The Medical Association of Jamaica (MAJ) has welcomed the move to impose a Special Consumption Tax (SCT) on non-alcoholic beverages containing added sugar or other caloric sweeteners, as a victory for preventive medicine and the long-term health of the population. Declaring support for the Government’s action, MAJ President, Professor Marvin Reid, said the group’s position on the tax has to...

A $131-million investment by the Ministry of Health and Wellness has transformed the Belfield Community Health Centre in St. Mary, significantly enhancing the delivery of primary healthcare services in the area. The renovation, undertaken by the North East Regional Health Authority (NEHRA), which funded the project design at a cost of $10.1 million, was supported by $60 million from the...

The St. James Health Department’s Integrated Vector Control Programme is delivering measurable results, with the parish’s Breteau Index (BI) reduced from 67.9 per cent to 24.6 per cent. The BI is a public health metric used to measure the density of mosquito breeding sites, particularly those of the Aedes aegypti, the primary vector for diseases like Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya....

Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Hon. Krystal Lee, says the Government remains steadfast in its commitment to improving maternal and newborn care to safeguard women and their babies. “We recognise the immense burden of risk women are exposed to when receiving care during childbirth and those faced by newborn babies in the first few weeks...

Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), the largest trauma centre in the English-speaking Caribbean, will mark its 250th anniversary in 2026 with a series of national and community-focused activities. Established in 1776, KPH has operated for two and a half centuries, standing as one of the oldest continuously functioning hospitals in the Caribbean. Its milestone anniversary will be observed on December 14,...

Residents of Westmoreland are being urged to undergo regular cancer screenings, amid growing concern over rising cases of colon cancer in the parish. Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Marcia Graham, noted that the illness is becoming increasingly prevalent among both men and women. “So if you see a little blood in your stool… don’t take it lightly. Come in and...

Several health centres in Westmoreland that sustained damage during Hurricane Melissa have reopened following repairs, enhancing access to primary healthcare services across the parish. Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Marcia Graham, who made the announcement during the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation’s monthly meeting in Savanna-la-Mar on February 12, noted that significant progress has been made in restoring facilities affected by the...