Welcome to Impacting Jamaica
SHARING THE LOVE: CRH Cancer Unit gets chairs
Five-minute feature on acts of kindness by local or overseas based non-government individuals and organisations that have benefitted Jamaicans.
Written and produced by the Radio Department of the Jamaica Information Service
News for Week of May 15, 2022
We are here to inspire, motivate and uplift.
‘Tamper-proof’ data network for health sector
Government is advanced in building out the information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, which will provide real-time data for hospitals and health centres across the island.
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The US$8.4-million project is part of the Health System Strengthening Programme, which is being financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) with support from the European Union.
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The initiative, which is the first kind in-country, is currently being piloted in several clinics and is estimated to be implemented in all public health facilities by September 2022.
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It will allow for all health information, personal data, and sick profile of patients to be stored in a secured data space managed by e-Gov Jamaica Limited (e-Gov), which will only be accessible by authorized health professionals.
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Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Christopher Tufton toured the data centre at e-Gov’s offices on Old Hope Road, as well as the warehouse located at Cable & Wireless on Carlton Crescent earlier this month.
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He said that the data centre “is tamper-proof and will allow for the movement of information from wherever it is inputted to wherever it’s going to be used in real time, so it can go from a health centre to a hospital”.
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He noted that the data will be stored securely in one location with a backup situated elsewhere on the island. “It also has several security features that prevent persons and entities from logging in or tapping into that database,” the Minister informed.
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“It is robust. It’s checked regularly and based on the various forms of security features it is highly unlikely that it can be breached,” he assured.
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Jamaica preparing for shift to electric vehicles
Government is preparing for the transformation of the automotive industry, which will see the mainstreaming of electric vehicles in the local market.
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It is projected that the global industry will transition from combustion engines to electric vehicle technology within the next 10 years as technology drives the evolution of the sector.
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Prime Minister Andrew Holness said that the administration is “moving very quickly to put in place the regulatory and legislative environment” to support the development.
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This includes facilitating the installation of the necessary infrastructure to accommodate the new technology.
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The Prime Minister was speaking at the official launch of Magna Motors Dealership Limited’s (Hyundai) new state-of-the-art facility and seventh anniversary celebrations earlier this month.
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Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Magna Motors, Erick Gutierrez, said that while the Hyundai brand has enjoyed success in the Jamaican market, it is always seeking to improve on its performance. The company is poised to enter the driverless market. “For the past seven years, we have remained resolute in bringing the global Hyundai modern-premium philosophy to the Jamaican landscape,” he said.
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Salt Spring residents get ‘game changer’ park
The community of Salt Spring in St. James now has a community park where residents can gather for recreation, physical activity and to socialize in a pleasant atmosphere.
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The green space was provided by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) at a cost of $4 million under the agency’s Integrated Community Development Project.
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It includes installation of perimeter fencing, gates, park benches and tables; construction of a gazebo; provision of solar lighting; and landscaping, including oriental plants.
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The new park will benefit 9,487 residents.
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Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister Homer Davis said that the facility will be a “game changer and will play a major role in the ongoing transformation of this community”.
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He noted that implementation of social-intervention initiatives in Salt Spring has been reaping rewards.
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Mr. Davis lauded JSIF for its continued efforts in implementing transformational initiatives across the parish of St. James.
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Cannabis sector finds ‘footing in global’ space
The Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) is projecting an increase in exports of cannabis for medicinal and therapeutic purposes during the current 2022/23 fiscal year as demand for the local product increases in the global marketplace.
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Of the 156 export authorizations issued since 2018, a total of 107 of them were granted during the last financial year.
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“What this says to me is that there is an indication that this young industry is finally finding its footing in the global marketplace and facilitating international trade,” said CLA Chairman, Levaughn Flynn.
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“[Also] the export and import regulations are very close to being finalized [which] will strengthen the legal cannabis trade between Jamaica and countries across the globe that demand our cannabis,” he said.
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Mr. Flynn was addressing a ceremony for the issuance of the 100th licence for the handling of cannabis in Jamaica to Pure Jamaica Limited’s Pharmaceutical Division, Seven-10. He noted that more than 700 individuals have received employment through activities generated by the 100 licensees.
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The CLA Chairman said that the entity continues to progress in its vision for the development of the cannabis industry. “That vision speaks to economic enablement, contributing to good public health goals and equal opportunity, especially as it relates to the grassroots farmers,” Flynn said.
The Inflation Tail Is Wagging the Policy Dog
By Daniel J. Arbess
NEW YORK – With prices in many advanced economies surging, central banks are being roundly criticized for falling “behind the curve” on inflation. But they didn’t. Government policies and geopolitics constrained central bankers from normalizing their monetary policies until inflation was already upon them.
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Chinese and Russian supply-chain disruptions collided with the synthetic demand created by the US Department of the Treasury mailing free money to American consumers.
