KINGSTON, Jamaica — Frustrations continue to mount among Jamaican healthcare workers who have spoken out against severe shortcomings in the nation’s public health system. These workers, joined by Opposition Health Spokesperson Dr. Alfred Dawes on Monday, are calling for immediate government intervention to improve working conditions and resources.
At a press briefing, Dr. Dawes criticized the government’s handling of the crisis, highlighting the unsafe environments healthcare staff endure daily. “Doctors are working in mold-ridden clinics with no ventilation and limited equipment, all while doing their best to serve patients,” Dawes stated. “They’re the ones propping up this system despite lacking support.”
Healthcare workers say they have requested additional funding and resources multiple times but claim these requests have been sidelined. Dr. Dawes urged government officials to shift focus from assigning blame to addressing long-standing infrastructural problems. “It’s not the healthcare workers that are the problem—it’s the inadequate support from leadership that’s causing these issues,” he added.
The Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association (JMDA) released a statement over the weekend, calling for the Ministry of Health and Wellness to address both staff shortages and deteriorating infrastructure. They stressed that without immediate action, Jamaica’s healthcare system faces an uncertain future.
