The Ministry of Health is reporting an increase in the incidence of gastro-enteritis, malaria and dengue fever across the island, due largely to the prevailing drought conditions, and is looking to implement a national hand washing campaign as part of measures to contain the spread.

Speaking at Thursday's post-cabinet media briefing at Jamaica House, portfolio Minister Rudyard Spencer, said the ministry's surveillance mechanism had detected increases of up to 100 per cent in the number of cases of the three non-communicable diseases.

"The ministry is concerned, as we believe that the current conditions are influencing the disease profile of the country , and, that the drought will serve to exacerbate the spreading of these illnesses," he bemoaned.

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He informed that the ministry is sourcing funding for the hand washing campaign, which is estimated to cost some $15 million, and has already completed the printed material with the assistance of the Pan American Health Organisation.

"We believe that frequent and proper hand washing is important to assist in stemming the spread of viral and bacterial diseases. We will also continue to emphasise ways in which persons should wash hands properly, even with limited running water. The use of alcohol-based sanitisers is also advised, to reduce the spread of viruses and bacteria," the minister stated.

The campaign is in addition to three radio commercials, two on gastro-enteritis and one on hand washing, which are being aired on six radio stations, and an ongoing public education programme, which involves the provision of information and resource material to communities.