The Ministry of Health is in the process of finalising a report from a review of the four regional health authorities, which will be the subject of stakeholder consultations during the 2018/19 fiscal year. The review, which was led by a team from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), looked at the authorities’ structure and performance, and proposes specific reforms...

A total of 14 projects valued at over $740 million are slated to be completed by the Ministry of Health for the 2018/19 financial year. Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, made the disclosure during his Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on June 5 under the theme ‘Taking Responsibility’. The priority projects listed to be completed...

The ‘Jamaica Moves’ programme will be introduced in high schools this fiscal year as the Government ramps up its initiative to encourage Jamaicans to lead healthier lifestyles. This was announced by Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, during his contribution to the 2018/19 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (June 5). Dr. Tufton noted that...

The Government is to intensify discussions with the United States Treasury Department to secure a waiver for Jamaica as the Administration moves to address any fallout from United States (US) sanctions against UC Rusal. “The talks are progressing favourably, but we cannot offer any guarantees at this time,” said Minister of Transport and Mining, Hon. Robert Montague, during a statement...

Effective January 2019, the Government will implement a policy to restrict certain types of sugary drinks in schools and public health institutions. This was disclosed by Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, during his contribution to the 2018/19 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 5. “By sugary drinks we mean beverages that contain sugar, syrup...

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, has announced that there were improved performances in four of the five subjects used for testing in the final sitting of the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT). The subjects are Language Arts, Communication Task, Science and Social Studies. The overall students’ mean per cent scores for Language Arts, Communication...

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has been specially invited to attend the G7 Summit set for June 8 and 9 in La Malbaie, in the Charlevoix region of Quebec, Canada. Prime Minister Holness was invited by the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau. Prime Minister Holness has also been asked to make a special presentation to the global leaders at the...