Scientists and Medical Researchers Have Done Work To Advance Knowledge About Diabetes – Minister

Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Science, Technology and Special Projects, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, says  Jamaica’s scientists and medical researchers have done work to advance knowledge about diabetes, which is affecting many people.

During his address at the launch of Science and Technology Month 2026, held at Jamaica House in St. Andrew on Monday (November 2), he said some 300,000 persons are suffering from diabetes, particularly type two diabetes, which comes with associated issues, such as hypertension and blindness if not properly treated.

“Jamaica has contributed significantly to research and the understanding of diabetes, a disease that affects billions of people around the world. Our scientists and medical researchers have helped advance knowledge in this field,” he said.

About 12.5 per cent of the adult population in Jamaica live with diabetes.

While roughly 235,600 cases are formally tracked or estimated, health officials and the Diabetes Association of Jamaica note that the total number of people living with the disease, including undiagnosed individuals, exceeds 300,000.

Dr. Wheatley called for more interest in understanding diabetes and other diseases, to develop technologies for their prevention, diagnosis, management and treatment.

“Jamaicans are in fact innovative people. Innovation is evident in how we solve everyday problems. How we adapt, how we create and how we respond to challenges, but the truth is innovation at the individual level is not enough. We must build a national system that allows innovation to flourish and to generate lasting value, and this requires more than just good research,” he said.

“It requires an ecosystem in which our education system, our universities, our research institutions, government, financial institutions and private sector are working towards shared national objectives. It requires mechanisms that connect scientific discovery with technology development, entrepreneurship, investment and commercialisation. It requires that we support our researchers, not only to publish their findings but also to protect intellectual property, develop prototypes, validate technologies, attract investments and bring solutions to market. It requires a private sector that sees research and development not simply as an expense but as investment in competitiveness and future growth,” Dr. Wheatley continued.

He said the next phase of Jamaica’s development must not only be driven by what is produced but also increasingly by what Jamaicans know, what they create and what can be commercialised.

“That is building out a knowledge-based society,” he argued.

Science and Technology Month is observed in November under the theme ‘Science Solves’ and spearheaded by the Scientific Research Council (SRC).

One of the key highlights of the Month will be the 32nd Science & Technology Conference to be held between November 17 and 19 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.