High blood pressure
The Heart Foundation of Jamaica has expressed concern about the high number of persons suffering from high blood pressure. It said that 25 per cent or $1.4 billion of the $5.6 billion spent by the National Health Fund (NHF) in 2020, on medication subsidies, was spent on high blood pressure medication. The NHF pointed out that of the 17 conditions covered by the NHF, the majority of the 398,000 enrolees had hypertension.
HEALTHCARE BRIEFS
Healthcare facilities
Primary healthcare facilities are to be built and upgraded in rural communities through a $1.8-billion grant from the European Union (EU). The grant will augment the US$50-million Inter-American Development Bank investment loan which will see the upgrading and development of 13 health facilities – three hospitals and 10 health centres – to benefit 800,000 Jamaicans.
Medical gift
More than 700,000 Jamaicans in the parishes of St. Elizabeth, Manchester and Clarendon are to benefit from improved access to healthcare through the donation of $32 million by the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund for the acquisition of surgical equipment for health facilities in the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA). The equipment included surgical beds and defibrillators.
Paediatric patients
The Ministry of Health and Wellness is placing sickle cell coordinators at public health facilities across the island to provide support for paediatric patients. National Coordinator for the Sickle Cell Programme at the Ministry, Dr. Carol Lord, said that the coordinators have been identified and they will be working with babies and children who have been diagnosed with the disease.
Give blood
Director of the National Laboratory Services, Dr. Michelle Hamilton, has called on young people to voluntarily give blood and encourage their peers to donate. “It has been well recognised that the best way of sustaining a blood donation system is through voluntary blood donors and so we are asking persons to donate. In several territories, blood is given 100 per cent by voluntary blood donors,” she noted.
Overweight children
Adults are to ensure that children receive at least 60 minutes of physical activity each week, for sustained health. Senior Health Education Officer Charmaine Plummer said there is an increase in overweight and obesity among children, due to limited physical activities. “They are not moving enough, and as a result we are seeing overweight, obesity and more stress,” she said.