The government of Jamaica inherited a health system based on the British model of national public health services and the philosophy that health care is a public good. The traditional model was based on a very centralized administration with financing, technical, and managerial functions. The new system’s model that arose with sector reform is based on the regionalization of management and health care delivery. The new function of Headquarters will be to set standards and to act as a regulatory entity for the entire health care industry. In 1999, Headquarters were reorganized in three principal divisions: Health Promotion and Protection, Standards and Regulations, and Planning and Integration of Health Services.

Health System Profile of Jamaica

The second edition of this profile was prepared by a group of eight professionals and national policy decision makers from the Ministry of Health, University of Technology, and the PAHO/WHO Representation in Jamaica. Technical coordination of the national group was the responsibility of the Ministry of Health and the PAHO/WHO Representation in Jamaica. The external review was completed by the Social and Economic Research Unit, University of West Indies and the Inter-American Development Bank. Final review, edition, and translation are the responsibility of the Health Systems and Policies Unit, PAHO/WHO, Washington, DC.

Link to Jamaica Ministry of Health
Link to PAHO/WHO country office in Jamaica