Residents of 11 communities close to the University of Technology’s (UTech) Papine campus are to benefit from a series of interventions aimed at strengthening community systems and to reach unengaged youth. The initiative, dubbed ‘Papine Wellness Fest’, involves collaboration among the University of Technology (UTech), the Papine Development Area Committee (PDAC) and the Social Development Commission (SDC). Beneficiary communities are...

The Independence Park Limited wishes to remind the public that no smoking is permitted at any of its facilities. Persons who fail to follow the rules could find themselves facing huge fines or imprisonment for breaching the ban. Fines range from $10,000 for a first offence; $25,000 for a second, and $50,000 for subsequent offences. A ban on smoking in...

For the past six years, the New Jersey-based Diaspora charity, Jamaicans Abroad Helping Jamaicans At Home (JAHJAH), has been quietly carving out a legacy of service in health care in communities across Jamaica. Whether it is providing free medical treatment to needy persons, donating equipment and supplies to public hospitals and health centres or the sharing of expertise with local...

The National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) or Blood Bank is looking to attract consistent numbers of voluntary donors as the entity seeks to meet its annual target of approximately 60,000 units. Speaking in an interview with JIS News, NBTS Blood Donor Organiser, Igol Allen explained that many persons are unaware of the importance of donating blood outside of periods of...

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) is expected to make an announcement by the end of the month on the outcome of discussions for the compensation of motorists affected by contaminated gas. Chairman of the CAC, Kent Gammon told JIS News in a January 19 interview that dialogue continues with stakeholders in the petroleum industry to arrive at a resolution. “We...

Medical Chief of Staff and Consultant Neurosurgeon at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), Dr. Carl Bruce, has provided further clarification on the recent cancellation of major surgeries at the institution, which was announced by Board Chairman, James Moss-Solomon. Dr. Bruce, who was speaking at a recent St. Andrew North Rotary Club meeting at the Institute of Chartered...

The Ministry of Health is undertaking measures to curtail the onset of malaria following reports of two cases surfacing in Jamaica which were identified by local health authorities at the start of the year. The National Public Health Laboratory confirmed one case on January 5 while the second, which was reported by a private laboratory on January 6, is awaiting...