Dear Editor,

Several Jamaican doctors who received their medical training in China are alleging that they cannot secure placements locally for their internships despite making multiple applications. Their frustration, as reported in
The Gleaner on Saturday, September 20, 2025, points to a systemic bottleneck that risks wasting valuable talent.

This situation calls for urgent and creative solutions, one of which could be for China to establish a private hospital in Jamaica as part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) global governance vision for small island developing states (SIDS), beginning here.

A hospital of this kind would provide a practical outlet for Jamaican doctors trained in China to complete their internships and serve their nation. With limited opportunities available in the public system, such an initiative would not only ease the current backlog but also raise health-care standards by introducing state-of-the-art technology, new practices, and even aspects of traditional Chinese medicine. It would relieve the burden on Jamaica’s overstretched public hospitals while opening pathways for innovation in medical care.

The benefits of such a move would extend beyond Jamaica’s borders. For Jamaica, this hospital would mean greater health-care infrastructure; new employment opportunities for local nurses, technicians, and administrative staff; and the potential to position the country as a hub for medical tourism in the region.

For China, it would strengthen its soft power in the Caribbean, reinforce its reputation as a reliable development partner, and demonstrate the SCO’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by SIDS. It would also deepen cultural and educational exchanges, particularly in medicine, by providing a bridge between Chinese-trained doctors and Jamaican patients.

Through this partnership, China could showcase how its governance vision for the SCO can uplift smaller nations while fostering mutual growth. Jamaica, with its global influence in the Caribbean, would serve as the ideal starting point for such an initiative. The hospital would not simply be a medical facility, it would be a symbol of resilience, cooperation, and shared purpose, providing lasting benefits for both nations.

The current plight of Jamaican doctors trained in China must not be allowed to fester. Establishing a private hospital through China-Jamaica cooperation represents a bold and innovative solution that addresses immediate needs while advancing long-term strategic ties. It would ensure that young professionals contribute to national development, expand health-care access, and deepen bilateral relations. Most importantly, it would embody the SCO’s vision that even small nations like Jamaica can rise in strength and impact when grounded in meaningful global partnerships.

Leroy Fearon

Lecturer

leroyfearon85@gmail.com