Health facilities in KSA, St Catherine and St Thomas scale back some services, under emergency mode amid industrial action by doctors

The South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) is reporting that hospitals and health centres in St Andrew, Kingston, St Thomas and St Catherine are operating in emergency mode to provide emergency and essential services to the public following the withdrawal of services by members of the Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association (JMDA).

Consequently, SERHA says priority is being given to patients requiring emergency and urgent medical care.

The health authority says it has implemented measures across its hospitals and health centres to minimise disruptions and safeguard patient care by prioritising the use of available personnel and resources.

It says persons presenting with life-threatening and other serious medical emergencies will be prioritised.

Further, the agency said care and treatment for patients already admitted to hospitals, including those in intensive care units, will continue.

Additionally, SERHA says non-emergency and routine services may be delayed, reduced or rescheduled, and patients may experience longer waiting times.

It is advising persons experiencing a medical emergency to proceed to the nearest Accident and Emergency Department without delay.

Members of the public planning to visit any facility in the region for routine or non-emergency services are strongly encouraged to monitor the media and SERHA’s communication channels for updates on the operational status of health facilities before proceeding.

SERHA says it will continue to monitor operations across its facilities and provide further updates on any changes to service delivery.

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