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Chronic diseases are the greatest burden on healthcare in Jamaica, with over 60 per cent of admissions to hospitals across the island related to these conditions, said Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Fund (NHF), Hugh Lawson. He said that apart from affecting one's ability to work and be productive, chronic diseases impact on family income and increases poverty....

The Scotiabank National Primary Schools HIV and AIDS debate competition is helping students to develop greater sensitivity and empathy for persons affected by the disease, said Relief Manager at the bank's Mandeville branch, Janet Billings-Frith. She was addressing the semi-finals of the competition held on May 13 at the Manchester Club in Mandeville. "By targeting primary school children, we have...

The Ministry of Health is advising that arriving passengers from countries, which have reported cases of Influenza A (H1N1) will be provided with health alert cards, interviewed, and samples taken from them if necessary. This is part of the Ministry's heightened surveillance and monitoring system. The MOH is still not recommending travel restrictions and will follow the guidelines of the...

Residents of Moneague, St. Ann can take advantage of the FREE "Beyond the Horizon" medical and veterinary fairs being hosted by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the United States Embassy until May 20, 2009. The team conducting the medical fair was at Faith Tabernacle earlier this week, and will be at the Lime Hall Community Centre from today...

Jamaica's delegation to the annual World Health General Assembly (WHGA) is traveling to Geneva this week. The delegation is being led by Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, who will be accompanied by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Grace Allen-Young and the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shiela Campbell-Forrester. Some issues to be discussed at the World...

The Ministry of Health is assuring members of the public that there is no cause for alarm when healthcare workers wear protective gear to care for patients who present with flu-like symptoms. Medical personnel are advised to wear protective gear as a routine precautionary measure. This does not necessarily mean that the patient has been infected with the Influenza A...

There have still not been any confirmed cases of the Influenza A (H1N1) virus in Jamaica, however, there has been a confirmation of one case in the Caribbean. In light of this the Ministry of Health has alerted all regions, parishes and critical sectors to ensure that priority strategies remain in place. These include continued heightened surveillance and monitoring activities...

Minister of Health Hon. Rudyard Spencer, has praised local nurses for the critical role they are playing in fostering the behavioural changes needed to improve the health status of Jamaicans. Mr. Spencer said this was vital, and in line with the Ministry's ongoing health promotion and protection drive, aimed at reducing chronic and lifestyle illnesses. Acting Chief Nursing Officer in...

The Ministry of Health is assuring members of the public that it will provide guidance at every stage as it relates to the Influenza A (H1N1) virus, formerly called Swine Flu and will inform all sectors of any changes to the status quo locally, and internationally, guided by the World Health Organisation. Persons are being advised to stay informed by...

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Registrar General's Department (RGD), Dr. Patricia Holness, is calling on Jamaicans to treat each other with love, as one way to help in the improvement of the quality of life for all. "Can you imagine the type of society we would have if we treated each other with the love and respect our mothers...

The Ascot High School will be moving speedily to implement the security guidelines recommended by the Ministry of Education, to ensure the safety of the institution's student and teacher population. Education Minister, Andrew Holness, made this disclosure to JIS News following meetings with school administrators and teachers of the Portmore-based institution yesterday (May 7). The discussions came in the wake...

When 32-year old Ricardo Lee succumbed to complications associated with vasculitis last year, his mother, Olive Creary was devastated. She recalls that at the time, local doctors knew of no case in Jamaica of anyone dying from the rare but debilitating disease. Mourning the loss of her only child but determined to draw attention to the condition, Mrs. Creary decided...