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The Percy Junor Hospital in Manchester has been accredited as a baby-friendly institution, becoming the 12th local public hospital to be certified under the global initiative. A programme of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) recognises health facilities that provide optimal care for mothers and newborns and actively support breastfeeding. The initiative promotes practices that have proven to improve infant survival and long-term health outcomes. These include early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and continued breastfeeding with appropriate complementary foods for up to two years or beyond. Speaking at the accreditation ceremony held at the hospital in Spalding on Thursday (Feb. 5), Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, congratulated the management and staff of Percy Junor Hospital on the achievement, noting that it reflects a commitment to quality standards in infant and maternal care. He noted that the accreditation aligns with the Ministry’s broader strategy to reduce infant mortality, improve maternal health outcomes, and strengthen quality standards across the public health system. Dr. Tufton said that Percy Junor’s accreditation takes the country just over the half mark in terms of the number of hospitals in the country that are baby-friendly certified. He noted that when he took office in 2016, only one of the island’s 23 hospitals had baby-friendly designation. (more) Percy Junor Hospital...2 “Today, there are 12 hospitals that have baby-friendly designation. That’s a big deal! It means that we are improving standards...it means that the team in the respective institutions are doing the work, have been provided with the support, whether through our external agencies, our region, or the Ministry,” Dr. Tufton said. “Today, I challenge the remaining 11 institutions, over the next three to five years – and I hope it’s more three than five – to make us complete ... by doing the necessary work to achieve baby-friendly status,” he urged. “If 12 hospitals can achieve baby-friendly status, 23 can achieve baby-friendly status. If the people in 12 can do the work to get it done, the remaining 11 can do the work to get it done,” he expressed. Noting that Percy Junor Hospital has seen a 64 per cent decline in births from 201 in 2024 to 71 in 2025, Dr. Tufton urged the community health aides to go into the communities to engage with families and promote responsible child-rearing. “Our job is to promote responsible parenting, not just to have children for children’s sake… It raises a fundamental issue that we have to manage, as part of public health… that health is about community. That’s why health centres and community hospitals are so important, because you are the heartbeat, so to speak, of your community. And, you’re going to be called on more to provide guidance to those who need guidance,” he said. “We represent the credibility factor of most communities. We must leverage the credibility that we represent, by spending more time in the community, to talk to people, to encourage families, to encourage responsible parenting and to say to people, ‘It’s okay to have children, and there is a way to be responsible as a parent, and to grow your child to a point where you can achieve the bragging rights that you deserve,” he said. (more) Percy Junor Hospital...3 For her part, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Percy Junor Hospital, Faith Sterling, expressed pleasure at the hospital’s baby-friendly accreditation. “I am absolutely elated. This does not only mean that our standards have been raised. It means a positive paradigm shift in the right direction in becoming a first-class hospital in not only Jamaica, but the Caribbean,” she told JIS News.
The Percy Junor Hospital in Manchester has been accredited as a baby-friendly institution, becoming the 12th local public hospital to be certified under the global initiative. A programme of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) recognises health facilities that provide optimal care for mothers and newborns and actively support breastfeeding. The initiative promotes practices that have proven to improve infant survival and long-term health outcomes. These include early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and continued breastfeeding with appropriate complementary foods for up to two years or beyond. Speaking at the accreditation ceremony held at the hospital in Spalding on Thursday (Feb. 5), Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, congratulated the management and staff of Percy Junor Hospital on the achievement, noting that it reflects a commitment to quality standards in infant and maternal care. He noted that the accreditation aligns with the Ministry’s broader strategy to reduce infant mortality, improve maternal health outcomes, and strengthen quality standards across the public health system. Dr. Tufton said that Percy Junor’s accreditation takes the country just over the half mark in terms of the number of hospitals in the country that are baby-friendly certified. He noted that when he took office in 2016, only one of the island’s 23 hospitals had baby-friendly designation. (more) Percy Junor Hospital...2 “Today, there are 12 hospitals that have baby-friendly designation. That’s a big deal! It means that we are improving standards...it means that the team in the respective institutions are doing the work, have been provided with the support, whether through our external agencies, our region, or the Ministry,” Dr. Tufton said. “Today, I challenge the remaining 11 institutions, over the next three to five years – and I hope it’s more three than five – to make us complete ... by doing the necessary work to achieve baby-friendly status,” he urged. “If 12 hospitals can achieve baby-friendly status, 23 can achieve baby-friendly status. If the people in 12 can do the work to get it done, the remaining 11 can do the work to get it done,” he expressed. Noting that Percy Junor Hospital has seen a 64 per cent decline in births from 201 in 2024 to 71 in 2025, Dr. Tufton urged the community health aides to go into the communities to engage with families and promote responsible child-rearing. “Our job is to promote responsible parenting, not just to have children for children’s sake… It raises a fundamental issue that we have to manage, as part of public health… that health is about community. That’s why health centres and community hospitals are so important, because you are the heartbeat, so to speak, of your community. And, you’re going to be called on more to provide guidance to those who need guidance,” he said. “We represent the credibility factor of most communities. We must leverage the credibility that we represent, by spending more time in the community, to talk to people, to encourage families, to encourage responsible parenting and to say to people, ‘It’s okay to have children, and there is a way to be responsible as a parent, and to grow your child to a point where you can achieve the bragging rights that you deserve,” he said. (more) Percy Junor Hospital...3 For her part, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Percy Junor Hospital, Faith Sterling, expressed pleasure at the hospital’s baby-friendly accreditation. “I am absolutely elated. This does not only mean that our standards have been raised. It means a positive paradigm shift in the right direction in becoming a first-class hospital in not only Jamaica, but the Caribbean,” she told JIS News.

