KINGSTON, Jamaica — On Friday August 22 when 24-year-old Philadelphia, St Ann resident Christakay Nash walked on stage to receive the Dr Barry Wint Scholarship to assist in her nursing studies, her heart was filled with joy.

“I am very elated to be a recipient of this scholarship. It will not only help me with my school fees but it will also help me to become a better nurse in the future,” Nash told Observer Online shortly after she and more than 100 other persons pursuing studies in the health sector were recognised at a function put on by the Ministry of Health and Wellness at the AC Hotel in Kingston.

Nash, who is currently studying nursing at the Browns Town Community College School of Nursing in St Ann, is now going into the third year of a five-year course of study.

“My journey has been rough and exciting. It has its challenges, but I will get around those challenges,” she said, while highlighting why she decided to pursue studies in nursing.

“From a tender age, I have been admitted to hospital with asthma and seeing how the doctors and the nurses were able to assist me, this pushed me to say, this is my way of giving back to Jamaica.”

She shared that her long-term goals and objectives include giving back to several communities through nursing.

Nash who studied at the St Ann’s Bay Primary and Knox College, did her Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) studies at the Brown’s Town Community College.

Yanique Jackson, a 2024 recipient of the Dr Barry Wint Scholarship said her late nephew was who inspired her to pursue studies in the medical field.

“In 2017, my nephew was diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer and as I watched him endure the challenges of his illness, I was distraught. The doctors and the entire hospital staff brought life into his final days. They showed me the true meaning of compassion and healing. And, before he passed, he said, ‘Auntie, I know you’re going to be one of the best doctors ever’. And those words became the fuel that pushed me forward,” Jackson recalled.

She continued, “I was a fulltime employee, and I was struggling financially while being a student at the same time. Then the scholarship came, and it gave me hope and encouragement that I was not alone.”

Jackson is on the road to completing her medical education and is in the finals of clinical rotations.

Eneama Bryan is another scholarship awardee. She received her scholarship last year.

“I’m a proud past recipient of the scholarship and I’m pursuing a Bachelors of Science Degree in Dental Laboratory at the University of Technology. My educational journey has not been an easy one. I was working while studying full-time, traveling back and forth from St Ann to Kingston and many times I wondered if I could continue. Many times I faced extremely difficult financial difficulties and then the day came when I received a congratulatory email stating that I was one of the recipients of the scholarship for 2024. It granted me the opportunity to dedicate myself wholeheartedly to my final year studies. I was free from the burdens of tuition worries, and the straight A’s I received in my final year is a true testament of that,” said Bryan.

The Government of Jamaica, through the Ministry of Health and Wellness, awarded close to 200 Jamaicans the Dr Barry Wint Memorial Scholarship this year. These persons will pursue studies in various health-related fields.

This year, the scholarship focussed on persons pursuing studies including biomedical engineering, radiology, counselling therapy, medical physics, and dental nurse therapy, in addition to third- and fourth-year nursing and medical students. The total value of disbursement for this year is approximately J$281,098,816.

The introduction of the Dr Barry Wint Scholarship Programme, which is named in honour of a former chief medical officer, forms part of Government efforts to train and retain healthcare professionals for the health sector. Of the 536 recipients from the first cohort, 38 have graduated and are now working in the health sector.

During the 2025 award ceremony Minister of Health & Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton noted that, “As a Ministry of Health and Wellness, we are acutely aware of the challenges facing our health system – from shortages in specialties and skilled professionals to the growing demands of an evolving population.”

“The need for a robust, compassionate and well-trained healthcare workforce has never been greater. We stand at a critical moment where the health workforce across the globe, including here in Jamaica, faces extraordinary challenges especially due to mass migration among staff,” added Dr Tufton.

It is expected that the scholarship programme by 2027, will yield some 63 nursing graduates, four biomedical engineers, three social workers and 15 diagnostic imaging professionals who will serve the public health system.

By 2028, the programme is to see the addition of 56 nurses; 10 midwives; and nine social workers trained to serve the public health system. By 2029, the programme is to see the addition of 134 doctors and 42 dentists.

Minister of Health Christopher Tufton speaks at the awards ceremony for the Barry Wint Memorial Scholarship

Barry Wint Memorial Scholarship Awardee Yanique Jackson