Coming Soon!

Coming Soon!

Resource Mobilization Officer- SRHA - Barbara Ellington, presents Oneil Larmond, principal of Siloah Primary School in St. Elizabeth, with a gift basket courtesy of FosRich Lighting World, for allowing the team from Southern Regional Health Authority to use one of his classrooms for dental services during the Men's Health Day on November 23.

Coming Soon!

Coming Soon!

Regional Director for the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), Michael Bent (2nd left) receives a donation of 900 face shields from Co-Founder of Citizens Response Jamaica, Larren Peart on Friday, July 10.

Parish Manager for the Clarendon Health Services, Joseph Grant (right) accepts a care package from J. Wray & Nephew Ltd. representative, Cheryl Johnson for the health staff in Clarendon who have been working on the front-line during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CB Group through its "Recover Together" Initiative has donated 950 cooked meals for essential frontline workers within the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), which administrates public healthcare in Clarendon, Manchester and St. Elizabeth.

Against the background of the celebration of World Food Safety Dat to be commemorated on Sunday, June7, the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) is calling on the support of the public to successfully safeguard food safety.

The service delivery at the Percy Junor Hospital (PJH) in North-East Manchester has been boosted with the donation of an ECG machine and defibrillator valued at $1.6 million, donated by the hospital�s 70th anniversary committee.

The Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), which administrates public healthcare in Manchester, Clarendon and St. Elizabeth, has received a donation of personal protective equipment (PPE)from Food for the Poor, (FFP) Jamaica, through their local and overseas donors, to assist with the fight against the coronavirus.

Custos Rotulorum of Clarendon, Hon. Custos William Billy Shagoury has donated more than $2 million in donation to the health team in Clarendon, to support the fight against the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) has received 10 mobile vital sign machines, valued at more than $1.8 million, from BMR Jamaica Wind Limited to support the fight against the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Help for Quarantined Community: Despite experiencing a 30 percent downturn in business, Nation's Choice Ltd. located in Clarendon is giving back to the community during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic

COVID-19 Response boost in Central Jamaica: Regional Director of the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), Michael Bent (left) accepts a donation of food and medical supplies, from Yangsen Li from the Chinese business community.

Men are known to have poor health seeking behaviours both anecdotally and by various studies.

The Clarendon Health Services is urging residents to take mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases seriously, as the team boosts its vector management programme.

Though the vector control unit in Manchester has heightened its vector control management in the parish, Chief Public Health Inspector for the parish, Charmaine Palmer-Cross, is appealing to residents to take personal responsibility..

The Environmental Health Unit of the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) is urging consumers to be vigilant when purchasing meat during the holiday period and beyond.

The Black River Hospital (BRH) in St. Elizabeth has received furniture and medical equipment valued at $3.9 million, from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Santa Cruz Branch.

The Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) is boosting its capacity to respond and manage the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), in the southern end of the island.

The Mandeville Regional Hospital (MRH) in Manchester has conducted investigation into the claim by Ms. Shereen Hamilton that she delivered twin babies at the hospital in September 2000; however, she was only given one baby.

Services at the Chapelton Community Hospital in Clarendon will be relocated to the Summerfield Community Centre, also in Clarendon, effective Monday, April 1, 2019.

The Percy Junor Hospital (PJH) in north east Manchester has launched its unprecedented stroke registry and support services, aimed at capturing vital information to inform policy and treatment decisions and also to provide support for families in caring for relatives diagnosed with stroke.

Patients in the southern region are welcoming laparoscopic surgeries which are now being offered by the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), as part of its strategic plan to continuously improve the delivery of quality and advanced health care to patients.

Experienced Senior Human Resource Director at the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Ms. Gail Hudson is urging nurses, the largest group in the public health sector, to rebrand with the right attitude.

Previously, persons needing surgeries to remove foreign objects from the oesophagus would have to be transferred to hospitals in Kingston; however, through the kind donations of the Manchester Wellness Foundation

15 Community Health Aides (CHA) from the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) have been trained and certified under the “Reach Up” Early Stimulation Programme, which provides support to parents to improve the development of children.

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton is lauding the innovative initiative of the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) to convert and customize three new mini-buses into ambulances, resulting in savings of J $ 10.5 million.

Scores of pregnant women and their partners, gathered recently for the fifth staging of PREGMATE, Pregnant Mothers Advancing Through Education, an antenatal health fair staged by the Manchester Chapter of the Jamaica Midwives Association. This is the only initiative of its kind in Jamaica.