Percy Junor Hospital Becomes 12th Baby-Friendly Certified Institution

The Percy Junor Hospital in Manchester has been accredited as a baby-friendly institution, becoming the 12th local public hospital to be certified under the global initiative. A programme of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund...
Consultant General Surgeon, Dr. Hugh Anthony Roberts (standing right), engages in discussion with women who attended the World Cancer Day observance at the Jamaica Cancer Society in Kingston on Wednesday (February 4).
Consultant General Surgeon, Dr. Hugh Anthony Roberts (standing right), engages in discussion with women who attended the World Cancer Day observance at the Jamaica Cancer Society in Kingston on Wednesday (February 4).

Jamaica Cancer Society Marks World Cancer Day (Photos Only)
Chief Executive Officer for the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital in Westmoreland, Roan Grant, addresses a press briefing hosted at the facility on Thursday (February 5) by Westmoreland Public Health Services and the Canadian medical volunteer group, Team Broken Earth.
Chief Executive Officer for the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital in Westmoreland, Roan Grant, addresses a press briefing hosted at the facility on Thursday (February 5) by Westmoreland Public Health Services and the Canadian medical volunteer group, Team Broken Earth.

Team Broken Earth Supports Patient Care at Savanna-La-Mar Public General Hospital
Regional Priority Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)/Family Health Coordinator at the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), Dr. Marcia Johnson-Campbell.
Regional Priority Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)/Family Health Coordinator at the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), Dr. Marcia Johnson-Campbell.

Strong Support System Important for Cancer Patients
Regional Priority Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)/Family Health Coordinator at the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), Dr. Marcia Johnson-Campbell.
Regional Priority Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)/Family Health Coordinator at the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), Dr. Marcia Johnson-Campbell.

