Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • Videos
  • Career & Education
  • Classifieds
  • All Woman
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Design Week
Minister expected to release health audit report today
Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson
News
November 5, 2015

Minister expected to release health audit report today

AMIDST unrelenting public pressure, health minister Dr Fenton Ferguson is expected to release the full report of the audit of the status of public health facilities today, instead of Sunday as was originally planned.

Dr Ferguson had announced on Tuesday that he would release the full report following a national broadcast, but yesterday in a surprise move Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller said she had directed him to make the document public today.

The Jamaica Observer understands that Simpson Miller’s reaction came as a result of nudging and concerns from participants at a Partnership for Jamaica National Council meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister at which herself and the health minister were present.

This is the first intervention from the prime minister in the over two months of public discourse on the audit and the clamour for the gory details.

“The decision follows discussions with members of the Partnership for Jamaica National Council…. The report will be published on the website of the Ministry of Health and made available to the media,” the OPM said in a press release.

“The partners contended that there was an issue of perception that needed to be addressed by way of issuing the report sooner than the originally planned release next week,” the release added.

The council comprises the Government; trade unions; the private sector; and civil society, which includes representatives from the church, women’s organisations, human rights, and environmental groups, and the youth.

Meanwhile, the OPM was forced to retract a statement in the first issue of the release that the council members had expressed “confidence in Dr Ferguson’s ability to lead the activities of the Health Ministry”.

In September, the health minister opted to release only a summary of the report from the audit which he himself commissioned in May of this year as concerns heightened over the deplorable conditions in public health facilities. The minister and his team argued that full disclosure would cause some institutions to be stigmatised, and negatively affect staff morale. Since then, there have been calls from the Opposition and the public for the full report to be revealed.

According to the summary of the audit, major “non-conformances” found include inadequate systems and infrastructure for infection prevention and control, a situation made worse by a shortfall in critical personal protective equipment such as plastic aprons used to prevent contact with waste or body fluids.

The probe further found that there is inadequate hand hygiene practise; inadequate and inconsistent supply of drugs and sundries; not enough linen, including gowns; non-functional and insufficient number of equipment; and a lax in stock management and record-keeping of critical needs lists.

All four regional health authorities were audited with special focus on maternity, operating theatreS, neonatal units, intensive care and accident and emergency.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Plans to establish Backgammon clubs in schools
Latest News, News
Plans to establish Backgammon clubs in schools
BY KEVIN JACKSON Observer Writer 
September 22, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Backgammon, a two-player board game played with counters and dice on table boards, is being considered for several high schools in...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Forex: $158.80 to one US dollar
Latest News
Forex: $158.80 to one US dollar
September 22, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The United States (US) dollar on Tuesday, September 22 ended trading at $158.80, up 23 cents, according to the Bank of Jamaica’s d...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Dominica remembers passage of Hurricane Maria
Latest News, Regional
Dominica remembers passage of Hurricane Maria
September 22, 2026
ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC) — Dominica Tuesday remembered the passage of the catastrophic Category 5 Hurricane Maria nine years ago, with Prime Minister Ro...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Jamaicans encouraged to upskill for the AI era
Latest News, News
Jamaicans encouraged to upskill for the AI era
September 22, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — With artificial intelligence (AI) advancing rapidly across the globe, Jamaicans are being encouraged to develop skills to remain c...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Jamaica makes strides in draughts 100-square board
Latest News, Sports
Jamaica makes strides in draughts 100-square board
September 22, 2026
Jamaica recently participated in the Tobago 10×10 International Draughts-100 Open World Cup 2026, gaining valuable competitive experience, new interna...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Sagicor builds on R Danny Williams’ legacy of motivation with ‘SMS’
Latest News, News
Sagicor builds on R Danny Williams’ legacy of motivation with ‘SMS’
September 22, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — As the year approaches its close, many professionals find themselves seeking renewed motivation and encouragement to stay focused ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Trump signs security deal with Greenland, Denmark at UN
International News, Latest News
Trump signs security deal with Greenland, Denmark at UN
September 22, 2026
UNITED NATIONS (AFP)—United States (US) President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a security deal with the leaders of Greenland and Denmark, in a cerem...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Autopsy shows Hayden Panettiere died from drug overdose
International News, Latest News
Autopsy shows Hayden Panettiere died from drug overdose
September 22, 2026
An autopsy completed by the Greenville County Coroner's Office in South Carolina revealed that American actress Hayden Panettiere died from the toxic ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct