Jamaica’s chief medical officer (CMO) Dr Jacquiline Bisasor McKenzie has been appointed to the executive board of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), where she will represent the country for the next two years.

CARPHA, the sole regional public health agency, is responsible for coordinating efforts in disaster response, disease surveillance, and health policy development across member states. 

The agency also focuses on non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, in addition to managing communicable diseases like HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.

Bisasor McKenzie, a veteran public health professional and emergency medicine specialist, has been at the forefront of Jamaica’s healthcare policies and crisis management. 

She gained national recognition for her decisive leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, guiding the country through lockdowns, mass testing, vaccination drives, and hospital capacity expansions. Her calm, fact-based public updates became a reliable source of information for Jamaicans during uncertain times. 

Bisasor McKenzie’s appointment is seen as a testament to her leadership and the confidence placed in Jamaica’s public health system within the region. Beyond COVID-19, the CMO has worked extensively on infectious disease control, maternal and child health initiatives, and strengthening Jamaica’s emergency medical response. 

She has been a strong advocate for mental health awareness and non-communicable disease prevention, addressing issues such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, which remain major health concerns in the region. As a member of CARPHA’s executive board, Bisasor McKenzie will help shape the agency’s strategic direction, approve key public health policies, and foster collaboration among Caribbean nations. 

The board includes Caribbean health ministers, chief medical officers, permanent secretaries and representatives from WHO/PAHO and CARICOM.