Dr. Manuel Pena
PAHO/WHO Representative in Jamaica
IT IS with great pleasure, that on behalf of the Pan American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), I express my heartiest congratulations to The Gleaner on the 10th Anniversary of its health feature 'Profiles in Medicine'.
It has been very successful as an educational and informative channel for the benefit of the public, on a wide range of health issues. According to Albert London, the famous French Journalist, "our role is not to be in favour or against; it is to put the pen in the wound"; however, when dealing with issues pertaining to health, it is necessary for a Journalist to take sides, that is to take the position which informs people, enables and empowers them, identifies opportunities to promote health and contributes to mobilise societal forces to build a culture of health.
The Gleaner has made a positive difference through its health feature by creating more public awareness on health and has therefore made a significant level of contribution in this area. 'Profiles in Medicine' has become an impressive resource in health information, bringing it in lay terms allowing clear understanding of the issues.
Evidently, a great deal of effort has been
made to provide such useful information on health over the ten-year period. The topics covered have been relevant, have attracted interest and due to its wide readership, the information disseminated has reached a large cross-section of persons. It is a well-known fact that proper use of communication about health can make a great difference! The Gleaner has undoubtedly played an effective role in promoting health. It has effectively used its access to professional knowledge in its health feature. In recognition of this, PAHO/WHO has awarded the health feature for several years through its winning entries in the annual PAHO/WHO Media Awards.
Today's health journalist has the challenging task of covering an ever-expanding range of complex issues and making them understandable and accessible to the general public. The Gleaner has indeed been successful in this regard. We wish for the continued success of The Gleaner's 'Profiles in Medicine' and are assured that its impact will be strengthened as the years progress.
Dr. Henry Lowe
Chairman, Blue Cross of Jamaica
AS AN avid reader of the 'Profiles in Medicine' weekly feature, I am absolutely delighted that I am able to share in the observation of this significant milestone of 10 years of providing health care education and information to the people of Jamaica.
Eulalee Thompson is to be commended for her excellent work in passing on a wealth of knowledge on health care issues to the local community.
Ten years is not only an indication of the fact that this feature has stood the test of time but attests to the sustainability of such quality information. Information that has not only been helpful to the general public but to professionals in the health care industry which has, in some instances, acted as a catalyst for further or new research.
Quality journalistic and educational work of this kind must be encouraged! Personally, I anticipate the celebration of several more decades of 'Profiles in Medicine' in enhancing the quality of life for the average Jamaican.
Dr. Earl Wright
Director, Mental Health & Substance Abuse, Ministry of Health
THE MINISTRY of Health and the Mental Health Unit in
particular welcome this opportunity to congratulate The Gleaner Company and
say a special thank you to Eulalee Thompson. Over the years 'Profiles in Medicine'
has become known for well-written, informative, topical and reader-friendly
articles on general health issues, which include mental health.
Through this publication, The Gleaner Company has facilitated the increased awareness of the Jamaican public to mental health issues, as the articles on mental disorders have fostered an increased recognition of the value and importance of mental health issues island-wide.
Throughout the years The Gleaner Company has worked assiduously to challenge the stigma that is associated with mental disorders by collaborating and liasing closely with medical personnel to get the facts to the public. The positive coverage of World Mental Health Day is one such example.
I commend you for your valuable support of the Ministry of Health's effort to improve our Mental Health services and look forward to working with you for many more decades.
Dr. Margaret Green
Past President, Medical Association of Jamaica.
IT IS a pleasure to congratulate the 'Profiles in Medicine' feature of The Gleaner on its 10th Anniversary.
As I remember, in late 1992 the Executive of the Medical Association of Jamaica
(MAJ) met with the Editor of The Gleaner and some of his staff to explore
the strategy for collaboration between our organisations. During the course
of discussions a wide range of topics emerged amongst which was the Association's
concern for the way health matters were dealt with by the media. This immediately
struck a spark with the Editor and we brainstormed ways in which accurate and
relevant medical information could be brought to the paper's readership.
