Caribbean News

Jamaican Medical student lauds PATH for scholarship

Published

7 years ago

October 31, 2017

#Jamaica, October 31, 2017 – Kingston – First-year medical student at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, Jinelle Henry, has lauded the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) for not only assisting her through the secondary years but also giving her a scholarship to help fund her Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree. Ms. Henry, 21 years old, is the eldest of five children for her mother, Latoya Williams, a vendor from South Hampton, St. Elizabeth.

In an interview with JIS News after she was awarded by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security during their 15^th Anniversary Scholarship Awards ceremony on October 27, Ms. Henry, who has been on PATH for years, said the scholarship she received has gone a far way in allowing her to officially begin on her path to becoming a medical doctor.

“PATH was really good, especially in high school, because I got lunch every day in grades 10 and 11. It was not anything to be ashamed of. Basically, scholarships sent me to school. In the summer before school opened, I used to walk and drop off letters seeking grants,” Ms. Henry, a graduate of Hampton School in Malvern, says.

“I’m really excited (about the scholarship), because if I never got it from PATH, then I wouldn’t be able to continue school. I feel good that my University school fee has been paid. I could not afford the $3.5million per year without the subsidy. I now pay approximately $624,000 per year with the subsidy from the Government,” she adds.

Becoming a medical doctor is not the career Ms. Henry initially wanted, but must pursue this course of studies given that she hopes to become one of Jamaica’s future forensic pathologists – professionals who determine the cause of death by the examination of corpses.

“I knew I wanted to become a forensic pathologist when I started volunteering at St. Ann’s Bay Hospital where my father, Barrington Henry, works as a porter, and at May Pen Hospital where my aunt works. My father said they were bringing people in to be pathologists, and I wanted to fill the gap. At first, I wanted to become a teacher, but since grade 10 when I began specialising, I started doing biology. I really liked the sciences, as they challenged me,” Ms. Henry notes.

Her dream of starting the MBBS was delayed last year, as she was not accepted for the programme.

“It works on a point system. I missed the subsidy by one point and I did not get in, so this is my second year of university, but first year of medicine. I was doing a pure and applied science degree as an alternative to transfer into medicine,” the determined and self-motivated student tells JIS News.

At the end of her first year at UWI, Mona, she achieved a grade point average (GPA) of 3.42, reapplied and was accepted. Ms. Henry says ever since she was a student at Mount Osbourne Primary School in St. Elizabeth, she knew she had to aspire for greatness to lead herself and her family out of poverty.

“I was a bookworm and still am. I always had my books, even on summer holidays. Life wasn’t easy. Because my mother had five of us, and I am the eldest, I had to help my mother with everything. It wasn’t easy, but I managed,” she says.

Ms. Henry also lauds her church family and Hampton School’s Old Girls’ Association for assisting her through the early years.

“I am a church person and I used to attend the Leeds Church of God in St. Elizabeth often. My church was very involved in my life,” she says.

In addition to PATH’s 15^th anniversary scholarship, Ms. Henry notes that she has been awarded grants from Hampton School’s Old Girls’ Association, a Peace and Love academic scholarship, and grants from the Portia Simpson Miller Foundation in 2016 and 2017. She says her next goal after becoming a medical doctor is to elevate her family from poverty, especially her mother.

“My mother has been the rock and supports me all the time,” Miss Henry tells JIS News.

PATH is an initiative of the Government, with support from donor partners, such as the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank and other multilateral and bilateral agencies. The programme is aimed at delivering benefits by way of cash grants to the poorest and most vulnerable persons in the society.

The programme is administrated by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, which has responsibility to provide policy direction, guidance and coordination to the programme. Networking is done through 13 parish offices.

The main objectives of PATH are to increase educational attainment and improve health outcomes of the poor by breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty; alleviate poverty by increasing the value of transfer to the poor; reduce child labour by requiring children to have minimum attendance in school, and serve as a safety net by preventing families from falling further into poverty in the event of adverse shock. As at June 2017, 70.62 per cent of registered PATH beneficiaries were children up to 18 years.

In celebration of its 15^th year of service to the people of Jamaica, PATH has offered tertiary scholarships valued at $15 million to beneficiaries pursuing bachelor’s degrees in accredited institutions, to assist in covering the cost of their tuition and books.

The scholarships were made available to PATH beneficiaries who had been recipients for at least the last three years of secondary school, had attained grade-one passes in at least eight Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) subjects, including Mathematics and English Language, and had either received a letter of acceptance to commence their courses of study in September 2017 or were already pursuing their studies and had a GPA of at least 2.5 during the last academic year.

Seventeen beneficiaries pursuing bachelor’s degrees in law, medicine, actuarial science, engineering, chemistry, plant biology and psychology received scholarships. The funds will be disbursed over a period of up to three years, with the condition of the recipients maintaining a GPA of at least 2.5.

By: Ainsworth Morris (JIS)

Caribbean News

Cora Richardshon-Hodge is Anguilla’s First Woman Premier

Published

1 day ago

March 22, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

Anguilla, March 22, 2025 – The new premier of Anguilla is historically, a woman, Cora Richardson-Hodge, who led her Anguilla United Front (AUF) to a dominating victory of at the polls in the February 26 General Election in the British Overseas territory; gaining four seats and 49% of the vote.

When she addressed the nation from the House of Assembly on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 as the newly sworn-in Premier, her focus was on commitments made on the campaign trail; to build a more inclusive, dynamic and sustainable Anguilla.

