One-Minute Reads ... News from across Jamaica

Education ministry clamps down on sugary drinks

In a recent bulletin, the education ministry reiterated the need to reduce sugar consumption among students and to foster lifelong healthy habits.

To support this initiative, the health ministry has established a voluntary registry of compliant beverages, which provides a vetted list of beverage options that meet the interim standards. This registry aims to assist school administrators, food service providers, parents, and other stakeholders in making informed choices when procuring drinks for students. A key element of the Interim Guidelines for Beverages in Schools - which came into effect on January 1, 2019 - is ensuring beverage compliance. Beverages are deemed compliant if they are unsweetened or if sweetened, contain no more than 2.5 grams of total sugar per 100 millilitres (equivalent to six grams per 240-millilitre serving).

The bulletin said members of staff at schools are advised to verify labels and documentation carefully during procurement. It also noted that once the National School Nutrition Policy is fully adopted, beverages containing artificial sweeteners will no longer be allowed.

SCHIP now 96 per cent complete

The US$575-million Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project (SCHIP) is 96 per cent complete.

This was announced by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation with Responsibility for Works, Robert Morgan, during his 2025/26 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. He said major components of the project, which has transformed sections of Clarendon, Manchester, St Andrew, St Thomas and Portland, have already been opened to the public.

Morgan indicated that significant work on the St Thomas to Portland phase is anticipated by the end of June.

"However, we would have announced that the Port Antonio Bypass will continue the SCHIP for another 18 to 24 months," he further pointed out. He noted that engineers are fully aware of vulnerabilities along the Yallahs to Port Antonio corridor and have factored various parameters into the design.

Thousands have convictions erased

Since 2016, more than 7,000 persons have had their records expunged, thus having convictions erased from their criminal records.

Justice Minister Delroy Chuck made the announcement during his 2025/26 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. Chuck noted that since 2016, 11,000 expungement applications were filed. Of the 7,000 which were approved, 1,800 (from 2,500 applications) were done during the fiscal year 2024/2025. Chuck underscored ongoing systemic reforms, noting that the ministry recently assigned two officers to the Criminal Records Office to streamline record retrieval for expungement applicants.

"So persons no longer have to wait too long for their applications to be considered. Over the past six months, or so, we have completed over 2,000 backlog applications," he said.

Health centre to be expanded

The Little London Health Centre in Westmoreland is to undergo expansion works under the Ministry of Health and Wellness's Operation Refresh initiative.

Portfolio minister Dr Christopher Tufton, made the disclosure to JIS News, during a tour of the facility on Tuesday.

"We're going to be expanding to the back where we have space to create some more cubicles for doctors or doctor's offices for the staff, and the records room. We're going to ensure that the waiting area is more comfortable with new seating. We're going to put air conditioning in the facility so that it's cool, and of course, renovate the kitchenette, the bathroom and all the other areas," he informed.

Tufton said that the expansion work, which is expected to be undertaken over a three-month period, will enhance service delivery to the growing number of patients. He noted that the facility has added more physicians and nurses over the last couple of years.

"The numbers support this because they have seen, year-over-year, a seven per cent increase in the total number of visits, with just over 9,000 visits last year," he informed.