Dear Editor,
Yesterday I got a call from a senior citizen, aged 82, asking me to stop by on my way to work. When I did so, I was given a prescription for her daughter who has been mentally ill for over 25 years. She needed me to fill the prescription as she was told by the mental health nurse that the ministry can no longer afford to give the monthly tablets.
She said that she took the prescription to the nearby clinic, but they didn't have any of the prescribed tablets. I find it appalling that a change in policy such as this was not communicated to the beneficiaries before introduction to give them time to make other arrangements. This lady and her daughter are both on PATH. Why are they not exempted? How will others like them be able to cope with no tablets? Will this lead to an increase in violent behaviour by mentally-ill patients who are not properly medicated?
I know Jamaica's economic situation is in dire straits, but to treat the vulnerable among us like this suggests that we are losing our moral compass as a nation. I hope the minister will look again at any policy change and ensure that mentally ill patients and those on PATH will be able to access health care. I also hope that future changes will be communicated to the general public and not done in this clandestine manner.
K Morgan
St Ann
Yesterday I got a call from a senior citizen, aged 82, asking me to stop by on my way to work. When I did so, I was given a prescription for her daughter who has been mentally ill for over 25 years. She needed me to fill the prescription as she was told by the mental health nurse that the ministry can no longer afford to give the monthly tablets.
She said that she took the prescription to the nearby clinic, but they didn't have any of the prescribed tablets. I find it appalling that a change in policy such as this was not communicated to the beneficiaries before introduction to give them time to make other arrangements. This lady and her daughter are both on PATH. Why are they not exempted? How will others like them be able to cope with no tablets? Will this lead to an increase in violent behaviour by mentally-ill patients who are not properly medicated?
I know Jamaica's economic situation is in dire straits, but to treat the vulnerable among us like this suggests that we are losing our moral compass as a nation. I hope the minister will look again at any policy change and ensure that mentally ill patients and those on PATH will be able to access health care. I also hope that future changes will be communicated to the general public and not done in this clandestine manner.
K Morgan
St Ann