39 public health officers receive UTech professional certification

THIRTY-NINE PUBLIC health officers have received professional certification in healthcare administration and leadership from the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech).

The officers, drawn from the four regional health authorities, participated in the six-month virtual training course, which was administered by UTech’s College of Health Science in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

The course is designed to meet the leadership training needs for public healthcare workers and senior health management personnel.

As such, the graduates are now equipped to bolster the administration of management and leadership across Jamaica’s healthcare system. A total of 37 persons graduated from the programme in 2022.

Permanent secretary in the ministry, Dunstan Bryan, who delivered the keynote address during the February 23 graduation ceremony at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, cited the need for urgent changes in certain lifestyle practices pervading the society.

He noted that “With people eating and drinking themselves to death”, the newly trained professionals are well positioned to make meaningful contributions in the collective quest to achieve healthy outcomes for Jamaicans.

“You have been selected to delve more, to invest more, to build up more, and to make real reforms that are captured [in the Vision for Health 2030 [10-year Strategic Plan],” he said.

The plan aims to transform the health of the population and the healthcare delivery system serving them.

The key goals and principles of this vision are:

1. Safeguarding access to equitable, comprehensive and quality healthcare;

2. Strengthening stewardship capacity;

3. Increased and improved health financing;

4. Human resources for health;

5. Social participation and health promotion; and

6. Modern infrastructure for health service delivery.

The human resources for health goal speaks to having a sufficient number of well-trained healthcare professionals aligned with the model of care and committed to the plan’s mission.

The goal for Social Participation and Health Promotion underscores that addressing social determinants of health and promoting responsibility are essential for improved health outcomes.

The Vision for Health 2030 aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals and the framework for the broader long-term National Development Plan, Vision 2030 Jamaica, emphasising universal access to health and coverage as central approaches.

Consequently, Bryan indicated that the Healthcare Administration and Leadership Programme will continue for another five years, with the goal of “building … capacity and change leadership”.