FOR the first time since its founding in 1872, the Medical Council of Jamaica met with a Jamaican prime minister.

The historic meeting between members of the council and Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller was held recently at the Office of the Prime Minister, Jamaica House, and discussed matters of mutual concern, according to council chairman Dr John Hall.

The Council, Dr Hall told the Jamaica Observer, reminded Simpson Miller of its essential functions in the nation: to regulate the training and registration of doctors before they are allowed the privilege of unsupervised care of patients; to provide medical care of high clinical and ethical standards; to ensure the protection of the public from quacks.

The prime minister was also advised by Dr Hall and his team of definitive work now proceeding to revise the Medical Act, which needs recalibration to bring it into the 21st Century, despite the many amendments which were made even up to the incumbency of the late Sir Howard Cooke.

The prime minister, according to Dr Hall, also showed much interest in the medicinal use of Jamaican plants and herbs, and reacted positively to the prospect of a local pharmaceutical industry similar to that in neighbouring Dominican Republic and Cuba, which are almost self-sufficient.

Substandard and bogus drugs being dumped in Third World countries, including Jamaica, have been exposed by the BBC and the FDA, and Jamaica is said to spend over $750 million annually on pharmaceuticals.

“With our changing demographics, ageing population, and the increasing number of persons on fixed incomes or pensions, who suffer from the common non-communicable diseases, the need for drug security was noted and emphasised,” Dr Hall said.

“Although Jamaica’s excellent infant mortality rate and the increased lifespan of our men and women were noted as significant, resources and facilities here are less than in North America. These healthcare gains were ascribed to the dedicated work of doctors and nurses in the hospital/public health services as well as those in private practice,” the chairman added.

Dr Hall said that exploratory talks on health tourism referred to the upgrading of the Bath Fountain and Milk River Spa. Both of these facilities have radioactive waters of a higher quality than those in North America and Europe.

The prime minister, Dr Hall said, was enthusiastic about those prospects and emphasised that national assets would not be allowed to fall into foreign hands.

At the end of the meeting, it was established that there would be continued dialogue between the prime minister and the Medical Council.