Jamaica has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with University Hospitals Birmingham National Health Service Trust (UHB) in Britain to help develop centers of excellence at health facilities in Jamaica.
Tufton signs agreement
A statement issued by the Ministry of Health last week stated Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton signed the agreement that covers areas including cardiology, nephrology, neurosciences and oncology.
“The agreement also provides for technical cooperation in nursing and bio-medical engineering,” the statement said. It noted the MOU is part of Jamaica’s thrust to expand public health facilities and the range of specialist services offered.
“I was particularly impressed by what I saw during the tour of the facility. I am convinced this represents the kind of partnership that will help our plans to expand our public health system,” Tufton said.
Transform St. Joseph’s hospital
The Jamaican government is currently taking steps to transform St Joseph’s Hospital in St Andrew to a 24-bed center of excellence general hospital. This would enable that hospital to handle certain specialist services, such as oncology.
“There has been significant investment in a linear accelerator, which deals with cancer treatment,” according to the statement.
Collaborative arrangements
Under the MOU, the Ministry of Health and UHB will explore joint activity and enter into collaborative arrangements which will further the development of centers of excellence. In addition, each activity carried out within the framework of the MOU will be subject to the mutual written consent of the ministry and UHB.
The Ministry of Health said the MOU is non-binding. Details of the execution will be separately negotiated and mutually agreed by both parties through discussion and signing of a separate legally binding contract.
UHB Foundation Trust is one of the highest performing NHS organizations in Europe. It has a proven international reputation for quality care, information technology, clinical education, and training and research.
UHB is a regional center for cancer. It has the second largest renal dialysis program in the UK and the largest solid organ transplantation program in Europe. It also provides a series of highly specialist cardiac and liver services. It’s also a major specialist center for burns and plastic surgery.
