Letter of the Day | Jamaica’s healthcare crossroads: Beyond external aid, a call for national action

THE EDITOR, Madam:

As a concerned Jamaican, I write not from a political standpoint, but from a place of deep concern for the future of my nation’s healthcare system. The discourse surrounding Marco Rubio’s attack on Cuban medical missions, while highlighting their invaluable contributions, has also illuminated a critical and persistent failing within our own healthcare system.

The challenges we face transcend political parties, as criticisms are rightfully levied at both past and present administrations. The change we need resides not in one political entity, but in a unified Jamaican initiative. Let us abandon the trenches of divisive politics and forge a path forward together.

The outcry against Marco Rubio’s attack on Cuba’s medical missions, as powerfully articulated in The Jamaica Gleaner on March 9, 2025, by the erudite Dennis Minott, PhD, is a righteous defence of a vital lifeline. The article rightly exposes the hypocrisy of Rubio’s “forced labour” accusations, highlighting the invaluable contribution of Cuban professionals. For decades, Cuban doctors and nurses have been a beacon of hope in our under-resourced hospitals, a testament to unwavering solidarity. However, while we rightfully condemn this imperialist assault, we must also confront a stark and uncomfortable truth: our healthcare system is haemorrhaging, and relying solely on external aid is a dangerous, unsustainable strategy.

The reliance on external aid, while appreciated, highlights our inability to cultivate and retain our own healthcare workforce. The “brain drain” phenomenon is a symptom of systemic neglect, not merely a misfortune.

The Jamaican government, particularly the Ministry of Health, must be held accountable for its chronic short-sightedness. For too long, we have witnessed a reactive, patchwork approach to healthcare, failing to address the root causes of our workforce shortages. We need a paradigm shift, one that prioritises the education and empowerment of our people, especially our youth.

NECESSARY STEPS

Who will bell the cat and take the necessary steps to fix our failing system? Here’s what we must do, immediately, as a unified nation:

• Accelerated and part-time nursing programmes: We need to expand access to nursing education through innovative programs. Accelerated programs can fast-track qualified individuals, while part-time options can accommodate those with existing commitments.

• Physician assistants and nurse practitioners programmes: Introduce and expand programmes for Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners. These professionals can bridge the gap between doctors and nurses, creating vital mid-level healthcare providers who will alleviate the burden on our overstretched medical system.

• Scholarships and bonding programmes: Break down financial barriers to healthcare education with robust scholarship programs. Implement bonding programmes that incentivise graduates to serve in under served communities for a specified period.

• Strategi c partnerships with educational institutions: The government must actively partner with universities and colleges to develop and expand healthcare programs.

• Retentions strategies: We must address the root causes of the brain drain. This includes offering competitive salaries, improved working conditions, and opportunities for professional development and advancement.

• Community health initiatives: Empower community health workers to deliver preventative care and health education, reducing the burden on hospitals and clinics.

This situation begs for introspection, “Now that this has happened, what are we going to do about it?” Let us answer with action, not rhetoric. Let us transform our healthcare system from a symbol of vulnerability to a testament to our resilience and self-reliance. Let us bloom where we are planted and build a healthier, more prosperous Jamaica. Will this change happen overnight? (A resounding) “No”, but we can begin now to ensure that in a few short years Jamaica will be well on her way to self-sufficiency in the arena of healthcare.

“Who will bell the cat?” It is time for all Jamaicans to answer. It is time for our governments to answer – I will bell the cat!

HILLARY DAVIS

Special Education

Practitioner/ Social Affairs

Advocate