The Ministry of Health and Wellnes said today (July 1) it was doing all it could to ensure patients at health facilities were able to get the best care possible after junior doctors islandwide walked off the job.

The junior doctors have been upset over contracts and working hours.

In a statement, the health ministry said it could confirm that routine operations at several of the island’s health facilities had been disrupted after a number of junior doctors failed to turn up for work Thursday morning.

However, the ministry is assuring the public that all efforts are being made to ensure that patients accessing the various public health facilities receive the best possible care,” the Dr Christopher Tufton-led ministry said.

“As such, the regional health authorities, which have direct oversight for hospitals and health centres, have activated contingency plans that include the assignment of senior doctors to man various aspects of the operations.”

The ministry said further that priority was being given to emergency cases while appointments for some elective procedures were being rescheduled.

In the meantime, the ministry noted that the extent of the industrial action taken by the junior doctors and the impact on the health care system was being assessed.

According to media reports, doctors have failed to turn up for work at the Bustamante Hospital for Children, the University Hospital of the West Indies, and Kingston Public Hospital, all in the Corporate Area, as well as the Mandeville Regional and St Ann’s Bay Regional and Spanish Town hospitals among other facilities.

“The public will be updated on developments as they occur,” the health ministry statement read.

“Persons are encouraged to call their health centre or hospital to have their queries answered.”