Olivia “Babsy” Grange, the minister who has responsibility for gender issues, says while Jamaicans were in retreat for the past three months trying to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, Members of Parliament were fielding calls from desperate women trapped in abusive situations. “Mr Speaker, we got the calls, we got the calls; but […]
Category Archives: Health
Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips has renewed his call for front line workers to receive hazard and hardship pay, as well as mental health counselling during their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. “We have to try to provide additional reward because many of you who have to work 24/7, or 18 out of 24 hours, […]
PERMANENT secretary in the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) Dunstan Bryan yesterday sought to defend the $13.3 million paid to marketing and public relations firm Market Me Jamaica which was outside of contracts already awarded totalling $55 million since December 2016. Documents released by the MOHW yesterday, chronicling the ministry’s spend on activities relating […]
More Jamaicans polled believe the states of public emergency (SOEs) are effective than those who feel otherwise. At the same time, the majority of respondents in the latest Bill Johnson poll identified crime as the most pressing problem in the country at this time. The poll, commissioned by the Jamaica Observer, was conducted July 9 […]
A high 77 per cent of voting age Jamaicans surveyed in the latest Bill Johnson poll have given the Government a positive rating for its performance, even as the Administration is beset by missteps that have resulted in the sacking of two Cabinet ministers and the reassignment of two others. The number represents an 18 […]
The Government of the United Kingdom (UK) has deepened its commitment to help Jamaica contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, with an additional support package valuing £1.35 million ($230 million). The new funding will support the Government of Jamaica’s work to secure the country’s borders against health risks; prevent violence against women, children and […]
LOCAL Government Minister Desmond McKenzie has summoned entertainment industry stakeholders to a meeting at his ministry today to discuss increasing violations of the protocols governing the reopening of the industry. “This disregard for the rules is happening at and through numerous events being held all over the country. Our surveys show that over 700 events […]
PRIME Minister Andrew Holness is expected to name the date of the next general election in the House of Representatives today. Holness is expected to bring an order to Gordon House to end the current states of emergency (SOEs), which have been imposed in the Hanover, St James, Westmoreland, Clarendon, St Catherine, Kingston East, Kingston […]
PRESIDENT of the Union of Clerical Administrative and Supervisory Employees (UCASE) Vincent Morrison says he is opposed to a general election in the midst of the country’s struggle with the COVID-19 crisis, but that the organisation would support any party which prioritises the rights of the Jamaican worker. “I cannot say with all certainty that […]
THERE are indications that when Jamaicans go to the polls on September 3, electors among the just over 200 individuals now in isolation due to COVID-19 will not be among them because of the public health risk. There are signs, however, that electors among the more than 26,000 people currently in quarantine will be able […]