Letters May 14 2026

READERS’ REACTIONS - Taskforce to look at strategies to tackle Jamaica's declining birth rate

Updated 4 hours ago 2 min read

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Ppl ain’t stupid. They won’t have children unless they see a sustainable future. Make the future sustainable and watch the plan b’s stop selling. - @S_K_Mar

 

What it takes y’all won’t do, for example: Offer well subsidised housing in good locations; Free daycare services; Free or well-subsidized egg freezing or fertility treatments; Tax-free benefits for children’s healthcare, etc - @Claudine_bless

 

Waste of time. Implementing a taskforce to address low birth rate is the same as implementing one to address migration of skilled workers. Both are because people are not happy here financially. Improve the economic opportunities in the country and everything else will follow. - @beemillmckie

 

Seems like it's a crime to not want kids in this economy or environment that doesn't even foster child development, and I'm not just talking about hospital care or benefits surrounding pregnancy. - @juandon876

 

Bwoy, the ignorance around this issue tun right up, KMT. The issues are many and a complete strategy has to be developed. The health ministry can't take on housing or education, KMT. It may seem simple enough until it isn't. Yes, the reasons are valid, but so are the implications. - @ladykhutchinson

 

I think the minister should leave this one alone. If people decide not to have children, there must be a reason. Cost of living is extremely high, proper healthcare and easy access to healthcare need attention, there's a housing crisis. People are making wise decisions. - @BettyJa77533964

 

It's not a fertility problem, it's a financial problem! - @toneybad

 

I think we should just let it decline for a while. - @iamskyras

 

I hope this taskforce is going to fix the hospitals, extend maternity leave, include paternity leave, provide essentials for newborns to every single mother having a baby, as well as parenting lessons among other things that make having a child now more feasible. - @KingBrad_

 

Diabetes, cancer, mental health. So many other things to focus on. - @elementofthe_6

 

Why do you need a taskforce when you can simply ask the citizens and implement measures? - @cinesbynix

 

Give me a piece of land and I can work out something. - @OfficiallyApril

 

Based on this, one would think there is nothing to do in our healthcare system. Asinine proposal. - @LaLazuli_

 

Like me affi go put on back me cape. - @prynce_irae

 

Readers’ reactions sourced from The Gleaner’s X, page. Compiled by Khanique McDaniel.