With an annual cost of J $65.8 million to treat persons with kidney failure at the Mandeville Regional Hospital (MRH) in Manchester; Regional Director for the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), Michael Bent has renewed calls for Jamaicans to take greater personal responsibility for their health.

Since its inaugural staging in 2015, the Men’s Conference staged by the St. Elizabeth Health Services in St. Elizabeth, has been making strides, creating a platform for men to be motivated and recognized for their invaluable role in their children’s’ lives, in addition to equipping them with better parenting skills.

The Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) is encouraging at-risk persons to get the flu vaccine, which is a safe and effective vaccine that provides protection against influenza infections caused by specific vaccine strains.

The Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) which administrates public healthcare in the parishes of Manchester, Clarendon and St. Elizabeth has embarked on the training of all its staff members in compassionate care, in an effort to improve the quality of public healthcare.

212 students and 52 teachers from the parishes of Clarendon, St. Elizabeth and Manchester are now trained ambassadors who will strengthen the capacity of their schools to become a healthier setting for working and learning.

For five years, the Florida-based Mind, Body and Soul Ministry (MBSM) has been performing hundreds of free cataract surgeries at the Mandeville Regional Hospital (MRH) in Manchester, resulting in $200 million of savings over the period for the MRH.

Minister of Health, Dr. Christopher Tufton (right), cuts the ribbon to re-open the renovated Black River Health Centre, in St. Elizabeth, on Thursday, May 2.

Scores of residents await free screening at the commemoration of World Cancer Day on Thursday, February 21 in Manchester, staged by the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA).

Minister of Health, Dr. Christopher Tufton (left) and Vector Control Coordinator at the St. Elizabeth Health Department, Michael Myles (right) along with team members from the St. Elizabeth Health Department inspect a drum of water at a property in St. Elizabeth on Friday, January.

Acting CEO of the Mandeville Regional Hospital in Manchester, Marcia Francis (right) informs newly appointed Custos Rotolorum for Manchester, Garfield Green (centre) of the services offered at the hospital.

Health Team Continues to Educate: Despite the rains, scores of public health inspectors, vector control officers and nurses converged on the town of Spaldings in Clarendon and surrounding districts

Acting CEO for the Mandeville Regional Hospital (MRH), Marcia Francis (3rd right) accepts a DCA Vantage Analyzer from Regional Director of BMR Jamaica Wind Ltd., Ava Tomlin (3rd left) at a handing over ceremony on Wednesday, June 11 at the MRH.

Take Personal Responsibility in Fighting Dengue: Vector Control Officer from the Manchester Health Department Rose-Ann Larmond demonstrates how using sheets can be used as an alternative way of covering storage containers

May Pen Hospital to Save Millions Annually From New AC System: Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Fayval Williams (left) cuts the ribbon to unveil a plaque installed on the administrative building at the May Pen Hospital in Clarendon

Night Runs for Healthcare: Acting CEO of the Mandeville Regional Hospital (MRH), Marcia Francis (3rd right) accepts a donation of equipment valued at $4,052,000 from President of Guardian Life Limited, Eric Hosin (centre).

The Black River Hospital (BRH) expresses sympathy to the family of Viviene Smith, who died at the hospital in St. Elizabeth on Wednesday, August 22.

Re the "Letter of the Day" - “Mandeville Hospital Run Down to a Wreck”, published Friday, December 7, 2018. The Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) thanks the writer, Mr. Byron Wilson for his observation and regrets the negative experience he had at the Mandeville Regional Hospital (MRH).

The SRHA has conducted investigations into the report which was aired on CVM TV on Tuesday, August 21.

The Chapelton Community Hospital in Clarendon will be renovated at a cost of US $1 million. Ground was broken for renovation works on Thursday, October 18.

An antenatal health fair, dubbed PREGMATE, Pregnant Mothers Advancing Through Education, by the Manchester Midwives Association and the only one of its kind in Jamaica, has been making great strides in empowering pregnant women to take charge of their reproductive health.

For the past five years, the Bessie Kates Foundation Inc. has been providing immeasurable support to the Black River Hospital in St. Elizabeth; the efforts of only two members, founder Alicia Kelly and photographer, Will Lewis.

As part of the Jamaica Moves in Schools programme, which will strengthen the capacity of the school community to become a healthy setting for learning and working, the Southern Regional Health Authority recently trained 58 high school students and 15 teachers as ambassadors.

