‘Family doctors play major role in addressing healthcare challenges’

THE MINISTRY of Health and Wellness recognises and commends our family doctors, who play a significant role in addressing the health challenges of people in Jamaica and across the world.

The value of our family doctors was clearly on show during our recent experience of the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw them collaborating with the Ministry of Health and Wellness for the roll-out of the National Vaccination Programme; as well as for the delivery of continuity of care for persons living with a chronic illness through our Public-Private Partnership for Non-Communicable Diseases project.

Family doctors play an essential role in the delivery of appropriate and high standard of care to the majority of the population, who have and continue to require our collaborative best efforts. Not only do they deliver accessible, equitable and high-quality care to patients, they also develop and maintain

close relationships with them – always there to care. My thanks and appreciation to all our family doctors.

As the ministry progresses the reform of primary healthcare, we remain committed to training more physicians in family medicine, so that they are better able to tailor care to their patients’ needs. The Family Medicine Programme, launched at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, in 2001, is and continues to be an important part of this effort to support the quality of primary healthcare in the Caribbean.

Once again, my commendations to all family doctors. Kudos to you for your commitment to the profession. Dr Jacquiline Bisasor-Mckenzie Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health and Wellness