Health Ministry activates contingencies as med techs strike

Acting Chief Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health, Dr Jacqueline Bisasor-McKenzie, says contingencies have been put in place in response to the strike by medical technologists at the island’s health laboratories.

The workers, who analyse and process all blood and tissue samples for the public health facilities, walked off the job Monday morning to protest the non-payment of retroactive salaries.

The industrial action has affected the Blood Bank, the National Public Health and the Kingston Public Hospital labs.

Bisasor McKenzie says the ministry has activated an emergency lab at KPH and has engaged private providers to assist with lab services.

She also says additional personnel have been brought in to attend to emergency cases.

However, she acknowledges that there is a concern about access to blood for emergencies in light of the industrial action.

We want to hear from you! Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1 (876) 449-0169, email us at editors@gleanerjm.com or onlinefeeback@gleanerjm.com.