Jamaica is to receive assistance from Cuba in strengthening the country’s Chikungunya Virus (Chik-V) response programme. Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, has informed that a Cuban technical expert is slated to arrive in November, to provide assistance in dealing with Chik-V and Dengue Fever, which are spread by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. He made the announcement while outlining details...

The Minister of Health is re-assuring that Jamaica is being adequately prepared to effectively deal with any Ebola case, in the event of an outbreak. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, maintains that there is adequate protective gear available for health workers, and other first responders, pointing out that arrangements remain in place for the acquisition of additional supplies. “The...

The Government has supplied booklets to operators of funeral establishments and mortuaries, even as it cautions members of the public to cease spreading misinformation on Ebola. The booklets are guidelines for the operation of funeral establishments, and are geared at preventing the transmission of infectious diseases. Developed through consultations with stakeholders in the industry, the guidelines seek to formalize operational...

Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, will head a delegation to Cuba on Thursday, October 23, for discussions with representatives of that country’s government. Assistance with Jamaica’s Ebola monitoring and response preparedness is expected to be one of the key issues that will be high on the agenda of the talks. The Minister made the announcement during Sagicor Life Jamaica...

The country’s preparedness against the Ebola virus will be further boosted with the acquisition of a state-of-the-art thermal scanning machine, at a cost of approximately $4.3 million (US$38,000). Capable of detecting elevated body temperature, the machine is being acquired by the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), with funds provided by Sagicor Life Jamaica Limited. The scanner, to be placed...

The Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS) is appealing to all women to do monthly breast self examinations and to also visit the Jamaica Cancer Society breast clinic. Women, aged 40  and older are also being encouraged to do annual mammograms, as statistics show that two thirds of all cases are in women who are 55 years and older. In an interview...

The Government has presented two of four hand-held fever temperature machines that it has acquired, to medical staff at the Norman Manley International Airport, with another 20  expected to be on the island within two weeks. “We have now moved to the next step, which is to ensure we have (an) isolation area at the Airport, to ensure that we...