I wish to commend the leadership of the Ministry of Health: - Permanent Secretary, Dr. Grace Allen-Young; - Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sheila Campbell-Forrester; - Professor Peter Figueroa; - Dr. Marion Bullock-Ducasse and all of her hard working staff at the emergency operations centre. I also want to specially recognise the staff at Hospitals and Health Centres, and at...

I wish to commend the leadership of the Ministry of Health: - Permanent Secretary, Dr. Grace Allen-Young; - Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sheila Campbell-Forrester; - Professor Peter Figueroa; - Dr. Marion Bullock-Ducasse and all of her hard working staff at the emergency operations centre. I also want to specially recognise the staff at Hospitals and Health Centres, and at...

It is with regret that I learn of the tragic death of a resident of Breastworks in Portland, arising from a landslide in the area caused by the inclement weather the island has been experiencing since Monday (Nov. 20). I offer my condolence and encouragement to the family at this time of bereavement. I have instructed a team led by...

It is an honour for me to address the 61st Session of the General Assembly on behalf of my country Jamaica. I congratulate you on your election as President of this Assembly. It is an added pleasure for me today to recognize your assumption to the Presidency, being one of only three women in the history of the General Assembly...

This year's Sectoral debate has saved the best wine for last! The fact is that the Ministry of Health won the Award for Best Ministry for the year 2005/6 based on a Client Survey for a Competition run by the Cabinet Office, as part of the Public Sector Modernization Programme (PSMP). I was indeed highly favoured when the Most Honourable...

The Ministry of Tourism, Entertainment & Culture has learned with much regret of the passing of beloved folklorist, story teller, poet, performer and National Icon - Hon. Louise Simone Bennett-Coverley at her home in Canada last night. I can state without fear of contradiction that we will never be able to truly measure the full value of Miss Lou's contribution...

I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of nationally beloved cultural icon, Hon. Louise Bennett Coverley. A renowned performer, poet and folklorist the "Hon. Miss Lou" as she was affectionately known, was hailed by generations of Jamaicans as the very essence of our Jamaicanness - larger than life, earthy, humorous, warm, good natured, highly creative and full of...

The three-month waiver of the Common External Tariff (CET) of 15% on cement granted Monday, May 16, 2006 is a short-term measure to address the immediate need to import cement. This comes against a background of difficulties importers are having in sourcing product on the spot market to fill the current shortfall, caused by recent production problems being experienced by...

A: INTRODUCTION 1. Signaled in my opening the need to "raise the bar" as it were, in the debate. From public reaction, as well as from Media comments, this has occurred. 2. Some of the proposals put forward have greater appeal initially than when they are subjected to detailed scrutiny. More of that anon. 3. Two persons who have never...

A significant feature of this new legislative session is the appointment of a new Prime Minister, the first woman to hold that position. We applaud her on her achievement and we hope that it will re-invigorate our efforts as a society to dismantle those barriers that still remain to the full recognition of the intrinsic and inalienable equality of women....

1. At the invitation of the Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Honourable Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, paid an Official Visit to Jamaica from 2 to 3 May 2006. 2. The visit served to strengthen bilateral relations between Jamaica and Malaysia and in particular, to further the development of an economically strategic partnership through the fostering...