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Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, is refuting claims in some sections of the international media, that the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) is under siege by criminal elements. "No such thing exists, it is not true and I categorically deny that," he stated, at a press briefing at Jamaica House, today (May 26). Meanwhile, Mr. Spencer said the hospital continues...

Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Jos

The Ministry of Health is urging persons to donate blood, as supplies are still at critically low levels. This request has resulted from the ongoing operations being carried out by the security forces in west Kingston, and the flare-up of violence in a number of other communities. "We are unable to process blood at the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS)...

The security forces are advising members of the public, living and working in downtown Kingston, especially operators of businesses in the area, that they can now return to work and conduct their normal business safely. The security forces will facilitate the free movement of citizens, who wish to go about their lawful business and have assured that all measures will...

The Jamaica Red Cross is prepared to offer assistance wherever the need exists in Western Kingston, as it provides humanitarian aid to residents affected by the joint police/military operation in Tivoli Gardens. President of the Jamaica Red Cross, Dr. Jaslin Salmon, gave the assurance prior to the post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House this morning (May 26). "We have walked...

Cabinet is to meet at 5:00 p.m. today (May 26), to be fully updated on the activities that have taken place over the past 24 hours in the joint police/military operation in West Kingston. Speaking at a press briefing at Jamaica House today, Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, said Cabinet would also deliberate...

Director of Aviation Security, Lieutenant Commander John McFarlane, has assured that operations at Kingston's Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) are running smoothly and normally. "Flight operations are normal here. A couple of airlines have cancelled their night flights, but the day flights are running normally," Lt. Commander McFarlane told JIS News, today (May 26). "We anticipate that the situation should...

Regulations governing the application of emergency powers were approved by Cabinet Tuesday (May 25) and will be tabled in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 1, 2010. The regulations require the establishment of an Emergency Powers Review Tribunal to review cases of detention or restoration. The Tribunal shall be appointed by the Chief Justice and two other members appointed...

The Ministry of Education says it is moving to deal with the effect the current violence is having on the psychological health and emotional wellbeing of students. In a release Tuesday (May 25), the Ministry stated that its Guidance Counselling Unit has organised a meeting with leaders of various agencies, including the Victim Support Unit, the Dispute Resolution Foundation (DRFY),...

Director of Disease Prevention and Control at the Ministry of Health (MOH), Dr. Sonia Copeland, has issued an appeal to parents and caregivers to exercise vigilance in the packaging, use and storage of chemicals, to reduce the high incidence of poisoning in Jamaican children. The call came as the nation observes National Poison Prevention Week, May 23 to 28. "We...

Jamaica's Public Defender, Earl Witter, has assured that the security forces have established control in Tivoli Gardens. "I think it is very clear that the police are entirely in control at Tivoli Gardens at this time and certainly have been for more than 24 hours," he said in an interview with JIS News today (May 26). The Public Defender; President...

The Security Forces are advising that the processing of persons is continuing, following the operation in Tivoli Gardens and its environs. Young persons are being processed first, especially students who are sitting examinations. These students were re-united with their families; some will be assisted with transportation to their examination centres. The Security Forces are also helping residents of Tivoli Gardens,...