Caribbean News

JAMAICA: Improvements in Delivery of Maternal Care and Childcare

Published

6 years ago

September 21, 2018

#Kingston, September 21, 2018 – Jamaica – Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, says the Government has made significant strides in strengthening the delivery of maternal care and childcare under the Programme for the Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality (PROMAC).

“We have made inroads in a number of areas, which take us along the path to realising the outcomes of the targeted spend of €22 million of this programme,” he said.

Dr. Tufton was addressing a recent ceremony at the Bustamante Hospital for Children in St. Andrew, to mark the breaking of ground for construction of a high-dependency unit (HDU) at the facility, in addition to Victoria Jubilee, St. Andrew; and Cornwall Regional, St. James.

The Health Minister informed that investments have been made in building the capacity of healthcare professionals, citing the award of scholarships for studies at the University of the West Indies (UWI).

These include 30 awards for Doctor of Medicine in Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Anaesthesia and Intensive Care; 25 for short courses in Obstetrics Ultrasound; and 15 for Fundamentals in Neonatal Ventilation at the University of the West Indies (UWI). In addition, five fellows have also been trained in maternal-foetal medicine and critical care.

Seventy-three nurses have been trained at the University of Technology (UTech) – 50 in Post-basic Critical Care, and 23 in Post-basic Midwifery, while an additional 22 are currently being trained at the Kingston School of Nursing.

Primary healthcare workers have also been trained in neonatal resuscitation, obstetrics care and customer service, and 25 dieticians and nutritionists have received instruction in neonatal nutrition. Critical resources have also been procured and distributed under the programme.

These include six ambulances assigned to Mandeville, St. Jago Park, Annotto Bay, and the Savanna-la-Mar health centres and the Alexandria and Chapelton community hospitals. Additionally, 150 fully equipped midwife bags for primary healthcare nurses have been distributed, and health centres and referral hospitals across the island have been outfitted with radiographic and laboratory equipment.

The objectives of PROMAC, which is funded by the Government of Jamaica and the European Union (EU), are geared at reducing the incidence of neonatal deaths due to lack of access to high-dependency care; reducing maternal deaths due to lack of access to emergency obstetric care; and improving the quality of management of high-risk pregnancies at both tertiary and primary healthcare facilities.

It involves construction of 11 HDUs at six hospitals as well as procurement of equipment for the units.

Caribbean News

Dominica potentially moving towards 100 percent clean energy, 2 years time

Published

5 mins ago

May 6, 2024

Shanieka

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

Dominica, a small island developing state is on its way to potentially abolishing the use of fossil fuels such as coal and oil to generate electricity as they are now making huge strides with geothermal energy, 100 percent clean and 100 percent renewable. This is according to a UN report, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International business trade and Energy, Vince Henderson, speaking to a UN representative says this could exponentially transform Dominica.

Henderson informs that the island has been working on the geothermal energy project since 1969 with help from the UN and now international countries and organizations.

Additionally, the Head of the Dominica Geothermal Development Coperation, Fred John, featured in the report expressed that given the progress made, it could take less than 2 years to implement the geothermal energy throughout Dominica.

Caribbean News

UK issues warning to tourists following shark attack

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2024

Shanieka

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

In response to the Shark attack in Tobago on April 26, the UK Foreign Office issued a warning for British tourists stating that Tobago authorities temporarily closed the Buccoo Reef Marine Park and urged those who visit the beach, those who fish and others, to be careful when visiting certain coastal areas. These are “Plymouth, Courland Bay, Black Rock, Mt. Irvine, Buccoo, Pigeon Point, Store Bay, and all areas in between.”

Caribbean News

JAMAICAN STUDENTS GAIN SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDY IN CUBA

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2024

Shanieka

KINGSTON, April 25 (JIS):

Fifteen young Jamaicans have gained scholarships to pursue tertiary training in medicine, nursing and civil engineering in the Republic of Cuba, under the Jamaica-Cuba Bilateral Scholarship Programme.

Speaking at the awards ceremony for the students, held at the Embassy of Cuba in St. Andrew on April 24, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, said the scholarship component of the partnership is one of the many successes for Jamaicans.

“Through this valuable programme, the Government of Cuba has consistently invested in the educational development of Jamaican students, through the provision of well-needed and appreciated undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships, primarily in Medicine and Health Sciences,” Mr. Terrelonge said.

He highlighted that the long-standing, meaningful and mutually beneficial bond of friendship and cooperation has been shared between Jamaica and Cuba for more than 50 years and has provided invaluable support to Jamaica, with several agreements in the areas of Health, Science, Culture, Sports, Tourism and Education.

The Minister of State said that Jamaica is grateful for the unwavering support towards Jamaica’s development, adding that “not only are we close geographical partners but our relationship is based on, among other things, mutual respect and strong people-to-people connections”.

Mr. Terrelonge told the students that they have succeeded in securing their places in the various programmes and have proven themselves to be the “crème de la crème, having successfully undergone a rigorous selection process”.

“I commend you for your drive, hard work and dedication towards your educational development,” he said.

“As you prepare to depart Jamaica for diverse and vibrant Cuba, I encourage you all to continue to work diligently in your respective fields of study, to remain faithful to the goals you have set for yourselves, and to fly, even higher, the Jamaican flag in Cuba. It is my hope that you will not only meet but exceed your and your families’ expectations,” the State Minister added.

He also encouraged the students to view the scholarship not only as an opportunity to advance academically but to also “immerse yourselves in the rich culture of the Cuban people” and to form new connections, build networks, explore new adventures, improve their Spanish-speaking skills, and to stay connected with the Jamaica Embassy in Havana.

Under the full scholarship, tuition, accommodation, meals, clothing allowance, study materials and medical care are covered by Cuba.

The programme is administered by the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in conjunction with the Scholarship Unit of the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service and other entities. Every year, the Cuban Government invites applications from persons wishing to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

CONTACT: GARFIELD L. ANGUS