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Jamaica is currently hosting a regional workshop on how to deal with the mosquito-borne viral disease, Chikungunya. Persons  from over 20 Caribbean countries are undergoing training on how to detect and treat this illness, as well as participating in vector control activities. (Health Related: Gov't Looks to Curb Youth Smoking) Chikungunya, which normally occurs in Africa, Asia and the Indian...

A total of 109,854 clients were seen by the Health Ministry's mental health team last year, including  persons at health centres, hospitals and in communities, as the Government continues to strengthen the delivery of its mental health programme. This was revealed by portfolio Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, as he addressed the handing over ceremony for vehicles to the various...

The Caribbean Poison Information Network (CARPIN) will be educating Jamaicans about the impact of poisons, during Poison Prevention Week (PPW), slated for May 27 to June 3, 2012. Themed: ‘Poison Prevention: Safeguarding Yourself’, the week’s activities will encourage Jamaicans to protect themselves and children in their care from toxic substances and plants that can cause harmful effects to the body....

The National Screwworm Programme has received an injection of $15 million in the 2012/13 Estimates of Expenditure. The provision will be used to maintain initiatives to control the spread of the new world screwworm. This will be done through the distribution and application of asuntol powder and public education. Also, the Fishery Inspection Monitoring and Certification Programme has been allotted...

The Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) will focus on the health sector in its observance of World Metrology Day (WMD), which is highlighted each year on May 20. Speaking at a JIS ‘Think Tank’ on May 17,  Engineering & Metrology Co-ordinator at the BSJ, Richard Lawrence,pointed out that the organisation has developed  and is seeking to fully implement a programme...

A total of $307 million has been set aside in the 2012/13 Estimates of Expenditure for an HIV prevalence reduction project.     The objectives of the project include: increasing safer sex practices and improving attitudes and behaviours among vulnerable high risk groups; reducing HIV transmission by delaying sexual initiation, promoting abstinence and increasing condom use among sexually active adolescents; finalising and...

The Government has provided a cash injection of $30.6 million for the delivery of medical and mental health screening, assessment and treatment of boys being housed at the Metcalfe Street Secure Juvenile Centre. The allocation, set out in the 2012/13 Estimates of Expenditure, currently before the House of Representatives, is being provided under the Support for Metcalfe project, which is...

The government will be strengthening the national response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic for the 2012/13 fiscal year. To this end, $743.6 million has been provided in the Estimates of Expenditure, which is now before the House of Representatives, for the Scaling Up to Provide Universal Access for HIV Treatment, Care and Prevention Service (Global Fund II) Project. The project, which...

A total of $259.94 million has been set aside in the 2012/13 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, to fund the Jamaica HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Programme. The programme aims to curb the spread of the HIV epidemic, improve treatment care and support for persons living with HIV/AIDS, and to strengthen Jamaica’s capacity to respond to the...

Over the years, HIV has become a significant health, economic and workplace issue with the potential to negatively affect productivity and development. Stigma and discrimination help to fuel the spread of HIV, standing as major obstacles to prevention services as well as to treatment, care and support for people living with the virus. While there is no cure for HIV,...

The government is putting several strategies in place to tackle non-communicable diseases (NCDs), also called lifestyle illnesses. These conditions are responsible for the majority of deaths locally, and are also putting a strain on the public purse, costing the government billions of dollars per year to provide treatment.  According to Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, chronic conditions such as...

Minister of Education, Rev. Hon. Ronald Thwaites, says the Ministry is seeking to have the benefits of students under the Programme for Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) increased, particularly the nutrition component. He said this is critical as students’ ability to learn is often severely impacted by the lack of proper nutrition. “If parents and the entire culture will...