Electronic Health Records support transformed healthcare in Jamaica
Dec. 19, 2024
Electronic Health Records support transformed healthcare in Jamaica
Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, MP, Minister of Health and Wellness, visited the St. Jago Park Health Centre and Spanish Town Hospital on Wednesday, December 18 to observe the operations of the recently introduced Electronic Health Records (EHR), an essential resource in Jamaica’s push toward the transformation of public health locally.
The EHR is replacing outdated paper-based methods at health facilities islandwide with streamlined digital processes and new ICT infrastructure. This innovation supports shorter wait times, while enabling greater collaboration among health teams and across facilities together with improved healthcare delivery – in alignment with the Ministry’s thrust to deliver modern, patient-centered care.
These advancements are being implemented through the Health Systems Strengthening Programme, HSSP, which was launched in 2018 to bolster healthcare management while helping to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases, NCDs.
Backed by a USD 50-Million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), USD 87 Million in funding from the Government of Jamaica, and a USD 11 Million-grant from the European Union, the programme is transforming healthcare, one facility at a time. There are 13 benefitting health facilities, including three hospitals and 10 health centres, under the programme.