Ministry of Health Urges National Support for Chronic Care Model

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is calling for national support to ensure the success of the new Chronic Care Model, which aims to reduce Jamaica’s burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by strengthening access to care, diagnosis and treatment.

Speaking with JIS News, Director of the NCD and Injuries Prevention Unit in the Ministry, Dr. Tamu Davidson, said that the model will require an “all hands on deck” approach.

“We need everyone on board – healthcare providers, communities and individuals alike. Together, we can improve the health and lives of Jamaicans living with chronic diseases and prevent the devastating complications they cause,” she said.

The Chronic Care Model, which is being rolled out under the Health System Strengthening Programme (HSSP), is an organisational framework that aims to revolutionise how care is delivered to individuals living with NCDs, particularly diabetes and hypertension.

It will ensure optimal care and long-term control of these conditions through interventions at the patient, provider and system levels.

The new model integrates pharmaceutical treatment, exercise, dietary changes, and other lifestyle interventions to provide comprehensive care.

Dr. Davidson said that Jamaica is facing a national health emergency due to the rising epidemic of NCDs.

She pointed out that with more than 77 per cent of deaths attributed to diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory conditions and cancers, the impact on public health, productivity and quality of life is immense.

The Director stressed the urgent need to tackle the burden of diabetes and hypertension, which are two of the most prevalent NCDs in the country.

“Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in Jamaica, and hypertension affects an estimated 32 per cent of our population,” Dr. Davidson said, noting that most Jamaicans know someone who has been impacted by these conditions. The Director lamented that despite the high prevalence of these conditions, many Jamaicans remain ignorant of their health status.

She pointed to findings from the most recent Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey (2016), which revealed that a large percentage of individuals with diabetes or hypertension were unaware, delaying timely and appropriate care. “Far too often, people first learn of their condition after experiencing severe complications such as kidney disease, stroke, or heart attack. This is a result of delayed diagnosis and insufficient management of the disease,” the Director noted. “Without proper control of diabetes and hypertension, the risk of complications like amputations, hospitalisations, and even death remains high,” she warned. It is in recognition of the need for systemic change that the Chronic Care Model was developed, which will focus on improving early diagnosis, care and long-term management of chronic conditions.

The model is being rolled out under the Health System Strengthening Programme (HSSP), which is being undertaken by the Government with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the European Union (EU).

The HSSP aims to improve the health of Jamaica’s population by strengthening policies for the prevention of NCD risk factors and for the implementation of a chronic care model with improved access to strengthened and integrated primary and hospital services networks that provide more efficient and higher quality care.