UTech certifies 23 contact investigators to strengthen national public health response

KINGSTON, Jamaica—With an estimated 28,000 Jamaicans living with HIV, STIs and other forms of communicable diseases, strengthening disease prevention and surveillance remains an institutional and national priority. Playing a key role in advancing this national effort, the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Jamaica), through its School of Public Health and Health Technology in the Joint Colleges of Medicine, Oral Health, and Veterinary Sciences, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, has certified 23 healthcare professionals in the second cohort of its contact investigator programme. The nine-month programme delivered in collaboration with UTechOpen: School of Lifelong Learning and Professional Development is designed to develop a cadre of health professionals capable of identifying, tracing, interviewing, documenting, and following up with contacts of individuals diagnosed with communicable diseases, particularly HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and tuberculosis (TB). The training course combines theoretical instruction with supervised field exercises, equipping participants with competencies in contact investigation, interviewing and communication techniques, case documentation, confidentiality and ethical practice, public health surveillance and disease prevention. The graduates received their certificates during a presentation ceremony held at the Medallion Hall Hotel Conference Room in Kingston on Friday, October 9, 2026. Dr Kevin Harvey, head, School of Public Health and Health Technology, previously indicated that the joint training programme is funded by the Ministry of Health and Wellness at an estimated cost of $100 million. With the second cohort successfully completing the training, Jamaica now has 45 certified Contact Investigators, building on the 22 professionals from the first cohort who graduated in March 2026. Delivering greetings on behalf of the university’s leadership, Dr Karlene Atkinson, acting vice dean of the Joint Colleges of Medicine, Oral Health, and Veterinary Sciences, congratulated the graduates and underscored the importance of their training amid ongoing public health concerns. “Today is a celebration of your dedication. It shows your resilience and commitment to public health,” Atkinson noted. She noted that the increasing concerns surrounding infectious diseases in Jamaica and internationally underscores the importance of the graduates’ work. “As it relates to infectious diseases in Jamaica and globally, there are concerns regarding increase and so at a time like this, there is work for you to do. Your work contributes to disease prevention, early intervention, and improved health outcomes for people of Jamaica and, of course, the wider Caribbean.” Atkinson also emphasised the interpersonal and ethical responsibilities associated with contact investigation, encouraging the graduates to approach their work with empathy, professionalism and respect for confidentiality. “Your role in being a confidant becomes very important in a society like this. Many of the individuals you will encounter may be vulnerable, anxious, or facing difficult circumstances. Therefore, the empathy and professionalism that you demonstrate will be just as important as the knowledge and skills that you would have acquired during this training,” Atkinson told the healthcare workers. She also expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Health and Wellness for sponsoring the programme and for entrusting UTech, Jamaica, with the responsibility of delivering the training. Tashni-Ann Nesbeth Robotham, programme development officer at the Ministry of Health and Wellness, described the certification as both a personal milestone for the graduates and a meaningful contribution to Jamaica’s public health workforce. “You are now part of a wider family, a wider national effort to reduce the burden of HIV and STIs and to improve the health and well-being of the whole Jamaican population,” said Robotham. She encouraged the newly certified professionals to apply their knowledge and skills with diligence, compassion, and a strong sense of purpose as they return to their respective parishes.