Dear Editor,
The following is an open letter to the Prime Minister of Jamaica Portia Simpson Miller:
Is it that our country has lost so much pride, so much belief in self, and so much decency that we cannot honestly hold anyone accountable for anything?
My query comes in light of the fact that the chaos and failings of the public health sector cannot frankly become any more frightening for the many hard-working citizens of Jamaica and observers.
For one, things are at an all-time low when our doctors now feel compelled, albeit scandalously overdue, to comment on the wrecked state of public health care and the failings of ministry officials.
Dr Fenton Ferguson should have saved you, your Government, and the citizens of Jamaica any further embarrassment and resigned from the portfolio months ago.
It cannot be business as usual when the head of the nation's medical doctors' association complains about flies in operating theatres, single-use instruments being reused and the lack of proper surgical equipment. It cannot be business as usual when they complain about machines giving inaccurate readings; compounded by the now perennial limited supply of antibiotics; lack of sutures, surgical masks, syringes, and even pens, pencils and paper. It cannot be business as usual when air-conditioning units don't work forcing them to use fans, when lights are not working in operating theatres, when ta hospital canteen has to be closed because of infestation by rodents and insects, and when doctors have to wear garbage bags instead of surgical aprons.
As it stands now, the health portfolio is the worst managed of all in your Government. Chikungunya wreaked havoc and is said to have caused fatalities primarily because the country wasn't properly sensitised, despite the minister having had the relevant information years beforehand. And it doesn't end there, the entire public health system is in its most squalid state ever, with doctors restive and medical personnel overworked, stressed and getting low salaries. Patients are begging for attention and have to bring in their own medical and surgical supplies, while having to endure excruciatingly long wait times; some have even died waiting.
The health sector is in desperate need of a leader that can work under very demanding conditions. Dr Fenton Ferguson and his team of technocrats simply don't make the cut and their poor management and arrogance will be more than a footnote in history. People are dying, families are being destroyed, our health employees are at their wits' end, and our country is fast becoming a joke to the world.
Madam Prime Minister, do something.
Kerry-Ann Foster
Medical Consultant
kerryfoster18@gmail.com
Health sector nightmare
-->
The following is an open letter to the Prime Minister of Jamaica Portia Simpson Miller:
Is it that our country has lost so much pride, so much belief in self, and so much decency that we cannot honestly hold anyone accountable for anything?
My query comes in light of the fact that the chaos and failings of the public health sector cannot frankly become any more frightening for the many hard-working citizens of Jamaica and observers.
For one, things are at an all-time low when our doctors now feel compelled, albeit scandalously overdue, to comment on the wrecked state of public health care and the failings of ministry officials.
Dr Fenton Ferguson should have saved you, your Government, and the citizens of Jamaica any further embarrassment and resigned from the portfolio months ago.
It cannot be business as usual when the head of the nation's medical doctors' association complains about flies in operating theatres, single-use instruments being reused and the lack of proper surgical equipment. It cannot be business as usual when they complain about machines giving inaccurate readings; compounded by the now perennial limited supply of antibiotics; lack of sutures, surgical masks, syringes, and even pens, pencils and paper. It cannot be business as usual when air-conditioning units don't work forcing them to use fans, when lights are not working in operating theatres, when ta hospital canteen has to be closed because of infestation by rodents and insects, and when doctors have to wear garbage bags instead of surgical aprons.
As it stands now, the health portfolio is the worst managed of all in your Government. Chikungunya wreaked havoc and is said to have caused fatalities primarily because the country wasn't properly sensitised, despite the minister having had the relevant information years beforehand. And it doesn't end there, the entire public health system is in its most squalid state ever, with doctors restive and medical personnel overworked, stressed and getting low salaries. Patients are begging for attention and have to bring in their own medical and surgical supplies, while having to endure excruciatingly long wait times; some have even died waiting.
The health sector is in desperate need of a leader that can work under very demanding conditions. Dr Fenton Ferguson and his team of technocrats simply don't make the cut and their poor management and arrogance will be more than a footnote in history. People are dying, families are being destroyed, our health employees are at their wits' end, and our country is fast becoming a joke to the world.
Madam Prime Minister, do something.
Kerry-Ann Foster
Medical Consultant
kerryfoster18@gmail.com
Health sector nightmare
-->