Programme Director of the National Identification System (NIDS), Warren Vernon, says the system will serve to eliminate the prevalence of corruption across several government agencies. “You have persons being paid to deliver quality services, but because of inefficiencies… you don’t get these services on time, so, as a result, you have to pay somebody to get it done for you...

Sleep deprivation can result in a number of harmful effects on individuals over prolonged periods of time. These can range from depression and attention deficit disorders to increased blood pressure and weight gain. To highlight the key factors that contribute to sleep apnea as well as the likely effects on the body and possible remedies, the Jamaica Midlife Health Society...

The National Youth Service (NYS) has expanded its Empowerment Programme to reach young people with all forms of disabilities. Previously, the initiative was targeted at persons with mild intellectual disabilities but this year, it will be open to some 360 persons, aged 17 to 34, with various disabilities. Persons within this target group have until March 31 to apply. The...

Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, has lauded LASCO for joining the national campaign to promote healthy eating and lifestyle by introducing low-sugar food drinks. He said the move demonstrates “visionary social responsibility and forward-thinking”. “It demonstrates a genuine concern for the health and wellness of the consumers that are being served. The public-health profile of our population...

The Aquatic Centre located at the National Stadium has been refurbished for the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) Swimming Championships to be held from March 16 to April 4. Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, handed over the facility to Independence Park Limited on March 14. The work, which was undertaken by the Sports Development Foundation...

Colonel General Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), Daniel Pryce, has called on members of the clergy to join the security forces in the fight against crime by injecting spiritual intervention. He noted that “different lines of effort” are needed to deal with the challenges facing Montego Bay and Jamaica in general, and the church has a major role...

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), Rosalee Gage-Grey, says the agency is currently formalising a mentorship programme, through which young children can be guided by positive role models. Speaking at the launch of Sarah’s Children, an advocacy group formed to protect children and the elderly from abuse, at the Hilton Rose Hall Hotel...

Jamaica’s Benjamin Fraser is the Caribbean and the Americas Regional Representative on the Commonwealth Students’ Association (CSA). Mr. Fraser was among several CSA Executives who were installed by the Rt. Hon Patricia Scotland, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, on February 22, in Nadi, Fiji, during the 20th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) and Integrated Partners Forum. During his tenure, Mr....

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, has thanked the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, for launching the Caribbean Centre for Educational Planning (CCEP), which will assist schools to create their annual school improvement plans. The local arm of the CCEP was launched on Wednesday (March 14), at the UWI Regional Headquarters in Mona,...