Dr Garth McDonald, (third left), senior medical officer of the Victoria Jubilee Hospital, explains how the ultrasound and CTG machines works to (from left) Jean Lowrie-Chin, board director of Food For The Poor; Elder Paul Sutherland, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Elise Fairweather-Blackwood, senior director of nursing services of Bustamante Hospital for Children; Denise Cagley-Jefferson, executive director of Food For The Poor; Krystal Lee, state minister in the Ministry of Health and Wellness; and Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Occasion was the official handover ceremony for the donation of 13 medical machines to the hospital in downtown Kingston on Monday.
As the country’s birth rates continue to fall, Jamaica is stepping up its fight to protect every newborn with a major technology boost at Victoria Jubilee Hospital (VJH) in Kingston.
The hospital, which is the largest referral maternity facility in the English-speaking Caribbean, has received a $32-million upgrade in life-saving equipment, including 13 cardiotocographymachines and state-of-the-art ultrasound system to strengthen the monitoring of mothers and babies during pregnancy and labour.
The donation, made through a partnership between Food For The Poor Jamaica and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was handed over on Monday, during an emotional ceremony at the hospital.
Junior health minister Krystal Lee said the investment in the VJH, which delivered 5,200 babies in the past two years, will help to improve early detection of complications and speed interventions.
“They represent reassurance for expectant mothers, confidence for our healthcare workers and, ultimately, better outcomes for babies and families across Jamaica,” Lee said.
She added: “These improvements come at a time when the ministry continues to prioritise reducing maternal and neonatal risks and advancing the quality of care available throughout our health system.”
Scores of members of the CCRP, a seniors’ advocacy organisation, were introduced to Jamaica’s central bank digital currency, JAMDEX, during an informative presentation hosted by the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) via Zoom on Thursday 28th May.
The presentation was led by Wayne Guthrie, Unit Head of Fintech Development and Implementation at the Bank of Jamaica, who has been instrumental in the implementation and development of JAMDEX. Mr Guthrie was introduced by Mario Griffiths, Division Chief with responsibility for Payment Systems at the BOJ.
During the session, members were educated on the features, benefits, and practical use of JAMDEX as Jamaica continues to advance its digital financial ecosystem. It was emphasised that JAMDEX is not intended to replace cash or bank notes, but rather to serve as another convenient payment option for Jamaicans.
Wayne Guthrie, Unit Head of Fintech Development and Implementation at the Bank of Jamaica
Presenters explained that one of the key motivations behind the initiative is to support Jamaica’s digital transformation agenda in alignment with the Government of Jamaica’s Vision 2030 strategy. The BOJ noted that it is seeking to keep pace with technological advancements to ensure that customers are not left behind in an increasingly digital society.
Members were informed that JAMDEX is quick, safe, and reliable and can be accessed through approved mobile applications or digital wallets available on smartphones. The presentation also highlighted enhanced financial inclusion as one of the major benefits of the introduction of JAMDEX, allowing more Jamaicans to participate in the formal financial system.
Participants were guided through the process of accessing JAMDEX through approved wallet providers, including the simplified onboarding and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements. Members were also informed of the wallet and transaction limits currently in place for users.
The presentation highlighted that approximately 310,000 Jamaicans are currently using JAMDEX, while acknowledging that adoption has progressed gradually due to competing priorities among financial institutions and limited promotional activity.
Special emphasis was placed on the robust security measures incorporated into the platform, including strong multi-factor authentication designed to reduce fraud risks. Members also learned that JAMDEX offers transparent transaction histories, allowing users to better monitor spending and manage their finances.
Mario Griffiths, Division Chief with responsibility for Payment Systems at the BOJ
Mr Guthrie additionally outlined future developments planned for the platform, including offline transaction capabilities and the introduction of additional wallet providers aimed at improving accessibility and convenience.
CCRP welcomed the presentation as part of its ongoing commitment to ensuring that seniors remain informed and empowered as Jamaica’s financial and technological landscape evolves.
The organisation expressed appreciation to the Bank of Jamaica, Mr Wayne Guthrie, and Mr Mario Griffiths for engaging its members and providing valuable insight into the future of digital payments in Jamaica.
Brightstar Lottery Jamaica didn’t just fund the Made by Her workshop; they showed up for it! General Manager Debbie Green (second left) joins Kavelle Hylton (third left), CEO of STEM Builders Learning Hub, and supervisors from several of Brightstar’s After School Advantage Centres (ASAs), from left: Samika Prendergast, Zann Locke, Stacian Williams-Dyer, and Donique Nelson at the Summit in Kingston, where 27 ASA young women spent a full day learning soap production, branding, and pricing. The lab coats and pink gloves weren’t props. Neither was the commitment.
