The Ministry of Health and Wellness is seeking to assure the public that emergency and essential health services remain available at public health facilities islandwide, while industrial relations matters involving medical doctors continue to be addressed.

Junior doctors are off the job in protest over what they say is the slow pace of the review process by the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT) to hand down a ruling as it relates to overtime payments.

In a release on Friday, the health ministry said some facilities may need to make temporary adjustments to routine services in the coming days. Members of the public may notice longer waiting times at some locations; rescheduling of some non-urgent appointments, clinics and elective
procedures; and adjusted opening hours at selected facilities, the ministry said.

It said, in collaboration with regional health authorities, it has put measures in place to safeguard patient care, including senior medical staff being available at facilities to support coverage; giving priority to emergency and urgent care; and managing admissions and outpatient schedules so that resources are directed where they are most needed.

The ministry said it is closely monitoring service delivery and will make changes as needed.

Persons with medical emergencies should go to the nearest accident and emergency department without delay. At the same time, persons on medication for chronic diseases should not allow their supply to run out and should collect refills early where possible, the ministry said/

Meanwhile, the health ministry acknowledges the concerns of the Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association regarding the delivery of a decision by the IDT in relation to the dispute over overtime payments and related matters.

The ministry said it is also awaiting the IDT decision and urges the continued patience of all parties, given the complexity of the matters under consideration by the tribunal.

It said updates will be shared through the Ministry’s website at www.moh.gov.jm, its social media platforms @themohwgovjm and the news media. The public may also contact their nearest health centre or hospital for information.