Closing the Gap Millennium Developmental Goals 8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1
Cynthia James-White, VP JNGNYI Runaway Bay, Jamaica West Indies.The Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) held their 67th annual general meeting and 43rd island conference in October at Runaway Bay, Jamaica West Indies. The Vice President of the Jamaica Nurses Group of New York, Inc., Cynthia James-White attended the conference along with JNGNYI Public Relations Officer Claudette Powell, who gave the following report upon her return to New York.
For the year 2012-2013, the Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) concentrated on tenets 4, 5, and 6 of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Millennium Development Goals (MDG). Tenet MDG 4, 5, and 6 focused on reduction in child mortality, reduction in maternal mortality; and increasing awareness and reduction of HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis(TB).
The aim was to reduce MDG tenet 4 (infant mortality) by 33% and to reduce MDG tenet 5 (maternal mortality) by25%. However, due to the lack of standardized data collection process these goals were not realized. The NAJ maintained that the focus of their efforts, now, is to ensure that mothers have access to prenatal and anti retroviral medications, which studies have shown to be effective improving fetal outcomes. The NAJ congratulated its public health nurses who have been instrumental in achieving immunization milestone of 100%.
According to the NAJ report, infectious disease, especially HIV/AIDS is rampant in Jamaica. The morbidity and mortality rates are high. The highest prevalence was reported in northwest Jamaica with high concentrations in Montego Bay, Westmorland, and St Ann’s, followed by Kingston and St Andrews. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is declining globally due to the use of anti retroviral medications. However, in Jamaica the augmenting factors such as multiple sexual partners, the availability and proper use of condoms, the stigma of male sexing male, transactional sex exchange, involuntarily sexual activity, sigma of sexual transmitted diseases, and poverty prevent those affected from seeking treatment. NAJ’s dissected the prevalence as follows:
Men who have sex with men (MSM)- 32%
Heterosexual casual sex 22%
Partners of heterosexual through casual sex 14%
Female partners of casual sex male same sex 7%
Casual sex workers and their male clients 7%
Low risk who are unaware of status 14%
and reported that only 38.5% of females and 51.3% of males have basic knowledge in HIV/AIDS prevention, while 65.4%. of sexually active males reported using condoms.
The NAJ reported that World Health Organization commended Jamaica for its effort towards eradicating Malaria. The incidence in Jamaica has declined since 2006-2012. The prevalence of T.B. is low with over 300 cases reported; 73 confirmed, 166 discarded, and 96 currently being investigated. Some of the cases coexist with HIV (HIV associated TB).
The keynote speaker and past NAJ president, Mrs. Ancylin Morgan, encouraged nurses to be proactive in policy formation at the administrative level, the Ministry of Health; so that they can better advocate for their patients. She reiterated the MDG goals for HIV management. Mrs. Morgan also discussed child and maternal morbidity and mortality and emphasized patient literacy as a methodology to achieve these goals. She commissioned nurses to use evidence base approach which is developed from empirical evidence from research.
Mr. Lyttleton Shirley, Chairman of SERHA, reported that the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) spent a million dollars in its ambulatory and chemotherapy unit. KPH purchased recliner chairs for use by its asthmatic patients. They upgraded the pharmacy department, purchased X- ray machines; installed a police command center on site, and has renovated the health canter. The goals for the next year include developing best practices initiatives and decrease hospital readmissions.
Master of Ceremony, Mr. Michael Maragh, Principal Financial Officer Ministry of Health, hilariously reiterated the slogan “give the nurses what they want” when reporting that NAJ completed reclassification and received that the nurses received a 7% salary increase. Guest Speaker Miss. Gail Hudson, Chief Executive Officer St Joseph’s Hospital, challenged the nurses to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors
The Past President, Antoinette Patterson–Bartley was re-elected for her fourth term, 2013-2014. Edith Allwood-Anderson, President Emeritus, installed Mrs. Patterson-Bartley. The Inaugural address from the returning President was well delivered. She urged members to advance professionally, use collaborative approach to unite the organization. She thanked Ms. Donareen Denny, President of the Jamaica Nurses Group of New York, Inc. for the group’s continued support and contributions over the years.
The occasion was a memorable one and fellow Jamaican nurses are urged to attend subsequent conferences, which are held annually in October.
James White, C. (2013). Report on Closing the Gap Millennium Developmental Goals 8,7,6,5,4,3,2,and 1
Nurses Association of Jamaica [NAJ], 67th annual general meeting and 43rd island conference.