Office of the National Epidemiologist

Background

The Office provides technical leadership on national disease surveillance and helps the Ministry use epidemiological findings to guide disease prevention, control and response.

The Office is responsible for developing and coordinating the strategic direction of the Branch. The National Epidemiologist gives direction on the development of policies and programmes, and on monitoring and evaluating existing programmes, so that each unit works efficiently and effectively.

Objectives

• Advise Ministry leadership on public health threats and the action they may require.
• Use surveillance evidence to inform national priorities, policies, guidelines and protocols.
• Contribute to decisions on public health advisories, alerts and warnings.

Structure

The Principal Medical Officer and National Epidemiologist oversees the Branch’s units. The Office sits within the National Epidemiology Branch in the Ministry’s Technical Services Division. In Jamaica’s surveillance system, the National Epidemiologist works at Level 5 alongside the Minister of Health and Wellness, Permanent Secretary and Chief Medical Officer. Surveillance information from the National Surveillance Unit informs decisions at this level.