Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamina Johnson Smith has held talks with US officials amid what she has described as Jamaica’s concerns over the scope and extent of the recently issued travel advisory by Washington to Americans who intend to visit the island.

In a media release on Thursday evening, Johnson Smith said she held talks with US Ambassador to Jamaica, Nick Perry, and other US Embassy officials “to interrogate issues detailed in the advisory”.

The US in its latest travel advisory raised concern about crime and the island’s ability to provide quality healthcare to American visitors.

Americans were told that emergency services and hospital care varied throughout Jamaica and response times and quality of care may vary from US standards.

The US government said public hospitals in Jamaica are under-resourced and cannot always provide high-level or specialised care.

However, Johnson Smith said “the Government of Jamaica is disappointed that the language used does not reflect our country’s significant progress.”

She noted that improvements in health and security continue to be among the Government’s priorities.

The Opposition People’s National Party had also raised concern about the advisory, saying it is a wake-up call for all Jamaicans about the state of the healthcare system. 

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS’ FULL STATEMENT:

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, has expressed concerns over the scope and extent of the recently issued travel advisory by the United States Government to its citizens who intend to visit the island.

Foreign Minister this afternoon spoke with His Excellency N. Nicholas Perry, US Ambassador to Jamaica, and US Embassy officials, to interrogate issues detailed in the advisory.

During the meeting, Minister Johnson Smith highlighted the significant improvements recorded in security and healthcare, acknowledging the high level of cooperation between Jamaica and the US to tackle some of the very issues listed.

“Notwithstanding our care and concern for the safety of all visitors to our island, and notwithstanding our understanding that the overall ranking of Jamaica has not deteriorated in this most recent advisory, the Government of Jamaica is disappointed that the language used does not reflect our country’s significant progress”, said Minister Johnson Smith.

“In recent years, the Government has more than doubled its investments to strengthen our capacity to tackle crime and health-related challenges across the island for the benefit of our citizens and indeed everyone who wishes to visit Jamaica. We are making serious improvements, although we still have much more to do to achieve all that we wish to deliver. It is not insignificant that Jamaica has recorded a more than 20 per cent decline in serious crimes, along with strong improvements in arrests and prosecution. The Government has also been improving infrastructure and human resources and continues to increase its capacity to deliver improved healthcare,” Minister Johnson Smith continued.

The Minister advised that improvements in health and security continue to be among the Government’s priorities, and that engagement would also continue with the US and other development partners in these and other critical areas, as well as the matter of review of the Advisory.

She pointed out in closing that the travel advisory comes after the recent Gallup survey found Jamaica to be one of the Latin America and Caribbean region’s safest locations for visitors, and Jamaica continues to welcome an increasing number of tourists who enjoy safe vacations.

As at May 2023, Jamaica recorded an influx of more than 1.5 million visitors to the island. In August, Jamaica was also recognised at the 2023 World Travel Awards Caribbean and The America’s Gala, as the Caribbean’s leading travel destination.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Honourable Christopher Tufton has reiterated the significant strides made in advancing the country’s healthcare service delivery.

“We have continuously committed to capital investment around infrastructure; increased technical competences of our workforce and comprehensively reform the organisation and development of our health professionals to delivery service with care and compassion. We continue to appeal for collaboration on training of healthcare workers, given the mass recruitment of our staff to other global markets including the USA. The country, of course, is open to dialogue with our international partners to strengthen Jamaica’s healthcare system”, the Health Minister said.

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