The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information is advising schools to be on the lookout for symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease (HMFD) among children. Initial signs of the disease include fever and general malaise (poor appetite, aches and pain, etc.).  These symptoms generally last for one to two days before a blister-like rash appears on the hands, feet...

The Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF) has strengthened its sexual and reproductive health support services provided to teen mothers through the opening of an Adolescent Resource Centre (ARC). The German Embassy provided $1.8 million for the refurbishing and equipping of existing space at the WCJF Kingston campus to house the facility. Speaking at the official opening ceremony on Wednesday...

 

The Health Ministry is reporting that there is no microcephaly case linked to the Zika virus (ZIKV). Based on data provided by the Ministry at a press conference at its New Kingston Office on October 13, there have been three cases of microcephaly in children reported to the Ministry as at October 12. However, none was defined as severe microcephaly...

Minister of Health Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton says details of the exercise programme ‘Jamaica Moves’ will be announced shortly. The initiative is part of measures to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension and cancers. “You will hear more about it in the months to come, but it’s all about getting Jamaicans even just to walk more,” Dr. Tufton said....

Health Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, says he will be thoroughly reviewing a report presented to him on the deaths of four newborns at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital (VJH) last month. The babies, who were in the Special Care Nursery (SCN)/Neonatal Care Unit (NCU) at VJH, died within two days of birth. Investigations have shown that the infants’ deaths...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, said having effective quality assurance systems in industries is crucial to the Government’s economic growth strategy. “Quality assurance is a key factor in our enterprises and industries being competitive, securing markets and building consumer confidence in our products,” he said. Mr. Holness was addressing the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) National Quality Awards...