The Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) in St James currently has only one of its three approved consultant neurosurgeon positions filled, as Jamaica continues to grapple with a shortage of highly specialised medical professionals.

The Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), in a statement Monday, acknowledged concerns about the availability of neurosurgical services at the Montego Bay-based hospital, but said arrangements are in place to ensure patients requiring specialised care are appropriately managed.

According to the WRHA, CRH has three consultant posts for neurosurgeons but has so far been able to fill only one because of the limited availability of qualified specialists.