The programme, which was piloted in November 2020, has been expanded to minimize the exposure of patients with chronic illnesses to COVID-19 at public health facilities, while also providing efficient maintenance of routine clinical management of non-COVID-19 patients with diabetes and hypertension.
“The expansion of the pool of private doctors through the public private partnership signals the intention of the Ministry of Health and Wellness to increase access to healthcare service and provide adequate resources by which patients can seek comprehensive treatment and care for their diabetes and hypertension. This despite the challenges faced by the health sector due to COVID-19”, noted Minister of Health & Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton, while speaking at the signing ceremony on Tuesday.
The Minister also added that public-private partnerships (PPPs) initiatives have been used globally to make primary health care services provision more effective and efficient.
“PPPs are rapidly expanding and becoming an integral part of effective health interventions. They have been tested as a means of ensuring the provision of comprehensive primary healthcare service is efficient, effective, and fair. As we expand the programme today, to achieve these outcomes, we are sending a strong signal that the business of public health must continue despite COVID-19”, Dr. Tufton said.
Thirteen (13) private doctors across five parishes, which covers the four health regions are currently apart of the programme. To participate in this initiative, patients who qualify can contact or visit any of the 15 participating health centres.
In the South East Region, patients can visit the Olympic Gardens Health Centre; Hagley Park Health Centre; Nanny Ville Health Centre; Slipe Pen Road Comprehensive Health Centre; Rolling Town Health Centre; Denham Town Heath Centre; Waterford Health Centre; Cristian Pen Health Centre; Sydenham Health Centre and the St. Jago Park Health Centre.
In the North East Region patients can visit the Browns Town Health Centre, Run Away Bay Health Centre and the St. Ann’s Bay Health Centre, while in the Western Region, patients can visit the White House Health Centre and in the Southern Region patients can visit the May Pen Health Centre.
The public private partnership will provide patients who qualify with shorter waiting times to receive healthcare, free access to private doctors and select services, and private care close to home. It is hoped that the programme will in the long term, play a vital role in the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ target of delivering world class health care to the Jamaican public.