Several health facilities across the island are still experiencing higher than normal levels of absenteeism by Registered Nurses. Some of the health facilities affected are: Kingston Public Hospital, Bustamante Hospital for Children, National Chest Hospital, Mandeville Regional Hospital, May Pen Hospital, Lionel Town Hospital, Annotto Bay Hospital, Port Maria Hospital, Falmouth Hospital, Mandeville Comprehensive Clinic and Newport Health Centre.  

Steps have been taken to ensure that critical operations are not adversely affected. Senior nursing staff at the affected public hospitals are manning the critical areas of operations. At the Mandeville Regional, Lionel Town and National Chest Hospitals, only emergency cases will be dealt with. Non critical patients are being discharged and elective surgeries have been cancelled.   If the situation continues tomorrow, persons who are scheduled for clinic at the Mandeville Regional Hospital are asked not to attend.   The Ministry of Health is very concerned about the situation and will continue to update the nation.

Contact: MOH, Public Relations Unit

Tel: 967-1561