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- Health & Wellbeing – Accessing Care in Jamaica
Introduction: Why Health Defines the Quality of Your Return
Returning home is not just about sunshine, food, and family — it’s about ensuring you can live well, stay
well, and access care when you need it. Jamaica has made great strides in healthcare, but there are still
gaps in the system that can frustrate or even endanger returnees who don’t plan ahead.
This chapter will walk you through:
- Understanding the Jamaican healthcare system (public vs. private).
- Navigating hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies.
- Securing insurance and managing costs.
- Mental health, wellness, and preventative care.
- Practical tips for seniors, young adults, and families.
Section 1 – The Structure of Healthcare in Jamaica
Public Healthcare (Government-Run)
- Provided through the Ministry of Health & Wellness (MOHW).
- Services in public hospitals are technically free at the point of care since 2008, but shortages,
long waits, and overcrowding are common. - Main public hospitals: Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), Cornwall Regional Hospital (Montego Bay),
Mandeville Regional, Annotto Bay, May Pen.
Private Healthcare
- Faster service, more comfortable, but significantly more expensive.
- Facilities include: Andrews Memorial (Kingston), University Hospital of the West Indies (Mona),
GWest (Montego Bay), Hargreaves Memorial (Mandeville). - Many returnees balance both: public for emergencies, private for day-to-day consultations.
Tip: Always identify your nearest hospital (public + private) before you return. In an emergency,
minutes matter.
Section 2 – Health Insurance in Jamaica
Unlike the UK’s NHS or Canada’s Medicare, Jamaica does not have a universal free health system.