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Positive health interventions have resulted in a lengthening of the life-span of our population. Life expectancy at birth in the 1940s was 52.9; today it is 71.5 for males and 75 for females in an ageing population that is growing at a faster pace than the other segments of the population. It is fitting that the theme for World Health...

The inaugural staging of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority’s (RADA) Wellness Day 2012, which featured free eye tests, cholesterol and blood pressure checks, took place on April 11 on the lawns of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries offices, in Kingston. The event was intended to promote wellness and healthy lifestyle practices among the nation’s citizenry, and specifically targeted RADA...

The National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) has been working through partnerships with schools, communities, churches and corporate organisations, in an effort to promote healthy lifestyles among children, adolescents and adults. As part of its mandate, the Council has the responsibility of implementing innovative programmes that promote and enable the prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and resocialisation of individuals affected by drug...

A total of 21 grant awards amounting to approximately $11 million (US$120,000), were on April 4 handed over by the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) to several organisations that undertake projects in the areas of education, healthcare and economic development.  Among the grant recipients were: the Cornwall Regional Hospital Pediatric Ward; Eye Health Institute; Missionaries of the Poor; Rose Town...

The Government is looking at constructing a children’s hospital in the western end of the island, and is inviting partners in the undertaking. Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, said the project is a major priority for the government as part of its plans for improvements within the health sector. The Minister, who was addressing the American Friends of...

Over 10,000 residents of Mavis Bank and adjoining communities in St. Andrew will benefit from the rehabilitation of the Mavis Bank Health Centre, which is being renovated at a cost of just over $16.2 million. The project, which is being implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) with grant funding from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and just over...

The Ministry of Health will be increasing its promotion of oral and dental care as part of the prevention services at the primary health care level. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, said that embedding oral health care into preventive and healthy lifestyle-related services provided at the clinics, will make significant contribution towards poverty reduction, as children and other vulnerable...

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, says there is need for an effective regulatory framework governing the operations of the funeral industry in the island. “At present, inspections of funeral homes are carried out under the Public Health Act, but there is no specific regulation for the funeral industry… It is not enough for you to just register as...

Have you been experiencing bad coughs that have lasted for more than three weeks? Have you been feeling weak, coughing up blood, having chest pains, chills, night sweats, weight loss and/or loss of appetite? These are symptoms of the communicable disease tuberculosis (TB) and could very well be signs that you have been infected. Caused by the bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis,...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Coconut Industry Board (CIB) are using everything at their disposal, including research and replanting, to combat the lethal yellowing disease, which is threatening the livelihood of some 8,000 coconut farmers in Jamaica. Currently, these farmers are cultivating 3.3 million coconut palms on 13,500 hectares of land, producing approximately 97.4 million nuts for...

The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) has taken a clear policy position to focus on strengthening the primary health care system, in its thrust to lessen the burden that is placed on hospitals in the island. Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, explains that there is an urgent need for citizens to use the services offered at primary care facilities where...

The Government is spending some $3.08 billion on two years supply of pharmaceuticals, including a range of drugs for chronic illnesses, such as hypertension. This sum is being expended through 28 contracts with as many local and international suppliers. The announcement was made on March 14, by Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, at the Jamaica...