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The Health Corporation Limited (HCL) is to be merged with the state-run entity, the National Health Fund (NHF). This was announced by Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, yesterday (November 9), when he piloted a Bill in the House to amend the NHF Act, to effect the change. Mr. Spencer said the integration of aspects of the HCL into the...

The Health Corporation Limited (HCL), Government drugs procurement agency, has signed nine contracts with suppliers to provide medical sundries to the public health sector, costing $279 million. The 18-month contracts cover some 142 items on the Ministry's Vital, Essential and Necessary (VEN) list, including gloves, gauze, cotton, catheters and injection needles. The contracts were signed at the Jamaica Conference Centre,...

Vice President of the Jamaica Midlife Health Society, Dr. Fay Whitbourne, has advocated increased diabetes testing, to control the disease. Her call, which has come as the nation prepares to observe National Diabetes Week, November 7 to 14, under the theme, "Understanding Diabetes, Taking Control", was made Wednesday (November 3) at a JIS Think Tank in Kingston. Dr. Whitbourne noted...

The Ministry of Health continues to intensify all priority activities for cholera preparedness, prevention and response to ensure that the country remains cholera-free in light of the recent outbreak in neighbouring Haiti. Director of Emergency Services, Dr. Marion Bullock DuCasse, told journalists at the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday (November 3) that the Ministry will remain persistent in implementing...

The Ministry of Health continues to intensify all priority activities for cholera preparedness, prevention and response to ensure that the country remains cholera-free in light of the recent outbreak in neighbouring Haiti. Director of Emergency Services, Dr. Marion Bullock DuCasse, told journalists at the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday (November 3) that the Ministry will remain persistent in implementing...

Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, has called on private sector partners to assist the Government's programme to promote healthy lifestyle among Jamaicans. He was delivering the keynote address at a wellness exposition hosted by Jamalco on November 4, at the company's plant in Hayes, Clarendon. Mr. Spencer said that while the Southern Regional Health Authority (SERA), in which Clarendon...

With statistics showing that more teens are abusing drugs, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Jean Dixon, says that a wide ranging public education campaign, targeting the age group, must be undertaken to increase awareness on the ills of drug abuse. "I foresee an anti-drug campaign that targets parents, teens and the society at large that is open...

As part of Government's efforts to better maintain equipment utilised by the health sector, Cuban technicians are to assist the country in this regard, Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, has announced. This follows a bi-lateral agreement between Jamaica and Cuba, which comes into effect July next year and will involve the enhancement of Jamaica's capacity in bio-medical engineering. Speaking...

Residents of Portland are being urged to be proactive against mosquito infestation in their communities, to prevent the spread of dengue fever. The call came from Vector Control Inspector at Portland Health Services, Carlton Blake, while addressing a dengue public education meeting in Prospect, Port Antonio, on Thursday (October 28). Mr. Blake said that even as fogging activities continue in...

Taking care of your oral health isn't just about a pretty smile. It has implications for overall health and is, therefore, a significant public health problem. One common dental condition that quietly affects Jamaicans and persons the world over is gingivitis. Director of Dental Health Services in the Ministry of Health (MoH), Dr. Irving McKenzie, explains this condition as "inflammation...

State Minister with responsibility for Local Government Reform, Hon. Robert Montague has informed that a solar/wind energy system will be installed at the Falmouth infirmary, in Trelawny, to reduce operating cost. "The tender is out to acquire that system and based on this experiment, we will be able to roll out this technology in other infirmaries," he told the House...

The Cornwall Regional Hospital in St. James is to be renamed in honour of the late Dr. Herbert Eldemire. Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, made the announcement on (October 27) at the post Cabinet press briefing held at Jamaica House. "The hospital will be renamed as the Herbert Eldemire Hospital," he said. Dr....