Gov’t Making Crucial Investments in the Health Sector – Dr. Tufton
By: , December 11, 2024
Photo: Donald De La Haye
Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (second left), presents a copy of his book, ‘Wild Flavours’, to Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona, Dr. Heather Ricketts (second right), during a Round-Table Policy Discussion held at the Mona campus in St. Andrew on Monday (December 9). Others (from left) are Director of the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES), Professor Lloyd Waller (left), and Deputy Principal of the University, Dr. Tomlin Paul.
Photo: Donald De La Haye
Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (right), delivers the keynote address at Monday’s (December 9) Round-Table Policy Discussion held at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona campus in St. Andrew under the theme ‘Envisioning Jamaica’s Health Futures’. Listening is Director of the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES), Professor Lloyd Waller.The Full Story
Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, says the Government is making crucial investments in the health sector to respond to the needs of Jamaicans more effectively.
Minister Tufton, who was addressing Monday’s (December 9) Round-Table Policy discussion at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona campus, cited the multibillion-dollar Health System Strengthening Programme (HSSP) as an indication of the Government’s commitment to equip, build and upgrade the island’s healthcare facilities.
The Minister said HSSP represents the largest infrastructure development project since the island gained Independence and includes the redevelopment of the Spanish Town, St Ann’s Bay and May Pen hospitals, and the Greater Portmore, Old Harbour, St Jago Park, St Ann’s Bay, Brown’s Town, Ocho Rios, May Pen East, May Pen West, Mocho and Chapelton health centres.
In addition to initiatives under the HSSP, the Government is also undertaking the redevelopment of the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St. James, upgrading of the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), and several other facilities.
Dr. Tufton said that investment is also made in technology and equipment and the prevention of diseases.
The one-day forum, under the theme ‘Envisioning Jamaica’s Health Futures’, featured policy and academic presentations as well as discussions on topics including Climate Change and Health, Health Financing and Health Technology.
The event, organised by the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social & Economic Studies (SALISES), brought together members of academia and the Government to generate tangible measures towards better health outcomes in line with the Vision for Health 2030 Strategic Plan.
The plan embraces the progressive realisation of universal access to health and universal health coverage as a central approach.
Presentations were made by representatives of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization/Pan American Health Organization (WHO/PAHO, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and SALISES.