THE 607 recipients of the inaugural $2.5-billion Dr Barry Wint Memorial Scholarship, which finances studies in public health for Jamaican students, were on Friday encouraged by Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton to honour their bond agreements and remain in the system — even if greener pastures beckon.

The scholarships are valued up to $1 million a year, for up to five years, and are provided on the basis that recipients will be bonded to work in public health as part of a retention strategy.

Named in honour of Dr Barry Wint, a former chief medical officer, the scholarships are open to Jamaicans pursuing studies in, among other areas, medical technology, human resources for health, medical social work, epidemiology, medical physics, health records management, hospital/health-care management, information systems for health, pharmacy, dentistry, health economics, as well as nursing and medicine.

Speaking at the official awards function at AC Kingston Hotel on Friday morning, the prime minister said while Jamaica has always been a prime exporter of talent to global markets, the country is now smarting from the exodus of critical professionals such as doctors, nurses and teachers.

“I know some of you may baulk at the prospect of having to sign a bond, and some of you may say, ‘I am just going to participate in this, get the training, and as soon as I get my letter of acceptance overseas I pay off the bond and gone. I know, but I encourage you not to do that. We need you. And for the first time in a long time, remaining in Jamaica, working in Jamaica, will be rewarding. It is a long struggle but we are at the point now where we are starting to see improvements; keep faith in your country,” Holness said in the keynote address.

“The issue of migration has long been a challenge for Jamaica’s health-care system. It is a global phenomenon and, like many other countries, some of our skilled professionals seek opportunities abroad. Jamaica has been and will continue to be a net exporter of talent — from the construction of the Panama Canal to the rebuilding of European cities after World War II — and now, in contemporary times, teachers, nurses, doctors, and professors. Jamaica continues to provide talent to the world but we are now at a time, however, where Jamaica needs all its talent,” he said further.

In arguing that the country is at its most robust economically in its history, Holness told recipients that the decision to invest in their studies in the health sector is a strategy of the Government to sustain that growth.

“There is a reason we are making this investment: Shortage of health-care personnel is having a significant, impairing impact on the ability of the State to deliver health care, so we have to be strategic in investing in you. No health-care system can function without strong, educated, well-supported workers,” he said.

In the meantime Holness, in referencing the impending departure of Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke to International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a deputy managing director, said he has been frequently lobbied by international bodies for talent from the ministerial body.

“We have had other ministers being asked [but] maybe it was not convenient at the time. So, Jamaican talent is being observed and demanded right across the world, and because we have a deep talent pool sometimes the talent we have decides that, ‘It’s time I do something else,’ ” he noted.

On Friday, Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton, in pointing out that the 607 recipients had been chosen from a list of almost 2,000 applicants, said selection was based on the needs identified in the sector through a gap analysis for particular professionals in public health.

“Remember, you will sign a document that you are working with us after you finish studying — yuh nah guh a farrin or anywhere else,” he told the chuckling awardees.

“This is a developmental process. This process is intended to strengthen public health to serve the people of Jamaica — and we were very careful to identify the persons who had the passion, demonstrated the commitment, and had the competence and capacity and were studying in the fields that would fill the gaps that were identified. This process represents another plank in the modernisation and upgrading of public health,” the health minister declared.

Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton (right) and Prime Minister Andrew Holness lead the way in taking an “ussie” with attendees at the official awards function for the inaugural Dr Barry Wint Memorial Scholarship which finances studies in public health for Jamaican students, at AC Marriott Hotel in St Andrew on Friday. The scholarships are valued up to $1 million a year, up to five years, on the basis that recipients will be bonded to work in public health sector after.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness (left) greets Yvonne Wint — widow of Dr Barry Wint, former chief medical officer — as professor of public health, epidemiology and HIV/AIDS at The University of the West Indies, Mona, Dr Peter Figueroa looks on. Occasion was the official awards ceremony for the inaugural, $2.5-billion Dr Barry Wint Memorial Scholarship which finances studies in public health for Jamaican students, at AC Marriott Hotel in St Andrew on Friday morning. (Photos: Karl Mclarty)

Recipients of the 2024 inaugural Dr Barry Wint Memorial Scholarship which finances studies in public health for Jamaican students Darien Cobourne (left) and Gabrielle Sibble (centre) are congratulated by Donald Wint, brother of Dr Wint. Occasion was the official awards function for 607 recipients at AC Marriott Hotel in St Andrew on Friday. The scholarships are valued at up to $1 million a year, up to five years, on the basis that recipients will be bonded to work in public health sector afterwards.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness (third left) and Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton (fourth right) share a moment with several recipients of the inaugural $2.5-billion Dr Barry Wint Memorial Scholarship which finances studies in public health for Jamaican students. Occasion was the official awards function at the AC Kingston Hotel on Friday.

Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton (left), poses with medical physics students Jhadae Leslie and Rickardo Anderson recipients of the inaugural Dr Barry Wint Memorial Scholarship which finances studies in public health for Jamaican students. Occasion was was the official awards function at the AC Kingston Hotel on Friday.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness (left) shares lens time with (from second left) medical students Natasia Evans, Anthonee Clarke,Yanique Jackson, recipients of the inaugural Dr Barry Wint Memorial Scholarship.