Durrant Pate/Contributor

Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton has unveiled a new ‘Operation Refresh’ programme to restore Government-run health centres island-wide to make them more attractive to community participation and support.

Making his contribution to the 2024/2025 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 7), he disclosed that the initiative is slated to cost J$1.08 billion over the next 18 months, as the government seeks to enhance the look, feel and utility of selected health centres across the country.

According to Tufton, “Our aim is to ensure that every health centre and healthcare worker generates confidence in our citizens to visit these facilities rather than bypass them for the hospital in the town square. In support of this, we will be embarking on a J$1.08 billion programme over the next 18 months to enhance the look, feel and utility of selected health centres across the country as part of the mindset or transformation we are seeking in every Jamaican citizen.” 

Health facilities will be standardised

He stated that as part of Operation Refresh, the ministry will move to standardise the look and feel of these health facilities, through signage and colour schemes as well as improving areas of wait and staff quarters and where necessary adding sustainable features like solar panels for energy efficiency, air conditioning and improved sanitary conveniences for a more comfortable wait.

“We want our health centres to be a source of pride and our citizens to expect and experience improved customer experience. This is the journey we are on, and the journey we must continue,” Tufton told the lower House.

The second component of Operation Refresh will be driven by community health aides (CHAs) who, with a redefined job description, will be activated to interface more within committees and homes.

The island’s CHAs numbering approximately 2,200 are usually the first public health point of contact at the community and home levels. As part of the reform process, the ministry is revising its systems to support more community activations, including community and home visits. 

For example, visiting homes and giving support to senior citizens and pregnant mothers, conducting screening and giving basic psychosocial support will all be done under the supervision of the public health nurse.

He advises, “The journey we are on assumes that good health begins at home and in the communities and as the stewards of good health we must go more frequently where the people are. That is the substance of primary health care. This journey for a mindset change is what will bring about real transformation.”