The Ministry of Health is concerned that not enough Jamaicans are having children.

According to Dr. Tufton, this could mean that in a few years the country would be unable to sustain its workforce.

Statistics released by the Ministry yesterday show a 22% reduction in the number of live births in Jamaica for the period January to March this year compared with the same period in 2016.

The Minister stated that the number of births occurring in public hospitals has been unusually low since October 2016.

There were 6,725 live births in public hospitals between January and March this year.

He noted that the country’s population is increasing at a declining rate. He said the reduction in births could be linked to public education campaigns encouraging women to delay pregnancy in light of the outbreak of the Zika virus.

Carol Maye, Readers Bureau, Fellow

Edited by Jesus Chan

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