KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Health & Wellness has awarded nearly $48 million to five successful applicants under its Research for Wellness Fund (RFWF) Programme to support research aimed at improving health outcomes and strengthening evidence-based decision-making across Jamaica’s health sector.

The announcement was made by Minister of Health & Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton, during an awards ceremony held on Friday.

Launched by Tufton during his 2019 Sectoral Presentation, the Research for Wellness Fund was established as part of the ministry’s ongoing commitment to promoting innovation, scientific research and locally developed solutions to address Jamaica’s health challenges.

The five funded projects will focus on critical public health issues, including mental health, breast cancer, air pollution, and wellness among persons living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their associated risk factors, including tobacco use, physical inactivity, the harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diets, and air pollution.

Speaking at the ceremony, the minister underscored the importance of research in shaping health policy and improving patient outcomes.

“Research is one of the most powerful tools available to us as we seek to build a stronger, more responsive and more resilient health system. Through the Research for Wellness Fund, we are investing in knowledge that will help us better understand some of the most pressing health challenges affecting Jamaicans and identify practical, evidence-based solutions,” Dr Tufton said.

The minister congratulated the successful awardees and encouraged them to pursue their work with diligence and purpose.

“I want to commend each of the awardees on this achievement. The selection process was highly competitive, and your projects demonstrated both scientific merit and relevance to Jamaica’s public health priorities. I look forward to seeing the outcomes of your research and how the findings can contribute to enhancing healthcare delivery and improving the health and wellness of our people,” he said.

The Research for Wellness Fund forms part of the ministry’s broader strategy to strengthen health research capacity and promote collaboration among researchers, healthcare professionals, academic institutions, and policymakers.