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United States President, George Bush has said that the observance of Caribbean Heritage Month is an opportunity for the United States (US) to show its appreciation for the many ways Caribbean Americans have contributed to its growth. In proclaiming June as Caribbean Heritage Month, President Bush said: "Caribbean Americans have helped to shape our national fabric with their vibrant traditions...

Minister of Health and Environment, Rudyard Spencer, has announced that a $500 million rehabilitation programme is to commence this year on health facilities. He pointed out that discussions have been held with the National Health Fund (NHF) for the financing of the project. The Minister was making his contribution to the 2008/09 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, today...

Minister of Health and Environment, Rudyard Spencer, has said that more than 422,000 persons have benefited from the abolition of user fees at public health facilities. These include 217,565 persons at hospitals and 204,950 persons at 75 Type 3 to 5 health centres across the island. Making his contribution to the 2008/09 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on...

Minister of Health and Environment, Rudyard Spencer, has said that the vision of the Government is the creation of a health care and delivery system, which addresses the health problems of the Jamaican people in a comprehensive and sustainable way. Making his presentation in the 2008/09 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 3, Mr. Spencer said that...

Minister of Health and Environment, Rudyard Spencer, has said that the development of a viable health tourism industry is an integral part of the government's vision for the country's health care system. "Jamaica has an unrivalled opportunity to develop a thriving health tourism and wellness industry. Our location to the North American market, language, climate, and the outlay of our...

The Ministry of Health and Environment is working to develop its e-health infrastructure. Making his contribution in the 2008/09 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives today (June 3), Minister of Health and Environment, Rudyard Spencer, said that "e-health provides an appropriate response to the optimal use of our scarce resources." E-health is a healthcare practice, which is supported by...

Minister of Health and Environment, Rudyard Spencer, has informed that under phase two of the Jamaica/Cuba Eye Care Programme, some 12,000 persons will be screened. "One thousand and sixty-six persons have been screened in St. Thomas and 194 persons have been selected to undergo surgery in Cuba. Four hundred and fifty eight persons from that parish are awaiting surgery," Mr....

Minister of Health and Environment, Rudyard Spencer, has informed that over 1.8 million claims for prescriptions using the National Health Fund (NHF) card, were paid during the year. "The total cost to patients for these prescriptions was $2.2 billion, of which the NHF paid $1.3 billion, 59 per cent of the beneficiaries' cost. Hypertension accounted for 44 per cent and...

Minister of Health and Environment, Rudyard Spencer, has announced a $1 million training programme, specifically designed to undertake short term training of a cadre of workers who will support the team of highly skilled health workers who are in the system. He also pointed out that the Ministry would train over 500 of these persons at a cost of $100...

A National Health Workforce Development Plan is to be completed this financial year to provide the strategic and policy frameworks for the training, recruitment, remuneration and retention of health workers in the public health sector. This was announced today (June 3), by Minister of Health and Environment, Rudyard Spencer during his contribution in the 2008/09 Sectoral Debate in the House...

Minister of Health and Environment, Rudyard Spencer, has said that the Ministry will be putting a monitoring team in place to assist the country with meeting the health-related United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). "We will establish a monitoring team in the Ministry of Health and Environment to track the performance of the goals and to provide consistent focus and...

The Government is moving to improve renal dialysis services to assist patients suffering from renal illnesses to have greater access to facilities and treatment. Minister of Health and Environment, Rudyard Spencer, in his contribution to the 2008/09 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 3, said that existing public units at the University Hospital of the West Indies...