Jamaica Advancing Discussions on Health Financing, Infrastructure Development At PAHO Meeting

Jamaica is using the 63rd Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to advance discussions on financing, infrastructure and other priorities aimed at strengthening the country’s health system.

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, is leading Jamaica’s delegation to the five-day regional health meeting, which opened Monday (September 28) at PAHO headquarters in Washington DC and runs through to October 2.

The meeting brings together health ministers and senior health officials from across the Americas to discuss major public-health challenges and regional cooperation.

PAHO says the agenda includes health emergencies, antimicrobial resistance, arboviral diseases, food safety, access to medicines and health technologies, among other issues.

For Jamaica, Dr. Tufton said the gathering provides an important opportunity to engage international development partners on some of the country’s pressing health-system needs.

He said the Jamaican delegation will use the meetings to engage the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and other agencies on financing and support for the health sector.

These include plans for the construction and strengthening of hospitals and other health facilities, as Jamaica seeks to expand and modernise its healthcare infrastructure.

Dr. Tufton said the discussions are not limited to physical infrastructure but will also examine broader questions surrounding the sustainability and delivery of healthcare, including financing, access to diagnostic services and medicines, and the need to strengthen specialist expertise and training.

He highlighted the continuing challenge posed by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the importance of improving Jamaica’s capacity to prevent, diagnose and treat chronic illnesses.

Dr. Tufton said Jamaica will also use the regional forum to examine issues surrounding national health insurance and healthcare financing, as well as areas such as medical waste management and the development of the human resources needed to provide quality healthcare.

The engagement with development partners is particularly significant as Jamaica continues efforts to strengthen its health infrastructure and improve access to services across the island.

Dr. Tufton is accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, including Permanent Secretary, Dunstan Bryan.