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The Ministry of Health is reminding persons to avoid mass gatherings if they have flu-like symptoms such as such as fever, cough, sore throat, and runny nose. Even if the symptoms are mild these persons are strongly cautioned to avoid crowded areas and stay home until they are well. "As we enter into the regular flu season we will be...

A contract valued at $26 .7 million, for the construction of a new Type 3 health centre in Duncans, Trelawny, was signed on the grounds of the Duncans/Dewar Health Centre on Tuesday (December 1). The contract was signed by representatives of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) and the contractors, Sharecon Ltd. Work on the project will begin immediately, and...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has assured persons living with HIV/AIDS that the National HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy is expected o be debated in Parliament during the 2009/10 session, which ends next March. The draft policy was tabled in Parliament on November 11, following consideration of the Green Paper (preliminary report) by a Joint Select Committee of Parliament. The...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles, has said that the Government is currently reviewing the Maternity Leave Act, to support the promotion of gender equality in the workforce. Speaking recently at the launch of the International Labour Organization (ILO) /United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report on work and family, at the University of the West Indies (UWI),...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is announcing that an agreement has been reached with the Nurses' Association of Jamaica, Ministry of Finance and the Public Service and the Ministry of Health today at a meeting held at the Ministry, North Street, Kingston. The new Heads of Agreement for the period April 2008 - March 2010 will be signed...

A gift of 6,825 blood bags and 60 suction machines, valued at US$61,624, or close to J$5.5million, were handed over to Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer today (November 27). The machines and blood bags were presented to the Minister by Food for the Poor, at an official handing over ceremony at the relief agency's Ellerslie Pen office, Spanish Town,...

Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, has made another appeal for Jamaicans, who are healthy and able, to donate blood at any collection centre, or the Blood Bank in Kingston. The Minister's plea comes as the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) is now in a better position to accommodate increased blood collections, with Food for the Poor's donation of 6,825...

The National Health Fund (NHF) has paid out approximately $1.95 billion for just over two million claims received from individual benefit cardholders during the period October 1, 2008 to October 31, 2009, representing a $43 million increase over the previous year. Chief Executive Officer, Hugh Lawson, speaking at the NHF's Provider Awards Ceremony at the Terra Nova Hotel on Monday...

A new Cardiology Unit, valued at $10 million, was officially opened at the Cornwall Regional Hospital, in Montego Bay, St. James, on November 24. The unit, which houses an echocardiogram machine and related equipment, was established by the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund. This is a major boost for the hospital, as it moves to enhance specialised...

About 30 women from communities in South Manchester have been screened for breast cancer, and have also received information on the disease. The screening and awareness session was organised by Jamalco, in collaboration with the Jamaica Cancer Society, the National Health Fund (NHF) and Jamalco's rehabilitation contractor, RECO Limited, and was held at the Winston Jones High School. Each person...

Persons living with HIV and AIDS can access financing for income generating activities or for training and education through a special fund. The announcement was made in a message delivered by Head of the Ministry of Health's HIV/STI Programme, Dr. Kevin Harvey on behalf of Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, at the launch of World AIDS Day and the...

The National HIV/STI Programme has unveiled its new HIV anti-stigma campaign, with two HIV-positive Jamaicans coming forward to reveal their HIV status and to participate in the national effort, which aims to end the discrimination associated with the disease. Jason Richards and Mrs. Rosemarie Stone were today (November 24) presented as the new faces of the 'Yes You Can' anti-stigma...