UHWI staff doing a great job

THE EDITOR, Madam:

With all the resource constraints and infrastructure challenges within the public health sector in Jamaica, it is not often that people pause to give kudos to our hard-working medical professionals.

A family member fell ill over the weekend and we had to take her to the Accident and Emergency Unit (A&E) of the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) for her to get medical attention. I would like to big up all of the A&E team – emergency medical technicians, the intake/registration/cashiers, clerical staff, porters and janitors, as well as A&E nurses White, Chambers and Gause; doctors Morgan, Peart and Bailey, and the radiology team. They made me and my relative feel at ease as they worked tirelessly to treat her and make her feel better.

There were delays in the treatment to begin due to the high influx of patients and limited resources; but when the patients were attended to, the staff was professional, empathetic and courteous. It is unfortunate that they routinely take verbal abuse from members of the public; but they remain unflappable. These are professionals who chose to stay in Jamaica and serve the country, despite more lucrative opportunities overseas. They are patriotic Jamaicans and heroes.

Corporate Jamaica should support them in whatever ways they can, and also look into raising funds to improve the medical facilities, such as the A&E at the UHWI.

A&E team, we salute you!

SHARMA TAYLOR