Scholarship Recipients Called on to Assist the Transformation Process in Public Health

More than 500 scholarship awardees who will pursue higher studies in health-related fields have been asked to assist with the transformation process in public health, by Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton.

The Minister said that the young persons who have received scholarships under the Dr. Barry Wint Memorial Scholarship programme, have been given an opportunity “to do things differently for the better of those we serve”.

“This scholarship is intended to do that. Take this as an opportunity by the taxpayers of Jamaica, to broaden your horizon,” the Minister said.

He was addressing the recent awards ceremony, held at the AC Mariott Hotel in New Kingston.

The Scholarship Programme, named in honour of the late Dr. Barry Wint, a former Chief Medical Officer, aims to support graduate and undergraduate students pursuing careers in healthcare, with a focus on training for positions supporting the delivery of healthcare, including, but not limited to, Nursing, Medical and Dental, Veterinary, Public Health, Paramedics, Health Records,

Biomedical, Engineering, Health Management, Health Economics, Public Administration, and Public Policy.

“This is a developmental process intended to strengthen public health, to serve the people of Jamaica, and we were very careful to identify persons who have the passion, demonstrated the commitment, and have the competency and capacity, and wanted to be trained in areas that can fill gaps in the public health system,” the Minister said.

He added that the programme is another area of the upgrading and modernisation of public health, noting that 1,200 new doctors and 1,500 nurses have been formally added to the system with security of tenure, where they can serve and provide greater care.

For her part, widow of Dr. Wint, Yvonne Wint, told the ceremony that for her late husband, “public health was his calling”.

“Our entire family is very proud, and we wish everyone of you success in your career,” she said.

Meanwhile, scholarship recipient Samoya Blake said the group is inspired and motivated to contribute to a healthier and stronger nation.

“This scholarship is more than an acknowledgement of our achievements; it is a call to action, and it reminds us of the responsibilities that we bear and the trust placed in us to carry forward the legacy of excellence in health,” she said.

The top-five areas that scholarship awardees are pursuing degrees in are Medicine (185), Nursing (174), Dentistry (55), Pharmacy (22), and Radiography (21).

An additional 97 healthcare workers who are employees of the Ministry, its agencies and the Regional Health Authorities have also received scholarships.

All recipients will be bonded to work in public health for two years after the completion of their studies.