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Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, has signalled his commitment to work to strengthen the capabilities of the National Public Health Laboratory. “My task as Minister… is to help to facilitate your programmes and to recognise your work and your worth. You have in me as your Minister… one who recognises the need to strengthen your institution,” the Minister told...

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, has reiterated that there will be no changes to the no user fee policy at public hospitals before there is a Government health card in place. This is said, as the administration is determined to offer universal primary healthcare to persons who use primary public health facilities. The Minister was addressing staff and...

The Jamaica Cancer Society will stage its third annual Anti-Tobacco Youth Forum today (February 16) under the theme: ‘We hold the future in our hands… Let’s begin by making it smoke free.' Scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Girl Guides Association of Jamaica headquarters in Kingston, the forum targets students from schools in Kingston and St. Andrew, and...

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, has informed that the Government will retain the no user fee policy at the level of the primary health care system, such as clinics. “A waiver system will be introduced at the secondary/tertiary care level to allow for patients who are assessed as having the ability to pay to be billed and charged,...

The issue of HIV/AIDS has been a discussion topic for many persons within the workplace, as a result of the stigma and discrimination associated with this life threatening illness. Against this background, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) has embarked on several initiatives to raise the level of awareness about HIV/AIDS in the workplace. Programme Director for HIV/AIDS...

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, says a formal review is to be conducted on the impact of the abolition of the user fee policy on critical areas of the primary health care delivery process. "This review will determine the gaps in the system across a number of areas, including human resource, finance and the provision of medical, nursing,...

Members of two vulnerable communities in  Westmoreland - McNeil Lands and New Roads - are now better equipped to deal with disasters, such as hurricanes and earthquakes, as some 100 persons from these areas have successfully completed intense training in a project called, ‘Building Disaster Resilient Communities’. The project was a three-year initiative lasting from November 2008 to September 2011,...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security will be observing Safer Sex Week from February 12 to 18, 2012, under the theme: ‘Tek charge! Condom: check HIV Test: check Less Partners: check’. Programmes Manager for HIV at the Ministry, Peta-Gay Pryce, informs JIS News that the week’s activities is geared towards sensitising  persons about  the importance of taking charge of...

Some 203 locally trained nurses are expected to join the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) as of Monday (Feb. 5) to boost the staff complement in several hospitals across the region. Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, made the announcement on Wednesday (Feb. 1), following a tour of the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) and the Victoria Jubilee Hospital...

The cobalt unit used to administer radiotherapy to cancer patients at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), should be up and running within the next two weeks. Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, said that the Ministry has acquired the parts needed for the repair of the machine. He was speaking to journalists on Feb.1 after a tour of the KPH...

Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, has called on private sector stakeholders to partner with the government in implementing an expanded programme of community-based care and intervention for the society’s mentally challenged. Speaking  while on  a tour of the island’s sole institution for the mentally challenged, Bellevue Hospital, in East Kingston, on January 31, Dr. Ferguson said the administration will...

The Ministry of Health will begin a Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) immunisation campaign shortly, as it seeks to ramp up coverage for this vaccine, which is now at only 88 per cent. This move comes as Jamaica seeks certification from the World Health Organisation (WHO) as having eliminated measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome, this year. Making the announcement at...