Jamaicans living abroad are recognized for their crucial role in maintaining the local economy through remittances during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Dr. Nigel Clarke, the minister of finance and public service, claimed that remittances increased by almost $500 million to US$2.9 billion in 2020, helping to offset the loss of US$2.5 billion in foreign exchange profits from tourism.
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The number of remittances received in 2021 exceeded US$3.3 billion.
“A lot of people wondered how Jamaica could have survived… after the airports shut down in March 2020 and virtually no tourists came for months,” he added, pointing out that the rise in remittances, among other government initiatives, was what allowed the country to navigate the crisis effectively.
The minister gave a speech on Friday during an Adopt-A-Clinic event for the Sunrise Health Centre on Red Hills Road in St. Andrew.
Patrick Lai Fatt, a Jamaican-born businessman who is the owner and operator of the USAFE Tech Security company with headquarters in the United Kingdom, is providing assistance for the facility, which is situated in the minister’s Saint Andrew Northwestern constituency (UK).
Dr. Clarke stated, “Today, we witness the importance of the Jamaican Diaspora at work, with this kind and patriotic Jamaican financially adopting the Sunrise Health Center.
According to him, the support is in line with the government’s emphasis on health care as a crucial component of the growth of human capital and the generation of prosperity.
According to Dr. Clarke, Sunrise Health “plays a crucial role in ensuring that the residents’ primary health is prioritized. I am very thankful for the financial assistance that is coming.”
In accordance with the Ministry of Health and Wellness Adopt-a-Clinic Program, Sunrise Health Centre is the 42nd clinic to be adopted.
By sponsoring over 100 health centers across the island, the program seeks to include the business sector and the diaspora in enhancing the primary healthcare system.