It was agreed that for a start the approach should be two-pronged. First, there was a need to identify a reporter who would be encouraged to develop a special interest in medical/health reporting. Secondly, a special weekly page would be dedicated to giving reliable, current and topical information on health matters.
The Association was, therefore, delighted when the feature page 'Profiles in Medicine' made its appearance in 1993. It was clear that The Gleaner was committed to the undertaking when Eulalee Thompson was assigned as the specialist journalist for this desk.
The range of topics covered has expanded over the years to satisfy the public's quest for health information and the lead was taken in health promotion.
'Profiles in Medicine', Eulalee Thompson and The Gleaner have received
many awards locally, regionally and internationally. These include prestigious
PAHO journalism awards and the President of the Medical Association of Jamaica's
Special award in 1994 for the significant contributions to Medical Journalism
in Jamaica.
Successive administrations of the MAJ continue to cherish close collaboration
with The Gleaner, 'Profiles in Medicine' and medical journalist, Eulalee
Thompson.
Best wishes for many more years of service to the people of Jamaica.
Ellen Campbell Grizzle
President, Caribbean Association of Pharmacists (CAP)
THE CARIBBEAN Association of Pharmacists (CAP) is pleased to extend congratulations to The Gleaner's 'Profiles on Medicine' feature for a decade of outstanding service. We know that our clients have benefited from the consistently accurate information on various health issues and appropriate therapies provided on a weekly basis.
Further, we commend the effort and commitment that it has taken to forge and sustain the publication of health information in mass print media. Be assured that 'Profiles on Medicine' has served both a preventative and palliative function and has contributed to the national and regional thrust to create consumers that are well informed on health issues.
CAP is committed to creating a Caribbean Safe Medicines Zone (CSMZ) and see your health feature as an important partner in achieving this goal. We will continue to place our training and expertise at your disposal as you work to provide an important service to our clients and patients in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. Congratulations and best wishes for continued success.
John Junor
Member of Parliament,
Minister of Health.
CONGRATULATIONS TO the management and staff of The Gleaner and Eulalee Thompson in particular, as you celebrate your 10th anniversary of the publication of the very informative 'Profiles in Medicine'. This is a significant achievement of which you should be proud.
The mission of the Ministry of Health is to promote the physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being and enhanced quality of life of the Jamaican people, in partnership with other stakeholders, by empowering individual and communities and ensuring access to adequate health care. Over the years The Gleaner, through the weekly publication 'Profiles in Medicine' has been a valuable partner in our efforts to achieve this goal.
Health promotion has become an essential strategy in health care delivery in Jamaica. The increase in non-communicable diseases, violence and sexually-transmitted diseases is one of the main challenges now facing the sector. These issues are related to lifestyle practices. It is therefore imperative to empower the individual to prevent and control these diseases and I laud your efforts to this end. My commendations on your achievements and keep up the good work.
Dr. Errol Daley
President, Medical Association of Jamaica
THE MEDICAL Association of Jamaica applauds, compliments and praises The Gleaner, its staff and in particular Eulalee Thompson on the 10th anniversary of its development and generation of 'Profiles in Medicine'. Each article created over the 10 years has been thoroughly researched, of an extremely high standard and has furnished Jamaicans with excellent information regarding illness, its detection and its treatment.
Education, it is said, is the instruction of the intellect in laws of nature.
'Profiles in Medicine' has certainly educated us all. But times change and we
are now convinced that preventive issues, often involving lifestyle changes,
are at least as important today as detecting and treating disease, which is
usually based on an annual physical examination.
Health promotion and maintenance is a partnership one between the physician
who counsels, tests and treats, and the patient who modifies and practises a
healthier lifestyle, leading to a healthier, more productive nation.
The Medical Association of Jamaica therefore further congratulates The Gleaner
in changing its emphasis to one of health promotion and maintenance as 'Profiles
in Medicine' becomes 'Your Health' on this 10th anniversary.
The MAJ feels certain that the value and worth of this segment of the newspaper will continue its usual high standard and we pledge and emphasise our willingness to continue to support this exemplary section in whatever way we can. Best wishes.
