Manpower and Maintenance Services Limited Group (MMS) held their annual conference on Wednesday (June 5), themed ‘Lest We Forget…A Time Like No Other: Lessons from COVID-19‘.

The two-day conference kicked off at the Terra Nova Hotel, where an extensive look into MMS’s contributions to Jamaica during and after the global pandemic, COVID-19.

The MMS is a global leader in innovative workforce solutions, serving organisations of all sizes and industries, leveraging human potential to boost businesses, and they want to highlight the great effort and work they have put into keeping their company through the pandemic and aid they offered within their means, contributing to societal needs.

The topics discussed were ‘A Time Like No Other, Lessons from COVID-19’, ‘Lessons Learned, Policy Position & Opportunities’ and lastly, ‘The Study Findings on the Impact of COVID-19 on the Workforce’.

The conference overview was given by MMS chair Audrey Stewart-Hinchcliffe, who spoke extensively on maintaining preparedness for potential pandemics.

“We have consistently sought, through these [forums], to heighten awareness and educate our clients, colleagues, staff and the wider public … on public health threats, for example, dengue fever, the chikungunya and Zika viruses, among others,” she said.

“We were also the first and perhaps the only entity to organize a seminar/workshop…to raise awareness and encourage preparedness for COVID-19, just days before Jamaica announced its first case and subsequent lock-down later that month.”

On the fourth anniversary of Jamaica’s first COVID-19 case, MMS emphasized the importance of not forgetting the COVID experience for future public health emergencies. They stressed the need to examine the experience, its impact, lessons learned, and strategies to protect themselves and the nation against similar crises.

Similarly, keynote speaker, Wayne Chen, chairman of Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), reminded attendees that the “aftershock” of COVID-19 is a very real phenomenon where the people are still being affected, “COVID is still killing us, even if it’s not the virus… we have an ongoing crisis.”

“Many Jamaicans died…it was a very distressing time for all of us,” he said. “It is important that we not forget it.”

Chen emphasised that Jamaica’s life expectancy for the last three years has been in a steady decline. He mentioned that during COVID, people were not taking great care of their health, citing missing special appointments or regular doctor check-ups for fear of contracting the virus. He stated that folk needed to be mindful of the responsibilities they had to their welfare and health.

“We have the backbone of a good primary healthcare system, “Chen said, “People [also] have to invest in their own wellness.”

“Partnership is important because like-minded organisations will have to play a role,” since the government cannot do it alone.

Chen emphasised the importance of spreading the word about preparation for crisis and preventative care post-pandemic is essential.

MMS’s message and focus with these conferences is simple—never forget the pandemic, remember established pandemic protocols and stay prepared. The upcoming discussion for June 6 will be centred around ‘The Next Pandemic: Anticipation and Preparation’ and ‘Economic Impact’.

“Ladies and gentlemen… I truly hope that the next two days will not only result in another “talk shop.” But that our deliberations will produce meaningful plans and strategies that will help to inform useful public health initiatives for Jamaica and even further afield, going forward,” said Stewart-Heathcliffe