JMDA calls for Health Ministry to address infrastructure challenges in public health

The Jamaica Medical Doctors' Association (JMDA) is urging the Ministry of Health and Wellness to take immediate action to resolve infrastructure challenges facing Jamaica's public health system.

The association, in a media release on Sunday, argued that the issues highlighted at the Bustamante Hospital for Children are not unique to that institution as similar issues are nearly ubiquitous in the country's healthcare facilities.

Last Thursday, The Gleaner report that a spinal surgery for an 11-year-old girl diagnosed with scoliosis was put off because of challenges with one of the operating theatres at the hospital.

READ: Poor theatre conditions at BHC put halt to surgeries

Following the report, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton told a press conference the following day that arrangements are being made to have the surgery performed at the University Hospital of the West Indies.

That disclosure came after the lead surgeon and a team of doctors from the United States were forced to postpone the surgery because air conditioning, among other things, in the operating theatre was not up to standard.

READ: US surgeon criticises Jamaica's poor hospital infrastructure after surgery shortfall

Declaring that there is no money issue involved in addressing the challenges facing Jamaica's public-health facilities, Tufton stated that “systemic defects” are behind the ills affecting some operations at hospitals.

READ: Tufton blames system defects, not budgetary issues, for ills in heath sector

He said that while billions of dollars are being spent to build out and improve health facilities, a similar approach must be taken to have a more efficient culture around maintenance.

The JMDA stated that over the years the association has highlighted the widespread infrastructural and human resources deficiencies in repeated communications with the health Ministry.

According to the association, despite numerous letters and persistent efforts to engage the Ministry there has been limited response to some of these critical issues that are impacting both healthcare workers and the quality of patient care.

“We stand in solidarity with the hardworking doctors at the Bustamante Hospital for Children (BHC) who continue to serve the nation and Caribbean tirelessly. Our clinical teams of doctors remain committed to providing the best standards of healthcare within the infrastructural environment they are provided.”

The association says it stands ready to work with the Ministry for the best interests of the nation's healthcare system and the well-being of every Jamaican.

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.