Youth leaders issue deadline for free health-care review
Published:Monday | March 28, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Nedburn Thaffe, Gleaner Writer
The country's youth leaders are urging the Government to arm itself for a major stand-off with members from all ranks of the National Youth Council of Jamaica (NYCJ) if their call for a revision of the no-user-fee policy in the public-health system is ignored.
"We are giving them at least two to three weeks to respond to us and show us their next move forward ... but if we do not get this, we guarantee that we will take decisive action," NYCJ Chairman Ryan Small told The Gleaner yesterday.
The NYCJ has been up in arms with the Government following the death of one of their youth advocate at the Spanish Town Hospital in St Catherine during a C-section surgery on March 12.
The youth group says they were informed that the youth advocate, 22-year-old Jevine Williamson, died as a result of insufficient oxygen levels, and the inability for oxygen to be maintained in her body during surgery.
Strain on the system
Groups such as the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Medical Doctors' Association have argued that the no-user-fee policy has placed a strain on the resources in the public-health system.
Health Minister Rudyard Spencer says the policy has resulted in Jamaicans saving almost $6 billion since the implementation of the policy in 2008.
Yesterday, Small said young people "not saying the policy makes no sense, but it is putting too much pressure on the system". He said Williamson visited the hospital on three previous occasions and was turned back due to deficiency.
"At first, she was told the facility (operating theatre) was not available, the second time she was told there were no doctors, and the third time she was told there were no sterilised clothing."
When pressed on what action the NYCJ is planning to embark on if the Government does not respond to the requested revision of the no- user-fee policy, Small said: "We do not want to be pre-emptive, but what I can say is that we are going to stand up so we can ensure that the future of our health sector is enhanced."
He added that the NYCJ is already in dialogue with youth leaders in the diaspora who will be making their own address on the issue.
Yesterday, The Gleaner sought to get a comment from Health Minister Rudyard Spencer, but calls to his phone went unanswered.
The minister last week promised to respond to the youth leaders after he is fully briefed on the events which culminated in the death of Williamson.