In the wake of mounting human resource challenges within the Ministry of Health, the Opposition Shadow Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Alfred Dawes is calling for urgent action to address the growing crisis affecting healthcare services.

Over the past week, the South East Region Health Authority (SERHA) has experienced industrial action from laboratory technicians and nurses, revealing systemic issues within the health ministry.

Dawes, in emphasizing the urgency of the situation, stated: “The current state of affairs within our healthcare system is alarming. Employees are citing concerns related to compensation, working conditions, and what they perceive as a lack of responsiveness from senior managers to their grievances. The Ministry of Health must swiftly and comprehensively address the root causes of these issues to ensure the continued delivery of quality healthcare services.”

Expressing concern over the rapid promotion of recently graduated nurses, Dawes noted: “Hastily promoting inexperienced nurses without completing the required orientation programme is unfair to these nurses who lack the requisite experience but are expected to assume primary responsibility for patient care, without adequate supervision. This potentially dangerous practice jeopardises patient safety and places an undue burden on our seasoned healthcare professionals. We need a strategic and sustainable approach to address staffing challenges.”

The Opposition health spokesman also underscored the disparities among medical doctors, pointing that “senior doctors have become restive as they are being paid less than their junior counterparts. This imbalance threatens the morale of our medical professionals and could lead to further disruptions in healthcare services if left unaddressed”.

In a plea to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Dawes urged for collaboration in resolving the situation. “This is a critical moment for our healthcare system. The Ministries must work together to resolve these issues promptly, ensuring the well-being of both healthcare providers and the patients they serve.”