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With October being observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Physician and Public Relations Officer of the Jamaica Midlife Society, Dr. Fay Whitbourne, is encouraging women to examine their breasts and report anything unusual to their doctors. "We know that this is breast cancer awareness month and we really want to encourage women to get out there, be more aware, examine...

The St. Mary Health Department is carrying out a public education drive aimed at reducing the incidence of leptospirosis in the parish. Health Educator for the St. Mary Health Department, Mr. Riquel Barclay, told JIS News that the programme involves the distribution of information flyers and the staging of health education sessions on prevention measures. He said that a 'Health...

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Jean Dixon, has appealed for support from stakeholders for the Government's efforts to improve the status of mentally ill Jamaicans. "We need the assistance from stakeholders in two areas: fostering awareness of the mental well being and tackling stigma, discrimination and inequality; and in empowering and supporting people with mental health problems...

Four-year-old Tennyson Cole will benefit from the first Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy Surgery for spasticity in cerebral palsy, to be performed in Jamaica on Monday (October 12). The surgery will be conducted by noted Paediatric Neurosurgeon from Gillette Children's Hospital, St. Paul, Minnesota USA, Dr. Joseph Petronio. He will be collaborating with Professor Ivor Crandon, Head of the Surgery Department and...

Vice Chairman of the North East Regional Health Authority (NERHA), Dave Morrison, has commended registered nurses for their role in the health sector. "Nurses have always been at the forefront of health care in this country, and we will utilise any opportunity we get to show them how much we appreciate them. Your unwavering dedication is something to be proud...

The Ministry of Health's Public Health Inspectors will begin inspecting schools on Monday (October 12), to ensure that proper hygiene and sanitation practices are being observed and appropriate facilities exist. Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, in a meeting on Friday (October 2009), involving officials from the Health Ministry, the Health Department and the Education Ministry, said the Government has...

Six employees of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI) were yesterday (October 8) awarded for up to 20 years of service. The awardees comprise two Ministry of Health staff, who were assigned to PAHO; three CFNI staff members; and one PAHO employee. At a joint award ceremony held at the Courtleigh Hotel,...

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Jean Dixon, said that Jamaica has made significant strides in HIV/AIDS treatment, care and support. She said that the HIV prevalence rate has remained fairly stable and approximately 80 per cent of persons living with HIV are on antiretroviral drugs. "More than 90 per cent of HIV positive infants receive antiretroviral drugs...

The Ministry of Health has confirmed four cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) at Stella Maris Preparatory School in Kingston, after a team of health officials visited the institution and carried out their investigations. 'Due to the highly contagious nature of the disease, the school was ordered closed Thursday (October 8) by the Kingston and St. Andrew Health...

The Jamaica Midlife Health Society will be hosting a public lecture on 'Maximising Sexual Health in Your Mid-Life Years' on Friday, October 16 at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston. Public Relations Officer of the organisation, Dr. Fay Whitbourne, who provided details about the event at a JIS Think Tank yesterday (Oct. 7) informed that activities will get underway at...

Jamaica has achieved success in mental health care through the integration of mental health services at the primary care level, said Director of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Maureen Irons-Morgan. Speaking at a JIS Think Tank on Tuesday (Oct. 6), she said that over the past 40 years, Jamaica has managed to move...

Approximately 1,200 citizens of St. James benefitted from free health services, including dental, optical and pre-natal care, at the 16th annual Atlanta/Montego Bay Sister Cities health fair held from October 5 to 7. More than 26 health professionals including dentists, ophthalmologists, gynaecologists, paediatricians, podiatrists and general practitioners, and a team of volunteers participated in the three-day event held at the...