The Ministry of Health
The Ministry of Health has the ultimate responsibility for the nation’s health care service. The management of the health service is decentralized with the Regional Health Authorities assuming full responsibility and accountability for the management of health service delivery at the local level.
The Ministry of Health’s role includes policy making, steering and regulating responsibilities of the health service and the health professions.
Cooperation in Health
Cooperation in Health is the Unit in the Ministry of Health which among other activities, facilitate and support the work of medical/clinical volunteers in the Jamaican health care system. This unit liaises with the Regional Health Authorities and the organisations and individuals serving as volunteers. It provides directions and guidelines to both the health authorities and the volunteer bodies to ensure compliance to the laws and standards set for the health system. The Unit also ensures that the volunteers’ passage through Immigration and Customs are un-complicated and efficient.
The Unit publishes the following guidelines:
Short-term volunteers for the health service in Jamaica must:
- Provide a letter of application explaining their mission, giving proposed dates, services to be delivered in as much detail as possible and must be sent at least 6-8 weeks before the planned date of arrival.
- The volunteer group or individual should have a local contact, the name and address of whom should be submitted to this Unit in the Ministry of Health.
- The local health authorities at parish and regional levels must be included and must endorse the activities you plan to carry out, including the venue and personnel involved. You should therefore contact one or more of the following persons at the local or regional levels;
- The Regional Director
- The Regional Technical Director
- The Medical Officer (Health)
- The Parish Manager
- Once the local health authorities approve the activities, you must apply for special registration for the various professionals who will be members of the volunteer team. (Relevant documentation for registration of volunteers are specified under the various councils). The documents, having the approval of the health authorities are sent to the Ministry of Health for endorsement then submitted to the relevant councils for registration. On receipt of registration from the relevant councils, application is then made to the Ministry of Labour for Work Permit Exemption.
- A list of pharmaceutical, equipment and/or other supplies you plan to take with you on the trip, indicating the ones you plan to donate to Jamaica is required. You must also list the equipment that will return with you at the end of your visit. Generic names, strength, quantity and expiry date of each preparation must be given. Expiry dates for pharmaceuticals coming into the country should be longer than one (1) year from date of arrival. The estimated value of each item should also be given. After approval of the list, the Ministry of Health will apply for a waiver of duties and charges from other relevant government authorities for the items you wish to donate to the Ministry. For equipment and motor vehicle, the age, specification, electrical requirements, availability of operator’s and service manuals and spare parts, and the estimated value should be provided.
- A report of activities carried out during the mission is also required at the end of the visit. This report should include:
- Number of clients seen
- Type of services delivered
- Diagnoses made
- Treatment given
- Disposal/referral of clients for follow-up. (specify names of practitioners and institutions required).
- The Ministry of Health will not be responsible for any debt incurred by the volunteer group or individual. The group/individual must stand the full cost of all activities, including airfares, accommodation, meals, transportation and any other materials and supplies to be used while on the mission.
Regulatory Bodies
Medical Council of Jamaica
The Medical Council of Jamaica is responsible for the registration of all physicians practicing medicine in Jamaica.
The office is situated on the 9th floor of the Ministry of Health’s Building, 2 King Street Kingston, Jamaica.
Telephone: # 876-967-1549Fax: # 876-922-3116
Email: medcojam@cwjamaica.com
Documents require for registration:
- Certified or notarized copy of MM BS or MD Degree Certificate
- Registration Certificate
- Certificate of good standing or license from registering body
- Two medical references from persons of hospital you have worked with in the past year.
- One passport size photograph
Registration fee:
Temporary registration – lass than one year JA$1,000.00
Full registration – one year or in excess of one year JA$3,000.00
Nursing Council of Jamaica
The Nursing Council is responsible for the registration of all nurses and midwives practicing in Jamaica.
The office is situated on the 4th floor, The Towers, 2 Dominica Drive, Kingston 5, Jamaica.
Telephone: # 876-926-6585, 876-929-5213Fax: # 876-968-2200
Email: najtrevennion@hotmail.com
Documents require for registration:
- Letter of application stating work experience since graduation or for the past six years.
- Certified or notarized copy of birth certificate and marriage certificate
- Certified or notarized copy of certificate/diploma/degree from your school/college of nursing.
- Certified or notarized copy of current certificate of registration/license.
- A transcript of the course taken showing number of hours of instructions and clinical practice. (This is to be submitted from the school/college of nursing to the Nursing Council).
- Two recent professional references sent directly to the Council by the individuals providing them, preferably from your supervisors with whom you have worked.
- A certified/notarized passport size photograph.
The processing fee for each application is JA$1,000.00, (not refundable).
Registration Fee:Special/temporary Registration not in excess of three months, JA$1,000.00
Full/Permanent Registration in excess of three months JA$1,500.00
Council Supplementary to Medicine
The Council Supplementary to Medicine is the body responsible for the registration of the allied health professionals:
- Medical Laboratory Technologists
- Radiographers
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Medical Dietitians/Nutritionists
- Speech Therapists
- Public Health Inspectors
- Nutrition Assistants
- Dietetic Assistants
- Audiologists
The office is situated on the 9th floor of the Ministry of Health Building, 2-4 King Street, Kingston Jamaica.
Telephone: # 922 3529 / 876 967 1549Fax: # 876 922 3529
Email: profsupp@yahoo.com
Documents Required for Registration:
- Completed application form provided by the Council.
- Certified/notarized copies of Certificate/ Diploma/Degree of training. Additional certificates for on-going training are accepted.
- Character references from two referees, (one must be from a person in good standing in the applicant’s profession).
- One passport size photograph
Registration Fees:
Initial Registration JA$2,000.00
Renewal of Registration, JA$1,000.00
Pharmacy Council of Jamaica
The Pharmacy Council of Jamaica is responsible for the registration of all Pharmacists, Pharmaceutical students, pharmacy owners and authorized sellers of poisons in accordance with the Pharmacy Act and Regulation (1975).
The office is situated on 3rd Floor ICWI Building, 2 St. Lucia Avenue, Kingston 5, Jamaica.
Telephone: # - 926-2637; 876-926-4353Fax: # 876-926-6935
Email: pharmacycouncil@cwjamaica.com
Documents Required for Registration
- Completed application provided by the council
- Certified/notarized copies of Degree of Pharmacy
- Certified/notarized copy of Registration or License
- Three professional references (from recent employer, pharmacist, family physician or head of educational institution
- Certified copy of birth certificate
- Curriculum Vitae
- Two passport size photographs (certified/notarized)
- Letter of good standing from regulatory body/certifying board with official seal
Registration fee for a period up to one year US$35.00