lot.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year for example the health budget is \u20ac17 million, the largest budget for health we\u2019ve ever seen, and one of the highest in Europe per capita.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven though people may say it, health is not a black hole, the vast majority of the money is being well spent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Analysis by the Healthy Ireland Unit in the Department of Health shows that 60% of Irish adults are overweight or obese, with only one in three adults meeting physical activity guidelines or eating enough fruit and vegetables.<\/p>\n
The campaign aims to encourage the public to make positive choices to improve their health and well being across healthy eating, physical activity and mental health.<\/p>\n
Unveiling the new campaign, Mr Varadkar said: \u201cWhen you are trying to switch to a healthier lifestyle, it can be hard to know what to do and even where to start.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Healthy Ireland 2019 campaign aims to help you get the information you need to make positive changes to improve your physical and mental health.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are growing awareness in every county to make it easier to know where you can make that healthy start in your own community so you can eat better, exercise more and feel better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking after the event, Health Minister Simon Harris said: \u201cPromoting the health of our population to prevent illness is an essential part of our Slaintecare strategy.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnder the Slaintecare Action Plan we will progress a program to engage and empower citizens in their own health and well being. The new phase of the campaign being launched today will help us get the messages of Healthy Ireland to an even wider audience.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe work already under way through Healthy Ireland at national and local level, including through the growing Healthy Cities and Counties initiative, will be expanded as we seek to engage every family and community in improving the health of the nation.\u201d<\/p>\n