Outstanding Public Health Inspectors to be Recognised

The Jamaica Association of Public Health Inspectors (JAPHI) will be staging a COVID-19 Star Awards to recognise the work of outstanding public health inspectors (PHIs) on the front lines of the pandemic.

The function will take place on Friday (October 30) at Cecil’s Restaurant in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, beginning at noon and will be broadcast virtually.

Assistant Secretary of the JAPHI, Steve Morris, told JIS News that the event forms part of PHI Week activities, which is being observed from October 25 to October 31.

“Annually, we would have our PHI of the Year, as well as our Food Safety Award, but this year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have changed the format and will be doing the COVID-19 Star Awards to recognise PHIs for their significant role in the COVID response,” Mr. Morris said.

He noted that due to COVID-19 protocols, not all the award recipients will be at the function physically, but the top three persons will be at the location.

The top awardee will receive the Gold Star Award; the first runner-up will receive the Silver Star Award; and the second runner-up will get the Bronze Star Award. They will also receive trophies and cash prizes.

Meanwhile, as part of the week of activities, the PHIs took part in virtual training sessions on October 28 and October 29.

Topics covered included Public Health Response in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Environmental Health Strategies – (Considerations for Response to Natural Disasters); Mitigating Poison Exposure during COVID-19; and COVID -19: A City of Toronto Response – Roles of the Public Health Inspectors.

This year’s PHI Week is being observed under the theme ‘Environmental Health: Forefront in addressing the Challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic’.