Dear Editor,

In Jamaica, too many citizens, especially the elderly, are treated poorly at public health facilities. It’s about time Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Minister of Health Christopher Tufton follow through on some of the promises.

On Friday, February 26, 2016, Holness posted some 41 election promises to the people of Jamaica. Eleven addressed the health care system in Jamaica.

Patients, especially the elderly, should not have to pay for services rendered while admitted to the hospital. Case in point: In September my brother suffered a major stroke and was admitted to the May Pen Hospital. His family members were told that he needed a brain scan in order to know what treatment and or medication to administer to him. In order for him to get the brain scan his family needed to pay $15,000. Within two hours the money was paid. He was not taken to the facility to get the scan until days later, though it was an emergency to get the scan. It seemed once the money was paid it was no longer an emergency.

He is a 72-year-old senior citizen, born and raised in Jamaica. His family members were told that he was in need of a permanent feeding tube and were asked to pay a private doctor that does surgeries at the hospital $95,000 in order for him to receive the feeding tube. And not only that, blood culture, urine culture, an aspirin, a fan, sheets, nutriments for patients who cannot chew their food, everything has to provided by the patients or their family members. It seems as if the motto in the hospitals is “pay or die”.

Mr Prime Minister, it’s time to take action.

I am afraid and concerned for the senior citizens of Jamaica.

Beverly Thomas Martin

beverlymartin80@gmail.com