Minister of Health, Dr. Fenton Ferguson says efforts to clean-up communities and destroy mosquito breeding sites should be ongoing all year round across the island. Dr. Ferguson was speaking during today's clean-up activity in select communities in St. Thomas. He said the idea is to demonstrate the Government's commitment while motivating citizens to take their responsibility seriously with respect to...

The Jamaican authorities have stepped up planning for the prevention of Ebola and for effective management, should the virus present itself in the island. This was disclosed by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller today (October 9), during a press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister. Mrs. Simpson Miller noted that the Ministry of Health is...

STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER MOST HON. PORTIA SIMPSON MILLER ON, MP AT MEDIA BRIEFING OF NATIONAL RESPONSE MECHANISM TO CHIKV OUTBREAK, Thursday, October 9, 2014   Ladies and gentlemen, good morning.   Last week, I activated the National Response Mechanism in an effort to channel more resources – both human and financial – to dealing with the current Chikungunya outbreak in...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, says that $500 million has been allocated towards the national health emergency response. The money will be used to facilitate cleanup activities, as part of the national Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV) response, and other urgent needs of the Ministry of Health. The Prime Minister was speaking on Thursday, October 9, during a press...

Jamaicans Urged to invest in JSE, Legislation Passed to Strengthen Jamaica’s Disaster Preparedness & Response mechanism and ODPEM toll free line for chikungunya reports back in service.

Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for South West St. Andrew, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller (right), and Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson (left), participate in clean-up activities to stem the spread of the Chikungunya virus, in the Payne Land Division, on October 4.

The extensively refurbished and expanded Williamsfield Health Centre, in Westmoreland, was re-opened on October 3 by Minister of Health, Hon.  Dr. Fenton Ferguson. The facility, which was upgraded at a cost of  $8 million, is now able to accommodate more persons with its additional examination rooms, and larger waiting areas. Financing for the project was provided by the National Health...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, today (October 4) led the clean-up effort to control the spread of the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in her South West St. Andrew constituency. Mrs. Simpson Miller, who was accompanied by Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, joined community members in the Payne Land Division, along Spanish Town Road, in clearing the area...

In the wake of the recent deaths of two students, reportedly, as a result of complications brought on by the Chikungunya virus, Education Minister Ronald Thwaites is appealing to parents to be on the alert for symptoms in their children. The Education Minister has called on parents to pay keen attention to information provided by the Ministry of Health, and...

Jamaica’s National Emergency Response Team has been activated to coordinate and support the country’s response to the current outbreak of the Chikungunya virus. At the same time the government has allocated an additional $150 million to the Chikungunya response, which includes a massive clean-up campaign aimed at destroying and removing mosquito breeding sites. The information came out of a technical...

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller this afternoon (October 1) convened a special meeting at Jamaica House to review the threat of the Ebola virus and assess the government’s response to the outbreak of the Chikungunya virus. The Ministry of Health has heightened surveillance at all ports of entry and health facilities. This includes assigning additional staff to screen and assess...

The Ministry of Local Government & Community Development acknowledges the important role it plays in any national response to the spread of the Chikungunya Virus. Portfolio Minster, the Hon. Noel Arscott convened an inter-ministerial meeting with Minister of Health, the Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, and Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, all Mayors and Secretary Managers on...