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Minister of Health, Dr. Fenton Ferguson (centre), addresses a press briefing held at Jamaica House on Monday, February 16, to announce Government’s allocation of $54.4 million for a Measles Prevention Campaign, which will run from February 16 to May 8. Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Marion Bullock DuCasse; and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Kevin Harvey, were also at the briefing.

Govt Embarks on $54.4 Million Measles Prevention Campaign

The Government is to spend $54.4 million to implement a Measles Prevention Campaign, which will run from February 16 to May 8, 2015. Ministry of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, made the announcement at a press briefing held on Monday,...

Health Minister, Hon. Dr Fenton Ferguson (left), outlining plans for the earmarked upgrading of the Negril Health Centre in Westmoreland, to a world class Urgent Care Centre, under the Government’s proposed North to West Trauma Plan implementation, following a tour of the institution on February 13. Listening is Tourism and Entertainment Minister and Member of Parliament for Western Westmoreland, where the centre is located , Hon Dr Wykeham McNeill.

Five Public Health Institutions to Be Upgraded Under North to West Trauma Plan

Health Minister, Hon. Dr Fenton Ferguson ((2nd left), and Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Hon Dr Wykeham McNeill (3rd left), discuss details of the planned renovation of the Grange Hill Health Centre in Westmoreland, with representatives of the Health Ministry and the institution, during a tour of the facility on February 13. Phase one of the renovations will be carried out over the next six months at a cost of $20 million, under the Health Ministry’s Primary Health Care Renewal Programme. Financing has been provided by the National Health Fund (NHF). Among those touring with the Ministers were: Deputy Chairman, Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), Calvin Brown (left); Medical Officer of Health for Westmoreland, Dr Khaushal Singh (centre); Public Health Nurse, Carol Smith Beharie (3rd right); WRHA Director, Wayne Vacciana (2nd right); and Special Advisor to Dr. Ferguson, Hurley Taylor.

$20M Renovation for Grange Hill Health Centre in Westmoreland

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson (left), cuts the ribbon to open the newly refurbished Nannyville Health Centre in South East St. Andrew Wednesday (February 11). Sharing the moment (from 2nd left) are: State Minister for Science, Technology, Energy and Mining and Member of Parliament for South East St. Andrew, Hon. Julian Robinson; Board Chairman for the South East Regional Health Authority, Dr. Andrei Cooke; and Deputy Mayor of Kingston and Councillor for the Vineyard Town Division, Andrew Swaby.

Gov’t Invests $620 Million in Refurbishing Health Centres

Director of Prevention and Outreach at the National Family Planning Board (NFPB), Marion Scott.

More Jamaican Women Using Contraceptives

From left: President of the Jamaican Epilepsy Association, Nora Perez; Executive Director of the Jamaican Epilepsy Association, Joy McHugh; Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Fund (NHF), Everton Anderson; and Director General of the Jamaica Library Service (JLS), Karen Barton, display a copy of the children’s book on epilepsy, which the NHF has donated to the JLS. The presentation took place on February 9 at the JLS’ Tom Redcam headquarters in Kingston.

11 years ago Health & Wellness

NHF Provides $51.8 Million in Drug Subsidy for Epileptics

The National Health Fund (NHF) provided $51.8 million in medication subsidy for persons with epilepsy during the period April 2014 to January 2015. There were 45,122 claims over the nine-month period and 6,195 claimants. NHF Chief Executive Officer, Everton Anderson, informed that the fund enrolls about 1,200 persons with epilepsy each year and the number stood at 13,059 as at...

The building, which will house the Ebola isolation unit and triage at the Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay.

11 years ago Health & Wellness

Ebola Unit At Cornwall Regional To Be Completed This Month

The Ebola isolation unit and triage, being established at the Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay, should be up and ready by the middle of this month. Chief Executive Officer at the hospital, Anthony Smykle, told JIS News that the facility is almost complete. “It just needs minor fixtures to be put in place and certainly, by the middle of...

Regional Psychiatrist with the Western Regional Health Authority, Dr. Lizbeth Crossman, engages mental health and counselling professionals in the western region on the latest techniques in drug treatment for adolescents.

11 years ago Health & Wellness

Psychiatrist Calls for Early Intervention Against Misuse of Drugs

Regional Psychiatrist with the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), Dr. Lizbeth Crossman, is appealing to parents and teachers to engage children in education on the dangers of drug misuse from as early as basic school. In an interview with JIS News, Dr. Crossman said “the ways in which young people use and misuse drugs are usually dependent on what knowledge...

Minister of Health, the Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson. (FILE)

11 years ago Health & Wellness

Renewed Focus on Mental Health

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, says during the next fiscal year, renewed focus and emphasis will be placed on addressing areas within the health sector, particularly mental health. “I expect that this year’s budget will be considerably more favourable than past years and the health sector in general will be better represented, so we can address some of...

Nutritionist at the Heart Foundation of Jamaica, Frances Mahfood, addressing a JIS Think Tank on Tuesday, February 3 .

11 years ago Health & Wellness

See Food as Medicine – Nutritionist

The Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ) is encouraging Jamaicans to recognise the medicinal value of food and use it to their advantage. Nutritionist at the HFJ, Francis Mahfood, said that people are consuming too much food and are eating the wrong things, and more emphasis should be placed on nutrition. “The most important foods to include in your diet are...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson (2nd left), along with Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson (left), break ground for the $42 million renovation of the Hagley Park Health Centre, in St. Andrew, on February 6. Others are (from left): Chairman of the National Health Fund (NHF), Sterling Soares, and Chairman of the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA), Dr. Andrei Cooke.

11 years ago Health & WellnessOffice of the Prime MinisterPrime Minister

Hagley Park Health Centre to be Renovated

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, has broken ground for the $42 million renovation of the Hagley Park Health Centre, in St. Andrew, to be completed in 10 months. The facility serves some 27,000 residents in the area, and the Prime Minister, while addressing the groundbreaking ceremony, on February 6, pleaded with members of the public to cooperate...

11 years ago Health & Wellness

Heart Foundation Lauds NHF for Subsidies on Medications

As the Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ) embarks on another month of increased awareness for the prevention of heart diseases, it is lauding the National Health Fund (NHF) for preserving the health of Jamaicans. Each year the HFJ observes February as Heart Month, when it stages exhibitions and other outreach activities across the island to promote healthy hearts. Executive Director...