Dr Jacquiline Bisasor McKenzie, chief medical officer (CMO) in the Ministry of Health has made an appeal for Jamaicans to keep their elderly relatives out of hospitals to limit the pressure on the healthcare system.

“I am reminded that I get a call almost every day abut persons sitting in emergency departments waiting for beds and there is huge clamour for beds at hospitals and when you check a majority of those persons older than 60 and majority of them there with complications of non-communicable diseases and more beds take time. We are certainly working on projects to increase the number of beds, but I am going to make this special appeal since I have the platform that as we approach the end of the year, the pressure on our hospital gets worse. Just as how we are talking about how we prepare for our older years, I want to say to everybody that they must commit now, this September to keep our elderly out of hospital,” McKenzie said.

She was speaking at the launch of National Council for Senior Citizens Month on Wednesday, September 4.

The CMO further urged Jamaicans to ensure that their elderly relatives are provided with their medication and taking them as prescribed by their medical provider. They are also urged to pay keen attention to their diets and have regular doctor visits.

“All of these things tend to fall apart approaching Christmas and our numbers of persons uncompliant increases and then we have this massive increase in the number of visits to the emergency departments. We have to commit to work just as we prepare for the older years, I am making this appeal, let it be that this year, we can keep the numbers down by start doing what we need to do today,” McKenzie added.

She said older people are not only more vulnerable but they represent a valuable resource for the country.

The Chief Medical Officer said the Ministry of Health is seeking to transform healthcare delivery to meet the demands of the elderly to provide them with best opportunity for their continued contribution to the social well-being of the country.