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Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (right), is in discussion with Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (centre) and Press Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Noami Francis prior to the start of Wednesday's (October 4) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House in Kingston.

309 Girls in Four Schools Receive HPV Vaccine

Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, has informed that 309 girls in four schools across Kingston and St. Andrew, and Portland have received the humanpapilloma virus (HPV) vaccine since the programme started. The four schools are Oberlin and...

Minister of National Security, Hon. Robert Montague, pilots the the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) Act in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (October 3).

Debate Starts on Bill to Establish Independent MOCA

Minister of National Security, Hon. Robert Montague, speaking in the House of Representative. (FILE)

FLA Board to Be Named Next Week

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (centre), turns on the $38-million Palmetto Pen/Breadnut Bottom/Rosewell Water Supply Project at the official commissioning of the project on the grounds of the Rosewell Primary School, recently. Others (from left) are Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang; Senator Aubyn Hill; Member of Parliament for South East Clarendon, Hon. Rudyard Spencer; and Mayor of May Pen, Councillor Winston Maragh.

Measures Being Undertaken To Improve Access to Water for Residents of Clarendon

Chief Technical Director with responsibility for Water, Works and Housing in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Doreen Prendergast.

Regional Housing Conference in Mobay from Oct. 18 To 20

Events and Sponsorship Manager, National Baking Company, Lisa Tomlison (left) and Chief Operating Officer, CB Group, Matthew Lyn, present a cheque valued at $1 million, which will go towards scholarships for 40 students of the University of West Indies (UWI) who are having financial challenges. Also participating in the presentation (from right, forefront) are Pro-Vice Chancellor, Global Affairs, UWI, Hon. Dr. Richard Bernal. In the background are some of the students to benefit from the scholarships. Occasion was the official launch of the CB Group UWI 5K and Smart Eggs Kids K at the UWI’s Regional Headquarters in Kingston on Tuesday (October 3).

8 years ago EducationInformationYouth

Students at UWI to Benefit from 5k Run

Forty students pursuing studies at the University of the West Indies (UWI) will this year benefit from the proceeds of two runs to be hosted by the institution in November. The events are the CB Group UWI 5K and Smart Eggs Kids K, which are scheduled to take place on and around the grounds of the university on Sunday (November...

8 years ago Finance & Public Service

Voluntary Tax Compliance Up

The Ministry of Finance and the Public Service is reporting improvements in Tax Administration Jamaica’s (TAJ) voluntary compliance matrix for the first quarter of the 2017/18 fiscal year, between April and June. According to the 2017/18 Fiscal Policy Paper Interim Report, upticks were recorded in taxpayer registration, on-time payment rates, and audits conducted. The document, which was tabled in the...

Science, Energy and Technology Minister, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley.

8 years ago EnergyScienceTechnology

CMU Well-Positioned to Produce Graduates to Take Country Forward – Dr. Wheatley

Science, Energy and Technology Minister, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, says the newly established Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) is well-positioned to produce graduates capable of playing key roles in furthering Jamaica’s development. Noting the Government’s cognisance of the need for a tertiary system that produces well-trained graduates to compete globally, particularly in the knowledge-based economy, Dr. Wheatley said his Ministry...

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda (second right), looks on as Managing Director, Newport Fersan Jamaica Limited, Dennis Valdez (right), presents a bag of ‘coffeeliser’ to coffee farmers from the Brandon Hill Division, Odia Bruce (left) and Will Frazer, during a press conference on the coffee industry, at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices on October 3.

8 years ago AgricultureCommerceIndustry

$80-Million Initiative to Help Registered Coffee Farmers

Registered coffee farmers are to benefit from an $80-million initiative that is expected to improve and increase their yields over time. The project, which falls under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries’ Productivity Incentive Programme, will focus on training; the purchase of inputs, such as fertilisers and fungicides, and tools. Speaking at a press conference on October 3...

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, has proclaimed October 10 as World Mental Health Day, under the international theme ‘Mental Health in the Workplace’.
The Governor-General read the proclamation during a ceremony at King’s House on October 3, which was attended by psychiatrists and professionals involved in mental health care.
The Day will form part of activities to mark Mental Health Week, to be observed starting October 8.
The Governor-General, in his address, urged Jamaicans to participate in the slate of activities scheduled to be held across the country on that day.
Citing statistics, he noted that “one in every four persons around the world will experience mental health problems at one time or another”.
“Many people who suffer from psychological and mental distress experience these issues in the workplace. Increase in knowledge and awareness of these issues will help in developing interventions to promote and protect mental health in the workplace,” he said.
The Governor-General added that interventions should improve access to employee-assistance programmes to address the stigma of mental illnesses, so that dignity is promoted and respected and people are empowered to take action to promote mental health.
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Meanwhile, Director of Mental Health Services and Substance Abuse in the Health Ministry, Dr. Maureen Irons-Morgan, said it is fitting to recognise mental health in the workplace.
“There are some very common issues that affect mental health, such as stress in the workplace and depression. These are factors that can affect productivity. We want employers to recognise that in protecting and promoting mental health and wellness of workers, in the long run we all benefit,” she said.
Information provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) states that most of one’s adult life is spent in the workplace and the experiences there are among the factors determining the overall well-being of people.
The WHO notes that employers and managers who implement workplace initiatives to promote mental health and to support employees with mental disorders, are more likely to see gains, not only in the mental health of their employees but also in the productivity of their work.
Activities for the Week include a church service at the Portmore Gospel Assembly and a conference at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston.

8 years ago Governor GeneralHealth & Wellness

World Mental Health Day to be Observed Oct. 10

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, has proclaimed October 10 as World Mental Health Day, under the international theme ‘Mental Health in the Workplace’. The Governor-General read the proclamation during a ceremony at King’s House on October 3, which was attended by psychiatrists and professionals involved in mental health care. The Day will form part of activities...

Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey Marks (centre); President of Howard University, Dr. Wayne Frederick (third right); and Interim Chairman of the Jamaica Howard University Alumni Association, Don Christian (second left), with Jamaican students attending Howard University, at the launch of the Jamaica Howard University Alumni Association and Endowment Fund held at the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington DC.

8 years ago Foreign Affairs

Jamaica Howard University Alumni Association Launched

The Jamaica Howard University Alumni Association and Endowment Fund was launched recently at the Embassy in Washington, DC by Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey Marks; and President of Howard University, Dr. Wayne Frederick. Also at the ceremony were Chairman of the Board of the University, Stacey Mobley; members of the faculty; and past, current and incoming Jamaican...

Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary in The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Travis Robinson, addressing the 5th Caribbean Youth Leaders’ Summit at the Jewel Runaway Bay Beach & Golf Resort, Runaway Bay, St. Ann, on September 30.

8 years ago TourismYouth

The Millennial Voices Must Be Heard – Bahamian MP

Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary in The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Travis Robinson, says if governance in countries across the Caribbean is to be effective, the voices of the millennial generation must be heard. “Their voices must be taken into account in the decision-making process at all levels of governance,” said Mr. Robinson, who was giving the keynote address...