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PORT ANTONIO — The topic of laparoscopic surgery was extensively discussed at the seventh Laparoscopic Seminar, held at the Robins Bay Hotel in St. Mary, on May 29. Laparoscopic surgery is a modern surgical technique in which operations in the abdomen are performed through small incisions, as compared to the larger incisions needed in other surgeries. Hosted by the Annotto...

KINGSTON — Health Minister, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, says the Ministry is exploring the possibility of making amendments to the Public Health Act and relevant regulations to address stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS.  He said that while the intention is for HIV and AIDS to remain “notifiable diseases”, meaning that cases of infection must be reported to the relevant Government...

MANDEVILLE — The Mandeville Regional Hospital, in Manchester, should see annual energy savings of $2.2 million, as a result of a steam system energy efficiency improvement project, and rehabilitation of its solar water heating system, done by the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ). The steam system project will result in a reduction in fuel consumption by some 20,583 litres of...

KINGSTON — There has been a 31 per cent decline in the number of paediatric AIDS deaths since 2006, Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, has informed. The reduction, he said, is significant, and is due to the increased access to treatment by HIV-infected children and mothers. “We would like to see an even more significant reduction in the number...

KINGSTON — National Poison Prevention Week 2011 will be observed May 22-28 under the theme, “Poison Prevention, Everybody’s Business”. Poison Information Coordinator, at the Caribbean Poison Information Network (CARPIN) Sherika Whitelocke-Ballingsingh told JIS News that based on the recent rise in cases of ackee poisoning; this theme was chosen to highlight the dangers of poisoning and to encourage persons to...

She had all the warning signs: a lifeless arm, slurred speech, loss of co-ordination and a severe headache: Cynthia Morant was having a stroke. “I remember being at home, when I began to lose feelings in my right hand. I also had shortness of breath, so they rushed me to the hospital, where I stayed for about a week,” she...

KINGSTON — The Bustamante Hospital for Children, in Kingston, is expected to save significantly on its energy consumption, while improving security for its users, with the installation of solar security lighting on the grounds. This involved the retrofitting of 19 High Pressure Sodium (HPS) outdoor security lights with more energy efficient 56 watt Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lamps for the driveway...

OCHO RIOS — Some 22 youth workers in St. Ann are participating in a training course that should see them gaining certification in the field of Community and Environmental Health. This was disclosed by Acting Chief Public Health Inspector in the St. Ann Health Department, Leroy Scott, at the sitting of the St. Ann Parish Council on Thursday (May 12)....

Governor General, His Excellency Sir Patrick Allen, has underscored the need for the development of partnerships to support the country’s heath care system, to enable it to continue to provide quality service. Addressing the presentation ceremony for medical equipment and supplies donated to the Annotto Bay Hospital by the Issa Trust Foundation on Thursday, May 12, the Governor General said...

KINGSTON — Private sector companies are being urged to partner with the Government to address the needs of the nation's health institutions. General Manager, Consumer Division, Lasco Distributors Limited, Peter Chin made the call at the media launch of International Nurses Day and Nurses Week 2011, held at the Terra Nova Hotel, yesterday. International Nurses Day is celebrated under the...

KINGSTON — More than 60,000 Jamaicans have been screened under the bi-lateral eye care programme, ‘Miracle Operation’, jointly administered locally by the Health Ministries of Jamaica and Cuba, since the initiative’s establishment in 2005. Cuban Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Yuri Gala Lopez, says the benefits accruing have mainly been surgeries, of which just over 6,000 have been performed, free...

KINGSTON — Twenty-two retirees of the Ministry of Health were honoured for exemplary service, at a function at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston on Tuesday, May 10. They were acknowledged for years of service to various departments within the Ministry, spanning 14 to 42 years and totalling 735 years, collectively. The retirees are: Marcia Hyman McKay; Violet Griffith; Beverley...