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The Government has completed the health sector reclassification, which is to be implemented over three years, at a cost of $7 billion. This was announced by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and Planning (with responsibility for the Public Service), Hon. Horace Dalley, during his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House on July 2. “This...

The Friends of the St. Ann’s Bay Hospital, in St. Ann, will host their annual Dinner/Dance, on Saturday, June 29,to raise funds to purchase a second Echocardiography (ECG) machine or other equipment needed by the hospital. The fund-raising event will take place at the Hibiscus Lodge Hotel in Ocho Rios, under the distinguished patronage of Custos of St. Ann, Hon....

Persons who smoke could find themselves facing fines of up to $500,000 and or imprisonment for breaching the ban on lighting up in public places. Speaking on Wednesday, June 26, at a post-Sectoral Debate press briefing at Jamaica House, Legal Officer in the Ministry of Health, Cheryl Dennis, said persons may be fined $50,000 or three months imprisonment, on conviction...

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, has emphasized that the ban on smoking, which takes effect July 15, is not intended to harass smokers, but to reduce non-communicable diseases. “I don’t believe we can try to police this (law) by witch hunting. Over time, as the public information becomes more available, and persons recognise that there is this ban...

Work is far advanced on three of the four Centres of Excellence for primary health care, being developed by the Government. This was announced by Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, during his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 25. [RELATED: Government Purchases 17 Ambulances] The three structures currently being enhanced are...

During the past year, 17 ambulances were purchased at a cost of US$884,323 for distribution across all health regions, Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, has informed. Making the announcement during his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 25, Dr. Ferguson said delivery of these units is expected to begin by the end...

As of Monday, July 15, smoking in public places will be banned, Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, announced on June 25. “Come July 15, no longer will our workers and children have to involuntarily inhale tobacco smoke, with its over 40 carcinogens,” the Minister emphasised. Dr. Ferguson was making his contribution to the 2013/2014 Sectoral Debate in the...

Cabinet has approved the introduction of a Government of Jamaica (GOJ) Health Card, for the first time in the history of Jamaica. Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, made the announcement during his contribution to the 2013/2014 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, on Tuesday, June 25. “Among its uses, the card will facilitate proper systems of monitoring...

One Authority for Sexual Reproductive Health, through the integration of the National Family Planning Board and some aspects of the National HIV Programme, has been implemented. This was disclosed by Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, during his contribution to the 2013/2014 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 25. He explained that this initiative will address...

An additional 44 Cuban medical personnel will be added to the public health sector in another month, including 29 nurses, eight doctors, six dentists and one cytology technician. “Among the doctors will be three pathologists. We expect that their work will assist us to have quicker turn-around time with respect to the examination of specimen and delivery of results from...

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, says the no user fee policy in the public health sector will remain in place for the 2013/2014 financial year. “However, we will be strengthening mechanisms for the collection of the co-payment from insurance companies,” Dr. Ferguson said. The Minister was making his contribution to the 2013/2014 Sectoral Debate in the House of...

Infrastructural improvements were carried out on several hospitals across the country during the year, at a cost of more than $375 million, Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, has informed. These include St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital, in St. Ann; Annotto Bay Hospital, St. Mary; Princess Margaret Hospital, St. Thomas; Black River Hospital, St. Elizabeth; Mandeville Regional Hospital, Manchester; Bustamante...