Sat | Oct 11, 2025

Health ministry’s Adopt-a-Clinic programme gets diaspora boost

Published:Saturday | October 11, 2025 | 12:06 AMDerrick Scott/Gleaner Writer
Pause
Jamaica’s ambassador to the United States, Major General (Ret’d) Antony Anderson, receives warm greetings from Dr Raymond Tu at the reception hosted in his honour by the Foundation in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., on October 1. Looking on are Joy Rhod
Derrick Scott
Jamaica’s ambassador to the United States, Major General (Ret’d) Antony Anderson, receives warm greetings from Dr Raymond Tu at the reception hosted in his honour by the Foundation in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., on October 1. Looking on are Joy Rhoden, VP American Hospital Association; and Ajay Gupta, chair of Holy Cross Health Trinity System board.
Jamaica’s ambassador to the United States, Major General (Ret’d) Antony Anderson (right), and health and wellness minister, Dr Christopher Tufton (left), share lens with RalRosa Foundation board members, (from left) Courtni Foster, Kim Watson, Richard
Derrick Scott
Jamaica’s ambassador to the United States, Major General (Ret’d) Antony Anderson (right), and health and wellness minister, Dr Christopher Tufton (left), share lens with RalRosa Foundation board members, (from left) Courtni Foster, Kim Watson, Richard Watson, Dr Jacqueline Watson (president of the RalRosa Foundation), Nicole Shirley and Dr Nicole Kboba.
1
2

WASHINGTON, DC: The Ministry of Health and Wellness’ Adopt-a-Clinic programme received another boost recently with the announcement by the president of the RalRosa Foundation, Dr Jacqueline Watson, that her organisation’s adoption of the Golden Spring Health Centre in St Andrew would be extended for three years.

Addressing a reception in honour of Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States Major General (ret’d) Antony Anderson at the foundation’s headquarters in Georgetown, Washington DC, Dr Watson said the initial three-year adoption of the Golden Spring Type 2 Health Centre would come to an end in September.

She shared with the audience, which included Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton, that over the three years they had invested some $3 million in cash, as well as provided a number of medical and diagnostic equipment costing in excess of $2 million.

“Our parents would be extremely proud but not surprised by our decision to adopt the clinic, as it demonstrates the lessons that they have taught us during our childhood.”

In response, Dr Tufton said he was pleased by the RalRosa Foundation’s decision to extend their adoption of the Golden Spring Clinic for another three years, and commended the foundation for commitment to the programme.

“This is a strategic programme that seeks to proactively leverage the philanthropic support of the private sector and diaspora to play a more critical role in improving the primary healthcare system,” Tufton pointed out.

Ambassador Anderson said: “Through the generous support of individuals like yourselves, the RalRosa Foundation has been able to make strides in improving healthcare in Jamaica. I commend the Watson family for their ceaseless work. Jacqui, Kim, Richard, and the younger generation of Watsons, thank you for the work you do.

Every dollar we raise, every pledge you make, brings us closer to a Jamaica where quality healthcare is accessible to all. Let us rise above the challenges. Let us extend a helping hand to those in need. And let us leave a legacy of compassion and care. Together, we can create a brighter future where quality healthcare and prosperity are a reality for all.”

The Golden Spring Health Centre has a registration of more than 86,000 patients. It provides services in maternal and child health, curative, family planning, and mental health. The facility is the 47th of 100 health centres that have been adopted since the programme started in 2017.

Of the 59 clinics adopted under the programme, the diaspora has adopted 37, representing a commitment of $100 million dollars. All 14 parishes have benefitted from the programme.