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Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, has proclaimed October 10 as World Mental Health Day, under the international theme ‘Mental Health in the Workplace’. The Governor-General read the proclamation during a ceremony at King’s House on October 3, which was attended by psychiatrists and professionals involved in mental health care. The Day will form part of activities to mark Mental Health Week, to be observed starting October 8. The Governor-General, in his address, urged Jamaicans to participate in the slate of activities scheduled to be held across the country on that day. Citing statistics, he noted that “one in every four persons around the world will experience mental health problems at one time or another”. “Many people who suffer from psychological and mental distress experience these issues in the workplace. Increase in knowledge and awareness of these issues will help in developing interventions to promote and protect mental health in the workplace,” he said. The Governor-General added that interventions should improve access to employee-assistance programmes to address the stigma of mental illnesses, so that dignity is promoted and respected and people are empowered to take action to promote mental health. (more) Meanwhile, Director of Mental Health Services and Substance Abuse in the Health Ministry, Dr. Maureen Irons-Morgan, said it is fitting to recognise mental health in the workplace. “There are some very common issues that affect mental health, such as stress in the workplace and depression. These are factors that can affect productivity. We want employers to recognise that in protecting and promoting mental health and wellness of workers, in the long run we all benefit,” she said. Information provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) states that most of one’s adult life is spent in the workplace and the experiences there are among the factors determining the overall well-being of people. The WHO notes that employers and managers who implement workplace initiatives to promote mental health and to support employees with mental disorders, are more likely to see gains, not only in the mental health of their employees but also in the productivity of their work. Activities for the Week include a church service at the Portmore Gospel Assembly and a conference at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston.
Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, has proclaimed October 10 as World Mental Health Day, under the international theme ‘Mental Health in the Workplace’. The Governor-General read the proclamation during a ceremony at King’s House on October 3, which was attended by psychiatrists and professionals involved in mental health care. The Day will form part of activities to mark Mental Health Week, to be observed starting October 8. The Governor-General, in his address, urged Jamaicans to participate in the slate of activities scheduled to be held across the country on that day. Citing statistics, he noted that “one in every four persons around the world will experience mental health problems at one time or another”. “Many people who suffer from psychological and mental distress experience these issues in the workplace. Increase in knowledge and awareness of these issues will help in developing interventions to promote and protect mental health in the workplace,” he said. The Governor-General added that interventions should improve access to employee-assistance programmes to address the stigma of mental illnesses, so that dignity is promoted and respected and people are empowered to take action to promote mental health. (more) Meanwhile, Director of Mental Health Services and Substance Abuse in the Health Ministry, Dr. Maureen Irons-Morgan, said it is fitting to recognise mental health in the workplace. “There are some very common issues that affect mental health, such as stress in the workplace and depression. These are factors that can affect productivity. We want employers to recognise that in protecting and promoting mental health and wellness of workers, in the long run we all benefit,” she said. Information provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) states that most of one’s adult life is spent in the workplace and the experiences there are among the factors determining the overall well-being of people. The WHO notes that employers and managers who implement workplace initiatives to promote mental health and to support employees with mental disorders, are more likely to see gains, not only in the mental health of their employees but also in the productivity of their work. Activities for the Week include a church service at the Portmore Gospel Assembly and a conference at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston.

World Mental Health Day to be Observed Oct. 10

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, has proclaimed October 10 as World Mental Health Day, under the international theme ‘Mental Health in the Workplace’. The Governor-General read the proclamation during a ceremony at King’s House on October...
Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, addresses a human papillomavirus (HPV) media sensitization forum at the University of the West Indies’ (UWI) Mona campus in St. Andrew on September 29.
Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, addresses a human papillomavirus (HPV) media sensitization forum at the University of the West Indies’ (UWI) Mona campus in St. Andrew on September 29.

Parents Urged to Protect Girls through HPV Vaccine
Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (right), joins in an exercise session at the launch of the ‘National Baking Company Moves’ held on July 21 at the company’s Half-Way Tree Road address in Kingston. The company answered the call by the Minister for corporate involvement in the ‘Jamaica Moves’ campaign, which encourages Jamaicans to incorporate physical exercise into their daily routine.
Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (right), joins in an exercise session at the launch of the ‘National Baking Company Moves’ held on July 21 at the company’s Half-Way Tree Road address in Kingston. The company answered the call by the Minister for corporate involvement in the ‘Jamaica Moves’ campaign, which encourages Jamaicans to incorporate physical exercise into their daily routine.

Jamaica Moves Road Tour Goes To Manchester
Project Manager at the Jamaica Red Cross, Kalesha Henlon (left), engages with stakeholders at a recent meeting held at the entity’s Central Village headquarters in St. Catherine to provide an update on the Caribbean Zika Response and Preparedness Project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). From left are Food Safety Officer at Flexpak Limited, Graceann Thompson; Sales Consultant at the company, Alan Rose; and Production Manager at Caribbean Products, Albert Plummer.
Project Manager at the Jamaica Red Cross, Kalesha Henlon (left), engages with stakeholders at a recent meeting held at the entity’s Central Village headquarters in St. Catherine to provide an update on the Caribbean Zika Response and Preparedness Project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). From left are Food Safety Officer at Flexpak Limited, Graceann Thompson; Sales Consultant at the company, Alan Rose; and Production Manager at Caribbean Products, Albert Plummer.

