News On The Go

Study to begin at Cornwall Regional

Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton has commissioned a comprehensive study of the health complaints of workers at the Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH).

The study is to be undertaken by a team of researchers from the University of the West Indies.

"This work will allow a clinical assessment of the occupational health and safety issues that have emerged and concerns raised related to the air quality challenges at the CRH. We are committed to ensuring that during these difficult times, addressing the restoration of the hospital, while preserving the services of the hospital, both the interests of patients and staff are fully considered," the minister said.

DPP to get spruced up offices

Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck says major renovation will take place this fiscal year at the offices of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

"The present offices that they have, when I walked through them, they are congested and decaying. Therefore, during this fiscal year, we will be renovating them," the minister said.

Chuck further noted that the Office of the DPP will soon be responsible for all prosecutors in the court system, adding that the clerks of the court will soon come under the supervision of the DPP.

"So, you will have one major prosecutorial arm in Jamaica controlling all the courts of Jamaica. The prosecutorial arm of the justice system will further be strengthened with additional training, more personnel and better terms and conditions of service," he said.

Scholarships for young persons with disabilities

The Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD) is encouraging young persons with disabilities to take advantage of scholarships being offered at both the secondary and tertiary levels.

Dr Christine Hendricks, executive director of the JCPD, said that the scholarships available to persons with disabilities include the Margaret Moody Scholarship, the Jamaica Society for the Blind Scholarship, and the Marlon King Memorial Scholarship.

"We want to encourage persons with disabilities, some who may never have heard about [these scholarships], to apply. We know that from time to time persons have challenges finding money for tuition, particularly at the higher level. So, we want them to know assistance is available," Hendricks said.

Chinese national fined $5 million for fake brands

Shifu Huang, a Chinese national who was charged for the unlicensed use of trademark, was convicted and sentenced when he appeared in the St James Parish Court on Monday.

He was fined $5 million or eight months' imprisonment at hard labour.

Huang was first arrested on December, 2016, when a police team from the Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime executed a warrant and searched two premises, where counterfeit shoes branded Nike, Adidas, Puma and Converse were seen displayed for sale along with other apparels.

He was again arrested for the same offence in April, 2017.