Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer says the country's public health system must always be under scrutiny and should also be examined by persons outside of the health sector. Minister Spencer was speaking this morning (Tuesday, July 27, 2010) at the opening ceremony of the Pan American Health Organization's workshop 'Evaluation of Essential Public Health Functions' being held at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston.

He says the system must be the subject of audit and evaluation to assist in strengthening delivery, improving governance and ensuring sustainability. "Health is not the exclusive domain of health workers. While the Ministry has a lead role to play in essential public health functions delivery, an effective evaluation mechanism must include portfolios beyond the narrow boundaries of health and beyond the boundaries of the state," Minister Spencer said.

The essential public health functions represent a set of fundamental activities that address determinants of health, protect a population's health and treat diseases. Minister Spencer advised that the discussion pertaining to health must be placed within the context of the Government's commitment to expanding the range of freedoms that persons enjoy and more fundamentally, its obligation to honour the principal instrument of human rights which includes the right to health care.

"The decision to undertake an evaluation of the Essential Public Health Functions is timely given the general debate in the country about the restructuring and transformation of the public service. Also in relation to the major demographic and disease trends that are challenging our health systems. Global disease studies have estimated that there are significant changes in the health status and needs of the world's population," he pointed out. 

In Jamaica, non communicable diseases are on the rise. Injuries have emerged as contributing to the burden of illness and are appropriating a significant portion of the health resources.

"In addition, one cannot ignore the rise in zoonotic diseases and the need for health and agriculture ministries to build capacities for surveillance, response and cross sector collaboration to protect the animal and human populations. The prevalence and risk of environmental hazards have also impacted sustainable livelihoods leading to increasing vulnerability to poor health," he said.

He explained that the government has been consistent in identifying the renewal of primary health care as a major plank for the transformation of the health sector. He said despite the constraints, the government cannot abandon its commitment to broadening access, improving quality and ensuring equity in health service delivery.

"This evaluation must inform the way forward. How can we improve the delivery of essential public health functions? How best should we structure those functions especially in relation to primary health care and to important aspects of governance and stewardship? There is need to broaden the range of freedoms that our people enjoy, to pursue sustainable livelihoods for our most vulnerable populations and to move our people closer to achieving human security"

Also speaking at the event PAHO/WHO Representative to Jamaica Dr. Ernest Pate said previous evaluations showed that Jamaica is strong in many areas but need to strengthen others. He pointed out that the evaluation looks at the overall picture of what is happening in health in the entire country and not just the work of the Ministry of Health. It also examines various areas of health.

Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer addresses participants at the PAHO Worshop: 'Evaluation of Essential Public Health Functions' held at the Pegasus hotel on Tuesday, July 27, 2010. At the head table are (left to right) PAHO/WHO Representative to Jamaica, Dr. Ernest Pate, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Jean Dixon and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sheila Campbell Forrester. The Minister urged participants to use the evaluation exercise to help to inform the way forward in the development and improvement of health care in Jamaica.

Permanent Secretary, Dr. Jean Dixon (right) speaks with (from left) PAHO/WHO Representative to Jamaica, Dr. Ernest Pate, Dr. Gustavo Vargas of PAHO, Johnny Rullan, Consultant out of Puerto Rico and Workshop Facilitator and Stanley Lalta, Consultant out of the Bahamas and Workshop Facilitator at the beginning of the workshop: 'Evaluation of Essential Public Health Functions' which is looking at all aspects of health care in Jamaica.

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Contact: MOH, Public Relations Unit - Tel: 967-1561