Author: Ministry of Health and Wellness

Despite news that surfaced last year that the United States President Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) had discontinued its funding of the Caribbean HIV/AIDS Regional Training (CHART) Network, the Ministry of Health on Monday announced that the Global Fund recently approved funding for the National HIV/STI Programme for the next three years. Grant funding has also been approved under PEPFAR. Addressing a press briefing regarding the approval of funding from the Global Fund and the United States Agency for International Development (under PEPFAR) for the National HIV/STI Programme, Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson said while there continue to be challenges, specifically among the most vulnerable groups, including female sex workers, young men under the age of 25 and adult men who have sex with men (MSM), the funding will…

The National Family Planning Board (NFPB) has reported an increase in contraceptive use among Jamaican women. The most recent statistics show that 85 per cent of women have used a contraceptive method and up to 88 per cent use it regardless of educational level. The data also show that 73 per cent of women in a union are using contraceptives. Director of Prevention and Outreach at the NFPB Marion Scott told JIS News that the increase in the use of contraceptive methods is a result of women becoming more aware of the options available to them. “There is more access to information about contraceptives, about the availability and where they can get them. With the user fees being eliminated at clinics, they are also provided free to women. In addition to…

As it observes Family Week, the National Family Planning Board (NFPB) is urging all sectors of society — families, schools, churches, community organisations, among others — to become more involved in sex education of children and teenagers as a means of ending or at least stemming the tide of unsafe sexual practices. Under the theme: ‘Time to Talk’, the week is being observed from October 26 to 31. “We are encouraging Jamaicans, during the entire week, to sit down if they haven’t sat down yet, and have a conversation,” board chair Dr Sandra Knight said yesterday at the Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange. She described as alarming the data on factors negatively impacting family life, to include an increase in the incidence of divorce, a decrease in marriages, an increase in…

Head of the National Family Planning Board Dr Sandra Knight has said that the time has come for law makers to legalise abortion.‎ “Let’s face it, it’s happening,” said Dr Knight, who was speaking at the Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange meeting of editors and reporters at the newspaper’s Beechwood Avenue headquarters in Kingston. Dr Knight said that the risk that exists with botched abortions is too great. She added that data doesn’t support arguments that legalising abortion will lead more children to have sexual intercourse. According to Dr Knight said there needs to be a frank discussion on the matter of abortion, minus religion and politics.