The government of Jamaica has unveiled a monument to honour healthcare workers who lost their lives following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which was detected on the island five years ago.

The monument was unveiled on Monday, March 10, at the National Chest Hospital in Kingston and reportedly cost approximately $4 million to build.

The monument, which is about 10 feet tall, is made of concrete and steel and has the names of 22 of about 50 healthcare workers who died inscribed on it because of their selfless efforts in the face of the global health crisis.

Other names are expected to be added to the monument in the coming months, as the ministry also celebrates four years since the first administration of the COVID-19 vaccine.

While speaking at the unveiling of the Healthcare Workers Monument, Minister of Health and Wellness Christopher Tufton emphasised the importance of remembering the healthcare heroes for their sacrifice.

“We gather today to remember and to honour, with deepest thanks, the commitment and sacrifice of the healthcare workers we lost to COVID-19,” Tufton said.

He further noted that “this monument… stands as an enduring symbol of their dedication but also of their bravery in service to the people of Jamaica.”

Tufton also stated that this initiative is a promise to continue to honour the sacrifice of the healthcare heroes by building stronger healthcare systems and continuing to support those who serve on the front lines.

“I trust that it can be a place where the heroes we lost are always remembered and their sacrifice honoured,” he added.

The monument features gold plates with the names of the fallen heroes, mounted on porcelain tiles. It honours a wide range of healthcare professionals, who worked tirelessly during the pandemic, from doctors and nurses to patient care assistants, cooks, midwives, and mental health officers.