The citizens of Clarendon and users of May Pen Hospital now have a new sonography machine valued at US $7000, courtesy of Dr. Hyacinth Hue and her husband Eric Hue. The presentation was made to the facility on Wednesday May 9, at the hospital in Clarendon.

The Public Health Inspectors (PHI) in Clarendon are being lauded for initiating a programme that trains Chinese nationals and their Jamaican workers in food safety, in order to improve the standards in their establishments.

233 units of blood were collected at the 'One Love, One Blood' donation drive, staged by the Mandeville Regional Hospital (MRH) in Manchester, the largest single day blood donation drive in Jamaica.

In the context of a growing universal recognition that male-related issues are at the root of the majority of social and public health challenges affecting Jamaica, stakeholders from education, health, the church and civil society

The Clarendon Health Department is appealing to Jamaicans to get vaccinated as a safe way to strengthen their defense against vaccine preventable diseases. The call was made at the 16th commemoration of Vaccination Week in the Americas at the Canaan Heights Community Centre in Clarendon recently.

Despite the challenges in the public health sector, Health Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton believes the sector has been responding well.

Describing the donation of a two-storey building to operate as a health centre as an amazing gift, Minister of Health, Dr. Christopher Tufton has lauded the benevolence of Eric and Dr. Hyacinth Hue.

The Public Health Inspectors (PHI) of Manchester will be hosting an inaugural Environmental Health Exposition on Wednesday, June 13, in an effort to increase awareness about environmental health and empower consumers within the parish of Manchester, to ensure that their environmental needs are met.

With an estimated 100,000 children living with diabetes in North America and the Caribbean, 1000 being treated in Jamaica and 50 in the southern region, the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) is moving to strengthen the support for these children and their families.

The Elderslie Health Centre in St. Elizabeth, a type one facility which operates as a maternity centre and the only one of its kind in the parish has been officially adopted by the JA55 Charities Group, UK, through the Health Ministry's Adopt a Clinic programme.

Students repeat the theme, “Say Aah, Think Mouth, Think Health” for the Oral Health Month competition held at the Cecil Charlton Hall in Manchester on Monday, October 29.

Member of Parliament for North West Manchester, Mikael Phillips (right) shows the audience how he engages in physical activity at the celebration of World Health Day by the Manchester Health Department on Friday, April 27.

Family Nurse Practitioner Sonia Miller Green from the St. Elizabeth Health Department conducts a blood pressure test on Markland Kepple at the second staging of a men’s only health fair by the Southern Regional Health Authority at the Santa Cruz taxi park in St. Elizabeth on November 22.

Improved Health Service for Residents: Minister of Health, Dr. Christopher Tufton (5th left) shares in the opening of the expansion of the Portsea Health Centre in St. Elizabeth which was expanded to the tune of $5 million.

Equipment Boost for May Pen Hospital: Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at the May Pen Hospital (MPH), Dr. Safiya Franklyn (right) explains to Minister of Health, Dr. Christopher Tufton (centre) and Member of Parliament for Central Clarendon, Hon. Lester 'Mike' Henry, the functions of the medical equipment and supplies donated to the MPH by bauxite/alumina company, Jamalco.

Paediatric Boost: Acting CEO of the Percy Junor Hospital (PJH) in north-east Manchester, Sharon Pitter (left) and Senior Medical Officer at the PJH, Dr. Carlos Wilson (centre) are all smiles after receiving paediatric equipment valued at $869,000.00

New mother, Simone McLeod cuts the ribbon to the breastfeeding training room opened at the Mandeville Regional Hospital (MRH) in Manchester on Friday, October 26.

Consultant and Head of Department for the Anaesthetics Department at the Mandeville Regional Hospital (MRH) in Manchester, Dr. Leighton Wynter (right) explains the function of this state-of-the-art anaesthetic machine estimated at $6 million, donated by the Guardian Group.

Staff of the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) are all smiles as they accept donations of medical and hospital supplies and pharmaceuticals valued at $800, 000.00 from the Atlanta Jamaican Association (AJA) on Friday, July 6 in Manchester.

Continued Gift of Love: CEO of the Percy Junor Hospital (PJH), Carlton Nichols (right) presents a plaque of appreciation to Oswald (centre) and Elfreda Dixon of the Rachael Dixon Foundation after being presented with a donation of two hospital beds valued at US $3, 873.00.

