Health Authorities to review Hospital Operations to re-introduce Services
Feb. 11, 2022
KINGSTON, Jamaica. Thursday, February 10, 2022: Having activated emergency services mode at hospitals across the island in January due to the increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the Ministry of Health & Wellness has now instructed the four regional health authorities to examine the operations of their hospitals with a view to resuming select health services.
In a letter to the Regional Health Authorities (RHAs), Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor McKenzie noted that with the gentle waning of the levels of both bed occupancies in our isolation wards and the degree of staff shortage due to illness, there should be consideration now by hospitals to resume some of its services, while continuing to manage COVID-19 patients. Each hospital is to assess its ability to reintroduce normal health services, where possible
The Ministry of Health & Wellness and the RHAs are mindful that postponement of medical interventions can result in complications later. As such, where outpatient services and admissions for elective procedures are possible, these will be accommodated.
“Hospitals have been affected differently by number of COVID-19 cases as well as by staff absences. Many hospitals have already returned to normalcy in some areas and some had not curtailed some services. Members of the public should make contact with the health facilities to get information on the status of the service they want to access,” added the Chief Medical Officer.
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