Kingston, Jamaica, 23 July 2025 (PAHO/WHO) – The Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW), in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), has taken an important step in addressing the harmful effects of mercury in skin lightening products (SLPs). Through two targeted workshops, healthcare workers (HCWs) from across Jamaica were trained to identify and communicate the dangers associated with mercury-containing SLPs, in support of national and global public health goals.
The first of the two workshops was held on April 30, 2025, in Montego Bay, engaging 62 healthcare workers. A second session followed on July 9, 2025, in Kingston, where 70 additional participants were trained. In total, 132 healthcare workers, representing all 14 parishes and all regional health authorities across the island, were equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to raise awareness on this health issue.
Participants included a diverse group of health professionals: Health Promotion Officers, Public Health Nurses and Inspectors, Nurse Managers, Medical Officers of Health, Public Health Physicians, and Community Health Aides. The sessions focused on the health hazards of mercury exposure, particularly from SLP use during pregnancy, and its risks to vulnerable populations, including children and unborn babies.
As part of the training, participants received orientation and access to practical educational materials designed to support public health awareness campaigns and health education strategies. Those in attendance reported increased confidence in their ability to educate communities on the toxicity of mercury in SLPs.
The workshops form part of a broader strategy by the MOHW to reduce exposure to harmful substances through daily lifestyle practices. They reflect the Ministry’s continued commitment to improving health and wellness, upholding the principles of the Minamata Convention, and advancing Jamaica’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The next phase of this important project will focus on scaling up awareness initiatives, guided by the trained HCWs and supported by a developed toolkit. In addition, further work aims to enhance national capacity for product testing, regulation, and knowledge management, as well as reduce or eliminate the production, trade, and distribution of mercury-containing SLPs in Jamaica. Continued intersectoral collaboration and community engagement will therefore be key, as the Ministry works to eliminate these products from the Jamaican market and promote safer, healthier practices among the public.
