KINGSTON, Jamaica — More than 220,000 free screening tests have been administered to Jamaicans under the health intervention imitative ‘Know Your Numbers’, with 80,000 people referred for care.

Custos of Kingston, Steadman Fuller, in making the disclosure, said the initiative is part of the administration’s commitment to deliver accessible, modern and high-quality healthcare for all Jamaicans.

Know Your Numbers, he said, is geared at monitoring key health metrics such as blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and body mass index (BMI), ensuring early detection and intervention for the population, and empowering persons through crucial health information and messaging.

Custos Fuller was delivering the Throne Speech in Gordon House on Thursday, February 13, deputising for Governor-General, Sir Patrick Allen.

Turning to other imperatives in the health sector, he said the Government is strengthening the healthcare workforce, though the establishment of the Barry Wint Memorial Scholarship, where $2.5 billion has been invested to support 607 students studying areas such as medical technology, nursing and biomedical engineering.

For the new legislative year, which starts on April 1, Custos Fuller said the Government will continue to focus on infrastructure development, legislative reforms and health campaigns.

Among the major projects is completion of the Western Child and Adolescent Hospital in St James, which will offer 12 specialties, including paediatric cardiology and psychiatry.

Other projects include the redevelopment of the Spanish Town Hospital in St Catherine at a cost of $5.5 billion, along with the upgrading of health centres in the parish, namely Greater Portmore — $660 million, Old Harbour — $930 million, and St Jago Park — $704 million, as well as the rehabilitation of the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James.

Turning to legislative priorities, Fuller reported that these include the Tobacco Control Bill, aligning Jamaica with World Health Organisation (WHO) regulations by restricting tobacco and e-cigarette use, and the Food and Drugs (Amendment) Bill, regulating natural health products.

The Nurses and Midwives Act and the Pharmacy Act will also be amended to enable Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to prescribe approved pharmaceuticals.

— JIS