The Government has allocated $744.22 million to support the National HIV/AIDS response in Jamaica. Details are given in the 2017-18 Estimates of Expenditure now before the House of Representatives. The objective of the project is to reduce AIDS-related morbidity and mortality with effective biomedical and supporting interventions; and reduce new HIV infections among key populations through behavioural and structural interventions....

The Ministry of Health is to receive $1.059 billion in budgetary support from the National Health Fund (NHF). This is contained in the 2017-18 Estimates of Expenditure now before the House of Representatives for its consideration. The objective is to provide support for improved service delivery in the public health system. To this end, the funds will be used for...

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO), on Friday (February 10), presented a new Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine to the National Public Health Laboratory in Kingston. The equipment, valued approximately $6.4 million (US$50,000), will boost the lab’s capability to test for the Zika and Chikungunya viruses by enabling it to better analyse blood samples. The...

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, says the Government will focus on expanding access to health care, improving the quality of care and promote a healthy lifestyle for the citizenry. Delivering  the 2017-18  Throne Speech in Parliament today (February 9),  the Governor-General said to that end, the Government will expand its customer service programme, which will focus...

The Jamaica Information Service (JIS) in association with the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) exceeded a target of 50 units of blood in a collection drive held at the agency’s headquarters on Tuesday (February 7). A total of 54 units were collected, exceeding the target of 50 units, aimed at providing at least a quarter of the daily supplies needed...

President of Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Diane Edwards, says the country’s medical talent pool is at a stage where a successful launch into the health and wellness tourism market can be done.  Addressing the launch of the Zierlich International Dialysis Centre at the GWest Medical Complex in Montego Bay, St. James on February 2, Ms. Edwards said that currently, Jamaica...

The Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) will soon have its own pathology laboratory. The laboratory, which is the brainchild of the Lions Club of Mandeville, was launched at Caledonia Road in Mandeville on February 3. It will be constructed on the property that adjoins the Mandeville Regional Hospital, which was previously occupied by the now defunct Public Works Department. When...