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KINGSTON — Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, intends to table a Bill in Parliament, “in a matter of weeks”, prohibiting smoking in public places and spaces. Mr. Spencer said that the intention is to significantly enhance the ministry’s healthy lifestyle campaign, which is being promoted in earnest by the relevant departments and agencies. Speaking at the official re-opening of...

KINGSTON — The newly refurbished Lawrence Tavern health centre, in West Rural St. Andrew, was officially re-opened on September 1, by Health Minister, Hon. Rudyard Spencer. Refurbishing of the centre, a Type III facility, which was done over a five-month period, between October 2010 and March this year, by the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA), was funded by the...

KINGSTON — Minister of Health, Hon Rudyard Spencer, says that there has been an increase in the number of persons accessing care at public health centres in Portmore, St. Catherine. Speaking at the official reopening of the Waterford Health Centre, on Thursday August 25, in St. Catherine, the Minister said that health centre utilisation in Portmore had moved from 55,394...

KINGSTON — Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, says the Government will be recruiting an additional 56 health care workers from Cuba next month, to boost the capacity of the sector. “We have a tremendous shortage (of health care workers) worldwide, not just in Jamaica...this is why the Ministry of Health has entered into an arrangement with the Cuban Government,”...

KINGSTON — The Seaview Gardens Health Centre in St. Andrew was officially re-opened by Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, on August 25 following rehabilitation of the facility. The works, undertaken at a cost of $9.8 million, form part of the National Health Fund’s (NHF) ongoing $300 million programme to rehabilitate health centres across the island. Included in the renovation...

KINGSTON — Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles, is encouraging young people to make use of every opportunity they have been given, while allowing themselves to be influenced only by positive role models. “It is all in your hands. I have never believed that anyone holds my future, except me,” he said. The Minister was speaking at...

MONTEGO BAY — Twelve manually operated wheelchairs, in various sizes, were officially presented to the St. Ann's Bay Hospital on Wednesday August 24, courtesy of the Rotary Club of St. Andrew's wheelchairs project. The wheelchairs are part of some 405 brought to Jamaica this year by the Rotary Club of St. Andrew, through the U.S.-based Rotarians Wheelchair Foundation. According to...

MONTEGO BAY — Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has emphasised that the Caribbean and Latin American regions need to work as a unit to educate their people, and help to foster safer sexual practices and healthier social attitudes. "Ultimately, once this is done, I know that we will win the fight (against HIV/AIDS) and safeguard the lives of our...

KINGSTON — Two Intensive Care Units (ICUs) at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) were renamed the John Homi Intensive Care Unit A and B, in honour of the late Professor Emeritus of Anaesthesia at the University of the West Indies (UWI), on Wednesday August 24. Professor Homi, who gave 17 years of distinguished service to the Department...

KINGSTON — Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, has emphasised the need for small island developing nations, such as Jamaica, to establish standards, particularly in relation to food, to ensure their competitiveness in the global marketplace, as well as to safeguard the health and safety of consumers locally and overseas. Speaking at a welcome reception for delegates...

MONTEGO BAY — The National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA), through its 'Tek it to dem' Programme, has been making significant strides in reaching out to homeless persons who are living with HIV/AIDS in Kingston and St. Andrew. “The aim of this programme is to provide a co-ordinated treatment and prevention approach, with emphasis on substance abusers and those tested...

MONTEGO BAY — Approximately 275 delegates representing 21 countries in the Caribbean and Latin America are participating in the International HIV Management Conference, which opened at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort, Montego Bay, on Sunday August 21. The conference will continue over six days under the theme, “Harmonizing Quality Clinical Care and Laboratory Diagnostics on Behalf of Persons Most at...