Jamaica's public health system has 118 active ventilators, says Tufton
Published:Thursday | June 20, 2024 | 11:23 AM
Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton says there are 210 registered ventilators in Jamaica's public health system, 118 of which are actively in use.
Tufton, who was speaking at a Ministry of Health and Wellness virtual press conference Thursday morning, said another 40 are out for maintenance and 52 are obsolete.
The data follows an audit of the life-saving machines at public health facilities, Tufton said.
He said the full account of the machines will be published on the ministry's website later today.
Opposition spokesperson on health and wellness Dr Alfred Dawes has been pressuring the ministry to provide a full account of the machines and intensive care unit spaces following the death of a newborn at May Pen Hospital last week.
The Gleaner reported that the child died because there was no ventilator.
On Monday, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said he ordered an investigation into recent tragedies that have occurred at public hospitals.
He called them "disturbing".
- Kimone Francis
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