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Acting Chief Public Health Inspector for St. James, Sherika Lewis, addresses the recent St. James Municipal Corporation monthly meeting in Montego Bay.
Acting Chief Public Health Inspector for St. James, Sherika Lewis, addresses the recent St. James Municipal Corporation monthly meeting in Montego Bay.

Communal Sanitation Systems Proposed to Support Hurricane-Affected Residents in St. James

Acting Chief Public Health Inspector for St. James, Sherika Lewis, is recommending the establishment of communal sanitation systems for residents affected by Hurricane Melissa. “We are aware that there are some communities that predominantly have pit latrines [and that others...
State Minister in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Hon. Krystal Lee (centre), observes as Founder and Chief Executive Officer of WaterStep, Mark Hogg, demonstrates how the water-purification bleach makers function during the handover ceremony for 300 machines at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in New Kingston on Tuesday (November 18). Also looking on is the Ministry’s Director of Communication, Stephen Davidson (left). The durable systems enable health facilities to produce World Health Organization (WHO)-approved, medical-grade disinfectant on site, ensuring a stable local supply while expanding access to safe water and sanitation solutions, particularly during disasters.
State Minister in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Hon. Krystal Lee (centre), observes as Founder and Chief Executive Officer of WaterStep, Mark Hogg, demonstrates how the water-purification bleach makers function during the handover ceremony for 300 machines at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in New Kingston on Tuesday (November 18). Also looking on is the Ministry’s Director of Communication, Stephen Davidson (left). The durable systems enable health facilities to produce World Health Organization (WHO)-approved, medical-grade disinfectant on site, ensuring a stable local supply while expanding access to safe water and sanitation solutions, particularly during disasters.

300 Bleach Makers Donated to Jamaica’s Health System
Caption: Medical Officer of Health for Portland, Dr. Sharon Lewis, speaking at the recent monthly sitting of the Portland Municipal Corporation in Port Antonio.
Caption: Medical Officer of Health for Portland, Dr. Sharon Lewis, speaking at the recent monthly sitting of the Portland Municipal Corporation in Port Antonio.

Portlanders Urged to Take Precaution Against Leptospirosis
Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (centre), sharing a moment with participants in the Jamaica Reach 2 Recovery (JR2R) Pink Run on Sunday (November 17) at Emancipation Park in St. Andrew.
Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (centre), sharing a moment with participants in the Jamaica Reach 2 Recovery (JR2R) Pink Run on Sunday (November 17) at Emancipation Park in St. Andrew.

PM Highlights Importance of Breast Cancer Screening
Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, addresses a recent sitting of the House of Representatives.
Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, addresses a recent sitting of the House of Representatives.

Post-Hurricane Mental Health Assessments Completed Across All Regional Health Authorities

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Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton.
Health & Wellness

Ministry Ramps Up Measures to Assist Persons to Safeguard Their Health

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is ramping up measures to help the public safeguard their health by promoting safe water and food practices, highlighting the risk associated with flooding. According to portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, key focus is on reinforcing the importance of hygiene and outlining steps to prevent mosquito-borne and rodent diseases. “These messages are...
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Chairman of the St. Ann Municipal Corporation, Councillor Michael Belnavis.
Health & Wellness

St. Ann Residents Urged to Take Precautions Against Mosquito-borne Diseases

Chairman of the St. Ann Municipal Corporation, Councillor Michael Belnavis, is urging residents to take precautions against mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue, in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. The caution comes amid the expected increase in the mosquito population following the heavy rains from the storm. Speaking with JIS News, Mr. Belnavis advised persons to look out for standing water that...
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Health and Wellness Minister,  Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, tours the fully equipped field hospital donated by the Government of Spain, on the grounds of the Falmouth Public General Hospital in Trelawny on Friday (Nov. 14).
Health & WellnessHurricane MelissaHurricane Relief & Recovery

Renovation of Falmouth Hospital to Begin Next Week

Starting next week, contractors will begin renovation work on the Falmouth Public General Hospital in Trelawny, which was damaged during the passage of Hurricane Melissa. Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, in making the disclosure, said that the areas to be prioritised include the damaged COVID-19 ward to return 50 to 70 beds to service, the operating...
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Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, addresses the House of Representatives on Tuesday (November 11).
Health & WellnessHurricane BerylHurricane MelissaParliament

New Health and Wash Strategy Rolled Out With UNICEF Support

The Ministry of Health and Wellness, with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has developed a comprehensive Health, Nutrition, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Plan. Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, made the disclosure in a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday (November 11). “The plan involves several key interventions, supporting the provision of...
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Health & Wellness

Parents Urged to Provide Safe, Nurturing Spaces to Help Children Cope After Hurricane

Regional Clinical Psychologist at the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), Dr. Alcon Barnett, is encouraging parents to create stable, nurturing environments to help their children recover emotionally and psychologically from the trauma of Hurricane Melissa and its aftermath. Speaking in a recent interview with JIS News, Dr. Barnett noted that many children have been affected psychologically, physically and behaviourally, with...
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Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, shares a moment with conjoined twins, Azora and Azaria Elson, aboard an aircraft at Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston on July 27, ahead of their departure to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for separation surgery.
Foreign AffairsHealth & Wellness

Jamaican Conjoined Twins Successfully Separated in Saudi Arabia

Jamaican conjoined twins, Azaria and Azora Elson, were successfully separated during a five-hour surgery at the King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on Thursday (November 13). The two-year-old twins, their mother, Iesha McMurray, and a team of medical professionals departed Jamaica on July 27 for the life-changing separation surgery. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign...
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Minister of Health and Wellness, Hon. Christopher Tufton, speaking during a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday (November 11).
Health & Wellness

Enhanced Vector Control Programme Implemented

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is implementing an enhanced vector control programme across all parishes following the passage of Hurricane Melissa two weeks ago. The aim is to control the mosquito population, particularly the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is the vector for dengue. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Christopher Tufton, in a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday (November...
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