MINISTER of Health and Environment, Rudyard Spencer, says that a “high level” trio of specialists/consultants will be appointed to make a comprehensive evaluation of the health service.

The minister said that they will make recommendations to him, including a plan of action to immediately address problems and issues affecting the service, as well as initiate steps to begin an organisational reform of the regional health authorities.

“The objective is to achieve a modern, 21st century best practice health care delivery system, that addresses the health problems of Jamaicans in a sustainable and comprehensive way,” the minister told Wednesday’s post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.

He said that the general objectives were to review and evaluate the policies governing the regional health authorities; the organisation of the authorities, with respect to structure, functions, manpower, supplies and financing; planning and managing capabilities; the financial and technical efficiencies of the authorities, as well as their relationship to each other and to the central and statutory authorities of the ministry.

The task force will be comprised of three persons who are technically qualified as specialists and consultants “with an in-depth knowledge of the Jamaican health service system and relative experience in health systems research, development and evaluation and who are not currently part of any entity being evaluated,” Spencer said.