30 years of disinvestment in healthcare hurting service delivery, says Holness

Surinamese drug kingpin arrested in Colombia after more than a decade on the run

WHO says it needs 5,000 more healthworkers to tackle Ebola in DRC

Weight-loss medicines and hair loss: New study finds genetic link in men

NEW YORK (ANI): Weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound may be linked to a higher risk of male-pattern hair loss, with men already genetically predisposed to the condition facing a seven per cent additional risk, according to a new study led by researchers at NYU Langone Health.

Spanish Town Hospital rejects negligence claim over crash victim’s 10-month surgery wait

Parents urged to protect children’s health as new school year begins

Health Promotion and Education Officer for Westmoreland, Gerald Miller, is urging parents to take proactive measures to protect their children’s health as the 2026/27 academic year gets under way. He encourages families to put safeguards in place, including reinforcing good hygiene practices, healthy eating and adequate hydration, while ensuring that basic medications and first-aid supplies are available at home.

Chimpanzees once used for vaccine research get health checks as part of long-term care

BUJA (AP): A group of chimpanzees once used in laboratory hepatitis B vaccine experiments has received health checks at their new home in Liberia, in hopes of giving them a second chance at a normal life. The West African chimpanzees received checks ranging from teeth cleaning to X-rays and pedicures at the Humane World for Animals’ Second Chance Chimpanzee Refuge in central Liberia, Liliana Pacheco Ricote, director of the sanctuary, told The Associated Press.

Silent struggle - Jamaican students battle rising mental health crisis

There is a rural high school in Jamaica where almost all students in a seventh-grade class are reportedly receiving counselling for self-harm ideation. One student, in a recent study by the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA), reported that she could not count the number of times she had tried to take her own life.

Over 200 benefit from Unity Fellowship health fair in St Elizabeth

US sinks third alleged Ecuador drug gang boat this week

Maduro and wife seek to end drug charges case on immunity grounds

NEW YORK (AP): Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife asked a judge on Wednesday to dismiss the drug trafficking indictment against them on the grounds that they have immunity as the leader and first lady of a foreign country. In papers filed in Manhattan federal court, lawyers for Maduro said a judge was required by law to reject the indictment because it cannot be brought against a foreign leader.

PM in good spirits as doctors continue evaluations

BASSETERRE (CMC): St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew says he remains in “good spirits” and in stable condition as doctors in South Florida continue to assess his health following reports that he suffered a stroke. In a five-minute national address on yesterday, Drew said he had first been treated in Martinique before travelling to the United States for further tests. He did not disclose a diagnosis. “I remain in good spirits, getting fully active, fully conscious, and in stable condition as these evaluations continue,” said Drew, 49.

Stevie Face joins forces with Help Jamaica Medical Mission for third annual St Thomas Health Fair

Venezuela’s Maduro seek immunity from US drug charges

JUST IN: Five people rushed to hospital after Mark X crash in Portmore

Five occupants of a Toyota Mark X had to be cut from the vehicle following a crash in Portmore, St Catherine, early Thursday morning. The accident happened on Fort Augusta Drive, the roadway linking the toll road to Port Henderson Road. The five occupants were rushed to hospital for treatment. Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.

Drunk in class - One in 10 students report going to school inebriated or under influence of drugs, survey finds

Jamaica’s classrooms are facing an unsettling challenge, with one in every 10 high-school students reporting that they have gone to school drunk, while a similar proportion say they have turned up under the influence of marijuana or other drugs. The finding is among several troubling revelations from the latest Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS), which paints a concerning picture of the health and well-being of Jamaica’s adolescents, including poor dietary habits, declining physical activity, and worsening mental health indicators.

Shericka Jackson ends 2026 season prematurely to focus on mental health

Falmouth Hospital gets $520 million rehabilitation boost after Hurricane Melissa damage

The 139-bed Falmouth Hospital has benefited from a $520 million rehabilitation project following extensive damage caused by Hurricane Melissa last October. Chief Executive Officer Carlington McKinnon told The Gleaner that the hospital suffered significant damage during the Category 5 storm, with all wards sustaining roof damage. He said the rehabilitation has improved the hospital’s overall aesthetics, while the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department received a completely new concrete slab roof.

JMDA warns of growing frustration over delayed IDT judgment

The new president of the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association says the group will wait two to three more weeks for the Industrial Disputes Tribunal to rule on the overtime and incentive dispute with the Health Ministry. Junior doctors are growing restless over the delay. The association is pressing for a decision.

Parents, educators urged to look out for hand, foot, and mouth disease

As the new school year starts next week, health officials are warning about hand, foot, and mouth disease. Gerald Miller from the Westmoreland Health Department says parents and educators should spot symptoms early. The illness spreads quickly among children.

SVF donates $2.1m to support heart surgery for children

Supreme Ventures Foundation has given $2.1 million to Chain of Hope Jamaica, the region's first dedicated children's heart centre. The facility, located at Bustamante Hospital for Children, offers specialised cardiac care for kids across Jamaica and the Caribbean. The donation aims to ease the financial burden of heart surgery for many families.

$48 million awarded to health researchers

The government has given $48 million to five health researchers. The money comes from the Research for Wellness Fund. It will support studies on pressing public-health problems. The goal is better health outcomes and more evidence-based policy.

St Kitts and Nevis PM arrives at undisclosed medical institution overseas

The Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis has arrived at an undisclosed medical institution overseas. No details have been given about the reason for the visit or the location. The government has not commented further.

HIV testing surges amid social media discussion

AIDS Healthcare Foundation Jamaica reports a sharp jump in HIV testing after social media talk about infection numbers. Seventy-nine people came to its Kingston clinic in one day. The group welcomes the interest but urges people to also reduce transmission risk.

Couples Ocho Rios Charity Golf tournament raises $2.8 million towards health centre

The Couples Ocho Rios Charity Golf tournament raised $2.8 million for a health centre. The funds will go toward supporting the facility. Organizers expressed gratitude for the community's support.