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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...

MANDEVILLE – Administrative Director of the Jamaica Cancer Society, Carol Blair, is appealing to Jamaicans 50 years and over, to get screened for colon cancer. She said that advances in technology allows for early detection, which could save lives. “We encourage that you go to your doctor or go to the clinic and you ask questions. The most important thing...

KINGSTON – The Ministry of Health has earmarked some $30 million to boost security arrangements at the Spanish Town Hospital in St. Catherine. The measure comes in the wake of the invasion of the hospital by armed men last week, who reportedly robbed staff and patients or cash and jewelry. Hours after the incident, Health Minister, Rudyard Spencer, instructed the...

OCHO RIOS – A team of medical personnel from New York will be making a special visit to the St. Ann's Bay Hospital on Monday, March 21. The team, headed by Cardiothoracic Surgeon and son of National Hero, Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Dr. Julius Garvey, will be meeting with the St. Ann Medical Team (Hospital and Health Department) to discuss an...

KINGSTON – Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, is encouraging men to adopt healthier lifestyle practices to minimize risks associated with non-communicable diseases, such as prostate cancer. In a message delivered by Acting Director for Health Promotions in the Ministry, Dr. Kevin Harvey, at a seminar on prostate cancer, at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston on Thursday March 17,...

Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer says funds have been diverted from certain projects for which implementation will be delayed to put in place additional security measures at the Spanish Town Hospital in St. Catherine which was the scene of an invasion by gunmen recently. Minister Spencer was addressing a meeting yesterday morning (Wednesday, March 16, 2011) involving members of...

Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer has instructed the management of the Southeast Regional Health Authority (SERHA) to take immediate steps to put in place recent decisions made to improve security at the Spanish Town Hospital. The Minister was addressing a meeting on Monday, March 11, 2011 at the Ministry’s head office involving the management of SERHA, directors of the...

Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer has condemned the attack on Spanish Town Hospital by gunmen early this morning. The men invaded the hospital about 2:30 a.m. and reportedly robbed staff of cash, cellular phones and jewelry. “I strongly condemn this callous act. There is a pattern emerging that we do not like and we wish those criminal minded persons...