Tufton announces $2.5 billion scholarship to ramp up training of healthcare professionals
Vanassa McKenzie / Our Today
Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton has announced a JMD$ 2.5 billion scholarship fund for students seeking to pursue careers in nursing, medicine, public health, pharmacy, dentistry, hospital health care management and others.
He made this announcement during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 7.
“Today, I announce the Dr Barry Wint Memorial Scholarship and Development Fund, over five years, $500 million a year, a $2.5 billion project in keeping with the mandate for training for persons in the health field,” the Minister said.
This fund is part of the Government’s plan to increase the number of qualified and experienced individuals in the healthcare sector.
“We will also be exploring overseas clinical rotations and remote faculty for expanded training in these areas,” Tufton added.
He further indicated that the Ministry is exploring the possibility of a flexi contract arrangements for persons who are trained jointly across jurisdictions and institutions involving institutions outside of Jamaica.
” The scholarship is open to graduate and post-graduate students and even students who are currently studying can also apply. The Ministry’s website will provide more information and the scholarship will begin September of 2024. We have to move right into it because we need people for the build that is happening,” the Minister added.
On the matter of recruitment to fill gaps in the healthcare sector, Tufton said the country will need to establish relationships with other countries as healthcare professionals are being trained.
He further appealed to training institutions recalibrate their training curriculum to meet the practical challenges in the health care sector.
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