Calls for health system reform from Opposition mischievous, says Tufton

Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton has described as mischievous claims by his Opposition counterpart Dr Alfred Dawes that Jamaica's healthcare system is in need of reform, arguing that he is disregarding gains achieved over the past four years.

In a statement to the media this afternoon, Tufton said that Dawes' declaration will be analysed and that a full response given in due course, even as he listed his Ministry's accomplishments to improve care for pregnant mothers through the PROMAC system.

He also highlighted the addition of doctors and nurses to the healthcare system as well as subsidised prostate screening.

“My team and I are going through the statement by the Opposition and we will provide a fulsome response on the issues. I would just like to say that there is a report that can be had to clarify any misunderstanding or address any mischief as it relates to the PROMAC programme. The fact is that many hundreds of Jamaican mothers and their neonates were involved in complicated pregnancies and deliveries have been supported by the PROMAC equipment, and where the buildings exist, through the PROMAC facilities, and we can provide better particulars on that,” said Tufton.

“I cannot imagine that any informed Jamaican, and particularly the Opposition, where it should be their duty to see what is happening and understand what is happening, could be claiming that somehow the public health system has not and is not seeing the greatest level of reform since Independence. To hear the Opposition make the claim that somehow the system needs reform without a recognition that the reform is in fact taking place and tangibly where Jamaicans are benefitting, it tells me that they are either refusing to see or there is an attempt at mischief,” Tufton added.

During a press conference this morning, Dawes accused the health ministry of failing to implement and maintain an adequate healthcare system, particularly in relation to Jamaica's maternal mortality rate, while also calling for an audit of the number of available intensive care unit [ICU] and high-dependency unit [HDU] spaces in Jamaica.

The press conference was held regarding the current issue of the whereabouts of 105 ventilators which were donated to Jamaica during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dawes also told Wednesday's briefing that Jamaica's maternal mortality rate is a cause for deep concern.

“Over the last eight years we have seen a steady climb in the number of mothers dying during pregnancy and delivery. The maternal mortality rate is the highest it has been in over 30 years; and the neonatal mortality rate is higher today than it was 20 years ago…there are measurable consequences to the failure to implement and maintain an adequate healthcare system,” said Dawes.

- Christopher Thomas

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.