Tired of waiting at the bus stop? Is the thought of being squeezed in with other commuters too nerve-wracking? Combine these with COVID-19-induced anxiety and many will seriously consider driving their own vehicle, but first they will need to acquire a driver’s licence. In Jamaica, anyone over the age of 17 may apply for one.   Persons With Disabilities The...

Launched on March 6, 2021, the E-commerce National Delivery System (ENDS) was implemented as a part of the Government of Jamaica’s (GOJ) efforts to allow the quick-service industry to continue operating during COVID-19 curfew hours. The system is used by food-service companies, such as restaurants and supermarkets as well as pharmacies and delivery providers. Over 2,000 entrepreneurs are benefitting from...

Jamaicans now have the opportunity to be vaccinated against the coronavirus (COVID-19), which has infected over 47,000 people since the first reported case in March of 2020. As a part of the Government of Jamaica’s efforts to slow the spread of the virus, the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) is encouraging all Jamaicans to get vaccinated against COVID-19. However,...

Regular physical activity is essential to physical and mental health. The Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) recommends that Jamaicans use the additional time that is being spent at home due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to engage in physical activity daily to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Physical activity can have several implications for persons who have not contracted COVID-19,...

As reported by the Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS), colon cancer (colorectal cancer) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Jamaica. In 2018, 642 new cases were recorded and 373 persons passed away from the disease. This type of cancer occurs in the colon, which is the large intestine, or in the rectum. It is developed from abnormal growths...

Beginning in March 2021, the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) has made arrangements for the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to the Jamaican public. Vaccinations will be administered according to a schedule and the need and vulnerability of various sections of the population. Vaccination Schedule Following a public call by the GOJ, specific groups of persons will be asked to register to...

In Jamaica, there is an incidence of Down syndrome (DS) for 1 in every 868 live births, as reported by the Jamaica Down’s Syndrome Foundation (JDSF). The term ‘Down syndrome’ was originally called ‘Mongolism’ but was changed in the early 1970s after large-scale negative feedback. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a public health agency in...