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KINGSTON — Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, has re-affirmed the Government’s commitment to a healthy and stable Jamaican population, through the repositioning of primary health care. He said this is evident in the execution of the National Health Fund (NHF)-financed $300 million Health Centre Renewal Programme, over the past two years, which has targetted some 60 primary healthcare facilities...

KINGSTON — Minister of Education, Hon Andrew Holness, has welcomed Friday's April 15 re-opening of the refurbished Olympic Gardens Health Centre, in West Central St. Andrew. Noting that the clinic had fallen into disrepair “for many years”, Mr. Holness, Member of Parliament for the area, expressed satisfaction that it will now be able to deliver quality service to the over...

MIAMI — International reggae artist, Orville "Shaggy" Burrell is the 2011 recipient of International Humanitarian Award presented by the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ). He was recognised for his contribution to the health of children in Jamaica through his Shaggy Make a Difference Foundation. Making the presentation at the annual Peacock Soiree, held last Saturday April 9 at Jungle Island...

MONTEGO BAY — Custos of Trelawny, Hon. Paul Muschett, says he will be submitting a petition to the Government for the Falmouth Hospital in Trelawny to be re-named the Victor Magnus Memorial Hospital. The move, he said, is in honour of the late senior medical officer for Trelawny, who gave outstanding contribution to health care delivery in the parish. Addressing...

KINGSTON — Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Senator Arthur Williams, has urged the Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) to be reasonable in how it handles the current dispute with Government over wage and fringe benefits issues. The Minister was responding to a five-day ultimatum issued by the NAJ, effective Monday, seeking settlement of...

PORT ANTONIO — The Ministry of Health has approved funds for the rehabilitation of the operating theatre at the Port Maria Hospital in St. Mary, and the construction of a health clinic in the Brainerd/Sue River area of the parish. Mayor of Port Maria, Councillor Richard Creary, made the announcement while addressing the launch of Health Month activities for St....

KINGSTON — As the National Health Fund (NHF) officially takes over operations of the Health Corporation Limited (HCL) on April 1, the Fund's Chief Executive Officer, Hugh Lawson, is assuring suppliers of pharmaceutical goods and medical sundries that existing contracts will be honoured.  He was speaking at a meeting convened by the Ministry of Health at the Altamont Court Hotel,...

Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer says after three years of the abolition of user fees policy, significant reductions have been seen in the percentage of Jamaicans who are now citing cost as a reason for not seeking health care. “One cannot view the benefit of the policy purely through the lens of the health sector. Despite the fact that...

MONTEGO BAY – Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, has emphasized that the opening of the newly refurbished Falmouth Hospital Maternity Ward forms part of government’s commitment to significantly improving maternal and child health across the country. “I am, indeed, pleased to be here to officially open the newly refurbished maternity ward at the Falmouth Hospital. This is in keeping...

KINGSTON – The mobile collection services of the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) have been boosted with the addition of a 15 seater bus, which will be used to conduct blood drives islandwide. Addressing the handing over ceremony at the NBTS, Slipe Road, Kingston on Wednesday March 23, Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, said that the vehicle, valued at...

KINGSTON – The island's complement of nephrology and operating theatre nurses has been increased, with the addition of 25 nurses in these specialist areas. They have been presented with certificates and awards, after undergoing training for eight months in nephrology and 32 weeks in operating theatre procedures. Addressing the graduation ceremony at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston, today  March...

KINGSTON – Wife of the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Most Hon Lady Allen, wants more volunteers, particularly those with educational expertise, to assist patients of the Bustamante Hospital for Children, in Kingston. She said this is critical, as some of the patients are unable to attend school for extended periods, due to the severity of their illnesses, resulting in the...