Press Releases
Jamaica will begin ‘Test and Start’ HIV initiative in January 2017
In January 2017, the Ministry of Health’s National HIV Programme will adopt the 2015 WHO guidelines, which recommend that anyone who is diagnosed HIV positive be offered treatment (Test and Start). This new recommendation is based on current scientific evidence from clinical trials and observational studies demonstrating that initiating antiretroviral… Read More
December 1st, 2016School Administrators Urged to Report Cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
The Ministry of Health is urging school administrators to report any case of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease to their Parish Health Departments. School administrators can also request assistance from the Health Departments in their respective parishes if they believe that they may have a case of Hand, Foot and… Read More
October 31st, 2016Minister of Health expresses Condolence to the Family and Friends of the late Dr. Martin Garwood
Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, has expressed condolences on behalf of the team at the Ministry of Health to the family, friends and colleagues of Dr. Martin Garwood who was killed at his home in Barbican, St Andrew, on Wednesday October 26, 2016. Dr. Garwood, who worked… Read More
October 27th, 2016Brief on Zika October 25, 2016
Overview The Ministry of Health has been receiving notification of Zika fever cases since May 2015 and the first case was confirmed on 29 January 2016. A total of 8,776 notifications for Zika have been received as at 21st October, 2016. Of these 8,776 notifications, 6,731 (77%) fit the case… Read More
October 27th, 2016Influenza in Jamaica 2016
Click here to download the press briefing.
October 27th, 2016Zika Update as at October 14, 2016
Background On February 1, 2016 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Zika virus a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. This designation is reserved for public health crises which will have global reach. The first case of Zika virus in Jamaica was confirmed on January 29, 2016. Cases of… Read More
October 21st, 2016Press Briefing on Microcephaly and Victoria Jubilee Hospital Report – Thursday October 13, 2016
Download: Microcephaly update as at October 12, 2016 Victoria Jubilee Hospital Report – October 13, 2016 Press Briefing on Microcephaly Microcephaly is defined as a condition in which the head circumference is small for age and sex. Microcephaly is not a specific disease condition, but is a descriptive term determined… Read More
October 13th, 2016Zika Update as at September 30, 2016
Background On February 1, 2016 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Zika virus a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. This designation is reserved for public health crises which will have global reach. The first case of Zika virus in Jamaica was confirmed on January 29, 2016. Cases of… Read More
October 5th, 2016Health Centers Opened following the Passage of Hurricane Matthew
Health Centers across the island, with the exception of the Flankers Health Center, have been reopened following the passage of hurricane Matthew. Health centers were closed on Monday October 3, 2016 as a safety precaution due the passage of Hurricane Matthew. The Flankers Health center in Montego Bay was closed… Read More
October 4th, 2016Ministry of Health Staff Reporting for Work Tuesday, October 4, 2016
The Ministry of Health is advising its staff to make their way to work where conditions are permissible to do so. All Health Centres will be assessed for their readiness to be reopened and the public will be advised on this after the Ministry has its Emergency Operations Centre meeting… Read More
October 4th, 2016