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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...

Residents of the Hanover Infirmary are to benefit from new and improved residential amenities. The new facility, which will be built at a cost of $27.2 million, will provide accommodation for 40 persons. Speaking at the contract signing ceremony at the Department of Local Government offices, in Kingston, on September 20, Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government, Robert...

A 3-month Dengue public education campaign will begin on Wednesday, September 22, at the Port Antonio Town Square, Portland. It is aimed at sensitising residents of the parish to the importance of eradicating mosquito infestation in their communities, and building awareness about the signs and symptoms of the disease. It is being organised by the Portland Health Services, in collaboration...

Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer will be opening the social policy section of the sectoral debate in parliament on Tuesday, September 21, 2010. In his opening presentation, Minister Spencer will be examining the broad social policy framework of the country. Speaking under the theme: 'Positioning for Growth: The National Health Agenda', the Minister's presentation will cover a number of...

Women's healthcare has been given a boost, with Tuesday's (September 14) groundbreaking for the Queen Sophia of Spain Women's Centre, at the Spanish Town Hospital, St. Catherine. The centre is expected to improve access to care and broaden the range of services available to women in the communities served by the hospital. The project involves the construction of a two-storey...