The Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education Fund (CHASE) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Jamaica’s public healthcare system with a major investment in specialised kidney care services.
One of its latest initiatives is the establishment of a state-of-the-art Nephrology Centre of Excellence at the St Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital, a facility designed to transform care for patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD) across the North East Regional Health Authority (NERHA).
Wilford Heaven, Chief Executive Officer of the CHASE Fund, said the new 40-chair facility is being developed in partnership with NERHA and the Ministry of Health and Wellness. He described it as a “timely response” to the rising prevalence of CKD, particularly along Jamaica’s north coast.
“When you look up the prevalence of chronic renal disease, you will see that in that area along the north coast… when you look at mapping and scatter diagram… you’ll notice that it is a cluster you see there. We used this to determine the location of this nephrology center,” Heaven explained.
The CHASE Fund used national mapping and epidemiological data to identify Jamaica’s north coast as a critical hotspot for kidney disease. The centre will serve not only patients in St Ann but also residents of Portland and St Mary, where renal services remain severely under-resourced.
“Chronic kidney diseases are on the rise, and the burden will only grow with an ageing populace,” said Heaven. “This Centre of Excellence is a direct response to data, and we’re taking action where it is most urgent.”
He added that the project reflects the Fund’s long-term vision of developing a nationwide network of kidney care centres, with one in each of Jamaica’s four regional health authorities.
“Our role is not to just respond to crises, but to anticipate what the country needs,” the CEO said. “This nephrology center is a positive step, and we hope it will be the first of many to come.”
The CHASE Fund described the initiative as part of its broader mission to help Jamaica tackle some of the most pressing challenges in public health.
