More registered nurses report sick

Some surgical procedures cancelled

Thursday, April 08, 2010

SCORES of registered nurses stayed off the job for a second day yesterday as the long-running and bitter salary impasse between the Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) and the Government continues.

Several public hospitals across the island have been affected by the action of the nurses, which is said to have resulted in the cancellation of certain surgical procedures.

According to a release from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, approximately 45 per cent of the 410 nurses scheduled to work at the Kingston Public and Bustamante hospitals stayed off the job yesterday.

And at the University Hospital of the West Indies in St Andrew, 31 out of the 176 nurses scheduled for the early shift called in sick.

Other affected hospitals included the St Ann's Bay, Port Maria, Lionel Town and the National Chest.

"The actions by the nurses have resulted in major hospitals being hampered in their service to members of the public as they are only able to treat emergency cases. In some instances elective surgeries and routine dialysis treatments have been cancelled," said the ministry.

Meanwhile, Labour Minister Pearnel Charles has called for an end to the industrial action and asked that the "interest of the public takes precedence at this critical time".

Charles said also that his ministry would be taking steps to address the current impasse, while calling on the NAJ to make itself available for a meeting scheduled for tomorrow at the ministry's North Street offices in downtown Kingston.

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COMMENTS (4)

Elli Deedo
4/8/2010

This is very sad, but economic frustration have led those nurses to this stage. What have government done with the Loan from the IMF? all government members are well paid. They have no problem sending their Children to School. Consultant have being paid several Millions per Month, they need not to demonstrate. The Nurses are very important like the Governor of the Bank of Jamaica, and the well paid Consultant. They cannot tell their Land Lords or the Bank, they have no Money for their Rent or Mortgage. I'am sure Mr Golding and his freak Ministers are fully aware of this. This One sided system must be braught to a HALT. Every one in Jamaica is equal. This Classism must be Crippled: Too much faviourism. Some Children cannot attend a Good School, because their Parents are under paid, and must strike to get their Rights.
Decent people cannot go and live into a TENAMENT YARD, with all sorts of slummy Condition, where they pay's 20 Dollars per Mth for Rent. Under this poor Administration, many might find themselves living under a tree. I just hope the Citizens use's this for the Record to get rid of them in the Next Election.

rosemarie jones
4/8/2010

the government needs to stop fighting fire with fire, the nurses have families to take care of as do everyone else, it is high time for a settlement of this dispute, the government would have everyone believe that they don't have the money to do so, yet an accused in a criminal matter was given a $2 million contract without tendering. Maybe the nurses cry doesn't matter to the politicians (on both sides) because they can jump on a private jet and go to the US for treatment. unu betta thank God fi diplomatic privileges, else nuff a unu visa wuda cancel aready

Carl Sharpe
4/8/2010

I wonder what will happen when the nurses or members of their families really get sick. That should be interesting.

renrick hall
4/8/2010

My heart cries for the nurses, especially having three sisters in that profession. When I served in the JDF, a friend once asked me if I could take a sick day. In my response, I reminded him that the doctor is at the work place......lol.

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More registered nurses report sick