Parents in St. Elizabeth and across the island are being urged to take advantage of the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ ‘mop up/catch up’ campaign to get their children immunised. Medical Officer of Health, St. Elizabeth Health Department, Dr. Tonia Dawkins-Beharie, said health professionals in the parish have been visiting schools and communities since the launch of the initiative in...

More than 1.3 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Latin American and Caribbean member countries in less than two years. PAHO Director, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa da Silva Jr., said the doses have enabled the region to achieve approximately 71 per cent coverage against the virus. “This is not a small feat. The...

Increased access to tests used in monitoring diabetes control has placed St. Thomas Health Services in a better position to manage patients, says Medical Officer of Health (MoH) for the parish, Dr. D’Oyen Smith. In an interview with JIS News, Dr. Smith explained that as the health facilities in the parish work towards achieving health and wellness among the population,...

Jamaicans, particularly those suffering from hypertension and diabetes, are being urged to screen annually for kidney disease, in order to reduce the risk of end stage renal failure. Consultant Internist and Nephrologist at the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James, Dr. Curtis Yeates, made the call ahead of Thursday’s (March 9) commemoration of World Kidney Day. The Day, being observed...

When completed, the Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) will represent a modern facility that will provide a range of improved and expanded healthcare services for Jamaicans, says Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton. The completed project is expected to deliver a state-of-the-art 430-bed, 387,500sq. ft. reconstructed hospital. Providing an update on the progress of the work at...

Approximately one in every five drivers who use alcohol, operate a vehicle under the influence. This was one of the findings of a study, titled, ‘A Secondary Analysis of Alcohol Use and Driving While Intoxicated in Jamaica’. The study, which won the award for the Most Impactful Oral Presentation at the 13th Annual National Health Research Conference in November 2022...

Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (second right) and Chief Executive Officer, National Health Fund (NHF), Everton Anderson (second left), display signed copies of the agreement for the National Drug Prevalence Study. The signing ceremony was held recently at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices. They are flanked by Head of the Department of Government and Deputy Director,...