New Indian high commissioner keeping focus on health
Published:Monday | August 19, 2024 | 12:05 AMAinsworth Morris/Staff Reporter
Mayank Joshi, the recently installed high commissioner of India to Jamaica, is prioritising raising the standard of the island’s medical industry.
Joshi focus comes as more and more Jamaicans, whether insured or uninsured, complain about the high cost of medical care and treatment islandwide, as well as the lack of developed facilities per parish.
Speaking with The Gleaner on the occasion of the 78th India Independence Day celebrations and flag-raising ceremony in Jamaica last Thursday at India House 2 in St Andrew, Joshi said he intends to continue on the path of his predecessor, Rungsung Masakui, who implemented a monthly medical camp with an islandwide tour of Indian doctors and pharmacists, with free examinations and pharmaceutical drugs.
“[The] prime minister in India, during his speech... at the occasion of Independence Day, had announced that he has the vision of India to become a medical centre; a medical institution centre. I see it as a good opportunity for Jamaica, which is a strategic knowledge highway in this particular region, in the Caribbean region, as well as the Latin American region, and also connected to the Northern American continent,” Joshi told The Gleaner.
“[Jamaica is] a strategic location. It’s English-speaking. I think it is a good opportunity for us to continue the medical sector and see how we can mutually benefit from it,” he said.
One month after taking office, Joshi told The Gleaner that he has already outlined basic objectives which he will initiate to improve the bilateral arrangements between Jamaica and India, including the medical camps.
“We have done 33 medical camps as of now in the last three to four years. My predecessor was very actively working with several Indian doctors here, several medical pharmaceutical companies here,” Joshi said.
“I, in fact, look forward to not only the medical camps, [but] also medical education between the two countries,” he said.
Bilateral relationship
Jamaica’s relationship with India and the Indian diaspora in Jamaica spans decades, from when they first arrived as indentured labourers in 1834, seeking to earn enough to afford a better life back home. There were approximately 37,000 Indians who immigrated to Jamaica between 1845 and 1916 as indentured labourers.
Since then, their cultural attributes have been entwined with Jamaica’s rich history and a good bilateral relationship, which Joshi intends to continue building on, such as Bollywood Extravaganza, Diwali celebrations, and Holi Festival of Colours.
“I’m very happy to be here in Jamaica ... . I look forward to working on the Jamaica-India bilateral ties. The Independence Day [celebration] gives me an excellent opportunity to connect with the Indian diaspora here. As you know, the Indian diaspora is an important part of the India-Jamaica bilateral ties,” Joshi said while speaking to The Gleaner.
“I have come here and seen that many of them are very active in the medical field, finance field and the information technology sector. These are areas where India has also been progressing very rapidly, being the fifth-largest economy right now; and one of my objective is to utilise this Indian diaspora connect to build strong bridges in these sectors, particularly the medical sector, education sector, IT sector [and] construction sector,” he said.
Joshi, who comes to Jamaica directly from Tokyo, Japan, where he served as deputy chief of mission, said given the turnout by the Indian community in Jamaica to the India Independence Day celebration and flag-raising ceremony, it gives him strong motivation.
“From there, coming to Jamaica is a complete change. I’m looking at a different culture. I’m looking at a different organisational set-up. I’m looking at a different Indian diaspora, which is very active and integrated very well into [the] Jamaican society. I also see a strong connect between India and Jamaica; [I am] talking about the cultural connect between India and Jamaica and the historical connect between India and Jamaica [which] I have seen in the last one month travelling through different parts [of the country],” he told The Gleaner.
Shortly after his arrival, Hurricane Beryl hit the island and he witnessed efforts by the Government and people of Jamaica, but also believes there are areas where India can help greatly with developing preparations for natural disasters as well.
Joshi also visited Ocho Rios, St Ann, and Montego Bay, St James, the latter impressing him with the medical developments taking place, and where there seems to be the potential for medical tourism.
He said that he has met with Governor General Sir Patrick Allen and Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, where he discussed with them all the areas he is interested in offering support along with India.
“One month has been very intense, and I look forward to the next three years of trying to do more and more,” he said.
He commenced his role as high commissioner of India to Jamaica in July.
When asked about how he felt about his time leading the Indian delegation in Tokyo before coming to Jamaica, he used the adjectives “nice” and “wonderful” to describe his tour of duty in that First-World country.