Operators of private medical practices are being invited to partner with the Ministry of Health and Wellness for the treatment of patients with chronic hypertension and diabetes who would normally use the public health system. Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, announced the public-private partnership during a digital press conference at the Ministry’s New Kingston location on Tuesday (April...

Eighty final-year medical students from the University of the West Indies (UWI) have joined the response team at the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ coronavirus (COVID-19) call centre. Speaking at a digital press conference from the Ministry’s New Kingston location on Tuesday (April 7), portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, said he is pleased with the support from the...

Starting tomorrow, Thursday, April 9, 2020, Jamaica-based individuals and businesses will be able to begin applying under the COVID-19 Allocation of Resources for Employees (CARE) Programme for benefits when the website goes live online. The programme is being launched by the Government of Jamaica (GOJ), through the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service (MOFPS), to offer financial assistance to...

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that the Government will extend the current islandwide nightly curfew. Other measures to address the COVID19 pandemic including work from home, closure of the island’s borders and others will also be extended in accordance with the relevant Orders. The Prime Minister will give details on the measures during an update to the nation today.

Cabinet has approved the outfitting of the National Arena as a 72-bed field hospital to respond to any surge in local coronavirus (COVID-19) cases. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dunstan Bryan, said the decision was arrived at following a reconnaissance of the facility by the Ministry, the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport and the...

Jamaica now has 63 confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, gave this update during a press conference at the Ministry of Health and Wellness, on Tuesday (April 7). “This means that we have had four additional positive cases since the last announcement,” Dr, Tufton said.  The four cases are a 48-year-old...

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has reported a reduction in the backlog of garbage collected over the last few weeks. “What we are finding is that we are receiving fewer calls and complaints. The trucks are actively collecting and the traffic has decreased, and that helps us with our efficiency. We are able to complete collections in communities...