Regional Health Promotion and Education Officer at the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), Marceleen Wheatle, says non-communicable diseases (NCD) have emerged as the leading cause of death in Jamaica over the past 30 years. Speaking at a JIS Think Tank at the agency’s Montego Bay Regional Office on Monday (May 7), Ms. Wheatle noted that the Health Ministry continues to...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Shahine Robinson, says a submission will be made to Cabinet in short order for an increase in the rate of pension. She noted that the 2016 actuarial review of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) was recently completed and will be included in the submission to Cabinet for implementation of the reform measures. Mrs....

With the traditional markets of the United States, Canada and Europe all showing growth, Jamaica could be looking at another outstanding year in tourism based on positive developments emerging from South America. Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, and a Jamaican delegation, which included Chief Strategist and Advisor, Delano Seiveright, recently returned from the continent in “high spirits” based on the...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, is imploring parents to be more involved in getting the children to hone their reading skills, as this will ensure their cognitive prowess is also developed. “Reading is actually a learnt skill, and you have to be very involved in the development of the reading skill with your child,” he said. The Prime...

Government Senator, Kavan Gayle, has called for an aggressive public education campaign aimed at changing the unruly behavior of many motorists, particularly taxi operators. “Many drivers have completely ignored the warnings to not overload vehicles, don’t drive when tired, don’t drink and drive, to desist from speeding, to always wear seat belts and helmets (and so on). There has to...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has reported that seven persons are in two shelters that have been opened in Little London and Mylersfield in Westmoreland, to accommodate persons impacted by the heavy rains. Heavy rainfall, which began on Sunday evening (May 6), has resulted in flooding and landslides on a number of roadways in St. Andrew...

PRESS RELEASE - Several roads across the island continue to be impacted by the inclement weather. Teams from the National Works Agency (NWA) have been responding to rain related issues, in the parishes of St. Andrew, St. Thomas, St. Elizabeth, Hanover, Trelawny and Westmoreland. Manager, Communication and Customer Services at the NWA, Stephen Shaw says that some progress was made...