Importance of Early Cancer Screenings and Detection Highlighted

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Consultant Cardiologist and Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ) Chairman, Dr. Andrine Chung, addresses a JIS Think Tank on Tuesday (February 3).
Health & Wellness

HFJ Urges Jamaicans to Learn How to Identify a Heart Attack

The Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ) is encouraging Jamaicans to learn the warning signs of a heart attack, know their personal risk factors, seek early medical attention when symptoms occur, and take steps to reduce their risk. Speaking at a JIS Think Tank on Tuesday (February 3), Consultant Cardiologist and HFJ Chairman, Dr. Andrine Chung, said that there is significant...
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Minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Efficiency, Innovation and Digital Transformation, Ambassador the Hon. Audrey Marks (centre), shares a moment with (from left) Chief Executive Officer of Percy Junor Hospital, Carlton Nichols; co-founders of Right Now For Jamaica (RNFJ), Dr. Trudy Hall Miles and Dr. Maurice Miles and Southern Regional Health Authority (SHRA) board member, Simone Scarlett. Occasion was the handover of US$30,000 in supplies to the hospital by the RNFJ on Friday (January 30).
Health & Wellness

Percy Junor Hospital Gets US$30,000 in Supplies

The Percy Junor Hospital in Manchester has received a donation of supplies from newly formed United States (US)-based diaspora foundation Right Now For Jamaica (RNFJ). The items, valued at US$30,000, include forceps, bandages, syringes with needles, skin prep gel, antifungal cream, antiperspirant, water dispenser, gloves, baby diapers and incontinence pads, toothpaste and toothbrushes. Also donated were 15 computers, several tablets,...
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Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (fourth right), cuts the ribbon to officially open the new Parent Overnight Suite at the Bustamante Hospital for Children in Kingston on Friday (January 30). The 36-bed facility, constructed at a cost of over $140 million, was delivered through a partnership involving the National Housing Trust (NHT), the National Health Fund (NHF), and the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA). Also pictured (from left) are: NHT Chairman, Linval Freeman; Senior Medical Officer at the Bustamante Hospital, Dr. Michelle Ann Richards-Dawson; NHF Deputy Chairman, Michael Stern; SERHA Chairman, Wentworth Charles; Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton; and Acting Director of Nursing Services at the hospital, Michelle Finnikin Campbell. In the background is Member of Parliament for St. Andrew South Eastern, Julian Robinson.
Health & WellnessPrime Minister

Prime Minister Holness Opens $140M Parent Overnight Suite at Bustamante Hospital

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, on Friday (January 30), officially opened the new Parent Overnight Suite at the Bustamante Hospital for Children in Kingston. The 36-bed facility, constructed at a cost of over $140 million, will accommodate parents and guardians of patients, enabling them to remain close and actively assist in their children’s care. The project was...
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Mayor of St. Ann
Health & Wellness

Mayor Supports Establishment of NCDA Northeast Office in St. Ann

Mayor of St. Ann’s Bay, Councillor Michael Belnavis, says the establishment of a National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) northeast office in St. Ann is critical to addressing substance abuse and supporting residents who need help, in a discreet and accessible setting. Speaking at the official opening in Drax Hall, St. Ann, recently, Mayor Belnavis said the office represents more...
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Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Hon. Krystal Lee, gives remarks during the official opening of the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) Northeast Regional office in Drax Hall, St. Ann, recently.
Health & Wellness

State Minister Says it is Urgent to Tackle Substance Misuse in St. Ann

Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Hon. Krystal Lee, says St. Ann continues to rank among the top-three parishes for substance misuse, underscoring the urgency of a strengthened public health response to drug and alcohol abuse within the parish. Addressing the recent official opening of the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) northeast office in Drax...
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Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (left), on a tour of the $660-million Greater Portmore Health Centre expansion project, on January 28. Also on the tour (from second left) are Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union (EU) in Jamaica, Aniceto Rodriguez; Programme Manager for Health at the EU Delegation, Vanna Lawrence, and Project Lead for the Health Centre Construction and Rehabilitation, Karl McKenzie Chin.
Health & Wellness

Expansion of Greater Portmore Health Centre 60% Complete

The Greater Portmore Health Centre, which is being expanded at a cost of $660 million, is now 60 per cent complete and is expected to be finished in the summer, according to Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton. While on a tour of the facility on January 28, the Minister said representatives of a funding partner,...
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