Share

For Immediate Release

$600,000 in Grants Awarded to Private Health Network in Jamaica to Advance Administration of COVID-19 Vaccinations

Subtitle

LHSS Jamaica is working in partnership with the Ministry of Health & Wellness and private sector stakeholders to leverage existing public-private partnerships and strengthen the country’s COVID-19 response.

Date

Sections
Image
Image
Participants gather for a photo at the launch
Caption

Attendees at the Private Sector COVID-19 Vaccine Partnership Launch, February 25, 2022. Photo: Jamaica MOHW

Text

 

On Friday, February 25, LHSS Jamaica hosted a signing ceremony with the Jamaica Ministry of Health and Wellness and USAID to launch the Private Sector COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Partnership. Grants totaling USD $600,000 to nine private sector health organizations will support administration of COVID-19 vaccines across the island. The grants are designed to support the Ministry of Health & Wellness’ Outsourcing of Vaccination Administration Plan.

The grants are a part of a larger effort by LHSS to strengthen the capacity of Jamaica’s private health sector response to COVID-19 and reduce strain on the public sector. The grants will support the private health sector’s capacity to deliver required services related to COVID-19 vaccine administration, including appointment and registration; counselling; post-vaccination observation; documentation and reporting; and waste management.

LHSS Jamaica activity working in partnership with the Ministry of Health & Wellness and private sector stakeholders will leverage existing public-private partnerships started in September 2021 to strengthen the country’s COVID-19 response. These grants will allow the Ministry and its private sector partners to help reach its goals of administering 75,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccines through the private sector. To date, over 1.3 million doses have been administered covering 20% of the population.

Speaking at the launch on Friday, Health & Wellness Minister. Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton noted, “This is a necessary step towards building a stronger private-public relationship while strengthening the capacity of the private health sector to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as balance the strain on the public health system”.

USAID is committed to supporting the Government of Jamaica to address urgent needs and fill gaps in order to accelerate widespread, equitable access to and the delivery and up-take of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines.

This partnership sets the stage for USAID to continue to work closely with the Government of Jamaica and key stakeholders in Jamaica, including the private sector, to scale up vaccine uptake among Jamaicans and strengthen the country’s pandemic response now and in the future. said Jason Fraser USAID/Jamaica Country Representative    

The private sector providers participating in the partnership are Health Connect Jamaica, Fontana Pharmacy, Fairco Medical and Dermatology Centre, Erudite Medical Centre, HealthPlus Pharmacy Limited, Bethel Baptist Church, Windsor Wellness Centre, Online Medics, Vein Centers of Jamaica. 

 

Subscribe to LHSS Updates!

Get the latest news, publications, and event announcements from the Local Health System Sustainability project.

* indicates required