Joyce Powell (3rd right) is all smiles after presenting two mobile blood pressure units valued at over $140,000.00 to the Percy Junor Hospital in north east Manchester on behalf of her family members which includes well-known American actress Victoria Rowell from the television series, the Young and the Restless.

Regional Director of the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), Michael Bent (3rd left) accepts a donation of 10 new electronic hospital beds, IV Poles, blood transfer devices, 40 sheet sets and high filtration process masks from Bishop Dr. Merlene Dennis

"The best feeling ever", was the description by AC Technician of the Mandeville Regional Hospital (MRH), Gary Smith, of his award for runner-up Maintenance Personnel of the Year recently. Mr. Smith pointed out that he has worked many places before, but, from his memory, this was the first an organization was awarding him for outstanding work.

Regional Director of the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) Mr. Michael Bent is encouraging Jamaicans to treat mental health illnesses with the same regard and seriousness as physical illnesses.

Gynaecology services over the last four years have been significantly boosted at the Black River Hospital (BRH) in St. Elizabeth, through the support of local Mission, Women's Health Network.

In an effort to sensitize and educate the public about the prevention of cancer, the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) recently commemorated World Cancer Day which resulted in the screening of scores of residents in the southern region.

The Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) in partnership with the Heart Trust/NTA has trained 14 staff members in Electro-Mechanic Engineering Maintenance, in an effort to improve and strengthen the technical capacity of its Operations and Maintenance team, to perform at international standards.

The Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) has launched a regional wellness programme for adolescents, geared towards empowering and encouraging participants aged 10 to 15 years, to become ambassadors of healthy lifestyles through healthy diets, physical activity and screening.

The establishment of a regional pathology lab to serve the diagnostic needs of the southern region will soon be a reality through the public/private partnership between the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) and the Lions Club of Mandeville.

Regional Technical Director of the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), Dr. Michael Coombs is calling for the re-establishment of marriages and nuclear families, which he said must be done as a matter of urgency, for sustained transformation of communities in Jamaica and the Caribbean.

The Southern Regional Health Authority has been making great strides in instilling a culture of good oral health practices among children in the southern end of the island.

Awarded the best hospital in the Public Sector Customer Service Awards Competition in 2015, the Percy Junor Hospital (PJH) in north east Manchester, which celebrated 72 years of service on Wednesday, June 28, commemorated the milestone with a Customer Appreciation Day.

Providing quality healthcare has been at the forefront of healthcare delivery within the Southern Regional Health Authority, which was publicly awarded when Proprietor of Jakes Hotel Villas and Spa and Jack Spratt Restaurant in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth, Mr. Jason Henzell, officially handed over a refurbished two bedded private suite to the Black River Hospital (BRH) valued at $250, 000.00.

In 2015 and 2016, only 8.4 percent of pregnant women accessed the public health system for prenatal care during the third trimester of their pregnancy, which Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton said is a major challenge. The Minister says his ministry will be refocusing and re-emphasizing support to not only expectant mothers, but parents.

Chairman of the Nurses Council of Jamaica (NCJ), Dr. Leila McWhinney-Dehaney has challenged scores of nurses in Central Jamaica to recognize the link between excellence and quality in executing their duties as advocates of patients.

The Percy Junor Hospital in Manchester is now able to boost its intake of blood and blood donations, through the benevolence of one corporate entity, which Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw said is needed to support Jamaica's development.

Paediatric services at the May Pen Hospital (MPH) in Clarendon have been enhanced through the donation of two patient monitors valued at over $1 million by charitable organizations, Angels of Love, Jamaica and McLymont Helping Hands Children's Foundation.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression at its worst can lead to suicide, which is now the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds. In light of this fact, the Manchester Health Department (MHD) hosted a Symposium targeting scores of students, teachers, guidance counsellors, caregivers and parents within the parish of Manchester to address the issue of depression.

Aligned with the Ministry of Health's 'Jamaica Moves' campaign, which promotes healthy lifestyle habits among Jamaicans, the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) is providing resources and support to its staff in the parishes of Clarendon, Manchester and St. Elizabeth, to promote regular physical activity and healthier diets.

Described as an investment in creating transformational leaders, the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) has been staging a series of Leadership Training in an effort to boost the competencies of its supervisory and managerial staff.

An intervention titled “Man-Up Jamaica- A Call to Healthy, Responsible Manhood” is being described as a movement that is poised to change the landscape of the Jamaican society.

As part of its strategic plan to continuously improve the delivery of quality health care to patients and to also leverage resources, the Southern Regional Health Authority(SRHA) is improving access to laparoscopic surgeries to residents in central Jamaica.

