Jamaica has launched the first Basic Emergency Care (BEC) Hybrid course in the Americas Region in Kingston from April 21 to 24, led by the Ministry of Health and Wellness with technical support from the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization. The initiative is funded by the United Nations Road Safety Fund and PAHO/WHO, with additional equipment support from the Laerdal Foundation, and forms part of a wider plan to scale emergency care training across the country.
The BEC course is designed to equip frontline healthcare workers with practical skills to manage life-threatening conditions before a full diagnosis is made. Developed by WHO in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross, the program focuses on early intervention for acute illness and injuries, aiming to improve survival outcomes in emergency situations.
The hybrid training model combines online self-learning modules with a two-day in-person practical session. Participants complete structured digital learning on patient assessment and care before applying their knowledge through hands-on simulations, case scenarios, and skills stations, ultimately earning certification as BEC providers.
In Jamaica, the first cohort included 20 healthcare professionals from across all health regions, including doctors, nurses, midwives, and ambulance personnel. A key feature of the initiative is a training-of-trainers pathway, which identifies strong participants to become provisional facilitators who will help expand the program nationwide under expert supervision.
Health officials noted that Jamaica’s emergency care system is under increasing pressure, with over 922,000 Accident and Emergency visits recorded in 2024 and a rising proportion of high-acuity cases linked to serious injuries such as road traffic accidents. The new training is expected to strengthen frontline response capacity, improve emergency care quality, and enhance patient outcomes across the healthcare system.
