Health Sector to Get Additional Medical Personnel

An additional 44 Cuban medical personnel will be added to the public health sector in another month, including 29 nurses, eight doctors, six dentists and one cytology technician.

“Among the doctors will be three pathologists. We expect that their work will assist us to have quicker turn-around time with respect to the examination of specimen and delivery of results from the National Public Health Lab,” says Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson.

The Minister was making his contribution to the 2013/2014 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 25.

Dr. Ferguson also expressed appreciation to the Cuban Government for the technical support being provided.

Meanwhile, the Dental Act and Regulations will be amended as part of the modernization of dentistry in Jamaica, and to protect ‘public safety’ through the setting and enforcing of reliable and consistent standards.

“I have also been working to establish a national Dental Examination Board, which will be responsible for ensuring the highest competent testing standards. I am pleased to report that the work is at an advanced stage. We have now received the comments from the Attorney General’s chambers; therefore we expect some early movement,” Dr. Ferguson said.

He also noted that the Ministry is partnering with Great Shape Inc., a non-profit organization, to put in place a National Sealant Programme.

“The aim is to reduce gum and other diseases and the number of extractions, especially in children,” Dr. Ferguson said.

Contact: Latonya Linton