HIGHGATE, St Mary – Opposition spokesman on health Dr Morais Guy has cast doubt on the Government’s explanation that social cases had significantly contributed to recent images, seen on social media, of patients on the floor of a public hospital.

“The minister’s response was it was stale news as that had occurred during COVID-19, [then he] said that this was caused by the many social cases. [He’s] taking Jamaicans for idiots,” Guy said. “Time come for them to stop taking the Jamaican people for fools.”

He was speaking during a recent St Mary Central constituency conference. “Time come” is the PNP’s slogan as it prepares for the polls.

“As long as I am the Opposition speaker on health I will stand my ground to highlight the wrong that is taking place in the health sector and for them to stop taking Jamaicans for idiots,” Guy told Comrades gathered at St Mary High School.

He did not say whether he believes none or only a portion of the patients on the floor were people whose relatives had abandoned them at public facilities.

In mid-August a man posted images which he said were of patients on the floor at Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay. The Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), which has oversight for the facility, swiftly issued a statement in which it said overcrowding was severely impacting the public health response due to beds being taken up by social cases. It urged members of the public to collect their relatives.

According to the release from WRHA, there were then 100 social cases in the four parishes of the western region, of a total bed capacity of 731 beds, accounting for nearly 14 per cent of the total bed count. Of the 100 cases 32 had been placed at the Falmouth Infirmary. Meanwhile, 68 beds remained occupied by social cases, limiting the authority’s ability to accommodate an increasing number of sick patients.

Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton also confirmed that social cases continue to be a major issue preventing access to hospital beds for those who are in need of care.