The Government is to spend $1 billion on an initiative to address excessive waiting in the public health system. Focus will be placed on reducing the long waits for certain day and inpatient surgeries, diagnostic tests, and bed space shortages. This was announced by Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, during his contribution to the 2019/20...

  Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, makes his contribution to the 2019/20 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 7. At left is Attorney General, Marlene Malahoo Forte.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is to undertake a comprehensive review of the Integrated Vector Management Programme, including methods aimed at mobilising public support, so that citizens can more effectively play their part. “This will occur during the course of this year and the review will look at rightsizing the number of permanent employees in each parish… and… at...

The Government is projecting to spend between $27.2 billion and $31.2 billion over the next five years on public health infrastructure development. This was disclosed by Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, during his contribution to the 2019/20 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 7. “This will represent the largest investment in over...

The Petersfield Primary School ‘Jamaica Moves’ club is making strides in promoting healthy lifestyle habits among staff and students. Coordinator of the club, Crystal-Gaye Scott, told JIS News that the Westmoreland-based institution has stopped the sale of sugary drinks on the compound. “Our school is sugar-free; we no longer sell juices. The only fluid our students will get is water,”...

Members of the public are being reminded that the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St. James continues to offer medical services even as infrastructure works are being undertaken at the facility. “It is important to point out that the hospital is not closed,” Chairman of the hospital’s Independent Oversight Committee, Professor Archibald McDonald, said in an interview with JIS News. “The...

Jamaica’s mosquito control programme has been further strengthened with the establishment of another national insectary. The facility, which was officially opened on May 3, is located at the National Public Health Laboratory in Kingston. Its operations are integral to bolstering the Government’s thrust to reduce the spread of vector-borne diseases, such as Dengue Fever and the Zika virus, through interventions...