Jamaican government call on Diaspora to help improve healthcare

Jamaica’s Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton recently stated that the government of Jamaica has been on a mission to leverage philanthropic support from the private sector and the Jamaican diaspora to help improve the nation’s primary healthcare system.  Dr. Tufton was speaking at an Adopt-a-Clinic ceremony for the Grange Hill Health Centre in Westmoreland earlier this month when he made the comment.

Minister Tufton said that the Grange Hill Centre will benefit from three million dollars over three years, noting that the donation will facilitate the acquisition of clinical and office equipment and infrastructure maintenance.

According to the minister, the Adopt-A-Clinic program has been a driving force that is enabling some individuals and groups to help make decisions to contribute to the improvement of healthcare service delivery at the primary-care level. “This afternoon we come together in the spirit of collaboration for the official adoption of the Grange Hill Health Centre, it is also a great time to solidify the support and partnership of another outstanding contributor,” Minister Tufton remarked.

The health center provides primary healthcare services to some 20,000 to 30,000 people living in the Grange Hill area and the surrounding communities.

Minister Tufton said that the partnership has already borne some fruit with more than 46 adoptions and donor commitment of more than $195 million during the last three years. “Strategic alignment has already been part of our operations in public health, be it through international partners, the diaspora members or local private sectors or voluntary,” the health minister commented.

Services offered by the facility, including but not limited to child-health, antenatal, postnatal, family planning services, dental, curative, immunization, family counseling services, and home visits as well.

The Grange Hill Health Centre provides service to more than 1,000 patients monthly.