Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, has issued a strong appeal to Jamaicans to reject the growing anti-vaccination (anti-vax) sentiment, which he notes has intensified since the COVID-19 pandemic. He was speaking during the contract signing for the implementation of the Electronic Immunisation Registry (EIR) Project, held at the Ministry’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Conference Room...

Stakeholders in Jamaica’s medical cannabis industry have welcomed recent amendments to the Dangerous Drugs (Cannabis Licensing) (Interim) Regulations. The Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) has launched the Medical Cannabis Special Permit Programme, a landmark initiative designed to expand access and promote the inclusion of traditional ganja growers within Jamaica’s medical cannabis industry. This initiative was officially launched during a function held...

National School Moves Day will be observed across the island on Friday (April 24), under the theme Every School Moving: Move Your Way, Every Day’. Schools are being asked to mobilise students, teachers and parents to prioritise physical activity for at least 60 minutes during the school day. National School Moves Day is a key component of the Jamaica Moves...

High school students from St. Thomas have benefited from a series of sessions aimed at raising their awareness about sexual assault. The three interactive and informative sessions, hosted by the Teen Hub at its Morant Bay location, engaged adolescents in frank and age-appropriate discussions on the issue. Centre Manager, Teen Hub, St. Thomas, Chantal Williams, told JIS News that the...

High-school students from across St. Thomas were among the beneficiaries of an STI Awareness Month Expo, held at Rudolph Elder Park in Morant Bay on April 17. The event, dubbed ‘The Healthy You Expo’, was organised by the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) and attracted a wide cross-section of participants, including students, youth groups, and community members. Designed to...

Persons are being reminded about the importance of maintaining good oral health for their general well-being. Chief Dental Officer in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Irving McKenzie, noted the connection between oral care and overall wellness, particularly in managing conditions such as diabetes. Poor oral health, specifically gum disease, causes chronic inflammation that makes it harder for the...

Director of Non-Communicable Diseases and Injuries Prevention in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Tamu Davidson, is imploring women aged 21 and older to take advantage of the Government subsidy for cervical cancer screening. The $1,300 subsidy being offered by the Ministry in partnership with the National Health Fund (NHF), is aimed at reducing the financial barriers women face...