A 2015 report published by the United States Department of Justice from the analysis of data over a sixteen year period, has revealed that married women are significantly less likely to experience intimate partner or domestic violence when compared to single women in other types of domestic arrangements.

“Make customer service our number one priority” is the challenge that Regional Director of the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), Mr. Michael Bent has given to the senior management staff of the SRHA.

With only 8.4 percent of pregnant women accessing prenatal care in the public health system during the third trimester of pregnancy and less than 50 percent in the first and second trimesters, the health team in Manchester is encouraging women to take charge of their health during pregnancy.

At a recent Awards Ceremony for the drivers and maintenance personnel of the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), the important role that these personnel play in safeguarding the most valuable fixed assets of the Health Ministry was highlighted and lauded.

The Manchester Health Services, which has responsibility for delivering effective secondary and primary healthcare to residents in the parish of Manchester, is on a drive to creating healthier communities.

Serving a population of over 20,000 within the community of Mile Gully in Manchester and its environs, the Mile Gully Health Centre, which has been refurbished at a cost of $US 40,000, will significantly impact the quality of services to customers, while enabling staff and clients to function in a more comfortable and conducive environment.

Over 37,000 persons who access services annually at the Chapelton Community Hospital in Clarendon and its environs, will benefit from enhanced health care delivery, following the donation of 17 beds, 12 mattresses, 4 wheelchairs and 2 lifters from the LJDR Davis Foundation.

In 2014, the Lionel Town Health Centre in Clarendon was expanded at a cost of $ 22, 956, 841.00, through the Sugar Transformation Unit of the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce with funding from the European Union, which has significantly boosted the quality of services, resulting in a 66 percent increase of clientele.

Previously, persons needing surgeries to remove foreign objects from the oesophagus would have to be transferred to hospitals in Kingston; however, this and other services are now being offered for both adults and children at the Mandeville Regional Hospital (MRH)

Minister of Health Dr. Christopher Tufton recently signed the contract to effect repairs to the roof of the May Pen Hospital in Clarendon, valued at $54.7 million.

Regional Technical Director of the Southern Regional Health Authority, Dr. Michael Coombs, has informed that a 2017 World Family Map Report recently released from the Institute for Family Studies, USA and the Social Trends Institute, USA is advising parents who want their children to enjoy the benefits of a stable childhood, to marry and not cohabit. This, he says follows the analysis of data from over 60 countries across the world.

Minister of Health, Dr. Christopher Tufton has announced that the Chapelton Community Hospital in Clarendon will be renovated at a cost of J$ 23. 7 million. The renovation project will begin on Monday, December 4, 2017, for a period of six months.

Manchester was selected to host the 2017 commemoration of World Blood Donor Day on Wednesday, June 14 at the Golf View Hotel, as a result of the tremendous work by the public health facilities in the southern region, particularly Manchester, to improve blood collection.

The Percy Junor Hospital in Spalding, Clarendon has boosted its supplies of blood and blood products, this with the recent acquisition of a Compact Blood Bank Refrigerator. The hospital hosted a successful Blood Drive on Friday, April 28 on the hospital's compound which resulted in the collection of 52 units of blood.

Retired nurse now living overseas, Ms. Tatleen Vassell had several options for a beneficiary of 5.0627 hectares of land in St. Elizabeth valued at $8.6 million, however; for her, this gift should serve the entire community, and so, she made the donation to the Black River Hospital (BRH).

CEO of the Mandeville Regional Hospital, Mr. Alwyn Miller is appealing to Jamaicans to take better care of their health in preventing or reducing the risks of non-communicable diseases which can result in conditions such as kidney failure, which is costly to treat.

In an effort to motivate and encourage excellence in performance among the largest group in the health sector, nurses, the Mandeville Regional Hospital (MRH) recently lauded 150 nurses for their dedication and committed service.

The Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) is encouraging persons to take extra precautions against the Zika Virus (ZikV) particularly the most vulnerable including pregnant women, newborns, the elderly and persons with chronic underlying diseases. The call comes as the region intensifies precautionary measures against an imminent outbreak of the Zika Virus disease.

The Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) has been committed to providing quality and effective healthcare through innovative solutions. The Authority recently implemented a wheelchair lift at the Black River Hospital in St. Elizabeth which has resulted in savings of $25 million.

