Jamaica: Medical services paralyzed as doctors initiate industrial action

More than 60 percent of the 2,500 government paid medical doctors who are attached to the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association and the Medical Association of Jamaica called in sick on Thursday – an apparent sign of industrial action.

The industrial action by doctors in the public health system has led to large crowds at public hospitals and clinics across the island-nation.

Jamaica’s ministry of Health in confirming the reports the industrial action by doctors, said several health facilities have informed patients that only emergency cases, will be accepted.

The Chairperson of the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA), Lyttleton Shirley revealed that precautionary measures are being implemented to ensure that patient care is not compromised and emergencies are being handled normally. He also confirmed that non-critical medical appointments were cancelled.

The ministry of Health has notified the country’s Labor authorities of the situation. -(CMC)