Let Utech join the COVID-19 fight

Dear Editor,

The University of Technology (Utech), Jamaica should have a role in the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine across the island.

With its main campus situated at 235 and 237 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6, Utech is Jamaica’s national university. Among its faculties and colleges is the College of Health Sciences, which houses the School of Allied Health & Wellness, Caribbean School of Nursing, and the School of Pharmacy. There is also the Joint Colleges of Medicine, Oral Health and Veterinary Sciences which has the School of Public Health and Health Technology. In addition to this, there is a medical centre which has a health administrator, doctors, nurses, an environmental health officer, and counsellors.

At the present time, most classes are online, which means there is not a lot of traffic as it relates to academia. Why has no consideration been given by the Ministry of Health and Wellness in making Utech, Jamaica a COVID-19 vaccination centre?

Staff of the university and members of the wider community could be scheduled and later vaccinated in a comfortable environment. Large tents could be provided with the assistance of the Jamaica Defence Force on the front field.

At a time when weekend lockdowns are in effect due to the indiscretion of many Jamaicans, the Government needs to move with alacrity in having the population vaccinated to achieve herd immunity. The University of Technology, Jamaica is eminently prepared to rise to the challenge, as our mandate includes the resolution of national issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Joan Francis St Andrew

ajfrancis08@gmail.com