Association of Caribbean Occupational Therapist
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation located in the Greater Antilles. It is 234 Kilometers long by 80 Kilometers wide. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba and west of Haiti. Its indigenous people were Taino Arawaks who named the island Xaymaca, meaning the “ Land of Wood and Water”. It was colonized by the Spanish and later by the British. Jamaica gained independence in August of 1962. The primary language is English with a colloquial language known as Patois. The country is still a part of the commonwealth and also enjoys being a part of Caricom. The population is 2.8 million people. The capital of Jamaica is Kingston. The estimated per capita income is $6,234.00 per annum.
ETHNICITY
Jamaica’s motto is “Out of Many One People” due to a very varied ethnic population. The statistics according to the University of the West indies are as follows: Jamaicans of African descent represent 92.1% of the population, followed by 6.1% Afro-European or Brown, 0.8% East Indian and Afro-East Indian, >0.8 % Caucasian, 0.4% Chinese and 0.2% other.
RELIGION
Religions: Protestant 64.8% (includes Seventh Day Adventist 12.0%, Pentecostal 11.0%, Other Church of God 9.2%, New Testament Church of God 7.2%, Baptist 6.7%, Church of God in Jamaica 4.8%, Church of God of Prophecy 4.5%, Anglican 2.8%, United Church 2.1%, Methodist 1.6%, Revived 1.4%, Brethren 0.9%, and Moravian 0.7 %
ETHNICITY
Jamaica’s motto is “Out of Many One People” due to a very varied ethnic population. The statistics according to the University of the West indies are as follows: Jamaicans of African descent represent 92.1% of the population, followed by 6.1% Afro-European or Brown, 0.8% East Indian and Afro-East Indian, >0.8 % Caucasian, 0.4% Chinese and 0.2% other.
RELIGION
Religions: Protestant 64.8% (includes Seventh Day Adventist 12.0%, Pentecostal 11.0%, Other Church of God 9.2%, New Testament Church of God 7.2%, Baptist 6.7%, Church of God in Jamaica 4.8%, Church of God of Prophecy 4.5%, Anglican 2.8%, United Church 2.1%, Methodist 1.6%, Revived 1.4%, Brethren 0.9%, and Moravian 0.7 %
HEALTH CARE IN JAMAICA
Health care in Jamaica is free/ at a lower cost to all citizens and legal residents at government hospitals and clinics. This includes prescription drugs. Common medications are covered under a National Health card at greatly reduced prices.
The central government has traditionally provided most medical services in Jamaica through the Ministry of Health. The National Health Services Act of 1997 authorized the decentralization of the health care system through the creation of regional health authorities and the restructuring of the national Ministry of Health. In 1996, the island had 364 government-operated primary health centers offering five levels of service. There are 24 public hospitals in 2004. There are 11 small private hospitals. In 2004 2here are 2.450 doctors and 5,153 nurses, There is an estimated 1.7 beds per 1000 people. As of 2023 total health care expenditure was estimated at 6.1% of GDP.
The government conducts a broad public health program, involving epidemic control, health education, industrial health protection, and campaigns against tuberculosis, venereal diseases, yaws, and malaria. These programs have brought about a significant decrease in the death rate. As of 2023 the death rate is estimated at 7.6 per 1,000 people. The infant mortality rate is 10.8 per 1,000 births. 95% of Jamaicans are Immunized and programs are conducted against poliomyelitis and diphtheria, tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus, polio, and measles. 8.3 % of Jamaica's children under five years old are considered undernourished.
Since 1987 the annual AIDS case rates have doubled every two years. As of 1999, the number of people living with HIV/AIDS was estimated at 29,000, 1.6% of the population and deaths from AIDS in 2021 was estimated at 770. Heterosexual transmission predominates.
Health care in Jamaica is free/ at a lower cost to all citizens and legal residents at government hospitals and clinics. This includes prescription drugs. Common medications are covered under a National Health card at greatly reduced prices.
The central government has traditionally provided most medical services in Jamaica through the Ministry of Health. The National Health Services Act of 1997 authorized the decentralization of the health care system through the creation of regional health authorities and the restructuring of the national Ministry of Health. In 1996, the island had 364 government-operated primary health centers offering five levels of service. There are 24 public hospitals in 2004. There are 11 small private hospitals. In 2004 2here are 2.450 doctors and 5,153 nurses, There is an estimated 1.7 beds per 1000 people. As of 2023 total health care expenditure was estimated at 6.1% of GDP.
The government conducts a broad public health program, involving epidemic control, health education, industrial health protection, and campaigns against tuberculosis, venereal diseases, yaws, and malaria. These programs have brought about a significant decrease in the death rate. As of 2023 the death rate is estimated at 7.6 per 1,000 people. The infant mortality rate is 10.8 per 1,000 births. 95% of Jamaicans are Immunized and programs are conducted against poliomyelitis and diphtheria, tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus, polio, and measles. 8.3 % of Jamaica's children under five years old are considered undernourished.
Since 1987 the annual AIDS case rates have doubled every two years. As of 1999, the number of people living with HIV/AIDS was estimated at 29,000, 1.6% of the population and deaths from AIDS in 2021 was estimated at 770. Heterosexual transmission predominates.
Delivery of OT Services in Country
Occupational Therapy is a Licensed profession in Jamaica and is Governed by the Ministry of Health through the Council of Professions Supplementary to Medicine (CPSM) CPSM website . All Occupational Therapists practicing in Jamaica, whether paid or voluntary, must register with the CPSM. Volunteers are granted a provisional license. Information on registration procedures can be found here Registration form.
Currently there are less than 10 Occupational Therapists working on the Island. There are currently 2 therapists in the government sector, there is therefore a great need in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centres and NGOs. Inadequate occupational therapy services is a direct result of the absence of a local training program. For Occupational Therapy and other Health Care positions with the Ministry of Health Jamaica click here Job vacancies .
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS WORK IN THE FOLLOWING SETTINGS IN JAMAICA
Occupational Therapy is a Licensed profession in Jamaica and is Governed by the Ministry of Health through the Council of Professions Supplementary to Medicine (CPSM) CPSM website . All Occupational Therapists practicing in Jamaica, whether paid or voluntary, must register with the CPSM. Volunteers are granted a provisional license. Information on registration procedures can be found here Registration form.
Currently there are less than 10 Occupational Therapists working on the Island. There are currently 2 therapists in the government sector, there is therefore a great need in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centres and NGOs. Inadequate occupational therapy services is a direct result of the absence of a local training program. For Occupational Therapy and other Health Care positions with the Ministry of Health Jamaica click here Job vacancies .
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS WORK IN THE FOLLOWING SETTINGS IN JAMAICA
- Community services
- Pediatric clinics
- Psychiatric institutions
- Schools
- Private adult rehabilitation -physical disability
Country Representative
Mara Nelson
Email: occupational.therapyja@gmail.com
Phone: +1 876-236-4182
Website: http://www.occupationaltherapyjamaica.com
Facebook: Occupational Therapy Association of Jamaica
Email: occupational.therapyja@gmail.com
Phone: +1 876-236-4182
Website: http://www.occupationaltherapyjamaica.com
Facebook: Occupational Therapy Association of Jamaica