KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica has renewed its call for countries to innovate and collaborate to solve the human resources for health (HRH) challenge facing, especially, small island developing states (SIDS).

The Ministry of Health in a release on on Friday, stated that while Jamaica is  “taking a series of actions to safeguard the needed numbers and competencies of health workers locally,” it believes that more innovative strategies are required.

“We must adopt creative solutions, and we urge the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) to create the platform for innovations to be shared, developed and tested so that we can ensure an adequate workforce,” said Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Jacquiline BisasorMcKenzie.

The CMO was making an intervention on behalf of the Minister of Health & Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton, who is leading the Jamaica delegation, of which she is a member, to Washington DC for the 61st PAHO Directing Council from September 30 to October 4.

The statement came in response to the final report on the Plan of Action of Human Resources for Universal Access to Health and Universal Health Coverage 2018-2023, presented to the Council.

The release shared that included in Jamaica’s own efforts is the establishment of an International Recruiting Unit to engage health care professionals.

“We need to contemplate other contractual modes of engagement such as flexicontracts for healthcare workers where they have the option to work abroad for defined periods,” Minister Tufton noted.

“This is just one consideration; but it highlights the need for creative solutions to ensure the adequacy and competency of our HRH and our ability to meet the health needs of our populace and respond to public health threats,” he added.

It was also revealed that the country is developing a five-year Policy and Action Plan for HRH, through a technical cooperation agreement with PAHO and which is projected to be finalised this financial year.

“In addition, there are, among other things, ongoing efforts to rehabilitate and renovate health facilities, ensuring that occupational health and safety standards are maintained and that health care workers can deliver services in a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing environment,” the statement read.