Opposition Spokesperson on Health and Wellness, Dr Morais Guy is calling for Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton to ensure that all operating theatres in public hospitals across the island are adequately maintained to deliver quality patient services. 

Guy said he had received disturbing information that one of the operating theatres at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) ceased operation three days ago because of a massive water leak from the ceiling. The Opposition Spokesperson also said his information was that the KPH had reportedly run out of medical oxygen within the last three days, forcing it to postpone scheduled surgeries and implement other mitigating actions.

In a statement today (October 17), Guy said he was deeply concerned about the lack of oxygen because it revealed that the administration is no longer concerned about oxygen supplies as Jamaica is out of the heightened COVID-19 pandemic.

POSTPONEMENT OF SURGERIES

“We are no longer in a COVID-19 emergency. As such, the minister must ensure that our hospitals have the necessary oxygen supply on time to maintain the quality of health care delivery in these facilities,” he stated.

For the most part, Guy said many public hospitals had only been providing emergency services in critical circumstances. Therefore, when these services are impaired due to lack of oxygen, poor maintenance or inoperable structures and equipment, it impacts the quality of care for vulnerable citizens.

Three weeks ago, on September 21, Guy said he pointed out the situation at the Annotto Bay Hospital and called for Tufton to immediately address an air conditioning malfunction causing water leaks in the operating theatres.

This situation resulted in the postponement of surgeries at that facility and remains unresolved.  

“This latest incident at the KPH only adds to the impression of an uncaring government steeped in public relations to give the impression that all is well in the sector,” said Guy.

The Opposition Spokesperson said the Minister of Health seems to have lost focus on his primary responsibility to ensure proper cost-effective health services for all citizens.

“This is evident from the recent posturing that government intends to pursue the CODE CARE programme model which promotes the transfer of surgeries to private facilities. This policy option is potentially devastating to the poor, disabled and other vulnerable groups due to the huge costs for these groups were they to try access the care privately,” he emphasised. 

“Right now, we are witnessing a pattern of neglect of the publicly funded hospitals in favour of private arrangements, which cannot be how health services are delivered to our citizens,” Dr Guy remarked. 

He noted that it was against this background that he was calling for the health minister to ensure that the country’s health facilities are functioning at an optimum levels, particularly those with operating theatre issues such as the KPH and Annotto Bay Hospital.

He reiterated that the issues at KPH have to be remedied as it is the largest trauma hospital in the public health system and the hospital of choice for most citizens, especially our most vulnerable.