109 clinics up for adoption, of which 36 now fully adopted

Momentum is gathering within the Jamaican Diaspora around the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ Adopt-a-Clinic programme.

Already, the programme is gaining traction, with several clinics across the island being adopted by the Jamaican Diaspora.

Data from the Ministry of Health and Wellness shows that there are 109 clinics up for adoption and, of that total, 36 are now fully adopted.

The intention of the Adopt-a-clinic programme is to get Jamaicans at home and abroad, who have benefitted from our primary health care services, to give back. Members of the Jamaican Diaspora in the United States have so far adopted 15 of these clinics and have spent a total of J$43 million upgrading and providing various equipment for these primary care institutions.

Clinics so far adopted

Among the clinics adopted include Cascade in Hanover, Adelphi in St James, Steer Town in St Ann, Ulster Spring in Trelawny, Islington in St Mary and Lambs River clinic in Westmoreland.

Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton told members of the Jamaican Diaspora, on the online discussion programme ‘Let’s Connect with Ambassador Marks’ last Thursday that he was pleased with the support given to the programme by diaspora organisations as well as individuals who have come on board to adopt the country’s primary health care services.

“Jamaica has had a strong primary health care system that has worked for us as a country. It is what has helped us in the COVID-19 pandemic response. As Minister of Health, I am asking members of the Diaspora to join hands and hearts with the Ministry by adopting a clinic,” Tufton said. The Health and Wellness Minister paid tribute to the members of the Diaspora for the role they continue to participate in the health sector in Jamaica.

Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States Audrey Marks also commended the members of the Diaspora for their assistance and the adoption of the 15 clinics.

According to Marks, members of the Diaspora continue to contribute immensely to the island’s health sector, to support the fight against the deadly COVID-19 virus.

Primary health care is delivered in Jamaica through a network of more than 320 community health centres across the nation’s 14 parishes. Most of these facilities were built in the 1970s, and Jamaica has received global recognition from the World Health Organization for its best practices in primary health care.

The online town hall meeting was attended by members of the diaspora leadership across the United States, including Consul General to Miami, Oliver Mair; Honorary Consul for Atlanta, Dr Elaine Bryan; Honorary Consul for Los Angeles, Joy Stephenson-Laws; Honorary Consul for San Jose, David Sangster and Honorary Consul for Philadelphia, Christopher Chaplin.

‘Let’s Connect With Ambassador Marks’ offers members of the diaspora an opportunity to speak directly with the ambassador about issues that are of interest to them, as well as to be updated on the Government’s policies and programmes as well as the embassy’s activities.