KINGSTON, Jamaica — The People’s National Party (PNP) is calling for the immediate resignation of Dr Christopher Tufton as the Minister of Health for his handling of the situation at the Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH).

The party said the issue has now become the worst crisis to have affected Jamaica’s health system, putting the health care of the people in the western belt of the island at risk.

In a release last evening, the Opposition said Tufton’s “subsequent attempt to use public relations to cover up his failure and mislead the nation is an affront to the entire Jamaica”.

The party further argued that he has sat on this problem and recommendation for over a year while the noxious fumes endangered the lives of staff and patients.

“By his inaction and admission, [he] has proven to all Jamaicans that he is incapable of handling such a sensitive and critical portfolio and cannot safeguard the health of staff and patients in the western region of the island,” the PNP suggested.

The release went further by stating that information has emerged confirming that Tufton failed to act after he was properly advised over a year ago by his ministry’s technical management team, which includes branch heads and the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) along with other legitimate and relevant health authorities and practitioners.

“He was informed that the fast deteriorating situation at the CRH required the drastic action of a complete shutdown of the facility.  This failure by the minister to act demonstrates an unfortunate lack of understanding of the issues,” stated the PNP adding that the life-threatening implications of his inaction are now evident.  

“It firmly signals that he does not have the capacity to lead the health ministry, nor does he take the health of the nation serious,” the Opposition pointed out.

To substantiate their claim, PNP stated that Tufton’s own technocrats in his ministry, after wide ranging consultations, recommended that the facility be closed, and he chose to ignore it resulting in devastating outcome of his own making and he must be prepared to face the consequences.

“Tufton, as an experienced member of the Cabinet, must understand that when a minister ignores the advice of his technocrats and disaster follows, his position becomes untenable.

“This saga amounts to a gross dereliction of duty and disgraceful absence of regard for the health and well-being of the staff, patients and other users of the facility,” the PNP insisted.

The PNP said it is demanding better for Jamaicans and called on Prime Minister Andrew Holness to act swiftly to restore public confidence in the nation’s health delivery system.

“The people of Jamaica deserves more than public gimmicks and public relations. It is time that the Andrew Holness government act in the best interest of all Jamaicans,” the PNP maintained.