The Ministry of Health will start recruiting for a new chief medical officer after announcing that the current CMO, Dr. Nick Gent, will be leaving his post at the end of September when his contract ends.
The ministry said in a press statement, “Dr Gent has served the Cayman Islands with compassion and dedication” since he took up the role in September 2022.
The ministry said that over the past three years, Dr. Gent “used his extensive knowledge and experience in public health, epidemiology, healthcare policy, human rights, and disaster preparedness and response to provide advice, guidance, support and direction to not only the Ministry of Health, but to the Cayman Islands Government broadly”.
During his tenure, Gent was a keen advocate of public health initiatives, called for more effective food labelling and a more balanced healthcare system, and warned against the rise in usage of vapes, particularly when they were being targeted at children.
He spearheaded and supported several key initiatives, among them:
- Introduction of new regulations to control and monitor the use of controlled drugs, enhancing patient safety and professional accountability;
- Modernising of pharmacy practices by updating the Pharmacy Act and supporting regulations;
- Signing Cayman onto the UK National Health Service quota system that secures specialist care at ordinary care cost to patients for rare medical cases that cannot be treated locally;
- Securing the supply of COVID booster vaccines;
- Preparing for and providing guidance on existing and emerging public health threats, including but not limited to norovirus, oropouche, avian influenza, mpox and measles, among others;
- Providing support and guidance to the STEPS 2023 National Health Survey, and promoting the survey findings;
- Advocating for affordable and accessible preventative health care.
Premier and Minister of Health Juliana O’Connor-Conolly expressed appreciation for Gent’s contributions, saying, “Dr. Gent has been an invaluable asset to the Cayman Islands, particularly in guiding our health strategies and enhancing the resilience of our healthcare system.
“His expertise and commitment to public health have been instrumental in ensuring the well-being of our community. He has been a vocal advocate for the health of the nation, and his leadership, especially in light of ongoing and growing regional and global crises, has been exemplary.”
Embraced with care and kindness
Gent said it had been a privilege to work among the committed people in Cayman.
“To serve the people of the Cayman Islands, to learn about their culture, and to have been embraced with such care and kindness has made these some of the most enjoyable years of my life,” Gent said.
“I am grateful to have played a role in helping to advocate for the nation’s health.
“I hope that the strides which we have made are but the beginning, and that Cayman will continue to push for progress and equity in this area.”
Legacy of progress
The Ministry of Health said it will soon begin the recruitment process for a new CMO to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of leadership within the ministry’s senior management team.
“The Ministry of Health would like to extend its sincerest appreciation to Dr. Gent for his dedicated service and contribution to our islands,” said Kenneth Jefferson, chief officer for the Ministry of Health.
“Dr. Gent leaves behind a legacy of progress and commitment upon which we will continue to build.”
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