Hospitals record patients increase

The Ministry of Health said there has been a 58 percent increase in the number of patients seeking medical attention at the accident and emergency departments at hospitals islandwide since April 1.



The ministry said the number of patients registered at the accident and emergency department increased from approximately 3,000 on April 1 to approximately 4,300 on April 7.



According to the ministry, approximately 17,800 patients were registered in the accident and emergency department.



It said a total of approximately 28,000 patients were seen at 21 hospitals, with Kingston Public, May Pen and Mandeville hospitals among the facilities seeing the largest increases in the number of patients.



The Kingston Public hospital has seen an increase of 103 percent, May Pen Public hospital 82 percent and Mandeville regional 72 percent.



The ministry also said the Lionel Town hospital had an increase of 125 percent in patients seeking medical attention on April 7 alone.



The Medical Association of Jamaica (MAJ) said it would soon be carrying out an assessment of the operations at public health facilities since the abolition of user fees on April 1.