IRIE FM

There are some 239 abandoned patients in public hospitals.

The Health and Wellness Ministry says among the public hospitals, Cornwall Regional has the highest number with 65 social cases; Savanna-la-Mar General has 26; Spanish Town Hospital has 21 and May Pen and Kingston Public Hospitals have 19 and 18 social cases respectively.

The Ministry is urgently appealing to family members, relatives, guardians and caregivers to collect their family member or loved one who has been medically cleared for discharge but remains in public hospitals.

The Ministry says these patients, many of whom no longer require acute medical care, are now classified as social cases.

Portfolio Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton said their continued stay in hospitals is placing additional pressure on an already constrained public health system.

Dr. Tufton is urging families and caregivers to work closely with hospital social workers, healthcare teams and the relevant authorities to make appropriate arrangements for their relatives or dependents who have been medically cleared for discharge.

He said the Ministry will provide support through its community health aids and through the training for unpaid caregivers.

The water prohibition orders which were announced last week by portfolio Minister Matthew Samuda are to take effect today.

According to his ministry, the decision followed a high-level stakeholder meeting with the National Water Commission (NWC) and the Met Service which confirmed that rainfall levels remain critically low and temperatures continue to soar.

The prohibition orders will apply to Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Thomas, St. Mary, Portland, St. Ann and St. Catherine.

They will remain in force until further notice.

Under the orders, no person shall use or cause water supplied by the NWC to be used for nonessential purposes.

Prohibited activities include irrigation or watering of gardens, lawns, grounds and farms; refilling or supplying of ponds or swimming pools; washing of vehicles with the use of a hose; watering or washing of roadways, pavements, paths, garages or outrooms; or any activity requiring excessive or unusual quantities of water.

NWC said water should only be used for normal domestic services such as drinking, cooking, washing, bathing and sanitation.

According to Mr. Samuda, offenders will be fined $1,000 or face 30 days in prison.

However, Mr. Samuda said he has written to the Minister of Justice and all associations related to the legislative process to allow for fines of up to $1.5 million.

By Sugar Ray Thomas

The Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ) says it will be establishing a drought impact help desk for members to report disruptions to water supply.

Additionally, recommendations will be provided to members on ways to gain access to water for their businesses.

It comes as the water prohibition orders come into effect today due to the drought impacting the island.

Speaking with IRIE FM News, SBAJ President Garnett Reid says drought conditions continue to impact members island-wide.

He says some members are faced with buying water, which is costly.

Mr. Reid says the numbers for the Drought Impact Help Desk will be made available in the coming weeks.

He notes that while assistance through the help desk will be free of cost, small businesses will have to incur the cost to purchase water from private suppliers.

Last week, the association suggested that the Government implement a relief plan to help small businesses weather the crisis.

The plan includes some short-term measures, to include an emergency water subsidy for medium and small businesses, priority water trucking at regulated rates, temporary tax relief, General Consumption Tax deferrals and the rapid deployment of water storage solutions.

The Jamaica Teachers’ Association says the new wage offer it received from the Ministry of Finance will be put before the association’s delegates in the coming days for a decision.

President Mark Malabver noted that the association was presented with a better wage offer at the weekend.

He said the offer has addressed a number of the issues but there is one item that remains outstanding.

The matter is expected to be discussed at the JTA’s annual conference which begins today .

By Sugar Ray Thomas

The Government is moving to address concerns about school book lists particularly the high costs associated with textbooks.

This is aimed at easing the financial burden on parents following numerous complaints from them about the matter.

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness provided an update on the matter at a recent Primary Exit Profile (PEP) awards hosted by his office.

He said that among the numerous complaints he has received from parents is that some of the textbooks purchased cannot be reused because they are replaced by different textbooks the following year.

According to Dr. Holness, the Government must focus on reducing the unnecessary costs to parents and ensuring that families receive greater value from expenditure on educational matters.

At the same time, he emphasized that the Government is not seeking to diminish the importance of books or physical reading material.

Dr. Holness also raised concerns about the influence of special interests on the selection of certain books to be used in schools.

He said this process must be rationalized.

Central Kingston Member of Parliament caretaker Steven McGregor has called on the Government to do more to assist parents with the resources needed for the new school term.

He noted that the cost of books and other educational supplies is enormous and that many parents are struggling to meet the expenses.

Speaking at a two-day back-to-school drive across the constituency on the weekend, McGregor committed to continue helping the parents as much as they can.

He said over 450 bags were distributed.

The People’s National Party Youth Organization (PNPYO) is calling for an urgent national response to what it describes as a growing teacher migration crisis in Jamaica. 

As the 2026-2027 academic year approaches, the PNPYO is urging the government to implement a comprehensive teacher-retention strategy. 

The group says the warning from the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools that teacher shortage is approaching crisis level cannot be treated as a routine back-to-school challenge. 

The PNPYO says it points to concerns over salaries, working conditions and the ability to attract and retain young educators.

The PNPYO cited data from the Jamaica Teachers Association, which indicated that over 700 Jamaican teachers moved to the United States and another 5 hundred to the united kingdom last year. 

It says retaining teachers is critical to improving student outcomes and Jamaica’s overall development.

General Secretary for the PNPYO, Peta-Gaye Ferguson says despite the government’s efforts, more still needs to be done to discourage teachers from leaving.

The PNPYO is calling for competitive compensation, manageable workloads, improved working conditions, professional development and housing incentives, for teachers in critical subject areas.

Mrs. Williams made the call at the official opening of the Christiana Tax Office in Manchester.

She stressed that tax compliance contributes to national development and helps to build a more independent Jamaica.

She added that taxpayers should view the payment of taxes as a social responsibility

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says the dispossession or eviction of families from properties, especially those informally settled, is becoming a public concern.

Dr. Holness made the acknowledgement in St. Ann yesterday, while briefly commenting on Tuesday’s demolition of homes in Cooper’s Pen, Trelawny.

Several families have been displaced by the demolition, which was reportedly executed by a private owner, following a court ruling.

The situation has sparked national debate, with some citizens, as well as the Opposition People’s National Party, reigniting conversations about earlier displacement activities in St. Thomas and St. Catherine.

Prime Minister Holness acknowledged the concern, noting that it further cements the need for a comprehensive programme which would effectively address squatting in the country.

Motor vehicle owners are being urged to desist from overtaking long lines of traffic when travelling on the nation’s roadways.

Speaking with IRIE FM News, Executive Director of the National Road Safety Council, Paula Fletcher, says this dangerous practice has led to many crashes and deaths.

In explaining the risks, Mrs. Fletcher notes that drivers who overtake long lines of traffic are tempted to squeeze back into tight spaces when they see oncoming vehicles.

She warns that this move is detrimental, especially if the motor vehicle does not possess the power needed to get out of the way quickly.