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,...

Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, says Jamaica’s bilateral relations with the People’s Republic of China has been further strengthened with the signing of an economic and technical cooperation agreement to construct the Western Children’s Hospital in Montego Bay, St. James. Under the agreement, the Government of China has provided approximately US$36.16 million (250...

The Government has received approximately US$36.16 million (250 million RMB Yuan) from the Government of the People’s Republic of China to construct the Western Children’s Hospital in St. James and undertake other projects to be agreed on by both countries. The 220-bed facility, which will be the first such in Jamaica and the Caribbean, will be built on the compound...

The Caribbean Poison Information Network (CarPIN) is calling for regulations or legislation that will place a limit on lead paint in Jamaica. This call precedes International Lead Poisoning Week, to be observed from October 22 to 26, under the theme ‘Regulating Lead Exposure: Protecting Our Children’. Speaking at a JIS ‘Think Tank’ today (October 16), Poison Information Coordinator at CarPIN,...