WITH the political tribalism that exists in Jamaican society, it is well nigh impossible to have a rational, fact-based, unemotional discussion on politics and public policy.

The quality of public debate is lowered by the politically motivated utterances of the People’s National Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). There are too few politically neutral people and they do not speak up often enough and persistently enough. The commentary by professionals in the media is not given a fair hearing because everything is interpreted to be politically partisan.

If one suggests, even with good reasons, that certain ministers in the current Government are not performing, one would be immediately lambasted as “dutty Labourites”. Similarly, if one suggests, even with great justification, that a JLP official is not providing quality leadership, one would be vilified as “Socialist” and/or “Comrade”. And this applies to people who have tertiary education and could be holding down key positions in society.

We, in this space, do not escape the labelling by party-affiliated persons who can’t bear to hear or see any form of criticism of their political ilk. But we know this to be par for the course, and so we continue to comment on public issues, hoping all the time that we are adding usefully to the social narrative — if we can borrow a term from the Americans — and to the good of the country.

Against this background, we call attention to the public image of Minister of Health Dr Fenton Ferguson. We would not be surprised if Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller were, at this moment, agonising over the situation of Dr Ferguson in the wake of the dead babies scandal, which has followed other big ones including the handling of the CHIKV outbreak and other major health issues of recent vintage.

While one is not suggesting that he is at fault, the point is that someone has to be held accountable when things go awry, something as dreadful as babies dying. It can’t be business as usual. The buck stops somewhere, and if it stops with Dr Ferguson, he it is who must be held accountable.

With election talk in the air, Mrs Simpson Miller might find it difficult to take action against Dr Ferguson, knowing that the Opposition would claim victory and it would be like sharks at the sight of blood. But the country needs a victory, which is more important than any concession to an Opposition party. The health minister’s image is in tatters, despite his own best efforts in a difficult portfolio.

We cast no aspersions on Dr Ferguson’s character, commitment to Jamaica, or his willingness to serve. We are merely saying that the current circumstances in the health portfolio have made it too difficult for him to function effectively as minister.

In fact, Dr Ferguson might consider relieving the prime minister and party leader of the onerous task of removing him and tender his resignation as minister of health. This would be a tactical move that would be good for his political party, the Government of which he is a part, and ultimately his country.

Of one thing we are sure, if no action is taken, it will only prove that there is no shame, no accountability, and no credibility in Jamaican politics.