Doctors’ Strike: Health Ministry seeks to assure public of continued care at public facilities

According to Jamaica Observer (General News), The Ministry of Health and Wellness is seeking to assure the public that emergency and essential health services remain available at public health facilities islandwide, while industrial relations matters involving medical doctors continue to be addressed. Junior doctors are off the job in protest over what they say is the slow pace of the review process by the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT) to hand down a ruling as it relates to overtime payments. In a release on Friday, the health ministry said some facilities may need to make temporary adjustments to routine services in the coming days. Members of the public may notice longer waiting times at some locations; rescheduling of some non-urgent appointments, clinics and elective procedures; and adjusted opening hours at selected facilities, the ministry said. It said, in collaboration with regional health authorities, it has put measur