Against the background of the need to instill a culture of good oral health practices in Jamaica's children, the Southern Regional Health Authority’s (SRHA) Dental Auxiliaries have been promoting good oral and dental health education in schools across the region, which culminated with an Oral Health Competition and Awards ceremony recently.

The Southern Regional Health Authority has been making strides in developing a service-oriented environment focused on improving customer service within its facilities and has recently introduced Customer Service Units with a total of 18 employees.

As part of an initiative to reduce the waiting time at the Accident and Emergency departments at hospitals across the island, the Ministry of Health has extended the opening hours at select health centres in close proximity to hospitals.

The Black River Hospital in St. Elizabeth is now qualified to become a ‘baby-friendly’ hospital following infrastructural and equipment support from Sagicor Jamaica, which Health Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton says underscores the significance of corporate citizenship.

Chief Public Health Inspector for Manchester, Mrs. Charmaine Palmer-Cross says Public Health Inspectors are always present at slaughtering facilities in Manchester which could not result in the police carrying out inspections.

Medical Officer (Health) for Manchester, Dr. Beverly Wright in encouraging scores of expectant mothers to increase their milk consumption informed and encouraged the mothers to exclusively breastfeed their infants from birth to six months, a policy of the Ministry of Health.

Scores of expectant mothers in St. Elizabeth will receive a weekly supply of milk for the next three months in an effort to boost their health and nutrition and that of their unborn babies.

Research has shown that there is a strong association between the emerging epidemic of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (CNCDs) and lifestyle choices and for this reason, the Ministry of Health is encouraging the public to use physical activity to prevent, reduce and control the risk factors associated with these diseases.

The fourth “Operation: Mosquito Search and Destroy” clean-up campaign heads to Manchester, this Saturday, April 9.

With the chronic shortage of blood seriously impeding the ability of the health team to provide timely, effective care, the Mandeville Regional Hospital has embarked on changing the culture of blood donation in Jamaica and is encouraging each citizen to make regular blood donation their responsibility.

The Mandeville Regional Hospital (MRH) has received 125 visitor chairs which Regional Director of the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), Mr. Michael Bent said is timely and in line with the mandate of the Authority to make customers, patients and visitors as comfortable as possible.

Hundreds of women between the ages of 25 and 54 will enjoy free cervical cancer screenings on Tuesday, February 23 at the St. Mark’s Anglican Church Hall in the town centre.

The Mandeville Regional Hospital (MRH) has now boosted its capacity for medical education through the opening of an Internal Medicine Teaching Room which will be used to teach medical students, conduct clinical meetings and review medical journals in addition to formulating and executing research.

With the successful staging of the “One Love, One Blood” Donation Drive on May 30, the Mandeville Regional Hospital is encouraged to continue the process of changing the culture of blood donation through several initiatives.

In a matter of weeks, laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy which is sight threatening complications caused by uncontrolled diabetes, will begin at the Ophthalmology Clinic at the Mandeville Regional Hospital.

Describing the move as a Jamaican innovation, Chairman of the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) Board, Mr. Wayne Chen lauded the SRHA for spearheading an initiative to convert and customize two buses into ambulances which has resulted in savings of $7.6 million.

The healthcare capacity in the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) facilities will be boosted through the commitment of J$9.6 million dollars from bauxite/alumina company Jamalco. The first of two disbursements valued at $4.8 million was handed over to the SRHA on Thursday, April 15 at the Jamalco office in Clarendon.

Eye care has been significantly advanced for residents of central Jamaica with the official opening of an Ophthalmology Clinic and Operating Theatre at the Mandeville Regional Hospital valued at J$88.85 million. The clinic was opened by Minister of Health, Hon. Horace Dalley on Thursday, January 28.

Regional Technical Director of the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), Dr. Michael Coombs says if there is to be a turnaround in the health of the population and economic development of the country, the issues affecting our homes must be addressed.

At a time when nurses are challenged to give of their best, one noted educator is appealing to nurses to do what is right at all times and go beyond what is expected of them.

An inaugural Motivational Conference which will become an annual staple for the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) has been described as a step in the right direction for healthcare workers.

In an effort to recognize and encourage fathers, the St. Elizabeth Health Services will host a Father’s Empowerment Workshop which will equip some 30 fathers with parenting skills, provide mentorship and also acknowledge them for playing an invaluable role in their children’s lives.

Some 30 fathers are calling for additional support for fathers which they believe will help the nation’s men to be better fathers and men.

