History of Jamaica The history of Jamaica is a rich and vibrant one; it inspires us to move forward as a nation. Our history speaks to experiences of hardships and prosperity; and the growth and determination of a people. Jamaica’s history has been poetically composed by Howard Pyle, who states: "Jamaica, like many another of the West Indian Islands, is...

Flat tax for the public transport system should make tax payment easier, ban on smoking in public places to be observed at this year’s Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show, contract signed for four diesel electric straddle carriers at the Kingston container terminal.

The Ministry of Health has received some 20 submissions from a wide range of interest groups, as the public consultations on the tobacco control regulations closed on Tuesday, August 13. This was disclosed by Portfolio Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, at the first biennial nursing and midwifery research conference, which began on August 15, at the Knutsford Court Hotel, in...

Work to upgrade the Claremont Health Centre in St. Ann into one of four Centres of Excellence, earmarked for development by the Ministry of Health, is scheduled to get underway shortly. Ground for the $40.6 million project, being funded by the National Health Fund (NHF), was broken by Portfolio Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, during a ceremony on Friday (August...

Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, says the Ministry remains open to facilitating dialogue and “reasonable” suggestions from stakeholders regarding the newly implemented Public Health (Tobacco Control) Regulations. The regulations, which stipulate a ban on cigarette smoking in defined public spaces, came into effect on Monday, July 15. Speaking at a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank at the agency’s...

Cabinet has approved the award of a $560.6 million contract to Tankweld Limited, to rehabilitate the wastewater treatment plant in Harbour View, St. Andrew. Making the announcement at a Jamaica House press briefing on Wednesday, June 26, at the Office of the Prime Minister, Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, said the works will include conversion of the exiting...

The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) has committed to continue its support of the Government's efforts to reduce tobacco use in Jamaica. This assurance comes from PAHO/WHO Representative in Jamaica, Margareta Sköld, who says the organisation stands ready to assist the administration in its quest to, among other things, advance the passage of Tobacco Control Regulations. "PAHO/WHO strongly...

Some smokers are spending up to a quarter of a million dollars per year on cigarettes, without realising just how much of their income goes toward supporting their addiction. This alarming statistic was disclosed by Executive Director of the Heart Foundation of Jamaica, Deborah Chen, who was addressing a JIS Think Tank held on Tuesday, May 28, at the agency’s...

Refurbishing work on the female and male wards at the Savanna-la-Mar Public Hospital in Westmoreland is far advanced. The male ward is expected to be completed over the yuletide season. The total cost of the work is $15.7 million. According to Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, workers on the project would soon be focusing on the female ward...

The Jamaica Office of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) recognizes the efforts made by the Ministry of Health to protect the rights of local citizens to a tobacco free environment. Last week on National World Diabetes Day, Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, committed to bringing the Tobacco Control Act to Parliament early in the next...

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, has committed to bringing the Tobacco Control Act to Parliament early in the next financial year. The legislation, which is in the drafting stages, seeks to protect citizens from the harmful effects of tobacco, including the banning of smoking in public and workplaces. “I am committed, as Minister, to bring by the first...

A contract valued at approximately $21 million was signed between the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) and the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) for rehabilitation of the Sandy Bay Health Centre in Hanover. The signing took place on Thursday (July 19) on the grounds of the health centre. Work on the four-month project, is scheduled to begin immediately, and includes...