Building a Better Jamaica

OCHO RIOS (JIS):
Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, has said that the Government is committed to meeting its obligations in the sector, through sound health policies and programmes.

He pointed out that one such policy was the abolition of User Fees in health facilities, through which Jamaicans were able to save over $3.6 billion last year.

MONTEGO BAY (JIS):
Saturday, February 20, 2010

Courtesy of Jamaica Information Service

An agreement was signed and ground broken Friday (February 19), for the development of the Old Hospital site, in Montego Bay, into a natural, recreational public space.

KINGSTON (JIS):
Friday, February 19, 2010

The Ministry of Health is reporting an increase in the incidence of gastroenteritis, malaria and dengue fever across the island, due largely to the prevailing drought conditions, and is looking to implement a national hand washing campaign as part of measures to contain the spread.

Published: Friday | February 19, 2010
Jamaica Gleaner

THE MINISTRY of Health is expressing grave concerns about the effects the current drought conditions are having on the island.

"Our surveillance has detected an increase in some communicable diseases, namely, gastro-enteritis, malaria, and dengue fever," Health Minister Rudyard Spencer told journalists during yesterday's post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.

"We believe that the current drought period will serve to exacerbate the spread of these illnesses," Spencer added.

Published: Thursday | February 11, 2010
Jamaica Gleaner Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer gary.spaulding@gleanerjm.com

Labour Minister Pearnel Charles has served a stern warning to sexual predators that he could push for legislation to impose criminal sanctions on persons who knowingly spread HIV/AIDS.

"There are some serious people who don't care how they destroy others," declared Charles, as he made his contribution to a debate on the report of the parliamentary committee which examined the proposed National Workplace Policy on HIV/AIDS.

Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Jamaica Information Service

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Honourable Olivia Grange, MP has said that HIV/AIDS is a gender issue.

Speaking in Parliament during the debate on the National HIV/AIDS Workplace policy, Minister Grange said:

Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Jamaica Observer

HEALTH Minister Rudyard Spencer is urging women to take charge of their sexual health and buy, carry and use condoms correctly and consistently as the nation observes Safer Sex Week.

"The responsibility to carry condoms is many times thought to be the man's, but women owe it to themselves to also take charge and protect their health," he said.

KINGSTON (JIS)
Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, has appealed to Jamaican women to get tested for HIV, and to take more responsibility for their sexual behaviour by using a condom during sexual encounters.

The call came as the nation observes Safer Sex Week, February 7-14, under the theme, "Smarter Women Always Buy, Carry and Use Condoms."

Mr. Spencer said that the urgent call is for women to buy, carry and use condoms, correctly and consistently.

Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Jamaica Information Service

Senator the Hon Arthur Williams, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, will meet with heads of unions/associations representing the Health Sector on Tuesday (February 9), to discuss the Industrial Disputes Tribunal's (IDT) ruling in the Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) reclassification dispute, among other issues.

Posted: Tuesday | February 9, 2010
Jamaica Gleaner/Power 106

The finance ministry has called a meeting for this morning with unions representing the health sector, to discuss the recent ruling of the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT) on a reclassification exercise.

The minister of state in the ministry, Senator Arthur Williams will meet with the heads of unions and associations representing the sector at 9 a.m.