Dr. Ken Baugh dies

Dr Kenneth Baugh, former Member of Parliament for West Central St Catherine, and cabinet minister in two Jamaica Labour Party administrations, died Sunday morning following a long illness.

Dr. Baugh retired from representational politics in 2016 due to ill health. 

He served as Minister of Health, Minister of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade, and Deputy Prime Minister, and earned the respect of colleagues on both sides of the aisle in Parliament and the wider society.

He was also a former general secretary and chairman of the JLP.

“As a physician he was always motivated to heal and care, a perspective based on his love for humanity which he also brought to political service,” Prime Minister Andrew Holness recalled in a statement.

“Anyone who knew him, whether as a patient or a constituent or even a colleague, would agree that he was a kind and caring person,” Mr. Holness added. 

Culture Minister Olivia Grange also expressed sadness at his passing.

"I really loved Dr Baugh dearly.  He was one of the nicest individuals.  As Minister, he was humble.  As Deputy Prime Minister, he was extremely humble.  He was really a humble person, excellent physician and surgeon.  He was just a wonderful person," said Ms Grange.

"As Minister of Foreign Affairs, he contributed tremendously in how we conducted the business of the nation internationally.  As Minister of Health, he made great strides in setting our policy on a very progressive journey and he must be credited for a number of things that have been done in health under the Jamaica Labour Party administrations.  And he was one of the outstanding medical practitioners of Jamaica.  His contribution was in so many ways and his community service was tremendous," she said.