The Public Health Department is urging operators of food establishments to adhere to the provisions of their licence, such as ensuring that staff members possess food handlers’ permits, maintaining clean facilities, and having running water and sanitary conveniences in place. Under the Public Health Act, adequate handwashing facilities must be in place, principal food preparation areas must be equipped with...

The Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) Nurse Practitioners gathered for the Seventh staging of their Men's Day on November 23, at the community square in Siloah, St. Elizabeth. This health fair, exclusively tailored for men, sought to bridge the gap in men's healthcare, addressing the common perception that men tend to shy away from seeking medical attention. Supervisory Nurse Practitioner,...

National Housing Trust (NHT) contributors now have easier and expanded access to loans under the agency’s External Financing Mortgage Programme (EFMP). The programme, which came into full effect on August 1, represents an improvement to the company’s financing arrangements, as it provides an increased list of mortgage institutions through which qualified contributors can obtain their full NHT loan benefits. It...

The Falmouth Public General Hospital in Trelawny is set to receive a brand-new industrial washing machine that will help to improve efficiency and reduce the cost of doing laundry at the facility. The much-needed appliance costs almost $22 million and is being funded by the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund. “Getting this will be a major improvement...

Newly minted citizen Richardson Louis is ecstatic that he is now officially a Jamaican. He was one of the 33 persons who were, on Monday (December 4), granted citizenship by the Government during a ceremony at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston. They were presented with documents formalising their status by the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA). “Jamaica...

The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) has ramped up efforts towards ensuring greater compliance by sector stakeholders, while heightening the entity’s visibility and accessibility to these interests. The agency is responsible for the conservation and sustainable utilisation of Jamaica’s fisheries resources, in a manner that ensures optimum social and economic benefits to the island. Principal Director in the NFA’s Fisheries Compliance,...

Hundreds of thousands of Jamaicans are benefiting from affordable, safe, and effective medicines and health products as the Government continues to increase access to quality healthcare. Through the National Health Fund (NHF), patients in the public and private health sectors receive subsidised drugs to treat chronic conditions such as cancers, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, among others. This is through the...

Portlanders who turned out for the first ever ‘Salute to the Parish of Portland’ have sung high praises for the event. They deem it an honour for their picturesque 300-year-old parish to be featured in such a manner. The event, held recently at Titchfield High School, featured a bevy of exhibitors and artisans, most of whom are native to the...

Thousands of residents in communities across St. James Southern are set to benefit from the Government’s enhanced water infrastructure project, which will improve supply in the area. Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, made the disclosure during a recent tour of water systems in the communities of Cambridge, Tangle...