Deputy Chief Public Health Inspector for St. Catherine, Denese Douglas, says that the country’s surveillance systems remain robust as health authorities continue to closely monitor developments surrounding the Hantavirus. Speaking during the monthly meeting of the St. Catherine Municipal Corporation on May 14 in Spanish Town, she said that the Ministry of Health and Wellness continues to monitor reports of...

The paediatric ward at the Mandeville Regional Hospital in Manchester has received 20 beds valued at $3.8 million, from bauxite and alumina company, Jamalco. The provisions, officially handed over during a ceremony at the institution on May 14, will significantly enhance the facility’s 26-bed capacity. In his address during the ceremony, Chairman of the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), Michael...

Residents of Westmoreland are being encouraged to actively monitor their health and embrace healthier lifestyle choices, as part of ongoing efforts to curb the prevalence of chronic illnesses across the parish. The call comes from Westmoreland’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Marcia Graham, who stressed that knowing one’s health status is vital to both preventing and managing chronic diseases. She...

Health authorities in Westmoreland are maintaining heightened surveillance amid regional concerns about hantavirus, even though Jamaica has not recorded any confirmed cases of the disease. This was disclosed by Medical Officer of Health for Westmoreland, Dr. Marcia Graham. She was addressing the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation’s monthly meeting in Savanna-la-Mar on Thursday (May 14). Dr. Graham noted that monitoring has been...

The St. Catherine Parish Office of the Social Development Commission (SDC) is spearheading several community outreach activities over the coming weeks to promote health and economic well-being. Among the planned engagements is a ‘Pop-Up and Wellness Stop’ to be held at the Greendale Early Childhood Institution on Wednesday, May 27, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Parish Manager for the agency, Shana-Lee...

Infrastructure work at the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital, in Westmoreland, to repair damage sustained during the passage of Hurricane Melissa, has received a boost, courtesy of a donation from the Embassy of Jamaica in Tokyo, Japan. The cheque, valued at US$2,831.37 or approximately J$450,000, was handed over by Former Ambassador of Jamaica to Japan, Her Excellency Shorna-Kay Richards, during a...

A move is on to strengthen accountability measures across the public health sector, while advancing a broad legislative agenda aimed at improving governance, transparency and public health protection. Making his contribution to the 2026/27 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 12, Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, said the Ministry is going through...