The youth arm of the People’s National Party (PNP), the PNP Patriots, is calling for the immediate resignation of permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health and Wellness Dunstan Bryan and chief medical officer Dr Jacqueline Bisasor-McKenzie.

This call follows an increase in the country’s maternal mortality. Since 2016, Jamaica’s maternal mortality rate has remained above 100 per 100,000 live births, with the highest reported rate being 211.3 per 100,000 live births in 2021.

In a recent statement by the Patriots, the group said the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) maternal mortality rate increased by 1000 per cent in five years.

“The dissemination of misleading information about the maternal mortality rate, attributing higher rates to mothers who did not seek antenatal care or manage their chronic diseases, is heartless and unacceptable. This explanation disregards the fact that in one region, the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), the maternal mortality rate increased by 1000 per cent in five years. Every well-thinking Jamaican should condemn this shameful act of victim-blaming,” the group said.

It added that, “In light of these issues, we call for the immediate resignation of Permanent Secretary Dunstan Bryan and Chief Medical Officer Dr Jacqueline Bisasor-McKenzie. They have proven to be woefully out of touch with the state of healthcare in Jamaica and have failed to adequately perform their duties as heads of the health sector.”

Christopher Henry, president of the PNP Patriots, accused the Health Ministry of making a concerted effort to mislead and misdirect public focus.

“Stating that the PROMAC programme was praised at its completion two years ago says nothing about the current state of the HDUs or the whereabouts of the staff trained under the programme. The valuation of my car five years ago means nothing to a potential buyer today,” said Henry. “The MoHW needs to update the nation on the current status of the HDUs at all PROMAC sites,” he added.

The PNP Patriots are now calling on the Health Ministry to investigate the true state of Jamaica’s critical care and obstetric care and cease its public relations campaign that discredits affected patients and relatives by labelling them as naysayers and mischief makers.