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A range of cost saving initiatives implemented by the Ministry of Health since 2009, should result in savings of approximately $1 billion, says Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer. Health Minister, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, emphasizing a point during the Ministry's Post Sectoral Debate media briefing at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston, on Wednesday (September 22). The Minister made the...

The Government continues to pursue strategies to attract and retain the nation's health workers, Health Minister, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, has said. He was delivering the opening presentation of the second segment of the 2010/11 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (September 21). Mr. Spencer pointed out that, over the years, successive governments have relied on a mix...

Hundreds of exercise books highlighting ways children can support mothers while they breastfeed, were distributed to students of the St. Peter Claver Primary School in Kingston on (Sept. 23). The exercise books, with front-cover illustrations showing children and other family members completing chores while mother breastfeeds, are the collaborative effort of the Ministry of Health and the United Nations Children's...

Consultant Paediatrician with the Ministry of Health, Dr. Basil Robinson, says the frequency with which children suffer from infections and other ailments, depends on how much they are breastfed. "Babies that are breastfed have less diarrheal episodes in the first year of life, and less respiratory symptoms. The illness of your child, how sick your child will be; there is...

Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, says Jamaica has made significant strides in the maternal mortality ratios (MMR), or the number of maternal deaths per 100,000, over the past nine years. He said data has shown that the ratio has moved from 110 per 100,000 live births in 2000, to 78 per 100,000 live births in 2009. Speaking in the...

Since the Government implemented the no user fee policy at public health facilities two years ago, thousands of Jamaicans who use the public health system for selected services have saved $4.14 billion. This was disclosed by Health Minister, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, who was delivering the opening presentation of the Social Policy section of the 2010/11 Sectoral Debate in the House...

During the 2009/10 financial year, 44 new projects valued at just under $1 billion were approved by the National Health Fund (NHF), Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, told the House of Representatives, Tuesday (September 21). Mr. Spencer said the total sum of approximately $921 million, included $127 million in assistance to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for 20 projects. The Minister...

Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer says that rehabilitation work on 36 clinics islandwide have been completed, and that another 28 will be completed by the end of the year, which would bring an end to Phase One of the project to rehabilitate health centres. Making his contribution to the 2010/11 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, today (September...

Jamaica has moved closer to achieving universal immunization, having achieved over 90 per cent coverage in Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) and BCG (against tuberculosis) vaccination last year. Minister of Health, Hon Rudyard Spencer, said it was an "outstanding achievement" given the environment of declining budgets, during his presentation in the 2010/11 Sectoral Debate in Parliament, Tuesday (September 21). He noted that Jamaica...

Minister of Health, Hon Rudyard Spencer, says Cabinet will re-examine the policy framework shaping the ministry's strategic plan for mental health, shortly. He made the announcement in the House of Representatives Tuesday (September 21), during his contribution to the 2010/11 Sectoral Debate. The Health Minister noted that a significant number of patients at the Bellevue Hospital, Jamaica's main mental institution...

The Ministry of Health (MOH) is to develop a comprehensive policy framework for health promotion, given the rise and impact of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Jamaica. Minister of Health, Hon Rudyard Spencer Making his contribution to the 2010/11 Sectoral Debate in Parliament Tuesday (September 21), Minister of Health, Hon Rudyard Spencer, announced that he has instructed ministry technocrats to include...

Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer says the breastfeeding campaign must be revitalised, so as to meet the national target of raising the number of mothers who give their children the breast at an early stage. "This is the way forward to improve our breastfeeding rates and in that same vein, ensure that our children are being provided with the...