Kingston, Jamaica, June 24, 2024: The PNP Patriots calls on the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW) to prioritise transparency and accountability over PR tactics. The MoHW has been inconsistent in reporting the number of ventilators in its various releases. This inconsistency has led to a lack of trust, which can only be addressed through an independent audit. Additionally, the MoHW must account for the number of functional High Dependency Units (HDUs) funded under the PROMAC programme.
Instead, a concerted effort has been made to mislead and misdirect public focus. “Stating that the PROMAC programme was praised at its completion two years
ago says nothing about the current state of the HDUs or the whereabouts of the staff trained under the programme. The valuation of my car five years ago means
nothing to a potential buyer today,” said Christopher Henry, President of the PNP Patriots. “The MoHW needs to update the nation on the current status of the HDUs at all PROMAC sites,” he added.
Furthermore, the MoHW repeatedly issues statements claiming the creation of thousands of permanent posts for nurses and doctors, implying these are new
hires. In reality, these posts are simply reclassifications of existing contract workers into permanent positions, misleading the public into believing there has been a
significant increase in healthcare staff.
The dissemination of misleading information about the maternal mortality rate, attributing higher rates to mothers who did not seek antenatal care or manage
their chronic diseases, is heartless and unacceptable. This explanation disregards the fact that in one region, the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), the
maternal mortality rate increased by 1000% in five years. Every well-thinking Jamaican should condemn this shameful act of victim-blaming.
“In light of these issues, we call for the immediate resignation of Permanent Secretary Dunstan Bryan and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jacqueline BisasorMcKenzie. They have proven to be woefully out of touch with the state of healthcare in Jamaica and have failed to adequately perform their duties as heads of the health sector.”
The MoHW must investigate the true state of Jamaica’s critical care and obstetric care and cease this public relations campaign that discredits affected patients
and relatives by labelling them, naysayers and mischief makers. This almost decade-long period of PR gimmicks must end, and the country needs genuine accountability and action.