The National Works Agency (NWA) and National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) have been allocated $1.3 billion under the National Clean-Up Programme forming part of the Government’s Hurricane Beryl Relief and Recovery Efforts. Of the sum, $800 million will go to the NWA, with the remaining $500 million programmed for the NSWMA. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, made...

The Ministry of Health and Wellness has enhanced its vector control programme to address the increase in the mosquito population since the passage of Hurricane Beryl, including the Aedes aegypti, which transmits the dengue virus. The measures, which were outlined by Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, today (July 18), include expanding the number of vector-control workers, increasing fogging...

The Ministry of Health and Wellness has intensified fogging activities to rid communities of the mosquito nuisance since the passage of Hurricane Beryl. Medical Entomologist and National Programme Manager for Vector Control in the Ministry, Sherine Huntley Jones, told JIS News that fogging is being done every day, morning and evening, in communities across the island. She is imploring householders...

The St. Elizabeth Health Department has begun identifying alternative locations for health services, following the significant damage to several health facilities across the parish by Hurricane Beryl on July 3. Three major health centres in the southern part of the parish – Southfield Health Centre, Newell Health Centre, and Bellevue Health Centre – suffered extensive roof damage. This led to...

Jamaica AIDS Support for Life (JASL) is taking healthcare services into communities across the island through its ‘One Life, One Health’ project. The initiative, which involves the delivery of free health services via two mobile units, was officially launched in Lodge, St. Ann, on Friday (July 12), with scores of residents benefiting from screenings and consultations. It is being undertaken...

Jamaica has received a donation of medical equipment and supplies valued at more than US$14,000 from the United States (US) government. The items, which arrived on the USNS Burlington, were handed over on Wednesday (July 10) at Kingston Wharves. They include 12 Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines, 25 nebulisers, two hospital beds, 500 syringes, 20 urine containers, 20 shoe...

The Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) has launched a comprehensive response to address the urgent health needs of affected communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, which severely impacted several southern parishes on July 3. The extensive health intervention began in St. Elizabeth on Wednesday, July 10, with a team of 120 health professionals, including public health inspectors, community health...

Following the start of the hurricane season and the anticipated increase in rainfall, the Ministry of Health & Wellness is reminding members of the public to expect an increase in the breeding of mosquitoes, especially those that carry disease such as the Aedes aegypti mosquito, carriers of the dengue virus. Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie noted that, “It is...

The South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) wishes to advise the public that the Accident and Emergency Department at the Spanish Town Hospital is back in full operation. The unit had been relocated, and hospital operations were scaled back to emergencies only due to severe flooding from the recent heavy rains. STH's comprehensive range of services, including specialized clinics, outpatient...