The Ministry of Health received reports today (Tuesday, March 2, 2010) of higher than normal levels of absenteeism by Registered Nurses at some health facilities across the island. 

Contingency plans have been put in place as senior nursing staff are now manning the areas of critical operations in the affected facilities.  

The Ministry of Labour has been notified and has subsequently convened an emergency meeting for today at 1pm with the Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ), University Hospital of the West Indies and representatives from the Ministries of Health and of Finance and the Public Service. The meeting will be held at the Labour Ministry.  

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Contact: MOH, Public Relations Unit Tel: 967-1561