KINGSTON, Jamaica – Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson announced a short while ago that, after consultations, the audit of the Regional Health Authorities will be released to the public.

This, he said, is in the best interest of the country.

Ferguson was speaking at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston, at a contracts signing ceremony for design services for maternal and neonatal high dependency units as well as the installation of equipment.

The health minister committed to releasing the audit in a national broadcast on Sunday night.

Ferguson said, after consultation, the decision was made in order to prevent the public from being misinformed, and to adhere to fairness and transparency.

Ferguson said: “It was never our intention not to be open or transparent. When we had the press briefing we spoke to critical issues and gave a summary.”

He added that the issue is now the centre of a political campaign and in the best interest of citizens and the country, the findings will be made public.

The ceremony was hosted by the Programme for the Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality (PROMAC) Project, which is funded by the Government of Jamaica and the EU.

A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed with the National Family Planning Board for the improvement of health seeking behaviour among females.

Kimberley Hibbert