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KINGSTON — Amendments are being made to the Public Health Order so as to remove what could be regarded as discriminatory provisions relating to persons with HIV and AIDS. This was disclosed by Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer today December 1st, during a World AIDS Day Leadership Breakfast held at the Terra Nova Hotel. “The Ministry has completed the...

KINGSTON — Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon Olivia “Babsy” Grange, says that her ministry is currently in discussions with the University of the West Indies (UWI) on the possibility of establishing a wellness centre, specifically designed to serve athletes. “It is a demonstration of my ministry’s commitment to collaboration that we are considering this project as one...

MONTEGO BAY — Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Jean Dixon has said that if Jamaica is to make a significant difference in the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS, the population must be more educated and encouraged to demonstrate more responsible behaviour towards sexual activities. Dr. Dixon was addressing hundreds of participants in the National HIV/STI Programme...

KINGSTON — Have you been excessively hungry, tired or thirsty lately? Have you also been experiencing frequency of urination, blurred vision and/or unexplained weight loss? These could very well be symptoms of the lifestyle disease, Diabetes Mellitus, which has been categorized as one of the leading causes of deaths, globally. Termed, the ‘silent killer,’ diabetes is characterised by the presence...

KINGSTON — Patients of the Bustamante Hospital for Children in Kingston were treated to toys, and given the opportunity to meet Caribbean Community (CARICOM) dignitaries, who paid them a visit Tuesday (November 22). The spouses of the Presidents and Governors-General participating in the 14th Annual Conference of Presidents and Governors-General of CARICOM, engaged in lively interaction with the children and...

KINGSTON — Jamaicans are being encouraged to get tested for HIV and syphilis on World AIDS Day on December 1. On December 1, Behaviour Change Communication Officer, National HIV/STI Programme, Ministry of Health, Roshane Reid, said that all regional health authorities will be offering free testing for the diseases on the day. “So persons can come out and get tested,”...

KINGSTON — President of the University of Technology (UTech), Professor Errol Morrison, has warned that unless the prevalence of chronic communicable diseases, like diabetes, are reduced or eliminated, they could negatively impact productivity. Speaking at a corporate health and wellness power breakfast, hosted by UTech at Lillian's Restaurant on the university’s Old Hope Road campus in Kingston, Professor Morrison noted...

Health Minister, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, has underscored the need for greater effort in curtailing the growing prevalence of diabetes, in order to prevent it from developing into a severe uncontrollable disease. In a message delivered by Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health, Dr. Eva Lewis-Fuller, at a health and wellness power breakfast in Kingston, on November 15, Mr. Spencer voiced...

'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure' captures the essence of what the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) strives for, in their effort to reduce the abuse of illicit drugs and substances among Jamaicans. The NCDA has, since its inception, been working through partnerships with schools, communities, churches and corporate organizations, in an effort to promote...

KINGSTON — Thousands of civil servants will now be able to access affordable air ambulance evacuation services through the EMED LIFE LINE programme. This has been made possible through an agreement signed on November 11 between the Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA) and EMED Management, an Emedical Global Jamaica Limited brand. Approved union members throughout Jamaica will be eligible for...

KINGSTON — A full slate of activities is scheduled for this year's observance of Diabetes Week from November 13 to 19 under the theme: 'Diabetes Education and Prevention'. Organised by the Diabetes Association of Jamaica (DAJ) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the observance seeks to increase awareness about the chronic health condition. Executive Director of the DAJ, Owen...

KINGSTON — The National Health Fund (NHF) is reporting an increase in demand for diabetes medication with the Government paying out close to $1 billion in drug subsidy in 2010. "We have looked at our figures and when we look at 2004, we have increased from paying out subsidies of $16 million…and up to 2010 (we paid out) $940 million...