Jamaica urges PAHO support for regional strategy to tackle human resources for health challenges
Feb. 2, 2023
KINGSTON, Jamaica. Wednesday, February 1, 2023: Human resources for health (HRH) is among the key issues flagged for attention by Jamaica’s Minister of Health & Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton in discussion with the new director of the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO), Dr. Jarbas Barbosa.
The Minister is in Washington DC for the inauguration of the new director, who was sworn in at the headquarters of the Organisation of American States yesterday (Tuesday, January 31, 2023). The two held discussions earlier today (Wednesday, February 1, 2023).
“The Caribbean Region continues to suffer from the fallout due to the migration of health workers. This continued migration pattern is threatening to significantly compromise the health care delivery system in the Region. This can be seen in our recent challenges in Jamaica with neonates and the fact that specialist nurses have been resigning at higher rates post-August 2022 – with the resurgence of most economies due to the removal of most restrictions implemented during COVID-19,” the Minister explained.
“There appears to be no coordinated action plan that addresses the human resource needs of the developed world while also providing capacity for developing countries, which are the main points of recruitment for health workers. The HRH strategy for the region is urgent and requires a clear direction on the way forward that should be led by PAHO,” added the Minister, who is chair of the PAHO Executive Committee for 2022-2023.
The Executive Committee, composed of nine member states of PAHO, meets twice a year to discuss the organisation’s budget and policies to address pressing health issues in the Region of the Americas.
While offering congratulations to Barbosa, the Minister has also encouraged PAHO’s support to advance Jamaica’s efforts at primary care reform, the elimination of trans-fats, front-of-package labelling, and the implementation of new tobacco legislation.
“Jamaica, like the rest of the world, is grappling with the rise in health-related issues associated with lifestyle diseases. Our strategy revolves around the strengthening of our preventative institutions and the building out of our capacities for effective and efficient clinical management. This is a major undertaking,” noted Dr. Tufton.
“The Government of Jamaica is therefore seeking the support of PAHO to continue to develop the programmes and activities to build out the reform programme for primary health care,” he added.
On front-of-package labelling and the implementation of the tobacco legislation, the Minister explained that strong advocacy and communication will be necessary, together with provisions for effective enforcement. PAHO, he said, is well suited to partner with Jamaica, given their technical expertise and long history of successful collaborations in the public health interest.
Barbosa, meanwhile, was elected by PAHO Member States, which include Jamaica, during the 30th Pan American Sanitary Conference last September. The Brazil national succeeds Dr. Carissa Etienne, a native of Dominica.
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Photo: Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, Jamaica’s Minister of Health & Wellness, greets Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, the new director of the Pan-American Health Organisation.