KINGSTON, Jamaica – Opposition leader Mark Golding says Jamaica’s healthcare system needs to pivot towards primary care and focus on extensive screening.

He pointed out that 70 per cent of colon cancers in Jamaica are diagnosed at the advanced stage, 90 per cent of breast cancers are detected by a lump over a year after the cancer started, while prostate cancer is primarily diagnosed after it has spread.

He also noted that 50 per cent of diabetic and 40 per cent of hypertensive patients have no idea that they have the particular disease.

“And tragically, the entirely preventable cervical cancer continues to claim the lives of our women,” Golding said. He was speaking Tuesday during his contribution to the 2025/26 Budget Debate.

He said a People’s National Party (PNP) administration will launch national screening programmes to identify the diseases that are the top killers of Jamaicans, and treat them early and more effectively.

“Prevention and early treatment are easier, cheaper and more effective than late cures. Treating high blood pressure and diabetes effectively in our clinics will decrease the number of strokes, heart attacks, amputations and kidney failures that are now overburdening the hospitals, burdening livelihoods and claiming lives,” Golding stated.

He charged that in spite of grand announcements about the rehabilitation of health facilities, multiple operating theatres remain non-functional at major institutions, including Kingston Public Hospital, Cornwall Regional Hospital, St Ann’s Bay, Annotto Bay and the National Chest Hospital.

“Under the next PNP government, every operating theatre will be refurbished so each patient, instead of waiting years for surgery, will be able to have their procedures done quickly in well-equipped, modern facilities. We will move from the cutting of ribbons today, to the cutting of hernias tomorrow,” Golding declared.

He highlighted that emergency departments are severely overcrowded with patients who could be treated in urgent care facilities and sent home.

“We will create urgent care centres islandwide, where patients will have the option of not only seeing a doctor but having the relevant tests available for diagnosis and treatment. This, along with the expansion of emergency rooms and wards, will lead to shorter waiting times, and end patients having to sleep on benches and floors, once and for all,” Golding said.