MONTEGO BAY, St James — Saying they are bombarded with congregants’ frequent complaints about poor treatment within Jamaica’s public health system, St James Ministers’ Fraternal is questioning whether the country’s free health-care policy has become an unsustainable, double-edged sword.

Stressing that they support the principle of accessible health care, the group raised concerns about long wait times, inadequate resources, and what they described as worsening suffering at the city’s Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH). Their comments came during a press conference at Burchell Baptist Church in Montego Bay, St James, on Wednesday.

“We accept successive governments’ effort for free health care, but we are wondering if we are at that stage where we truly can give free health care,” said the group’s immediate past president Reverend David Thomas.

Since 2008, user fees have been abolished at public hospitals. The change took effect with Bruce Golding at the helm of a Jamaica Labour Party-led Government. Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has also been firm in his stance that every Jamaican has a right to enjoy free access to health care, regardless of financial status.

Reverend Godfrey Francis, secretary of St James Ministers’ Fraternal, speaking during a press conference, Wednesday, at Burchell Baptist Church in Montego Bay, St James. (Photo: Horace Hines)

However, citing concerns about the country’s ability to continue subsidising these costs, Thomas has suggested that individuals who have the ability to pay should be encouraged to do so. His comments came even as he lauded initiatives such as the National Health Fund and acknowledged what he described as the “high level of competency” among doctors and nurses.

“Listening to the minister of health in the sectoral debate recently, he said that there were 2.75-million patient visits in our hospitals. Now, if we should take… a paltry $1,000 from each patient… you’re looking at at least $2.7 billion from user fees,” Thomas reasoned.

Foreseeing challenges for the indigent, he said the system should not be scrapped in its entirety.

“A young doctor was saying, ‘Rev, some of the persons can’t even find the bus fare to come to the clinic’, so we understand all of that. The concept of free health care is not something that is lost on us,” Thomas declared.

Head of the St James Ministers’ Fraternal Glendon Powell at Wednesday’s press conference at Burchell Baptist Church in Montego Bay, St James.(Photo: Horace Hines)

Meanwhile Head of the St James Ministers’ Fraternal Glendon Powell expressed concern that under the current system many Jamaicans are not receiving timely and adequate treatment.

“Many of our people are dying, and it is because of not [being] given the proper health care,” the clergyman posited.

He also highlighted severe resource shortages, noting that he was informed that St James currently has only two functioning ambulances, a number which he said is woefully inadequate. He further pointed to shortages of nurses and doctors, saying many health-care workers are stretched to the limit.

“We have doctors in our congregation, nurses in our congregation we can’t see sometimes. Sometimes all three days consecutively they are at work. How can people work with such tired minds dealing with people? It is ridiculous!” he argued.