NDM slams Gov’t, IMF over state of health service
THE National Democratic Movement (NDM) has labelled the current state of Jamaica’s health-care system a national disgrace, saying that it is clear from the actions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller that little attention is being given to people’s health.
In a press release issued yesterday, the NDM said that it was saddened by the resignation of Dr Trevor McCartney as head of the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), which they said appeared to be fallout from the dead babies scandal.
“The National Democratic Movement is saddened to know that a competent doctor, administrator and humanitarian, Dr Trevor McCartney has resigned UHWI. His resignation seems to be one of the fallouts from the infection and deaths of many babies in the hospital,” the party said.
Following media reports that several premature babies were dying at the hospital, the Ministry of Health last week revealed that 18 of 42 babies at UHWI and Cornwall Regional Hospital had died from health care-associated infections since July.
In an update to Parliament yesterday, Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson disclosed that a 19th baby had died from infection.
The death of the babies has incensed the public with many blasting the Government for its handling of the matter.
Yesterday, the NDM called for answers on the state of the public health system.
“The NDM is calling on both the IMF and the prime minister to explain to the people of Jamaica why the most important health sector has been starved of funds resulting in a disgraceful, run-down” of health services offered to the people of Jamaica,” the NDM charged.
“It is clear by the actions of the IMF and the prime minister that little care and consideration are being given to the people’s health. In a sick country, there can be no good security, no good production, no good education, no good job creation and no good economic improvement,” it added.
In the meantime, the NDM raised concerns about what it calls the “haste” to call a general election.
“…The IMF and the prime minister seem to be in an indecent haste to call a general election one year before it is constitutionally due, before Christmas; even when every important sector is in dire need of repair and improvement. In addition to severe water lock-offs, important wages and salary negotiations in the public sector are outstanding,” the NDM reasoned.
“It is the belief of the NDM that both the IMF’s and the prime minister’s focus is to remain in power, at all costs, as the government of Jamaica. Even at the expense of the health of the nation,” it added.