Opposition Spokesperson on Health Dr Alfred Dawes is expressing grave concern about recent statements made by Minister of Finance, Fayval Williams regarding the Government’s decision to loan public funds to the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) and its impact on the health sector.

The finance minister justified the unprecedented loan by claiming that life-saving surgeries were being postponed due to delays in the restoration of electricity at several hospitals. This assertion has raised immediate alarm within the Opposition, given that the Ministry of Health has publicly indicated that key hospitals have remained operational and able to perform critical procedures throughout the recent challenges of Hurricane Melissa.

The Opposition is therefore seeking urgent clarity on a matter of national importance. Dr Dawes questioned the accuracy of the information being communicated to the country by the government. “Did the Minister of Finance mislead the country by stating that life-saving surgeries were not taking place? Or is the Ministry of Health misleading the public regarding which hospitals are currently able to provide these essential services?” he asked.

“This contradiction is unacceptable, and the Jamaican people deserve immediate, factual answers,” said Dawes. The Opposition is further troubled by what appears to be an attempt by the Ministry of Finance to leverage the health sector and the legitimate fears of citizens to rationalise a high-risk $24 billion loan to JPS. Using the health and well-being of Jamaicans as political cover is irresponsible and dangerous.

The Opposition is therefore demanding that the Government explain the opportunity cost of this decision. Dr Dawes highlighted that the same $24 billion being handed to JPS is, coincidentally, the equivalent amount required to complete the long-delayed Cornwall Regional Hospital, a facility critical to serving hundreds of thousands of Jamaicans in western parishes. He also questioned whether it was worth jeopardising the recovery of essential public infrastructure, leaving families homeless, schools unopened, in order to cut back on the operating costs of generators for 12 weeks simply to facilitate this controversial loan?

Dr Dawes is also calling on the government to immediately provide full transparency and to prioritise the health, safety, and welfare of the population over its recent questionable financial decisions.