Western health centres see fewer patients

MONTEGO BAY, St James — There were fewer people than usual seeking medical care at State-run medical facilities in western Jamaica on Friday as members of the public appeared to heed warnings to only seek help if they had no other choice because junior doctors withdrew their services.

“Last night I told them not to come unless it is urgent or an emergency,” clinical coordinator for the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) Dr Delroy Fray told the Jamaica Observer Friday afternoon. While he did not have supporting data to share at the time, Fray said there were fewer than usual admissions to accident and emergency (A&E) departments across St James, Hanover, Westmoreland, and Trelawny.

“We kind of control it, because we did not want the patient who needs care to suffer because of [the strike],” Dr Fray explained. At 8:00 am on Friday, junior doctors across Jamaica went on strike to protest the delay by the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT) in handing down a ruling related to years of wrangling over retroactive overtime payments.