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The National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) is currently developing a five-year strategic plan, aimed at boosting its intake of blood from donors to at least 50,000 units per annum. The NBTS, also known as the Blood Bank, is the central public health institution responsible for collecting, storing and allocating blood, based on medical needs. Former NBTS Director, Dr. Lundie Richards,...

Some 1,250 persons with specific eye conditions, benefitted from 1,410 procedures conducted under the Jamaica/Cuba Eye Care programme during 2012. This was disclosed by Co-ordinator of the programme, Gregory Thomas, in an interview with JIS News. He further informed that over 16,000 consultations also took place last year. The programme, which seeks to help reduce preventable blindness in adults, evolved...

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and accounted for 7.6 million deaths, which is around 13% of all deaths in 2008. Seventy percent of all cancer related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries such as Jamaica. In Jamaica, cancer is one of the top five causes of death in our population. According to data from the Registrar...

Minister of Health, the Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, has pledged Jamaica’s full support in working with the new Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr. Carissa Etienne. Dr. Ferguson was speaking to JIS News after participating in Thursday’s (January 31) swearing in ceremony for Dr. Etienne, held at the PAHO/World Health Organization headquarters in Washington DC. A native...

Director of Family Health Services, Dr. Karen Lewis-Bell, is encouraging Jamaicans to utilise the proper sanitation and personal hygiene measures, in an effort to prevent themselves and their children from contracting gastroenteritis. Dr. Lewis-Bell emphasizes that this is critical, especially as it relates to handwashing. The Ministry of Health is reporting an increase in the incidence of gastroenteritis in children...

Nutritionist, Dr. Pauline Samuda, says that while exclusive breastfeeding has increased in Jamaica, greater effort must be taken to ensure that the practice is sustained for longer than six weeks. Her comment came against the findings of an exclusive breastfeeding pilot carried out by the Ministry of Health, which found a fall off in exclusive breastfeeding rates after the first...

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson has indicated that the Government will be pursuing Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) for the development of the health sector. Dr. Ferguson, who was speaking at Tuesday’s (January 29) press launch of Heart Month 2013 at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston, said the arrangement is ideal, as it will facilitate private investments...

In keeping with its thrust to protect the nation’s children, the Ministry of Health is urging all parents to ensure that their children are adequately vaccinated for their age. Director of Family Health Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Karen Lewis- Bell, told JIS News that children must be adequately vaccinated, as immunization guarantees their protection against vaccine-preventable illnesses,...

Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, says that a strategic plan is being developed for the treatment of cancer. He said the idea is to provide an integrated approach to cancer treatment and care, and over time establish a centre of excellence, where quality care will be available at an affordable cost. The Health Minister, who was speaking to JIS...

Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, has underscored the pivotal role the National Health Fund (NHF) continues to play in the delivery of medical care, particularly in public health institutions. Addressing the staff of the National Public Health Laboratory recently, following a tour of the institution on Slipe Pen Road, Kingston, to view refurbishing and upgrading works being undertaken, Dr....

Minister of Health, Honourable Dr. Fenton Ferguson, says that over half of Jamaica’s deaths are caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and injuries, a situation that is threatening the country’s economic and social development. In explaining the impact of the shift in Jamaica’s morbidity profile, the Health Minister, said these illnesses cost much more to treat, with punishing results for the...

Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, has expressed satisfaction with the progress of the modernization of the National Public Health Laboratory and National Blood Transfusion Service, also known as the Blood Bank. Upwards of $21 million has been spent on both institutions, since December 2011, to undertake significant rehabilitation and upgrading works, which is being funded through a $60 million...