Jamaica and India sign 3 MOU to cooperate in areas including health and medicine

Jamaica has signed three memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with the Republic of India to facilitate bilateral cooperation in health and medicine, solarisation, and public broadcasting and content exchange.

The MOUs were signed at Jamaica House yesterday following bilateral discussions among Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, several Cabinet ministers and India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

This is the first bilateral visit of an Indian External Affairs Minister to Jamaica and follows Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness’ visit to India in 2024.

Following the signing of the MOUs, Senator Johnson Smith explained that under the solarisation MOU, the Hugh Lawson Shearer Building which houses the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade will be solarised.

She noted that under the health cooperation MOU, Jamaica has received 10 state-of-the-art portable medical units designed for use in emergencies and disasters.

Mrs. Johnson Smith noted that the first unit has already been deployed to the Darliston Health Centre in Westmoreland.

She said the unit has enabled medical professionals to bring diagnostic care directly to communities affected by Hurricane Melissa.

Meanwhile she noted that education and capacity development remain among India and Jamaica’s most enduring pillars of cooperation.

Mrs. Johnson Smith added that agriculture has also been a vital area of cooperation.

In his remarks, Dr. Jaishankar noted that the bilateral talks were comprehensive and allowed for reviewing of India-Jamaica relations.

He said new avenues for further strengthening of the partnership have been identified.

The External Affairs Minister emphasised that development cooperation remains an important pillar of the India-Jamaica partnership.

He said discussions are taking place on the feasibility of the establishment of an artisan empowerment hub for Jamaica as part of a commitment which was made under the India-CARICOM Development Partnership.

Meanwhile Dr. Jaishankar noted that India is proud to support Jamaica’s recovery and reconstruction following Hurricane Melissa.

He noted that in addition to the 10 portable medical units, India is also in the process of supplying 30 dialysis units to strengthen health infrastructure in Jamaica.

He pointed out that Jamaica and India have discussed expanding their cooperation in several areas of mutual interest.

The countries agreed to further strengthen trade, business and investment linkages, explore cooperation for recruitment and mobility of skilled professionals, including nurses, care workers and teachers.