The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is encouraging member countries to earmark at least six per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) for public health expenditure, with 30 per cent of such investments channelled into bolstering delivery at the primary level. PAHO Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne, said that the investment will better position countries to respond to recurring outbreaks of...

The downtown Kingston-based Victoria Jubilee Hospital (VJH) now boasts a state-of-the-art High-Dependency Unit (HDU) as well as a refurbished space for neonatal and maternal care. The project was completed under the Programme for the Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality (PROMAC), which is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and Wellness with funding support of approximately €22 million under...

As at Wednesday (June 24), three additional patients have recovered and have been released from care, bringing the total recoveries to 521. (76.8% recovery rate). In the meantime, Jamaica recorded eight new COVID-19 cases, representing 1.3% of persons tested in the last 24 hours. This brings the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Jamaica to 678. The new cases...

Jamaica welcomed approximately 4.3 million visitors in 2019, comprising 2.7 million stopover arrivals and 1.6 million cruise passengers, whose combined spending contributed to the destination earning US$3.64 billion. Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, made the disclosure during his contribution to the 2020/21 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 24. He informed that stopover arrivals last year...

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has made further changes to the ministerial arrangements in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation. Minister without Portfolio, Hon. Daryl Vaz, will assume responsibility for the Water and Housing Portfolios and subject matters having to do with certain special economic development projects. Minister Vaz will be tasked with ensuring that water and housing projects...

More than 25 volunteers have been added to the roster of shelter managers in St. Elizabeth. With the new recruits, the parish now has 200 managers to serve over 94 official shelters. Parish Coordinator for Disaster Preparedness at the St. Elizabeth Municipal Corporation, Ornella Lewis, told JIS News that the increased numbers will allow for two shelter managers per facility....

Parents and guardians will be able register on an online portal starting Wednesday (June 24) at 5:00 p.m., to access students’ Primary Exit Profile (PEP) results. The student placement and scores will be available on Friday (June 26) at 4:00 p.m. Acting Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Dr. Kasan Troupe, made the disclosure during...