Dollar devaluation killing health sector
Dear Editor,
It has been widely reported in the media that Jamaica’s public health facilities are bursting at the seams with patients moreso now than any other time in recent history.
Further, it is no secret that the health sector has long lacked the resources it requires for ideal care and service. However, one has to wonder what is causing this sudden influx of sick, far beyond the capacity of our hospitals?
I put it to you that the problem is rooted in the Government’s dollar devaluation policy.
My understanding is that Jamaica imports the vast majority of its prescription drugs. With the Jamaican dollar losing roughly 30 per cent of its value in recent months, it stands to reason that the cost of prescription medication has seen a correlating increase. Simply put, the Government’s dollar devaluation policy has put the cost of many prescription drugs out of the reach of ordinary Jamaicans.
It is inevitable that when people are forced to forgo daily prescription medication the severity of their illnesses will escalate. Hence, it should be of no surprise when droves of people present with illnesses at emergency rooms, which could have been easily managed at home.
The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) does excellent work in documenting the prices of goods available on the Jamaican market. A CAC survey of the change in prices of common prescription medication over time would be incredibly useful in mitigating this particular health sector challenge as the Government continues with wage freezes, dollar devaluation, and other austerity measures.
Stephen Edwards, MSc
Kingston 6
patriot.ja@gmail.com