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Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (second right ) engages with patrons during the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) Wellness in the Park event held on World Homeless Day Friday (October 10) at the St. William Grant Park in downtown Kingston. The event was hosted in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Sharing in the moment is the Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby (right).

Jamaicans Urged Not to Abandon Homeless Relatives

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, is appealing to family members not to abandon their homeless relatives on the streets. “We can build more Desmond McKenzie Transitional Centres, we can build more night shelters, but we...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (second right) engages in conversation with Mental Health Officer, Mischelle Callaghan-Graham (right) during the Clarendon Municipal Corporation’s World Homeless Day observance held at the Old Police Station grounds in May Pen, Clarendon on Friday (October 10). Looking on are Mayor of May Pen, Joel Williams (left) and Councillor for the Palmers Cross Division, Carlene Benjamin.

Clarendon Municipal Corporation Treats Homeless on World Homeless Day

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. The Hon. Christopher Tufton (left), and Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Major General (ret’d) Antony Anderson (right), share lens with RalRosa Foundation Board Members (from second left) Courtni Foster, Kim Watson, Richard Watson, Dr. Jacqueline Watson (President), Nicole Shirley, and Dr. Nicole Kboba. The occasion was a reception hosted by the Foundation in honour of Ambassador Anderson, in Georgetown, Washington DC, on October 1.

Ministry of Health and Wellness’ Adopt-A-Clinic Programme Gets a Boost

Consultant Psychiatrist at Bellevue Hospital, Dr. Bridget Opiavbe

Psychiatrist Says Men Do Not Have to Suffer in Silence

National Tourism Champion and student at the St. Catherine-based Charlemont High School, Kayda Lee McLean, speaks to JIS News on October 7.

Students in Distress Encouraged to Seek Help

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Young man receiving psychological support during a counseling session with a therapist in a modern office setting.

6 months ago Health & Wellness

Consultant Psychiatrist Affirms That Suicidal Recovery is Possible

Consultant Psychiatrist at Bellevue Hospital in Kingston, Dr. Bridget Opiavbe, is reminding the public that individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts can receive effective treatment and that recovery is possible. She further emphasises that seeking help for suicidal ideation – defined as thoughts of death or suicide, or suicidal intent, which involves a desire or plan to act on those thoughts,...

State Minister in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Hon. Krystal Lee (centre), in conversation with Executive Director of the Heart Foundation of Jamaica, Deborah Chen and Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation Representative for Jamaica, Ian Stein, during the Heart Foundation of Jamaica’s ‘Let’s Implement the National School Nutrition Policy’ mass media campaign launch, held at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel, on Thursday (October 9).

6 months ago Health & Wellness

Health Ministry Developing Training Manuals for School Cooks

The Ministry of Health and Wellness, with funding from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), is developing curriculum and training manuals to equip school cooks with knowledge and skills in healthy eating. Making the disclosure, State Minister, Hon. Krystal Lee, said standardised recipes will also be developed for schools. “At least 200 cooks will be trained in 2026 to 2027...

Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (left), in discussion with (from second left) Director of Nursing Services at the Spanish Town Hospital, Novellette Robinson; Senior Medical Officer at the Spanish Town Hospital, Dr. Jacqueline Wright- James; and Programme Manager for the Health Systems Strengthening Programme (HSSP), Orett Clarke, during his tour of the Spanish Town Hospital redevelopment project site in St. Catherine, on Wednesday (October 8).

6 months ago Health & Wellness

Redeveloped Spanish Town Hospital to Provide Modern Diagnostic Services

The redeveloped Spanish Town Hospital in St. Catherine, which is currently under construction, will provide a range of diagnostic services, enhancing patient care and outcomes. Upon completion, the new six-storey building will house a range of modern clinical and diagnostic services, including an accident and emergency wing, radiology, outpatient services, operating theatres, specialty wards, integrated electronic health records (EHR) system,...

Mental Health Officer, Odean Forbes, addresses students and faculty members of the Bethlehem Moravian College in Malvern, St. Elizabeth, on Tuesday, October 7 as part of activities for Mental Health Week, being observed from October 6 to 10.

6 months ago Health & Wellness

Jamaicans Urged to Take Mental Health Seriously

Jamaicans are being urged to take their mental health seriously and end the stigma surrounding mental illness, by the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) Mental Health Unit. This call comes during Mental Health Week, being observed from October 6 to 10 under the theme ‘Community: Supporting Mental Well-Being Together’, with October 10 being marked as World Mental Health Day. During...

Chief Public Health Inspector for Portland, Lorenzo Hume.

6 months ago Health & Wellness

Portland Health Official Cautions Public on Unsafe Coconut Water Bottling Practices

Chief Public Health Inspector for Portland, Lorenzo Hume, is urging the public to exercise caution when bottling coconut water, warning that improper sanitation poses serious health risks due to the commodity’s high susceptibility to contamination. Speaking during the recent Portland Municipal Corporation monthly meeting in Port Antonio, Mr. Hume disclosed that two cease and desist orders were issued to individuals...

State Minister in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Hon. Krystal Lee (second left), shakes hands with Jamaican-born philanthropist, Carol Picart (second right), during a medical equipment handover ceremony at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) in Kingston on Monday (September 29). The items, valued at $48.7 million, were donated by Ms. Picart in collaboration with the National Healthcare Enhancement Foundation (NHEF) under the Ministry. Sharing the moment are Chief Executive Officer, KPH, Barrington Graham (left) and South Eastern Regional Health Authority (SERHA) Regional Director, Lascelles Brown.

6 months ago Health & Wellness

Public Health System Gets $48.7 Million Worth of Equipment

Jamaica’s public health system has received a major boost through the donation of critical medical equipment valued at $48.7 million. The items, contributed by Jamaican-born philanthropist Carol Picart in collaboration with the National Healthcare Enhancement Foundation (NHEF, include diagnostic equipment and machines to provide life-saving support for sick and premature newborns. They will benefit the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), Cornwall...

Urology Consultant at the Mandeville Regional Hospital, Dr. Davon Mitchell (right), explains the function of a urology instrument, during the handover of pieces of equipment, donated by the Manchester Wellness Foundation, at the hospital in Manchester on Friday (Oct. 3). Looking on are Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Alwyn Miller, and Chairman of the Foundation, Herschel Ismail.

6 months ago Health & Wellness

Manchester Regional Hospital Receives Urology Equipment

The delivery of urology services at the Mandeville Regional Hospital in Manchester has been strengthened through the donation of critical pieces of equipment valued at over $21 million. The instruments, used in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the urinary tract and male reproductive system, were gifted by the Manchester Wellness Foundation, which has been a longstanding supporter of the...