The Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) Laboratory in St. James has received ISO 15189:2012 certification from the Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC). The facility has been accredited for medical testing/examination, including haematology, chemistry, immunology and microbiology. With the certification, the Type A facility, which forms part of the Western Regional Health Authority’s (WRHA) laboratory services, has proven that its clinical...

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, officially opened the new $50-million Adelphi Health Centre in St. James, on October 17. The new 4,262 square-foot building was funded under the Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP), implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) and funded by the European Union (EU). It replaces the old structure and is now...

The Jamaica Association of Health Education and Promotion (JAHEP) will be observing its second annual Health Education Week from October 20 to 25. The week, under the theme ‘Advancing Community Health Through Health Education and Promotion’, will include activities to promote JAHEP to the wider Jamaica. “We want to use this week to highlight JAHEP as a growing professional group...

The Government is transforming primary healthcare to strengthen antenatal and postnatal support for mothers and newborns, says Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton. He noted that already, through the Maternal Health Programme, the Ministry is ensuring that all mothers receive high-quality care during pregnancy, childbirth and in the postpartum period. “We are reforming primary healthcare beyond...

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, is calling on community members to show greater support and care for persons with mental health challenges. He argued that a more caring approach will break down the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness and encourage more persons to seek help when they need it, and not feel fearful or...

The Westmoreland Health Department is urging increased vigilance against mosquito breeding as the parish sees an increase in the Aedes index. Chief Public Health Inspector for Westmoreland, Steve Morris, said that the Aedes index moved to 9.7 per cent in September up from 8.44 per cent in August. “We have been getting a lot of rains and so persons not...

Men are being encouraged to do breast examinations, as they, too, are at risk of getting breast cancer. The plea was made by Medical Officer of Health for Westmoreland, Dr. Marcia Graham, during the monthly meeting of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation, which was held on October 10. “Everybody has two breasts and whereas breast cancer affects women much more than...