Jamaica Renews Cooperation Agreements With Cuba

Jamaica has renewed its bilateral partnership with the Republic of Cuba for the provision of technical support to the local health sector.

Health Minister, Hon. Horace Dalley, and Cuba’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Bernardo Guanche Hernández, on December 3, signed two agreements that will further extend this collaboration, during a ceremony at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices.

One of the agreements renews the technical cooperation framework that will enable both countries to engage in broader collaboration regarding the recruitment of additional healthcare workers and biomedical engineers from Cuba, to provide services.

The other will facilitate the Cuban Government’s ongoing support for the Ophthalmological Centre, which operates from St. Joseph’s Hospital, in Kingston, to provide ongoing eye care, inclusive of screening and surgeries, particularly for cataracts.

The provisions of both agreements are being administered by Jamaica’s Health Ministry, in partnership with Cuba’s Ministry of Public Health.

Currently, there are 71 Cuban medical workers in Jamaica delivering comprehensive health care, as well as pathology, neonatology, nephrology, nursing and ophthalmology services, as well as health technology.

Health Minister, Hon. Horace Dalley, welcomed renewal of the agreements, noting that “thousands of Jamaicans have benefitted, especially under the eye-care programme.”

He said the Government of Jamaica has renewed the agreements “because we believe in them,” adding that the ongoing cooperation between the two countries is aimed at ensuring that “our people get the best health care.”

For his part, Ambassador Hernández said Cuba’s renewal of the partnership is indicative of “our willingness to continue developing the collaboration with the people of Jamaica.”