"WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control" This year’s observance of World No Tobacco Day is focusing on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Jamaica is a signatory to the Convention. We ratified the Convention in 2005.  The Ministry is well advanced in the drafting of the Public Health Tobacco Control Regulations which will represent, when it is completed, a...

"On the move against Tuberculosis - innovate and accelerate for action" Tuberculosis (TB) is a devastating disease that kills nearly 2 million people annually, many of whom are from developing countries. The highly contagious airborne disease affects mostly young adults in their most productive years. This in itself creates a health crisis that must be tackled effectively by 2015 by...

Mr. Speaker: I feel privileged to be a Member of this Honourable House and to be part of the effort to chart the future of this blessed country. Constituency of South East Clarendon Firstly, I wish to thank the constituents of South East Clarendon who have demonstrated their trust and confidence in me to represent their interest in the Parliament....

I take this opportunity to congratulate the nation's nurses for the tremendous work that they have been doing throughout the years to assist in the health care of the people of Jamaica. Despite the challenges, we know that we all have to stand together and play our part in providing the best health for the people of Jamaica. Today, we...

Over the last five years, the world has witnessed the greatest and fastest migration into cities and towns. In 2007, for the first time in history, over half of the world's population lived in cities. It is estimated that by 2030, six out of every 10 persons across the world will be living in urban areas. This phenomenon continues to...

Jamaica joins the rest of the world on December 1, 2009 to commemorate World AIDS Day, which has been observed globally on that date every year since 1988. We have come a far way since then in educating and sensitizing our people about the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS. This year the general theme is simply Universal Access to Human Rights. This...

Chronic diseases claim about 3 million lives around the world each year and low and middle income countries like Jamaica are primarily affected. This is why I am pleased to take this opportunity to put diabetes in the spotlight as one of the Chronic Non-Communicable diseases that we need to take more seriously. We in the Caribbean, collectively and individually...

Mr. Speaker:I am honoured to once again stand in this Honourable House to report on the performance of the health sector over the last financial year and to share with the people of Jamaica some of the priority areas for this current financial year. First of all, I would like to thank my Constituents who gave me the mandate to...

This honourable House will recall that on June 11, 2009, the World Health Organisation declared Phase 6 of its influenza pandemic alert, signaling that the world was at the start of the 2009 influenza pandemic. Phase 6 means that sustained community transmission of the new Influenza A(H1N1) virus is occurring in more than one (1) WHO Region and that a...

June 14 is observed annually as World Blood Donor Day, a day in which we recognize the efforts of those voluntary donors who have helped to save the lives of millions across the world, with the gift of blood. On World Blood Donor Day, we also seek to heighten awareness of the need for safe blood transfusion and to highlight...

March 24 is observed annually as World Tuberculosis Day. With over 1.7 million deaths caused by Tuberculosis each year, this day brings awareness to a global epidemic and reminds us that we must work collaboratively to eradicate Tuberculosis worldwide. This reminder is manifested in this year's theme "We simply must stop TB" which encourages all people- those affected as well...