Jamaica Gets Support to Eradicate Zika-Carrying Mosquitoes
Secretary/Treasurer, Heart Foundation of Jamaica, Peter Bangerter (left); Executive Director, Deborah Chen; and Special Advisor to the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Allie McNab, having a light conversation at the launch of the Proven Run for Your Heart lapathon and fun day on September 27 at Emancipation Park, in Kingston.
Secretary/Treasurer, Heart Foundation of Jamaica, Peter Bangerter (left); Executive Director, Deborah Chen; and Special Advisor to the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Allie McNab, having a light conversation at the launch of the Proven Run for Your Heart lapathon and fun day on September 27 at Emancipation Park, in Kingston.

Foundation Stages Event to Promote Heart Health

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Health Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (right), and Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr. Carissa Etienne, about to sign a cooperation strategy agreement on Tuesday, September 26 at PAHO’s headquarters, in Washington DC.
Health & Wellness

Jamaica and PAHO Sign Cooperation Agreement

Jamaica and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have signed a five-year country cooperation strategy agreement. The agreement was signed on September 26 by Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton and the Director of PAHO, Dr. Carissa Etienne, at PAHO Headquarters in Washington DC. The agreement will see Jamaica benefiting from technical cooperation in health for the next...
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Programme Development Officer, Family Health Unit, Ministry of Health, Dr. Julia Rowe-Porter.
Health & Wellness

Gov’t Protecting Girls Against Deadly Cervical Cancer

Starting October, teams from the Ministry of Health will be visiting secondary schools across the island to administer the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to girls in grade seven. The move is a proactive measure by the Government to protect girls against cervical cancer, which takes the lives of hundreds of women in the country per year and hundreds of thousands...
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General Manager, Project Management, Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), Loy Malcolm (left); Managing Director of JSIF, Omar Sweeney (centre), and Chief Executive Officer of the Registrar General’s Department (RGD), Deirdre English Gosse sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on January 23 in Kingston. Under the MOU, 4,200 residents from 18 Integrated Community Development Project (ICDP) communities are to receive birth certificates. Standing is Programme Officer for JSIF, Dawn Allison.
Health & Wellness

Hundreds of Inner-City Residents Receive Birth Certificates Through JSIF Initiative

More than 1,300 persons from several inner-city communities have received birth certificates under a joint initiative between the Registrar General’s Department (RGD) and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) through its Operation Certification programme. Launched in January of this year, the programme aims to assist at-risk youth, aged 15 to 29, across 18 participating Integrated Community Development Project (ICDP) communities...
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President of the Caribbean Urological Association and Senior Lecturer at the University of the West Indies, Dr. William Aiken.
Health & Wellness

New Technology Revolutionising Prostate Cancer Treatment

New technology is revolutionising the way in which prostate cancer patients are being treated for the disease, to achieve improved outcomes. President of the Caribbean Urological Association (CURA), Dr. William Aiken, told JIS News that new information has been derived through extensive cancer research that could save lives. He explained that there are several new tools available that can greatly...
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Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith (left) addresses a panel discussion on childhood obesity at a CARICOM Roundtable Forum at the 72nd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN Headquarters in New York, on September 22. Others (from 2nd left) are: Jamaica’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Courtenay Rattray; and Chairman of the Panel Discussion and former UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS and immediate past University of West Indies Chancellor, Sir George Alleyne.
Health & WellnessVision 2030

Government Targeting Significant Reduction of Non-Communicable Diseases

Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, says the Government is targeting a significant reduction in the incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through policies promoting healthier lifestyles and measures to mitigate their effects on the population. She gave this assurance while addressing a panel discussion on childhood obesity at a CARICOM Roundtable Forum at the...
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Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (left), presents the keys to a new ambulance to Jamaica Fire Brigade Commissioner, Raymond Spencer. The presentation was made at the Lucea Fire Station in Hanover on Friday, September 22.
Health & Wellness

Local Government and Health Ministries Partner to Provide Ambulances for Firefighters

The Ministries of Local Government and Community Development, and Health have partnered to provide the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) with ambulances to boost firefighters’ capabilities to assist persons sustaining injuries in motor vehicle accidents and other mishaps. Local Government and Community Development Minister. Hon. Desmond McKenzie, notes that the JFB’s role “goes beyond putting out fires”, pointing out that they...
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Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (right), in dialogue with (from left): Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health, Dr. Winston De La Haye; PAHO/WHO Representative for Jamaica, Bermuda and Cayman Islands, Dr. Noreen Jack; FAO Representative in Jamaica, The Bahamas and Belize, Dr. Gillian Smith; and UNICEF Representative in Jamaica, Mark Connolly, at the launch of the 2017 National Breastfeeding Week & Conference, held at Jamaica Conference Centre on September 19.
Health & Wellness

Health Minister Says National Infant Feeding Policy Coming

Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, says Jamaicans can expect a new National Infant and Young Child Feeding Policy and the National Infant and Young Child Feeding Strategic Action Plan, which are both geared towards improving the health and well-being of the nation’s children. Addressing the National Breastfeeding Week’s launch and two-day conference at the Jamaica Conference Centre...
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