Jamaica; PI Celia Christie, MD, MPH
Fellowship Site: Jamaica
DetailsInternational Site: University of West Indies Country: Jamaica Site Director: |
The University of West Indies, Mona Campus is focused on HIV/AIDS in the region and uses a number of avenues to address the issue both on a community and academic level.
The Center for HIV/AIDS Research and Services (CHARES) is a non-governmental organization supported by the University Hospital of the West Indies. This facility provides social and medical services to persons and their families, as well as education and research in the area of HIV/AIDS.
The Caribbean HIV/AIDS Regional Training (CHART) Network leads the way in training excellence with the aim of reducing the burden and impact of HIV, AIDS and related conditions in every Caribbean country and territory. The Network consists of five national training centres (NCs) one each in the Bahamas, Barbados and Jamaica in collaboration with their Ministries of Health and two (2) centres in Haiti in collaboration with two nongovernmental organizations: GHESKIO (Le Groupe Haïtien d'Etude du Sarcome de Kaposi et des Infections Opportunistes) and Partners in Health/Zanmi Lasante; and the Regional Coordinating Unit (RCU) housed in the Department of Community Health and Psychiatry at the University of the West Indies (Mona Campus).
UWI HARP (The University of the West Indies HIV/AIDS Response Programmed) is an accelerated institutional response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic across the entire University - on the campuses in Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago as well as in the extramural centers scattered throughout the English-speaking Caribbean. UWI HARP is a multidisciplinary group dedicated to using the expertise of the University to work with other committed partners in combating HIV/AIDS and mitigating its impact.
Ministry of Health’s hospitals and clinics: Hospital services are provided through general and specialist facilities. These are administered through the boards of the four Regional Health Authorities. Hospitals are classified A, B or C according to the level of service and the size of the population served. The Victoria Jubilee Hospital is a large maternity hospital in Kingston and the only maternity hospital in the Caribbean. This hospital is one of the sites of the Kingston Pediatric and Perinatal HIV/AIDS Program (KPAIDS) program providing care for the largest number of pregnant mothers. There are about 119 clinics in Kingston and St. Andrew that refer patients to this facility.
Comprehensive Health Center is a Type 5 health center situated in Kingston. It is one of the main facilitates for treatment and care of HIV/AIDS patients and other sexually transmitted infections (STI). This facility is one of the sites in the KPAIDS program that sees most of the HIV exposed infants born in Kingston. The facility also houses the Epidemiology, Research and Training Unit (ERTU) for the Ministry of Health.
Research Opportunities:
The ERTU has conducted numerous studies on among STI clinic attendees and other populations throughout Jamaica. ERTU also houses the HIV Vaccine trial in Jamaica. Jamaica has been a part of the HIV Vaccines Trial Network (HVTN) since 2003 and is a preferred site by the HVTN in its leadership application.
Housing/Meals/Transportation:
There are five Halls of Residence on the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Jamaica available for student accommodation (1 – all male, 1 – all female, 3 – co-ed); the rooms are either single or double occupancy; visiting scholars will have the opportunity to interact with students from various countries within the Caribbean. Amenities include a gym, Olympic-size swimming pool, indoor- and outdoor-sport complex, and health centre. The university also has a few flats for short-term lease based on availability. Scholars could also secure alternative housing through the Lodging Services (Office of Student Services), Mona Campus, UWI The Halls of Residence are approximately 0.25 to 1.00 mile from the University Hospital of the West Indies; students usually reach their destination by taxi, dedicated shuttle bus or on foot. For scholars who opt for housing outside of the university environs, taxis would be the suggested mode of transportation. Average monthly housing, and transportation cost- $150
Health Issues:
Please visit the Centers for Disease Control website for more information. NIH/FICRS trainees are required to see a physician before leaving for assignment abroad.
Safety Issues:
Please visit the State Department website for more information.
Language requirements other than English:
English is the standard mode of communication in Jamaica; there exists a Jamaican dialect (“Patois”) which may pose a problem with communication, but it is quite understandable and is unlikely to affect the researcher’s ability to function effectively.
