Ruddy Spencer, Health Minister.
Health Minister Rudyard Spencer left the country on Thursday for Washington D.C. to hold discussions with officials of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization about support for the country’s HIV/AIDS Response among other issues.
Mr. Spencer has continuously appealed to the Global Community to continue funding support for the country’s HIV/AIDS Programme after it was disclosed that Jamaica no longer qualifies for funding under the Global Fund since it has been categorized as an upper middle income country by the World Bank.
The country recently received what is to be the last tranche of funding support to the tune of $26 million for the next three years.
"Jamaica is facing significant financial challenges which will prevent us from adequately providing the required funding for the HIV/AIDS response. We have made significant gains, which we would like to continue to build on. This is a very important area for not just the country’s development but also the region and the world. We urge our international partners to continue to provide funding support to us in this area," he said.
This appeal was also made this week at the 21st Annual Retreat of the National HIV/STI Programme Retreat now underway at the Rose Hall Resort and Spa in Montego Bay, St. James.
The Health Minister will also discuss support to enable the country to improve its maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity rates as Jamaica is still below the required standards necessary to meet the targets under the Millennium Development Goals. In addition, funding will be sought to facilitate security audits for health facilities island-wide.
Mr. Spencer is accompanied by Dr. Jean Dixon, Permanent Secretary in the Health Ministry and Dr. Kevin Harvey, Director of the National HIV/STI Programme.
They are expected to return to the country on Saturday, October 23, 2010.
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