Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, says the move by the Government to ban smoking in public spaces will not be easy, but is a task that has to be undertaken to protect public health. He was speaking on Monday, June 3, at the Medical Association of Jamaica’s (MAJ) Symposium at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston. The Minister...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, has reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to have the proposed Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) tabled this legislative year. Making his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 4, the Minister informed that the most recent draft of the legislation was received by the Ministry...

The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) has committed to continue its support of the Government's efforts to reduce tobacco use in Jamaica. This assurance comes from PAHO/WHO Representative in Jamaica, Margareta Sköld, who says the organisation stands ready to assist the administration in its quest to, among other things, advance the passage of Tobacco Control Regulations. "PAHO/WHO strongly...

Screening will be conducted under the Jamaica/Cuba Eye Care Programme (JCECP), at several health facilities in St. Elizabeth, between June 3 and 7, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Persons will be screened for cataracts, pterygium (fleshy growth on the eye), and diabetic eye disease. The tests will be done at the Balaclava Health Centre on June 3; Lacovia Health Centre, June...

Some smokers are spending up to a quarter of a million dollars per year on cigarettes, without realising just how much of their income goes toward supporting their addiction. This alarming statistic was disclosed by Executive Director of the Heart Foundation of Jamaica, Deborah Chen, who was addressing a JIS Think Tank held on Tuesday, May 28, at the agency’s...

Member of Parliament for North West St. Ann, Dr. Dayton Campbell, has recommended that the Government increase the number of teaching hospitals across the island. This, he said, is critical, as the country aims to attain first world health status and provide holistic care for nationals. “Hospitals (that can) be targeted include Spanish Town, Mandeville Regional Hospital, St. Ann’s Bay...

Patients and staff at the Bellevue Hospital in Kingston are benefitting from the recent upgrading and refurbishing of the facility at a cost of approximately $23.5 million. The lion’s share of the funds, $22 million, went towards the comprehensive overhaul of the kitchen, to create the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, which boasts state-of-the-art amenities. The works included the repair...