Health Promotion and Education Officer for Westmoreland, Gerald Miller, says residents across several affected communities are responding positively to the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ ongoing distribution of chlorine tablets to ensure access to safe drinking water. Speaking with JIS News, Mr. Miller said the team has been active across the parish since Hurricane Melissa, particularly in communities where households...

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is moving forward with its three-phase plan for the recovery and rebuilding of the country’s health sector following the impact of Hurricane Melissa. Phase one, which is being executed over three months, is focused on relief and restoration of services. “It involves rapid assessment, repair and mobilisation of basic services, mass environmental health mitigation...

The National Health Fund (NHF) is providing vital medications to Jamaicans in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, with 148,061 prescriptions processed for the period November 1 to 20. The figure represents a 1.6 per cent increase over the 145,718-prescription count across Drug Serv facilities for the similar 20-day period in October. “It means that we are serving the patients,” said...

The Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ) has welcomed a donation of $11 million in diagnostic equipment from the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund, noting that the provision will strengthen its capacity to serve the public and advance the national fight against heart disease. The equipment include two Holter Monitors, five Haemoglobin Machines, three Automated External Defibrillators, one...

Employees at the island’s infirmaries are being praised for their efforts in safeguarding residents during the passage of Hurricane Melissa on October 28, which ensured that no injuries or deaths occurred at these facilities, including those most adversely impacted. Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says their decisive actions are a testament to staff proactiveness and...

Residents of Frome in Westmoreland are now benefitting from approximately 270 water-purification buckets and other supplies, provided in family emergency kits distributed by international relief organisation, GlobalMedic, on November 27. The assistance comes amid heightened concerns about leptospirosis across the parish, following weeks of flooding and compromised water sources in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. GlobalMedic volunteer, Lori Strauss, told...

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, has welcomed the establishment of the Barbados Field Hospital on the grounds of the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital in Westmoreland. He noted that the facility is expected to become fully operational in the coming week. The Barbados Defence Force (BDF) Emergency Medical Team (EMT), under the leadership of Lieutenant Commander...