The current decline in the number of marriages occurring annually, coupled with an increase in divorce rates in Jamaica and other Caribbean countries, is posing a serious threat to public health, social wellbeing and national development.

The Mandeville Regional Hospital’s (MRH) Blood Bank is encouraging persons to make regular blood donation their responsibility as it moves to make the process easier for donors. The Blood Bank has extended its opening hours to accommodate blood donations beyond regular hours.

A call is being made for greater recognition and understanding for the work being done by healthcare workers against the background of the outcomes compared to the demands and challenges the health sector faces.

The Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) in collaboration with the HEART Trust/NTA has trained some 196 temporary vector control workers who will assist the SRHA with its fight against mosquito borne diseases in the southern end of the island.

Regional Technical Director for the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), Dr. Michael Coombs has announced that fatherlessness is the most significant factor that contributes to broken families in Jamaica and other Caribbean countries.

The Haemodialysis (Renal) Unit of the Mandeville Regional Hospital has received another lifeline from proceeds from the High Mountain Coffee 10K Road Race valued at $750,000.

With over 200 patients seen daily and over 36,000 proceedures done annually, the Mandeville Regional Hospital’s Radiology Department is now better equipped to provide diagnostic services with the acquisition of an X-Ray machine valued at $19, 599,000, donated by the Chase Fund.

Hundreds of residents from the community of Hayes and surrounding districts in Clarendon will benefit from an upgraded Dental Clinic at the Raymonds Health Centre, refurbished at a cost of $4.6 million.

Persons needing surgeries to remove foreign objects from the oesophagus would have to be transferred to hospitals in Kingston; however this and other services will be boosted at the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department at the Mandeville Regional Hospital following a donation of clinical equipment to enable emergency and surgical intervention for adults.

The Clarendon Health Department in partnership with the Youth Ministries Department of the Central Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists will undertake a major clean-up campaign in Clarendon this Sunday, March 20.

Described as simple yet profound, the Black River Hospital in St. Elizabeth has implemented several creative solutions which have created 28 additional bed spaces.

The Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), a statutory body of the Ministry of Health and the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) designed to strengthen the development of competent health professionals.

The Southern Regional Health Authority, a statutory body of the Ministry of Health has responsibility for clinical autopsy cases and not forensic autopsies. The Institute of Forensic Science and Legal Medicine, a division of the Ministry of National Security has responsibility for forensic autopsies in Jamaica including the parishes in the southern region.

2The Southern Regional Health Authority, a statutory body of the Ministry of Health will host the launch of the book, Clinical Dialogues in Hospital Medicine on Wednesday, March 4 at the Manchester Club.

To mark the significant milestone of 70 years, the Percy Junor Hospital will host a series of activities that will also raise funds towards its Accident and Emergency department modernization project.

This year’s celebration of National Breastfeeding Week will be observed under the theme, “Breastfeeding and Work- Let’s Make it Work” which is aiming to galvanize support from all sectors to enable women to work and breastfeed.

CEO of the May Pen Hospital in Clarendon, Nadia Nunes is reminding the public, particularly drivers that when they give assistance to members of the public who have been injured and those injuries result in death as determined by a Medical Doctor, the body must remain in the location where the doctor made the pronouncement until the Police have given instructions for removal.

Despite a challenging economic climate, many organizations and individuals continue to demonstrate that the spirit of benevolence is alive and well in Jamaica and even continues to grow. On Friday, August 28, the Manchester Health Department was the beneficiary of medical supplies courtesy of good Samaritan, Oswald Dixon.

A US-based medical mission arrived in the island today (February 6) for a week-long mission to provide voluntary paediatric services to children between the ages of zero to twenty.

After one week of over 50 plastic and orthopaedic surgeries and general paediatric services to hundreds of children, hope has been restored to many parents and relatives of children who underwent corrective surgical procedures, which in some cases would have only been available overseas.

The establishment of a well needed pathology laboratory in the southern region through a partnership between the Southern Regional Health Authority and the Lions Club of Mandeville is an example of an effective public private partnership which Minister of Health, Dr. Fenton Ferguson said is encouraging.

The health facilities in the Southern Regional Health Authority have been making strides in developing a service-oriented environment focused on continuous improvement in its operations. This has resulted in the Percy Junor Hospital and the Christiana Health Centre copping top prizes in the Public Sector Customer Service Awards Competition.

