Kingston, October 23 (RHC) -- Jamaica's Health Minister Dr. Fenton Ferguson heads this Thursday a delegation to Cuba, where is expected to seek assistance for Jamaica’s Ebola monitoring and response preparedness, the Jamaica Observer reports.

The minister made the announcement during Sagicor Life Jamaica Limited’s presentation of a cheque for $4.3 million to the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) on Tuesday, for the acquisition of a thermal temperature scanner.

Ferguson said the meeting follows preliminary discussions between Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and Cuban President Raul Castro.

He added that, talks with the Cuban government will focus on a number of areas, particularly the training of local health personnel.

Two weeks ago, the Jamaican prime minister indicated that assistance was being sought from the government of a country that “is very close to us,” to help with the training and preparation of Jamaica’s health professionals and other stakeholders.