Jamaica

Phoniatrics in Jamaika

Kingston Public School Hospital was opened in 1776. At this time, there was a specific department responsible for surgery of the throat and oral cavity.
This department had some rehabilitation programs, which attracted many doctors from England.
However, the Jamaica Association for the Deaf was opened almost 80 years ago, for the management of persons with hearing and speech disorders only on an outpatient basis. Therefore, most children and some adults could not afford the cost of travel to Kingston for these services.
The University College Hospital of London and West Indies was opened 50 years ago, and a second outlet for the care and management of patients with hearing loss, speech and language disorders, cleft palate, post laryngectomy, recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis, neurologic disorders and some aspects of dysphagia were provided.
Around the same year, the first school of boarding facilities for 150 children with deafness and speech disorders was built.
Today, there are four other colleges, such as the above mentioned, and each one of these works in association with a school for assessment and management of child learning disabilities.
All these institutions are primarily government funded, aided by international agencies as UNICEF, UNESCO, WHO, Social Clubs and Non Governmental Organizations. There are about 6 private centers, assisted by referral centers of North America, where similar services are offered.
Our greatest nemesis to development of Phoniatrics, has being limited resources.

Contact:
Dr. Hal Shaw – president of the Carribean Association of ORL
e-mail: otolaryn@xoommail.com