Key stakeholders in health and education are anticipating an uptick in interest in careers in health among young people, coming out of the recent staging of the Career Expo and Employment Fair. Held at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus in St. Andrew, the event afforded members of the public the opportunity to apply for the more...

Jamaicans are being encouraging to consume a healthy diet consisting mostly of whole, fresh foods to increase their ability to withstand diseases. Chairman of the Heart Foundation of Jamaica, Dr. Andrene Chung, in making the call said that the disease-resistant diet should be low in sugar and salt and rich in antioxidants from fresh fruits and vegetables, along with good-quality...

Jamaica is a step closer to developing policy to eliminate trans-fatty acids or tans-fats from the local food system. The move is part of measures by the Government to reduce the risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCD) and premature death. Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, said that the Ministry is working with the Ministry of Industry,...

The Ministry of Health and Wellness will be implementing several key strategies to enhance the effectiveness of the ‘Know Your Numbers’ initiative. Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, made the disclosure during a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday (January 28). The Know Your Numbers initiative aims to facilitate 500,000 screenings to help citizens identify their risk...

The National Health Fund (NHF) has expended approximately $9.4 billion on drugs for the management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) since April 2024. Ministry of Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, made the disclosure during a statement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (January 28). He informed that $2.4 billion worth of medications was dispensed through Drug...

Vaccination has played a crucial role in safeguarding public health and reducing the burden of preventable diseases in Jamaica, says Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie. Speaking in an interview with JIS News, the CMO noted that the country’s long history of immunisation has been instrumental in eliminating several life-threatening illnesses. “We’ve eliminated polio,...

Jamaicans are being advised to get the flu vaccine to reduce severe outcomes from the illness. Speaking with JIS News, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie, noted that the vaccine is available free of cost at health centres islandwide. She said that the Ministry is urging everyone, particularly the elderly, children, and...