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The Port Morant health centre in St. Thomas was officially re-opened to the public on May 3, following an extensive renovation exercise. The centre, which was closed for repairs in January 2011, was re-opened by Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson. Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Ferguson said the health centre will assist in providing community based interventions to tackle...

Health Minister, Hon Dr. Fenton Ferguson, said the government is "profoundly concerned" about the devastating impact of smoking and the fact that more teenagers are abusing tobacco.  “It is with alarm that I have observed that the 13 to 15 age cohort is the group being seduced into the practice of tobacco use and the products are becoming more and...

Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, said that two studies will be undertaken to determine the state’s ability to adequately fund quality healthcare across the system. Speaking at a press conference at his downtown Kingston offices on May 4, the Health Minister said that while the administration is strongly committed to the no user fees policy at the primary level,...

Jamaican business owners, rather than trying to outdo each other, should instead, strive to be different. This is the advice from successful American entrepreneur, Mike Michalowicz, as he addressed Friday’s (May 3) opening session of the Jamaica Employers’ Federation (JEF) annual convention being held at the Sunset Jamaica Grande Hotel in Ocho Rios. According to Mr. Michalowicz, being different is...

Imagine your child bumping into a wall as he tries to take his first step, having been needlessly robbed of the gift of sight by complications from a rubella infection at birth. Then visualise your daughter being unable to walk properly as a result of poliomyelitis (polio), or struggling to breathe because complications from diphtheria have blocked her air passage....

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, has lauded the initiative by a group of business leaders headed by Adam Stewart, to raise funds for the Montego Bay-based Cornwall Regional Hospital, and to continuously support the development of the health facility. The group called ‘We Care for Cornwall Regional Hospital’, is seeking to raise about $156  million (US$1.8 million) by...

Jamaica is expected to have an Occupational Safety and Health Act by the end of the first quarter of 2013. Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, said the Government will fast track passage of the legislation in Parliament, once review of the draft Bill, which is with the office of the Parliamentary Counsel, is completed. Speaking at...

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, is appealing to all sexually active Jamaicans to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their partners from HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). “Once unsafe sex is practised you are at risk for contracting a sexually transmitted infection,” the Minister said Wednesday April 25th as he addressed the Communication for...

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, says that Jamaica has made significant strides towards attaining universal immunisation coverage for all children, with 100 per cent coverage of tuberculosis (BCG) last year. Also in 2011, the country achieved 92 per cent coverage for polio, diphtheria, pertussis or whooping cough and tetanus (DPT), hepatitis B and haemophilus influenza type B (HIB),...

Within his first 100 days in office, Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, signalled his intention to pursue institutional and legislative strengthening of the country’s public health system, by engaging in a number of activities. In January, the Ministry handed over six vehicles, valued approximately $12 million to the four regional authorities, as part of efforts to enhance the Vector...

The competencies of 40 community health aides (CHAs) have been significantly enhanced with their successful completion of the Ministry of Health’s training/certification programme. Implemented at a cost of over $8 million, the project sought to improve the CHA’s contribution to the nation’s primary health care system. Sixteen assessors/trainers also completed the programme. The participants were presented with their certificates on...

A private sector initiative to construct a hospital in the Negril area, of Westmoreland, has received the nod of approval from Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, with a commitment for the full support of the Government. Named, ‘the Negril International Hospital (NIH) Wellness Centre’, construction on the proposed facility is expected to begin later this year, at...