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Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson (3rd left), speaks with Senior Medical Technologist, Sickle Cell Unit, Sheldon Kelly (3rd right), about the High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) machine, which was officially handed over to the unit today (March 11), located at the Tropical Medical Research Institute, University of the West Indies (UWI). Others (from left) are: Vice Chancellor, UWI, Professor Nigel Harris; Counsellor of the Embassy of Brazil, Afonso Celso Nery; Director, Sickle Cell Unit, Professor Jennifer Knight Madden; and Pan American Health Organization/ World Health Organization Representative to Jamaica, Dr. Noreen Jack.

Government Acquires Machine for Sickle Cell Screening

Government’s effort to reduce deaths due to sickle cell disease has been boosted through the acquisition of a High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) machine. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), on March 11, officially handed over the machine to the...

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson (2nd right), presents a cheque for $14.5 million to Senior Lecturer and Executive Director of the Natural Products Institute at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Dr.
Rupika Delgoda (2nd left), to fund two studies on cancer treatment and prevention, during a ceremony at the Courtleigh Hotel in New Kingston on March 10. Others (from left) are: Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Fund (NHF), Everton Anderson; Chairman, NHF, Sterling Soares; and Principal of the UWI, Professor Archibald McDonald. Under its Institutional Benefit Programme, the NHF is providing grant funding of $35.4 million to finance five medical research projects at the UWI. — Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson (2nd right), presents a cheque for $14.5 million to Senior Lecturer and Executive Director of the Natural Products Institute at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Dr. Rupika Delgoda (2nd left), to fund two studies on cancer treatment and prevention, during a ceremony at the Courtleigh Hotel in New Kingston on March 10. Others (from left) are: Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Fund (NHF), Everton Anderson; Chairman, NHF, Sterling Soares; and Principal of the UWI, Professor Archibald McDonald. Under its Institutional Benefit Programme, the NHF is providing grant funding of $35.4 million to finance five medical research projects at the UWI.

Govt Provides $35.4 Million in Research Grants to UWI

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller (left), is presented with a book entitled: ‘Jamaica’s Nutraceuticals: Opening the Door to their Potential,’ by Scientist, Dr. Henry Lowe, at the launch of the National Nutraceutical Industry, at the Hope Zoo in St. Andrew, on March 5.

Jamaica Poised to Gain Large Share of Global Nutraceutical Industry – PM

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson (second right), is in discussion with (from left): Pan American Health Organization/ World Health Organization Representative, Dr. Noreen Jack; Regional Advisor, Tobacco Control, Pan American Health Organization, Dr. Adriana Blanco; and Director, Health Promotion and Protection Branch, Ministry of Health, Dr. Sonia Copeland. Occasion was a stakeholders meeting to discuss the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) needs assessment report on Jamaica. The meeting was held today (March 4) at the Terra Nova Hotel, and was aimed at gaining stakeholders’ commitment to addressing the gaps identified with respect to the implementation of the FCTC.

Health Ministry Assessing Economic Impact of Tobacco Control

Chief Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Marion Bullock-DuCasse.

Ministry of Health Issues Reminder

11 years ago Health & Wellness

NHF to Spend $3.6 Billion for Subsidies This Year

The National Health Fund (NHF) will spend approximately $3.6 billion this fiscal year, as it continues to provide for the healthcare needs of Jamaicans. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Fund, Everton Anderson, said the sum will be paid out to NHF beneficiaries in subsidy for pharmaceuticals, which represent the largest area of spending for the government agency. Mr. Anderson...

11 years ago Health & Wellness

Ministry of Health to Disseminate Joint Needs Assessment Report on FCTC Implementation in Jamaica

The Ministry of Health will be hosting a stakeholders meeting on Wednesday March 4, 2015 to disseminate and discuss the needs assessment report which was crafted after a joint needs assessment undertaken by the Ministry and the Convention Secretariat of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in collaboration the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization in August 2014. Minister...

Acting Chief Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Marion Bullock-DuCasse, addresses a JIS ‘Think Tank’ on Tuesday, February 24.

11 years ago Health & Wellness

Vaccination is the Only Way to Prevent Measles – CMO

The Ministry of Health is advising the public that vaccination is the only way to prevent measles in persons who have not had the disease. In light of the current outbreak of measles in the United States, which has now spread to 17 states, the Ministry has embarked on a campaign to ensure that all children between 1 and 6...

Director of Family Health Services in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Simone Spencer (left), says all public health facilities are open daily for vaccinations for children between ages 1-6 years. She was speaking at a JIS Think Tank on Tuesday, February 24. Listening is Acting Chief Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Marion Bullock-Ducasse. (Photo by Mark Bell)

11 years ago Health & Wellness

Public Health Facilities Open Daily for Vaccines

The Ministry of Health is advising the public that all health facilities, type three and above, have been designated vaccination sites for parents to get their children fully immunised. This, as the Ministry embarks on a 12-week measles prevention campaign for children between ages 1 and 6 years. Speaking at a JIS Think Tank on Tuesday (February 24), Director of...

11 years ago Budget 2015/2016Health & WellnessVision 2030

Health Systems to be Strengthened

The Government will be spending $10 million towards its strengthening of health systems in Jamaica project. The objective of the project is to enable the reform of the public health sector to improve effectiveness, efficiency and quality care in Jamaica. This is outlined in the 2015/16 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. For the 2015/16 fiscal year,...

11 years ago Budget 2015/2016Health & WellnessParliament

Project to Combat Infectious Diseases Allocated $20 Million

The Government has allocated $20 million for institutional strengthening to combat infectious diseases. Details of the Institutional Strengthening to Improve National Surveillance, Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Project are outlined in the 2015/16 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the Standing Finance Committee of Parliament. The objective of the project is to strengthen Jamaica’s response to the Chikungunya Virus (ChikV)...

11 years ago Health & Wellness

Of 14 Deaths Suspected of CHIKV Two Have Been Confirmed

The Ministry of Health is reporting that of the notification of 14 deaths suspected to be related to Chikungunya, two of those have so far been confirmed as having had the virus. According to Acting Chief Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Marion Bullock-Ducasse, of the 14 cases notified, there was insufficient data for five and of the...