“Our primary goals include: economic diversification. We recognize the need to move beyond traditional industries, and by investing in areas like renewable energy, technology and agriculture we can create a more resilient economy that offers opportunities for all,” said Richardson-Hodge.

Young people are also a priority, said Premier Richardson-Hodge who reminded of the AUF’s ‘People First’ plan.

“Our youth are not just leaders of tomorrow; they are valuable contributors to our present and the architects of our future. They are innovators, dreamers and change makers. However, for them to flourish, we must prioritize their needs and aspirations that is our People First agenda places their needs at the forefront.”

Mentorship programs are coming, so is investment in business ideas to broaden the commercial landscape of the island nation, she said.

“We will establish initiatives, that support young entrepreneurs in their business endeavours by providing mentorship programs, access to funding and training in business development. We aim to foster a generation of entrepreneurs who can create jobs and drive economic growth in Anguilla.”

The Premier wants to modernise education and resuscitate healthcare for the 16,000 residents of Anguilla.

“We pledge to improve educational facilities and transform our healthcare services into institutions of which we can be proud.”

Responsible tourism is also prioritised for the new AUF Government administration. Renewable Energy is elevated in the new regime, she said.

In her maiden speech, she informed Anguillans that their involvement and solidarity are essential.

“Governance is not just for the appointed, it is for every Anguillan, and we will establish regular forums for community feedback and consultation, ensuring that your voices guide our decisions.

To achieve these ambitious objectives, unity is essential. We must come together, government officials, business leaders, civil society and most importantly, the people of Anguilla,” said the representative for Sandy Hill, a 15-year MP.

Premier Richardson-Hodge reached across the aisle with her words, inviting the members opposite her physically to be tied to a better Anguilla, bi-partisanly.

“It is time to transcend political divides and collaborate for the greater good. Let us focus on what binds us together, our love for Anguilla and our committee for a brighter future for our families and our children. And as we embark on this journey, I urge each one of you to join us in embracing this People’s first agenda. Each one of us plays a vital role in shaping the future of Anguilla. Let us work side by side as partners in progress as we reclaim our narrative and craft a legacy that future generations will be proud of.”

The AUF won eight of the 11 seats with the outgoing Anguilla Progressive Movement (APM) headed by now former premier Dr Ellis Webster, winning the other three seats. Webster was among the victorious candidates for his party.

Caribbean News

New Prime Minister, Cabinet Shuffle and General Elections, Stuart Young’s bold start

Published

1 day ago

March 22, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

Trinidad and Tobago, March 22, 2025 – From the energy minister to the Prime Minister and now a general election set for April 28 already announced; it has been a whirlwind week on the political scene for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Dr. Keith Rowley did as was expected when he stepped down as the country’s prime minister, after ten of service in that role. Taking on the job of chief executive in governance is Stuart Young, an attorney by profession and the man who has held several ministerial portfolios including Energy, Communications and Security.

One day after becoming the Prime Minister, Stuart Young made headlines again when he demonstrated a readiness to receive a clear mandate from the nation’s voters and announced a national poll.

In addition to the election announcement, Young has re-organised the Cabinet. He has named Camille Robinson-Regis, an attorney as the new Attorney General; Adrian Leonce is now the Housing Minister; Marvin Gonzales, is the new Security Minister and shifted from the Ministry of Finance is Colm Imbert, who now takes up the Public Utilities portfolio.

It was just days into the new year when Keith Rowley announced his successor as Stuart Young.

Young had been selected, he said, by the Parliamentary Caucus of the People’s National Movement (PNM) as the party’s next leader.

Young has also served as National Security Minister and Communications Minister and is the eighth prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

Nomination Day is April 4, 2025.

Caribbean News

UN Humanitarian Affairs Office says Cholera back on the rise in Haiti

Published

1 day ago

March 22, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

Haiti, March 22, 2025 – The last thing Haiti needs is a resurgence of Cholera in the country, but it appears cases are rising and so is concern at the United Nations, whose team on the ground points to a need for water and sanitation supplies.

“Since the beginning of the year, more than 900 suspected cases and four confirmed cases have been recorded nationwide,” explained the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General.

“OCHA also warns that years of underfunding for the humanitarian response means that millions of Haitians are missing out on the essential support they need.”

Interventions and support have lost their grip on the situation which became a real problem in the aftermath of the infrastructure and human resources depleting earthquake of 2010.

The radical gang-led violence which has driven more than one million people from their homes and terrorized citizens and systems, is continuing to take a toll on the land. The UN says densely populated ‘Sun City’ is showing the highest spike.

“In Cité Soleil, more than 100 suspected cases have been reported in the past three weeks. The deteriorating security situation hinders access for surveillance teams and response efforts, raising concerns about undetected community transmission.”

The Government and the World Health Organization (WHO) are jointly responding to the outbreak by providing medicine and medical supplies and setting up rehydration and chlorination points, informed a March 20 report.

“Funding for water, sanitation and hygiene services is particularly low, with only $3.6 million out of the required $87 million received. Additionally, just less than 30 percent of health facilities with beds across the country – and just over 40 per cent in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area – are fully operational.”

The World Health Organization, WHO informs that Cholera is a severe diarrheal disease that can be fatal within hours if not treated. Quick access to treatment is crucial. Adding that researchers estimate that there are 1.3 to 4.0 million cases and 21 000 to 143 000 deaths from cholera worldwide each year.

Photo by Lizaj Lakay News