To help combat overcrowding at the island’s public health facilities, persons are being cautioned against rushing to emergency departments with only mild symptoms of dengue fever. On September 23, a dengue outbreak was declared in Jamaica. According to the latest figures from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, there are 1,117 presumed, suspected and confirmed local cases. Speaking during Wednesday’s...

A sum of $331 million has been allocated to support mitigation works across the island as the Government ramps up efforts to contain the dengue outbreak. Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, made the disclosure while speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (October 3). He said that $96 million will go to the municipal...

The Ministry of Health and Wellness has initiated its Dengue Outbreak Mitigation Plan, which involves search-and-destroy operations, clinical management, workforce management, surveillance, and public education. “The aim of the plan is to reduce the impact of the dengue outbreak on the population,” said Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton. “Already, approximately 500 temporary vector-control workers have been engaged and...

The Westmoreland Health Department is embarking on a comprehensive public education campaign aimed at raising awareness and preventing any further cases of dengue fever in the parish. A team led by Medical Officer of Health for Westmoreland, Dr. Marcia Graham, and Parish Health Promotion and Education Office, Gerald Miller, visited Little London on Friday (September 29), where members engaged residents...

Hundreds of new physician posts will be created in the health sector this year as the Government puts measures in place to strengthen healthcare delivery. Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, said that at the primary level, in excess of 100 new posts will be implemented and more than 600 at the secondary level. “We are moving...

Jamaicans are being urged not to use aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, or any of the medications/ pain relievers known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to treat dengue symptoms. Speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing held at Jamaica House on September 27, Director of Health Services Planning and Integration, Dr. Nadine Williams, informed that rest and adequate hydration are usually enough to...

Moneague College in St. Ann has launched three short courses in agro-processing to complement its Associate of Applied Science Degree in Climate Smart Agro-Processing. The courses are Basic Concepts of Greening, Food Safety and Quality Management, and Introduction to Food Processing Practices. The associate degree programme was developed in collaboration with the Council of Community Colleges of Jamaica (CCCJ), Colleges...