Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, says data indicate that obesity exacerbates the effects of coronavirus (COVID-19). The Minister, who was addressing the virtual launch of the Ministry’s Public- Private Partnership for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) pilot programme, on Tuesday (November 17), said obese persons, particularly those suffering from NCDs, including cancer, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases...

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, is calling on the country’s men to participate in the #mentorMe2020 Male Mentorship Programme, which is aimed at connecting boys at the secondary school level with positive male role models. Through the initiative, being spearheaded by the Bureau of Gender Affairs (BGA), boys will benefit from support and guidance from...

The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) is reporting growth in construction and agriculture, forestry and fishing during the July to September 2020 quarter. The entity’s Director General, Dr. Wayne Henry, said that construction increased by an estimated five per cent, while agriculture grew by approximately two per cent. He said that the growth of the subsectors is despite a 3.6...

Executive Director of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), Audley Gordon, is assuring Jamaicans that adequate preparations are being made to ensure that “they have a clean Christmas”. Mr. Gordon was speaking to residents of Greenvale in Mandeville, Manchester, at the launch of the NSWMA’s ‘Drum A Di Gate’ initiative, with the distribution of 80 garbage drums to them....

The Westmoreland Health Department is recognising the work of the parish’s nurses during Diabetes Awareness Month in November, under the theme ‘Diabetes: Nurses Make the Difference’. Health Promotion and Education Officer at the Department, Marjorie Sharpe, told JIS News that a slate of activities has been organised, including displays highlighting the importance of nurses in the healthcare sector, which will...

The Shipping (Amendment) Act, which is designed to make better provisions for standards and behaviours within the merchant shipping industry nationally and internationally, was passed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (November 17). Piloting the legislation, Minister of Transport and Mining, Hon. Robert Montague, said the Bill is aimed at making more complete provisions for the living and working...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, says the Government’s capitalisation of the central bank to the tune of $50 billion over two previous budgets was critical in ensuring liquidity in the system, better enabling the Government to cushion the effects of the global pandemic. He was piloting the Bank of Jamaica (Amendment) Act, in...