Health Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, is calling on Jamaicans to take responsibility for their health by making the necessary lifestyle changes in order to avoid non-communicable diseases (NCD) such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart diseases. “There is no prevention without taking responsibility; I have seen pain, suffering, people lose loved ones, cases that could have been...

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, says the ‘I Believe Initiative’ will be working collaboratively to address mental health issues affecting youth. Such support, he said, will better enable individuals to realise their full potential, cope with stress, work productively and make a meaningful contribution to communities. “Youth who are battling mental health crises cannot be empowered...

Tourism Director, Donovan White, has lauded the organisers of the annual Kingston City Run for expanding the slate of activities for the seventh staging in 2019 to include a marathon, noting that this has the potential to attract visitors to the capital city. The three-day run, organised by the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association’s (JHTA) Kingston Chapter, is slated for...

The Ministry of Health is pursuing the development of a Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy, which will create a framework for identifying effective strategies to reduce maternal mortality rates. The framework will focus on strengthening the linkages between obstetric and non-communicable disease programmes and review the Ministry’s capacity within the health sector to respond effectively to cases of unsafe abortions....

Mayor of Falmouth and Chairman of the Trelawny Parish Council, Colin Gager, has lauded the island’s public health inspectors for their work in promoting good public and environmental well-being. He said that the inspectors are making a remarkable contribution to sustainable development by “ensuing that our environment promotes health and hygiene. It must be established that for us to be...

Great Shape! Inc, a United States (US)-based non-profit organisation, continues to give thousands of Jamaicans brighter smiles and clearer vision through its free optical and oral health programmes. Over 200,000 persons have benefitted from the organisation’s ‘iCare’ and ‘1,000 Smiles’ programmes, since the commencement of these in Jamaica. The iCare project is in its 10th year, while 1000 Smiles volunteers...

The Chapelton Community Hospital in Clarendon is set to benefit from major expansion and upgrade at a cost of US$1 million. Push Start Foundation, a United States-based entity headed by Clarendon native, Beverly Nichols, is providing the funds to undertake the project. This includes a new minor operating theatre; expanded waiting and records areas; improved bathroom facilities for men, women,...