Expansion of ‘Adopt-A-Clinic’ Initiative in St. James

The Ministry of Health and Wellness’ ‘Adopt-a-Clinic’ initiative continues to expand in St. James, with the Montego Bay Comprehensive Health Centre (Type Five) next in line for the philanthropic programme.

The Adopt-a-Clinic programme seeks to proactively leverage the support of the Jamaican private sector and diaspora to play a more critical role in improving the primary healthcare system.

Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, in addressing journalists during a site visit to the Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) in St. James, on March 3, said that Petrojam is to adopt the public healthcare facility in short order.

He said this facility will join other health centres in the parish that have been adopted under the initiative throughout the years.

“Over the last couple of years, we have had adoptions on Adelphi Health Centre, Green Pond Health Centre, Mt. Carey Health Centre and Type Five health centre, which we should have officially sign over,” Dr. Tufton explained.

“We have continued to expand our Adopt-a-Clinic programme as part of engaging community involvement in our healthcare delivery,” he added.

Dr. Tufton said public healthcare is “everybody’s business”, as it not only involves doctors and nurses but every individual.

“It is the individual, through personal responsibility; it is the community, through collective responsibility, and it is, as a nation state, all of us, whether we’re in corporate, or we’re linked to health or not,” he argued.

The Minister pointed out that the Ministry has other upcoming plans for health centres in the island.