Health authorities in Portland are urging stakeholders to remain vigilant in the fight against leptospirosis and to step up efforts to reduce the parish’s rodent population. Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Sharon Lewis, reported during the Portland Municipal Corporation’s monthly meeting on March 12 that four suspected cases of leptospirosis were recently notified to the Portland Health Department – three...

About 100 banana and plantain farmers in St. Elizabeth have received fertiliser to boost their recovery from Hurricane Melissa, following a hands-on training session to build agricultural resilience in the parish. The event was held at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Parish Office in Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth, on March 12 and formed part of the Government’s ongoing Hurricane...

The capacity of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) to carry out its duties has been strengthened through the donation of two Foton buses from Sandals Resorts International, facilitated by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development. The buses were officially handed over during a ceremony at the Port Maria Fire Station in St. Mary on March 13 and will...

The North East Regional Health Authority (NERHA) has handed over 12 new Swingfog fogging machines, valued approximately $5.6 million, to the St. Ann, St. Mary, and Portland Health Departments. The equipment, which includes adapters and silencers, was officially presented during a recent handover ceremony at the Ocean Village Shopping Centre in Ocho Rios, St. Ann. The St. Ann Health Department...

Jamaica has received 21 state-of-the-art patient monitors from the Federal Republic of Germany, valued at US$25,000, for distribution to several health facilities. Patient monitors are devices used to measure, record, and display various patient parameters, such as heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, temperature, respiratory rate and blood oxygen saturation to keep track of patients’ health and provide them with...

Parents are being reminded to ensure that children with rashes on their scalp are taken to a doctor to be assessed and adequately treated to prevent the spread of the tinea capitis infection. The call comes from Medical Officer of Health for Portland, Dr. Sharon Lewis, as she gave a report during Thursday’s (March 12) sitting of the Portland Municipal...

Officers of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) are now better equipped to support food producers across Jamaica, following a recent training workshop hosted by the Scientific Research Council (SRC). The session, led by Team Leader of the SRC’s Food Product Development Unit, Dr. Grace-Ann Junor, focused on enhancing participants’ understanding of food additives and their safe application in food...