With the National Health Fund (NHF) paying out $13.5 million in subsidies for persons living with Lupus last financial year, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the agency, Everton Anderson, says the sum was well spent. Delivering the keynote address at the launch of Lupus Awareness Month on October 4 at the Lupus Foundation of Jamaica (LFJ), Learning and Help Centre...

The Portland Health Department has adopted an integrated vector management approach in the fight against dengue fever in the parish. Portland is among the parishes with the highest rates of infection. Medical Officer of Health for the parish, Dr. Sharon Lewis, told JIS News that the strategy involves public education and sensitisation, fogging and larvicidal activities. Teams from the Health...

With the country facing an outbreak of dengue fever and the Ministry of Health and Wellness ramping up fogging activities islandwide, Jamaicans are being urged to welcome fog workers in their communities as they do their jobs. Speaking during Wednesday’s (October 4) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, said there have been instances...

To help combat overcrowding at the island’s public health facilities, persons are being cautioned against rushing to emergency departments with only mild symptoms of dengue fever. On September 23, a dengue outbreak was declared in Jamaica. According to the latest figures from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, there are 1,117 presumed, suspected and confirmed local cases. Speaking during Wednesday’s...

A sum of $331 million has been allocated to support mitigation works across the island as the Government ramps up efforts to contain the dengue outbreak. Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, made the disclosure while speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (October 3). He said that $96 million will go to the municipal...

The Ministry of Health and Wellness has initiated its Dengue Outbreak Mitigation Plan, which involves search-and-destroy operations, clinical management, workforce management, surveillance, and public education. “The aim of the plan is to reduce the impact of the dengue outbreak on the population,” said Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton. “Already, approximately 500 temporary vector-control workers have been engaged and...

The Westmoreland Health Department is embarking on a comprehensive public education campaign aimed at raising awareness and preventing any further cases of dengue fever in the parish. A team led by Medical Officer of Health for Westmoreland, Dr. Marcia Graham, and Parish Health Promotion and Education Office, Gerald Miller, visited Little London on Friday (September 29), where members engaged residents...

Hundreds of new physician posts will be created in the health sector this year as the Government puts measures in place to strengthen healthcare delivery. Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, said that at the primary level, in excess of 100 new posts will be implemented and more than 600 at the secondary level. “We are moving...

Jamaicans are being urged not to use aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, or any of the medications/ pain relievers known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to treat dengue symptoms. Speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing held at Jamaica House on September 27, Director of Health Services Planning and Integration, Dr. Nadine Williams, informed that rest and adequate hydration are usually enough to...