Press Releases
Ministry of Health Working to Dispel Myths Surrounding Transmission of Mosquito Borne Diseases
Minister of Health, Dr. Fenton Ferguson says the Ministry is working to dispel the myths surrounding the transmission of the chikungunya virus after a survey done in the aftermath of the outbreak showed that over 50 percent of respondents did not feel that the virus was caused by mosquitoes. He… Read More
August 20th, 2015Health Minister Appeals for Calm Amidst Unrest Affecting Savanna- La-Mar Hospital
Minister of Health, Dr. Fenton Ferguson is appealing for calm after protesters set fire to an ambulance and damaged a building on the compound of the Savanna-La-Mar General Hospital in Westmoreland. This followed an incident in which two persons were shot and killed Friday night in a nearby community. The… Read More
August 15th, 2015Two Buses Valued at Over $11 Million Handed Over for the Community Mental Health Programme
Two buses valued at $11,179,023.12 were handed over to the South East and Southern Regional Health Authorities to be used as part of their Community Mental Health programmes. The buses were purchased with the assistance of the CHASE Fund. Speaking at the handing over ceremony this morning (Wednesday, July 8, 2015) Minister… Read More
July 8th, 2015Persons Urged to Treat Water Before Consuming in Light of the Current Drought
Director, Health Promotion and Protection, Dr. Sonia Copeland says in light of the present drought conditions and the increase in the storage of water, persons are being urged to treat their water before consuming. “Usually at this time we see an increase in persons collecting water from various untreated sources… Read More
July 8th, 2015Ministry of Health Continues Preparations for Zika Virus
Permanent Secretary, Dr. Kevin Harvey says the Ministry of Health will continue to take a proactive approach and is enhancing its preparedness for any possible introduction of the zika virus into Jamaica. He notes that the Ministry is closely following the reported case of zika virus in the Dominican Republic which the Pan American… Read More
June 9th, 2015Destroy Mosquito Breeding Sites in Light of Increased Rainfall and Start of Hurricane Season
Minister of Health, Dr. Fenton Ferguson is urging Jamaicans to rid their homes of anything that can collect water and become breeding sites for mosquitoes. “On Monday we will officially mark the start of the hurricane season but already we have been getting increased rainfall. This means that the environment… Read More
May 31st, 2015CMO Urges Persons to Empty or Dispose of Containers that Collect Water in Light of Current Rainfall
In light of the current rainfall, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Marion Bullock DuCasse is urging persons to dispose of or empty containers that collect water and search for and destroy any other mosquito breeding site around the home, school, church and place of business. Dr. DuCasse explains that the Aedes… Read More
May 28th, 2015Over 1000 Health Care Workers to be Trained in Improving Delivery of Maternal & Child Health Services
Twelve hundred (1200) Health Care Workers from across the island will participate in Maternal and Child Health training facilitated by the European Union (EU) funded Programme for the Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality (PROMAC) and the international organization, Footprints Foundation. Minister of Health, Dr. Fenton Ferguson said that the… Read More
May 27th, 2015Urgent Action Needed to Build Resilient Health Systems
Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson has called for urgent, comprehensive and cohesive action from Governments to build resilient health systems that can withstand shock and deal adequately with emergencies. Dr. Ferguson was speaking at the World Health Assembly now on in Geneva, Switzerland. Dr. Ferguson explained that this… Read More
May 20th, 2015Dr. Ferguson Advises Commonwealth Health Ministers on Implementing Tobacco Regulations
Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, has advised Ministers of Health to ensure that they lead the process and involve all stakeholders when they are implementing tobacco regulations. Dr. Ferguson was sharing his experience with implementing the Public Health (Tobacco Control) Regulations in Jamaica during a luncheon for Ministers… Read More
May 19th, 2015