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Jamaicans are being implored to protect the island's wetlands, as the destruction of these ecological systems will adversely affect marine life, and ultimately, the human population. The urging came from Education Outreach Officer with the Natural History Museum of Jamaica, Dr. Shereene James-Williamson, as she addressed a function held yesterday (Feb. 2) at the Kellits Branch Library in Clarendon to...

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Registrar General's Department (RGD), Dr. Patricia Holness, has called for innovation in the public sector, as a way of ensuring accountability. "It is very important that the Public Sector innovates. If we don't innovate, we die. We need to be accountable and in order to be accountable, we need to be innovative," she said....

The Thai Government has donated US$10,000 to the Mustard Seed Communities, which will go towards the welfare of children with HIV/AIDS, and repair buildings at Sophie's Place, which were damaged by Tropical Storm Gustav last year. Thailand's Ambassador to Jamaica, Snanchart Devahastin, yesterday (Jan. 29) handed over the cheque to Father Gregory Ramkissoon, Executive Director and founder of the Mustard...

The Ministry of Health and Environment is committed to working with national and regional nursing bodies for the development of the services provided by the sector. This assurance was given by Portfolio Minister Rudyard Spencer this morning (Jan. 28), at the opening of the 37th joint meeting of the executive, education and practice committees of the regional nursing body, held...

Minister of Health and Environment, Rudyard Spencer, has suggested that policy space should be "freed up," to include the participation of more experts, professionals, and civil society in the health sector. Mr. Spencer emphasised that health is no longer an issue for just health professionals, citing the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Asia, in 2003, which he...

Marge Roper of the Counselling Service, National Family Planning Board, has said that the absence of a patriarchal figure in the home, is contributing immensely to the increasingly risky behaviour of adolescents. Citing research, the Counsellor told JIS News, that while the adolescent years are challenging and often characterised by identity issues, sexual activity is likely to start earlier in...

The Government has increased the 2008/2009 Budget by $18.4 billion, with the bulk of the additional expenditure going to liquidity support for the financial sector, as well as increased salaries for the police, teachers and health personnel. The Ministry of Finance and the Public Service will be lending $13.6 billion to the Development Bank of Jamaica(DBJ), for liquidity support for...

A state-of-the-art anaesthetic machine, valued at over $3.5 million, has been handed over to the Mandeville Regional Hospital, in Manchester, by the Rotary Club of Mandeville. Making the presentation on January 23, President of the Club, McClooney Blair, said in its drive to serve the community, the Club has used local fund-raising ventures, and help from its international partners, to...

A four-year pilot project, which is aimed at boosting the human resources requirements in the health sector, is currently being carried out in the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA). Speaking a recent media forum held at the Kingston offices of the Ministry of Health, which formed part of a two-day project steering committee meeting, Director of Human Resource Management...

State Minister for National Security, Senator Arthur Williams has noted that preparing for an influenza pandemic requires the leveraging of all instruments of national power, and coordinated action by all segments of Government and society. "Influenza viruses do not respect distinctions of race, sex, age, profession or nationality, and are not constrained to geographic boundaries," he pointed out. Senator Williams,...

Minister of Health and Environment, Rudyard Spencer has said that a holistic approach should be taken to combat the effects of an influenza pandemic, should one occur. This approach, he noted, is of critical importance and will ensure that "we never lose sight of the possible impact of an influenza pandemic on a wider economy and on national security," he...

A two-day workshop and conference on pandemic influenza, is being staged from January 21 to 22 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, to discuss and plan prevention strategies, and economic recovery in the event of an influenza crisis. It will also focus on the Caribbean Community sustaining power, sewer, food, water and medical supplies, and other critical infrastructure. The...