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UNAIDS Country Coordinator for Jamaica, Bahamas and Belize, Dr. Pierre Somse, says Jamaica's private sector is a pivotal stakeholder in the country's overall efforts at combating HIV/AIDS. Addressing the Jamaica Employers Federation's (JEF) CEO Breakfast at the Wyndham Kingston Hotel on Wednesday (Sept. 12), Dr. Somse noted the inputs of several private entities to this end, through the establishment of...

The National Workplace Policy on HIV/AIDS is to be tabled in Parliament shortly as a White Paper, following Cabinet's approval. This was disclosed by Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, during today's a Jamaica House press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister. The National Workplace Policy on HIV/AIDS is a framework for action by...

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, is again warning of the dangers of second hand smoke, especially to children. The Health Minister, who was addressing a health fair on Saturday (Sept. 8) to mark Caribbean Wellness Day 2012, implored parents to be mindful of smoking around their children as environmental tobacco smoke is just as dangerous as smoking. He...

The Ministry of Health is reminding Jamaicans to take measures to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes, which can cause dengue. Dengue is endemic to Jamaica and from time-to-time there is a seasonal increase in the number of reported cases in the country. Director of the Health Promotion and Protection Branch in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Kevin Harvey, says this...

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson says the government is willing to collaborate with interested private sector entities for the provision of well-needed generic medications. He said such partnership would be encouraged provided that these entities have the capacity to produce the generic drugs through public/private partnerships. "We feel this is the way to go in addressing our current...

The Government of Jamaica has awarded 43 pharmaceutical contracts, valued at $3.3 billion, for two years supply of essential drugs for Jamaicans through the public health facilities. The National Health Fund (NHF) signed the contracts with the local and international suppliers Thursday morning (Sept. 6) at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston. Lasco Distributors Ltd. was awarded the largest contract...

Childhood obesity continues to be a serious problem in Jamaica, with more than 11 per cent of children, 10 to 15 years old, and 35 per cent of teenagers, between 15 to 18 years, being classified as overweight or obese. The Government is moving to address the issue and other lifestyle diseases, through the recently established National Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD)...

Chairperson of the newly formed National Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Committee, Dr. Rosemarie Wright-Pascoe, says the group is committed to providing leadership in the fight against non-communicable illnesses in the country. Speaking at the launch of Caribbean Wellness Day 2012, held at the Ministry of Health’s downtown Kingston offices, on September 3, Dr. Wright-Pascoe said the committee will aim to provide...

Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), National Health Fund (NHF), Benjamin Waysome, says the increase in chronic lifestyle diseases continue to cost the agency billions of dollars each year, with a majority of its members being treated for at least three separate conditions. Mr. Waysome informed that a review of statistics from the NHF's individual benefits programme reveal that, on average,...

The Ministries of Health and Education have combined resources in an effort to promote healthy lifestyle practices among all school-aged children across the island. Under a "health promoting schools" initiative, educational institutions will be empowered to facilitate healthy choices and the development of healthy behaviour among students. The initiative was announced by Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson Monday September...

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, says there needs to be a multi-faceted approach to fighting the epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Jamaica, treatment of which is costing the government over US$170 million annually. He was speaking at the launch of Caribbean Wellness Day 2012 on September 3 at the Ministry’s downtown Kingston offices. Dr. Ferguson said that...

Acting Chief Education Officer, Clement Radcliffe, is appealing to parents to ensure that their children undergo the structured medical examination, being implemented by the Ministry, to detect any physical or mental abnormalities, which could affect learning and behaviour. Mr. Radcliffe, who was addressing a recent JIS Think Tank, said the aim is to give educators and parents an early indication...