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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...

Hundreds of children from Lilliput and surrounding communities in St. James on August 29 benefited from free medical checks, which are required for the start of school on September 3. At a health and information fair held on the grounds of the Lilliput New Testament Church of God, the children, some of whom will be attending school for the first...

Hundreds of citizens from Madras and adjoining communities in northeastern St. Ann are now proud beneficiaries of a new health centre. The centre was established by the Harris Family Vision Foundation, at a cost of approximately $1.5 million. Dr. the Hon. Fenton Ferguson, officially opened the Madras Health Centre on August 17 during a ceremony at the Ebenezer Baptist Church...

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, has signed three contracts valuing in total $40 million, to upgrade sections of three health care facilities in Western Jamaica. The projects are being funded by the National Health Fund (NHF) and will see work being carried out on the kitchen of the St. James based Cornwall Regional Hospital at a cost of...

With the new academic year set to begin on September 3, parents are being urged to ensure that their children are fully immunised. This call was made by Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, during a handing over ceremony at the Ministry’s offices in downtown Kingston on August 15. "Be reminded that in a few weeks children will either...

The Ministry of Health's efforts to provide immunisation services to children in every nook and cranny of the island, has been strengthened with the handing over of two refrigerators by the Kiwanis Club of Constant Spring. The appliances, valued at $100,000, will be placed at the York Town Health Centre in Clarendon and the Bethel Town Health Centre in Westmoreland....

The Jamaica Social Investment Fund on August 14 handed over two ambulances, valued at $6.2 million, to the Ministry of Health to be utilised by the North East Regional Health Authority. Purchase of the ambulances was made possible through the Government of Jamaica, under the European Union-funded Tropical Storm Gustav Emergency Recovery Project. The ambulances will assist in emergency response...

The Alexandria Community Hospital in St. Ann is to be upgraded to offer additional services. It will also be designated a Centre of Excellence sometime in the future. This was announced by Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, when he addressed staff at the facility on August 9. "It is a fine institution nested in a most beautiful setting....

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, said the Government is looking to undertake a comprehensive reform of the mental health sector, to improve the level of care given to persons with mental illness. The Minister was speaking at the National Mental Health Officer's Symposium held on August 3 at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston. He informed that the...