PAHO/WHO Country Cooperation: Jamaica 2017-2022

Abstract

[Foreword - Dr. Carissa F. Etienne]. "The Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) have always played an important role in supporting the development and implementation of health policies, strategies and plans that are geared towards improving the health outcomes of persons living in Jamaica. It is within this context that PAHO/WHO has developed this 2017-2022 Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) for Jamaica. The CCS outlines the medium-term vision that will guide PAHO/WHO’s technical cooperation with Jamaica in support of its national health priorities over the next five years. Through this five-year strategy, PAHO/WHO will also continue to work and collaborate with other United Nations and development partners to achieve universal health and the Sustainable Development Goals. Jamaica has made many advances in health care and continues to play a significant role in advancing the health agenda in the Caribbean. Despite these advances however, the Ministry of Health continue to face challenges as it strives to build a healthcare system that delivers universal health to all. Some of these challenges include: new and emerging diseases such as Chikungunya and Zika, the increase in noncommunicable diseases and their related risk factors, and the impact of violence and injuries on the health of citizens of Jamaica. Jamaica’s commitment to health is demonstrated in its National Development Agenda - Vision 2030, where “A healthy and stable population” has been identified as the first outcome under the National Goal “Jamaicans are empowered to achieve their fullest potential.” This outcome is also supported by the Ministry of Health’s vision of “Healthy People, Healthy Environment.” This new 2017-2022 CCS supports these commitments and was developed using a participatory, results-based approach that involved national counterparts and stakeholders from across several sectors. It builds on previous achievements and is aligned with key global and regional development and health agendas including the PAHO Strategic Plan 2014-2019, ‘Championing Health: Sustainable Development and Equity’, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Universal Health, Health in All Polices, the Caribbean United Nations Multi-Country Sustainable Development Framework 2017-2021, and the Caribbean Cooperation in Health IV or V. PAHO/WHO seeks to implement this 2017-2022 CCS in partnership with the Ministry of Health. We hope to further deliver on our commitment to sustainable development, health equity and universal health in support of the health and well-being of the people of Jamaica".