Gov’t Senator accuses Dawes of being partisan in KPH criticisms

Government Senator Dr Elon Thompson has pushed back against criticisms raised by Opposition Spokesman on Health Dr Alfred Dawes about the mould problem at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), accusing him of partisan opportunism.

Speaking at a People's National Party (PNP) press conference on Tuesday, Dawes expressed concern about the mould situation at KPH, where four of the hospital's main operating theatres remain closed because of a malfunctioning air-conditioning system that has been ongoing since February.

Surgeries have been redirected to the Victoria Jubilee Hospital, the University Hospital of the West Indies, and the Bustamante Hospital for Children, but Dawes criticised this “piecemeal approach”, which he said has created a “logistical nightmare” and caused many procedures to be delayed.

READ: Dawes sounds SOS for KPH

He called for immediate action to address the mould problem, warning that failure to do so could lead to a crisis similar to the one at the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James.

But, Thompson has defended the Government and the Ministry of Health.

Thompson says he has been reliably informed that the Ministry of Health is at an advanced stage of fixing the issue and that work commenced before Dawes “sought to use it as a political football to boost his stocks.”

"It is unfortunate that Dr Dawes displayed political opportunism and partisanship during the PNP [People's National Party] media conference on Tuesday. His partisan rhetoric has no place when discussing matters concerning healthcare. I am advised that the operating theatre at the KPH will be back up in operation in short order. A problem was recognised and the Chris Tufton-led health ministry must be credited with moving to fix it.”

Thompson, who is a former President of the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association, argued that unlike the former PNP Government, the Jamaica Labour Party administration is not in the business of hiding challenges associated with Jamaica's healthcare system.

"Dawes should remember it was he who when the PNP was in office bemoaned the terrible state of the system and inaction by the PNP. He complained about issues including that garbage bags were being used to substitute for gowns. If he's is being honest, Dawes must recognise that this Government has invested heavily in upgrading infrastructure, availability of equipment, and service delivery."

Thompson says while there is much work to be done, some positives have been achieved by the current Government.

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