Profile of SRHA
Demography
Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) is the second largest of all the Regional Health Authorities, comprising the parishes of Clarendon,
Manchester and St. Elizabeth. Health care is delivered through six (6) hospitals with a total of 648 beds - (2 Type B, 3 Type C and 1 Community hospitals); two
(2) rural maternity centres and seventy four (74) health centres.
| Population by Parish (STATIN, Dec. 2010) |
| Clarendon |
247,751 |
| Manchester |
191,875 |
| St. Elizabeth |
151,887 |
| Overall Population |
591,513 |
| Population Breakdown |
| Living in Rural Communities |
83% |
| Younger than 25 years old |
71% |
| Older than 65 years old |
8.3% |
Topography
The region has a varied landscape, consisting of plains in the southern sections of Clarendon (Vere Plains) and St. Elizabeth
(Pedro Plains). During the hurricane season, these areas are prone to flooding and residents have suffered greatly in the past. However,
during the dry season, the plains are prone to severe drought. St. Elizabeth has often been badly affected. The northern side of these
parishes is mountainous.
Disaster Vulnerability
The Southern Region is especially vulnerable to the following:
- Hurricanes and Storm surges
- Flooding
- Earthquakes
- Bush fires
- Traffic accidents
- Industrial disasters (Bauxite/Alumina)
Clarendon is the largest of the three parishes within the region, with an estimated population of 243,214 persons. The largest
segment is in the 15-29 age group; this represents 27% of the population.
Manchester, the second largest parish in the Southern Region, has an estimated population of 199,373. Manchester's literacy rate
is 76.2%. There are 147 Primary and All Age schools, 18 Secondary schools and a number of tertiary institutions for training of
nurses such as the Northern Caribbean University and Knox Community College. Bauxite and Agriculture play a major economic part of
the economy in Manchester. It has a growing population of elderly, with those between 60-84 years being approximately 20,454.
In the 85 plus age group, there were 2,148 (812 males and 1,336 females).
St. Elizabeth is appropriately described as the 'bread basket' of Jamaica, since it provides a variety and abundance of food to
sustain the island. With an estimated population of 157,413, the parish is located in the southern region and extends 468 square
miles. Not unlike the rest of Jamaica, it possesses verdant hills and valleys alike which facilitates a pleasant and easier "sell"
of its south coast tourism.
Goals
The goals of the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) are to provide a closer linkage between the delivery and management
of health care to the people; improve the health of the population; strengthen primary health care services; reduce demand for secondary
care services; and the efficient use of human and financial resources.
Priority Health Programmes
These include an expanded programme in:
- Immunization
- Surveillance of communicable diseases
- HIV/AIDS/STI monitoring
- Other reproductive health and family health (maternal and perinatal)
- Environment health programmes
- Disaster management
- Chronic non-communicable diseases
- Emergency care
- Mental health
- Quality assurance
- Health promotion (umbrella strategy for all programmes)