Campaigns against substance abuse must have mechanisms to help the abusers, and harsh penalties for those promoting it, says Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton. Speaking at a National Workshop on Early Warning Systems on Drugs, on Wednesday (October 18) at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in New Kingston, the Minister said part of the “solution...

Groundsmen at schools in St. Mary are being trained by the Health Department to aid in the Search and Destroy Initiative, which is geared at identifying and eliminating mosquito breeding sites. According to Medical Officer of Health for the parish, Dr. Tamara Henry, with an outbreak of Dengue affecting Jamaica, children are most vulnerable to the illness and educational facilities...

Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (centre), and Chief Executive Officer, Universal Service Fund (USF), Dr. Daniel Dawes (left), share a moment with trainee nurses during the USF Bellevue Hospital Community Wi-Fi launch on Tuesday (October 17) at the institution on Windward Road in Kingston.

Thousands of young people are expected to benefit from the establishment of a Child and Adolescent Guidance and Therapeutic Centre in St. James. The $110 million facility, being set up through collaboration between the Government and the private sector, will provide increased access to mental health services for youngsters in the parish and surrounding areas. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister...

Feedback and complaint management systems, designed to resolve customer-related issues, are currently being rolled out in public sector entities. These form part of the Government’s Service Excellence Programme to improve service delivery, with a focus on quality and customer satisfaction. Since launching the Service Excellence Policy in July 2022, the Office of the Cabinet, through the Public Sector Modernisation Division...

Women should adhere to the screening guidelines as stipulated by the Jamaica Cancer Society and conduct monthly breast self-examinations, annual clinical breast examinations, and annual mammograms. This has been emphasised by Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, who said that while breast cancer affects men and women across the social and economic spectrum, it is females...

Primary healthcare delivery is being reorganised to more effectively meet the changing needs of the population. Chairman of the Board of Management, Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), Eric Clarke, said that the measures are outlined in the Primary Healthcare Reform for Jamaica 2021-2030. It addresses, among other things, the upgrading of infrastructure, ensuring that facilities are adequately staffed and resourced,...

Several health centres in Manchester Southern are being upgraded to enhance primary healthcare delivery for residents. “I am happy to report that our Pratville and Harmons Health Centres are now renovated,” said Member of Parliament for the area, Robert Chin during his contribution to the State of the Constituency Debate in the House of Representatives on October 11. Mr. Chin...

The Government will be seeking the input of all stakeholders as it develops an inclusive mental health policy for children and adolescents, Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Fayval Williams. She noted that the contributions of the young people will help to construct a more robust and comprehensive approach to mental health. “The road map we set in motion today...