JAMAICA Information Sheet

Credentialing Verification Authorities: The credentialing body for nutrition and dietetics in Jamaica is the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (CPSM) at the National Ministry of Health, Jamaica. The CPSM is shared with about seven other disciplines and our representative on this Council is legally nominated every three years by the standing President of the Professional Association.

Official Language(s): English

Ongoing Nutrition Activities in Jamaica

1. National Dietetic Association The Jamaica Association of Professionals in Nutrition and Dietetics (JAPINAD) c/o Nuttall Memorial Hospital, 6 Caledonia Ave, Kingston 5 – Jamaica Tel.: 1 (876) 345-3663 Website: http://www.japinad.com Email: [email protected]

Related organizations: Not Applicable

2. National Nutrition Programmes & Project National Food Industry Task Force

3. Organizations working on Health & Nutrition a. National Organizations Ministry of Health – Nutrition Unit Ministry of Education, Youth and c/o Director Health Promotion and Information – School Feeding Unit Protection c/o Permanent Secretary Masonic Bldg – 45-47 Barbados Ave, Kgn 2-4 National Heroes Circle, Kgn 4 or 5 Caenwood Complex, 37 Arnold Road, Tel/Fax: 1 (876) 633-7400 Kingston 4 Website: http://www.moh.gov.jm Tel/Fax: 1 (876) 922-9370 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.moey.gov.jm Email: [email protected] b. Regional and International Organizations -Caribbean Association of Nutritionists and Dietitians (CANDi) c. Educational Institutions University of Technology (UTech) Northern Caribbean University (NCU) Department of Health Sciences B.Sc. Dietetics – qualification with a 4- -B.Sc. Dietetics and Nutrition - year B.Sc degree which integrates 1200 qualification with a 4-year B.Sc. degree in hours of supervised practice in hospital nutrition and dietetics which includes a (food service and clinical) and based on practicum of 600 hours in diverse settings the cup model – patterned from Loma in the last semester of didactic training. Linda University in the USA. Integrates research which may take an -MPH in Nutrition – 4 semester training additional 300 hours. using classroom setting. Integrates -Post Graduate diploma/internship in research. nutrition and dietetics: Follows The degree and lasts an additional 30 weeks offering1200 hours (based on the US model) and covers diverse settings but with most emphasis on hospital clinical practice. Integrates research. -MPH Nutrition – 4 semester training online. Includes practicum experience. University of the West Indies – Mona Institute of Nutrition and Wellness M.Sc. Nutrition/Clinical Nutrition. 15 Studies – short course training in: month degree and includes research -Sports nutrition – 30 hours which may take an additional 6 months. -Wellness Lifestyle nutrition – 30 hours Practicum experiences integrated. -School nutrition planning and MPH – no specialization in nutrition but in productivity – 30 hours health promotion Each may be done online OR in classroom setting. Each is followed by supervised practice in the appropriate setting and which MAY involve research. d. NGO's Jamaica Island Nutrition Network UNICEF (JINN) UNESCO 3 York Castle Ave, Kingston 6 - Jamaica FAO Tel/Fax: 1 (876) 977-4561 IICA Website: http://www.jamaicanutrition.com Pan American Health Organization Email: [email protected] (PAHO) Diabetes Association of Jamaica Heart Foundation of Jamaica Cancer Society Others

4. Assessment of Training Quality of National Dietitians, their Professional Role and Prestige

Persons are registered based on qualifications and work setting. Those working in public health nutrition usually have a Masters degree in nutrition. Those with a B.Sc. and working in the community health centres can be registered as nutritionists (RdN) and those in hospital are registered dietitians (RD). Both titles of nutritionist and dietitian are protected in Jamaica. To apply for registration, the graduate submits an application on recommendation of two persons already on the register of the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (CPSM). The representatives on Council will assess the certificates. Persons only register if they will be involved in patient care at either the professional or assistant level (similar to technicians in the USA) usually in the Ministry of Health.

