Professor Marvin Reid, deputy principal of The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, highlighted the university's ambitious plan to address Jamaica's healthcare worker shortage by significantly increasing student intake in nursing, medicine, diagnostic imaging, pharmacy, and dentistry by 40 to 150 per cent. Speaking at the UWI Western Jamaica Campus, Reid emphasised the initiative's alignment with the UN's 2030 developmental agenda and UWI's Triple A strategy, aiming to prepare graduates for both local and international health systems.

UWI to increase enrolment of nurses, doctors

Jamaica Gleaner/27 Jun 2024/Janet Silvera/Gleaner Writer

THE UNIVERSITY of the West Indies, Mona, is set to double its enrolment of nurses and increase its admission of medical doctors by 40 per cent. This significant expansion aims to address the critical shortage of healthcare workers in Jamaica.

The news comes as the university launches a pioneering global healthcare initiative, poised to revolutionise t he sector in Jamaica and beyond. The initiative, situated within the University’s Knowledge Centre, aims to leverage higher education as a driver for economic growth and human capital development in healthcare.

Addressing human capital challenges being faced by the health sector here in Jamaica and the rest of the world, the university’s deputy principal, Professor Marvin Reid, told guests during a ceremony at the UWI Western Jamaica Campus (WJC)Tuesday evening, that the plan was, “to increase student intake in nursing, medicine, diagnostic imaging, pharmacy and dentistry by 40 to 150 per cent”.

At UWI’s WJC this would equate to an increase to 60 nurses, while at Mona, the numbers would move from 150 to 200 and medicine from 200 to 280, per annum, he told The Gleaner.

EMERGING HEALTH CORRIDOR

Reid’s optimism was bolstered by the university’s principal, Dr Densil Williams, who views the west as an emerging health corridor, comprising regional hospitals, a new children hospital, and other healthcare facilities.

According to Williams, international students can hop off a plane at the nearby Sangster International Airport on a Monday, and board a flight back home on a Friday to spend the weekend with their family.

Of critical importance is that the initiative seeks to address the predicted global shortage of healthcare workers, estimated to reach 10 million by 2030.

The UWI Global Health Initiative is being developed and rolled out within the framework of the United Nations 2030 developmental agenda and the university’s own Triple A strategy, which relate to ‘Access, Alignment, and Agility’, added Reid.

“This strategy aims to prepare graduates to function in both international and local health systems, providing leadership and quality healthcare,” he explained.

He noted that the strategy is built on four pillars: maximising existing capacity for training health professionals and expanding their training footprint across Jamaica; developing new global health training products within the UN 2030 framework; increasing access and participation by students to develop skills and competences for leadership and quality healthcare.

In addition, it serves to create a platform to foster globally competitive and innovative research through local and international collaborations to address global health issues and contribute to the financial sustainability of the UWI, Mona campus and enhancing the Faculty of Medical Sciences.

That faculty provides training in basic medical sciences, diagnostic imaging, nursing, physical therapy, dentistry, medicine, and pharmacy to approximately 3,200 undergraduate students.

“In phase one, starting this academic year, the university plans to expand its numbers,” said the acting deputy principal.

“Training health professionals involves both classroom instruction and experiential clinical components. The expansion plans reflect UWI’s commitment to enhancing both aspects, ensuring comprehensive training for future healthcare providers.”

For feedback: contact the Editorial Department at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com.