Jamaica and India forge strategic healthcare partnership

A high-level delegation led by Jamaica’s Minister of Health & Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, is currently in India to finalize a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two nations. The team includes Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie, among other ministry officials. 

The agreement, initially discussed between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jamaican Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness, will facilitate collaboration in critical areas such as pharmaceutical access, specialized training for healthcare workers, and nursing education. 

“It will also mean, where we have immediate gaps, accessing from workers here in India, with workers from India taking up some of the positions on a temporary basis while we expand the local healthcare workforce,” he said. 

He highlighted plans for Jamaican medical professionals to undergo clinical rotations in India, as well as potential short-term placements for Indian healthcare workers in Jamaica to fill immediate staffing gaps. 

The delegation has engaged with leading Indian medical institutions, including the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, to explore faculty and student exchanges. Visits to Artemis Hospital and Narayana Superspecialty Hospital have also been conducted to discuss further training and collaboration opportunities. 

This initiative marks a significant step in Jamaica’s efforts to bolster its healthcare system through international cooperation.