Regional Director for the Southern Regional Health Authority, Michael Bent has challenged public sector health care workers to replace poor customer service with customer appreciation. Speaking at a Customer Service Appreciation Day and Blood Drive to mark the Percy Junor Hospital’s 70th anniversary on July 1, Mr. Bent pointed out that while the health sector has its challenges, this is no reason for poor customer service.

The management of the Black River Hospital in St. Elizabeth says there is over a month’s supply of medication and medical sundries including disinfectant and gloves at the hospital. In the past, supplies have been low, however presently the supplies are adequate. The management team says it tries to preempt any kind of shortage while maintaining a good management of supplies.

Several health care professionals converged at the May Pen Hospital in Clarendon on Monday (February 23) for a four day Advancements In Medicine conference which facilitated professionals from Jamaica and overseas sharing knowledge on current developments in medicine and identifying and implementing solutions that will lead to improvements in the country’s healthcare delivery system.

Mrs. Karen Thompson-Nelson, Regional Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) Surveillance Officer for The Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) received the ‘Most Outstanding Student Oral Presentation’ award at the two day Ministry of Health, 6th Annual National Health Research Conference

The Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) held their Awards Dinner on Thursday, December 17, 2015 at the St. John Bosco Auditorium in Hatfield, Manchester.

After eight long weeks of intense training, and final examinations now a distant memory, 59 new Community Health Aides (CHA) are officially part of the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) family.

A total of one hundred and thirteen million dollars ($113m) was spent on the completion of phases 1 and 2 of the Santa Cruz Centre of Excellence in St. Elizabeth under the Primary Health Care Infrastructure Renewal Programme. $25M was spent on phase 1 and $88 million on the just completed phase 2 of the project.

Town Hall meetings coordinated by the Southern Region’s Health Promotion and Education Department were held in Pike and Georges Valley on October 14 and November 5 respectively.

The Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), a statutory body of the Ministry of Health, has been providing support and counseling to the female staff member who was attacked by a male mentally ill patient at the Black River Hospital in St. Elizabeth.

The Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) held a Leadership Seminar on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at the Mandeville Hotel under the theme “Leadership for the Sustainability of an Effective and Responsive Health System.”

Paediatric patients at the May Pen Hospital in Clarendon will now benefit from a newly refurbished Learning Centre that facilitates recreational and educational activities. The Centre will also be used as a GSAT learning centre.

Roofing repairs for the May Pen Hospital commenced on Tuesday, November 10, in a move to improve the aesthetic of the work environment.

The Northern Caribbean University (NCU) Health and Wellness and Church Ministries Departments in partnership with the Manchester Health Department combined their efforts to bring to the Mandeville community a Grand Health Expo on November 18, 2015, at the Cecil Charlton Park in Mandeville.

The Lion’s Club of Mandeville in partnership with the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) hosted the annual ‘Central Medics and Friends’ charity concert

A US-based medical mission arrived in the island today (February 6) for a week-long mission to provide voluntary paediatric services to children between the ages of zero to twenty.

The Santa Cruz Centre of Excellence in St. Elizabeth recently received several items from a small Diaspora group which noted that the donation represents its support of the Health Ministry’s focus on enhancing primary health care.

The Clarendon Health Department has been actively monitoring the Rocky Point flooding in Clarendon and has increased its vector control activities, monitoring of water quality, vigilance of food establishments and public education.

The Paediatric Unit at the Black River Hospital is now better equipped to deliver critical care to term and premature neonates after a donation of neonatal care equipment valued at approximately J$5M

The bed capacity in the hospitals across the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) has received a boost from local charity organization Food for the Poor (FFP), through a donation of 60 hospital beds and mattresses.

The Ebenezer Home Management Committee held their Annual Open Day and 15th anniversary celebration under the theme ‘Dignity in Mental Health’ at the Ebenezer Home

For Mental Health Week, the spotlight will be on ‘Dignity in Mental Health’ as awareness is heightened to ensure that persons with mental health conditions can enjoy dignity and human rights.

The Zika Virus was the main topic of discussion for presenters and community members at a Town Hall Meeting hosted by The St. Elizabeth Health Services

Students of the Thompson Town Primary School in Clarendon present a comedic and dramatic version to an original song about good dental hygiene.

As the Ministry of Health continues to improve the health care system through innovative and effective initiatives, the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) has tapped into a revolutionary health care idea that empowers clinicians in rural areas to provide better health care to citizens.

The Ministry of Health developed the Centres of Excellence as part of its thrust to enhance the provision of primary health care across the island and since the opening of the first Centre in 2013