Critical Support By NSDMB In Fight Against COVID-19

Minister of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., says the National Spatial Data Management Branch (NSDMB) has provided critical support in the fight against COVID-19, through the use of geospatial technologies.

“The Branch assisted in developing a Jamaica COVID-19 dashboard in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, mapping COVID-19 cases across the island. From this, the Ministry of Health and Wellness reports to the nation daily on new cases, recoveries, hospitalisation and deaths,” he said.

Mr. Charles, who was making his contribution to the 2021/22 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 4, said the NSDMB continues to collaborate with the Ministry of Health and Wellness to enhance mapping and analysis capabilities in relation to health hazards and future disease outbreaks.

“I am pleased to note the advancements made by Acting Director, Raymond Poyser, and the team at the National Spatial Data Management Branch (NSDMB) as they manage Jamaica’s Spatial Data Infrastructure and promote the use of geospatial tools for the growth of the local geospatial sector,” he noted.

In addition, Mr. Charles said the Ministry has developed the National Spatial Planning Information Technology (NSPIT) Platform.

This, he said, is a web-based visualisation planning tool designed to complement the National Spatial Plan (NSP).

“We understand the importance of empirical data [for] more accurate information leading to better policies and better rollout of our plans,” he emphasised.