With Jamaica facing a decline in its birth rate, the Hugh Wynter Institute for Reproductive Healthcare and Endoscopic Surgery (HWI-RHES) at The University of the West Indies believes that a timely discussion on reproductive health and fertility issues.

In fact, the recent Jamaica Population Health Status Report 2000-2022, published by the National Epidemiology Branch of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, highlights a decrease in the crude birth rate from 21.7 per 1,000 population in 2000 to 11.4 per 1,000 in 2022.

It is with this in mind that HWI-RHES will at its upcoming Roundtable Talk address the issue “Sustainable Replacement Population: Protecting Your Fertility.” The event is scheduled for September 17, 2024, at 10:00 AM, and will be held at The UWI Regional Headquarters, 2a Hermitage Road, Kingston 7.

The event will bring together medical experts, educators, policymakers, and community leaders to explore strategies for addressing the challenges of infertility and move towards a sustainable replacement population. Among topics to be discussed on reproductive health are: advancements in fertility treatments, policy recommendations, and community education in supporting families.

Dr. John Harriott, director of HWI-RHES will begin the proceedings with a welcome and introduction.

Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, vice chancellor of The University of the West Indies, will then deliver greetings before a panel discussion moderated by journalist Dionne Jackson Miller.

According to HWI-RHES , the discussion will feature insights from key experts including Dunstan Bryan from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Easton Williams of the Planning Institute of Jamaica, Dr Garth McDonald from Victoria Jubilee Hospital, Dr Loxley Christie of HWI-RHES, Reginald Budhan, and Professor Affette McCaw Binns and Professor Karen Carpenter.

A question and answer session will close the day’s activities.

HWI-RHES has invited the public join the conversation as it aims to drive meaningful change and improve the future of reproductive health in Jamaica. This can be done in person at The UWI Regional Headquarters or via our live stream.