Jamaica Finalizing Menopause and Andropause Policy

Jamaica is in the final stages of drafting a national menopause and andropause policy that officials say will set rules for how public health services respond to age-related hormonal changes affecting men and women. Health and Wellness Minister Christopher Tufton said the draft was nearly complete after stakeholder consultations and would be sent to Cabinet this month. The policy is intended to guide care at the family, community and workplace levels and to standardize treatment across the public system. Tufton said the move is aimed at closing gaps in care for older adults whose symptoms are often untreated or poorly understood. ### How far along is the policy? Christopher Tufton told Jamaica’s House of Representatives on May 12 that the draft policy was “nearly complete” and was expected to be submitted to Cabinet in May. Jamaica Information Service said the document would then be sent to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel, indicating the government is moving from consultation to formal review. (jamaicaobserver.com) The Jamaica Observer reported on May 16 that the government was in the “final stages” of developing the policy. That account matched the ministry’s position that consultations had already taken place and the next step was Cabinet consideration. ### Who is expected to be covered? Tufton said the policy would govern care for men and women experiencing adverse conditions linked to menopause and andropause. (jis.gov.jm) The Jamaica Observer said the framework is meant to apply at the level of the family, community and workplace, broadening the issue beyond clinic-based treatment alone. (jamaicaobserver.com) Jamaica Information Service reported that about 400,000 Jamaicans are affected by the age-related changes. Tufton said that figure includes roughly 240,000 women affected by menopause and 145,000 men affected by andropause. ### What gaps is the government trying to address? The Health Ministry said in October 2025 that menopause, perimenopause and postmenopause had long been treated as taboo subjects and that women needed more support in the public health system. (jamaicaobserver.com) The ministry said it planned to increase knowledge among healthcare workers and equip them to educate patients during primary-care visits. (jis.gov.jm) Tufton said many people do not know how to manage symptoms that can be debilitating as they age. Jamaica Information Service said the national policy is being developed specifically to address the impact of those changes, linking the measure to a wider push on healthy ageing. ### What could change in public health services? (dashboard.moh.gov.jm) The Ministry of Health and Wellness said in a February 2026 release that it would place more focus this year on availability and access to holistic management in the public sector. The ministry also said the first step would be to improve training and awareness among healthcare workers. (jis.gov.jm) The policy itself has not yet been published on the ministry’s public policy pages, and no final service standards were available there as of May 17. The ministry’s website lists policy and procedure holdings and recent publications, but not a finalized menopause-andropause policy document. ### How does this fit into Jamaica’s broader ageing agenda? (moh.gov.jm) Tufton said in June 2025 that the ministry was also developing a Health Programme for Older Persons Plan to promote healthy ageing and functional independence. That earlier initiative suggests the menopause-and-andropause policy is being developed alongside a broader package of measures for an ageing population. (moh.gov.jm) The ministry also announced in February 2026 that it had activated an Ageing, AI and Technology Council chaired by Professor Denise Eldemire Shearer. That release said menopause and andropause were among the issues receiving added attention this year. May 2026 is the next dated milestone officials have given for the policy, with Cabinet submission expected before referral to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel. (jis.gov.jm) A final text had not been posted publicly on the ministry’s website as of May 17, leaving Parliament and Cabinet as the next named steps in the process. (jis.gov.jm) (moh.gov.jm)