5. Brief Description of National Healthcare System and Private Practice

The public health system is divided into four regions under the Ministry of Health and Environment with a head office in the capital city. A nutritionist is Head of the Nutrition Unit at the Ministry of Health and each region has a Regional nutritionist. The nutrition unit is administered by the Department of Health Promotion and Protection. Many hospitals are small and have only dietetic assistants but the two largest hospitals have two dietitians each, one of whom is a regional dietitian and responsible for overseeing all the smaller hospitals in her region. The National Health Insurance is designed mainly for medication for chronic disorders and it does not recognize nutrition care. Private health insurance companies have designed reimbursement policies for nutrition counseling covering three visits annually based on a single diagnosis. This is more relevant to nutritionists or dietitians in private practice.

6. Employment Opportunities Profile

The largest employer is the government health ministry and the majority of these professionals are in community health centres or public health – policy and planning. There are very few opportunities in hospitals for dietitians. These persons usually end up below their level of qualifications working as dietetic assistants. Some persons have started private practice. Consulting nutritionists also work in sports nutrition, workplace wellness, food companies and often leave the profession to work as medical representatives. There are some opportunities for research through our universities as well as lecturing and teaching. The Tropical Medicine Research Institute (TMRI) now called Caribbean Institute of Health Research (CAIHR) of the University of the West Indies (UWI) is internationally recognized for its standard of research and teaching and employs most of the research nutritionists who work alongside medical doctors.

7. Obtaining Work Permits

A work permit is required by persons who are from countries outside the CARICOM region. Work permits are attainable through the Ministry of Labour and are issued and renewed one year at a time. If a person is married to a national, this is automatic but government posts are very limited and locals may receive priority treatment. If the applicant brings their own funds for investment, there should be no problem.

8. Local Food Customs and Culture

Traditional eating patterns still predominate in rural areas with the staple foods being starchy provisions like yam, green banana, sweet potato as well as rice and flour. The most popular animal foods are chicken fish, goat and pork. The urban towns and cities are very cosmopolitan with a variety of international restaurants (Chinese, Indian, Lebanese, Japanese among others) and fast food chains (KFC, Burger King). The most popular local fast food is a Jamaican patty which is dough stuffed with minced beef or more recently chicken, shrimp, lobster or vegetable and baked. A popular snack food especially related to Easter celebrations is a sweet bread or bun eaten with cheese. We have a plethora of fresh fruits and vegetables and these are often made into juice that is sweetened with sugar. The heaviest meal (that is cooked) is usually eaten for lunch but many persons in the workforce now also eat a heavy dinner at night. A cooked meal is also preferred for breakfast especially on weekends and this may be liver, saltfish and ackee (our National Dish) or saltfish and greens (callaloo) along with the cooked starchy foods like green banana, yam and plantain (all boiled). ‘Lunch’ on Saturdays is usually a one pot soup and Sunday dessert is traditionally sweet potato pudding but eaten like supper with juice and not immediately following the heavy meal.

9. CE Opportunities

There are conferences, seminars, symposia offered by the various medical disciplines that provide continuing education credits both locally and throughout the region. The FAO, the Ministry of Health and universities offer continuing education for their employees and others may attend if invited. Open conferences are offered annually by the NGO’s including JINN. Attending opportunities specifically for nutrition education however usually require overseas travel so the cost is a constraint. Distance learning courses over the internet, webinars, and journal articles are opportunities provided by the Academy and IAAND that their members can access.

10. IAAND Volunteer Opportunities

Opportunities to assist IAAND with your time are probably endless. Learn as much as you can about IAAND and where your skills and interest would be of most benefit both to you and to IAAND. You could: § Assist IAAND in spreading awareness about nutrition and dietetics globally and advocating for nutrition issues in your local communities. § Support IAAND’s growth by recruiting new members and assisting fund- raising team. § Be a member on the IAAND leadership team § Assist in organizing conferences § Submit articles to the IAAND newsletter § Be a Kids Eat Right International volunteer.

For further information please contact the Country Rep for Jamaica: [email protected]

Written by: Patricia Thompson (2019)