Jamaica undertakes external evaluation of public health preparedness

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica is undertaking a voluntary external evaluation of its public health preparedness and response capacities, under the International Health Regulations (2005) as the country continues efforts to strengthen national and regional health security. Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie, said the International Health Regulations (2005) Verification and Evaluation Exercise (IHR-VEE) Mission provides an important opportunity for Jamaica to objectively assess its capacity to prevent, detect, assess, notify and respond to public health threats. She was speaking at the recent launch ceremony for the Mission, at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston. Bisasor-McKenzie said the exercise is particularly important, given Jamaica’s status as a small island developing state and a major regional and international travel hub. She noted that maintaining strong public health preparedness and response capacity is, therefore, not simply a requirement but a national imperative. “We view the VEE not as an examination that we must simply pass but as an opportunity to take an honest and objective look as to where we are, identify where we can do better, and strengthen the systems that protect the Jamaican population,” she said. The CMO welcomed constructive observations and recommendations from the evaluation team, noting that the identification of gaps should not be regarded as a failure. Instead, she said, it provides an opportunity to address weaknesses before they develop into vulnerabilities during a public health emergency. She also highlighted the importance of identifying good practices developed in Jamaica that could be shared with other countries as part of regional and global health-security efforts. Bisasor-McKenzie also underscored the importance of immunisation as a key component of public health protection. She described vaccines as among the most successful and cost-effective public health interventions, noting that they have saved millions of lives, prevented severe illness and disability, and helped to eliminate or control diseases that previously caused widespread suffering and death. She said Jamaica has a long-standing commitment to immunisation and disease prevention, with the National Expanded Programme on Immunisation playing a critical role in protecting generations of children and communities. The CMO emphasised that health workers are central to sustaining the programme, particularly because they are often among the most trusted sources of health information in communities. Their engagement, professionalism and ability to communicate effectively, she said, are critical to maintaining public confidence in immunisation. Bisasor-McKenzie acknowledged the contribution of the Ministry of Health and Wellness team, regional health authorities, public health professionals, laboratory personnel, immunisation teams and other partners to strengthening Jamaica’s health-security capacities. She also recognised the technical cooperation provided by international partners, particularly the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization. She expressed the hope that the mission would facilitate productive discussions, frank exchanges and practical recommendations to strengthen Jamaica’s health security, protect its people and contribute to a healthier, safer and more resilient Caribbean. — JIS