Angelo Laurence, Gleaner WriterMANDEVILLE, Manchester:
JOHN JUNOR, the former minister of health and Member of Parliament for Central Manchester, has said that the effect of crime on the society in general, and the health sector in particular, is a very serious issue.
Mr. Junor, who was addressing members of the Rotary Club of Mandeville on Tuesday, said violence "is one of the major deterrents to our progress".
Noting that Jamaica's murder rate was one of the highest in the world, he stated that in 2004, the country experienced 45 homicides for every 100,000 persons, placing it among the most violent in the world.
FOURTH LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH
Mr. Junor noted that, over a 20-year span, ending in 2004, the murder count has increased from 484 per year to 1,450 with most of them being committed in the metropolitan areas and poorer inner-city communities. According to the former health minister, violence-related injury are the fourth leading cause of death in Jamaica, costing the country approximately $700 million annually in direct hospital cost. This compares to $21 million elsewhere in the region.
Mr. Junor estimated the negative impact of crime on the country in the region of $12
billion, which he stressed was preventable. He said this was impeding the ability of the public health care sector to deliver medical care to the wider public. As an example, he revealed that many scheduled surgeries had to be cancelled because of the strain violence has put upon the health facilities.
The MP said the country must become proactive in its approach to the problem by applying preventative measures. He said that while every effort must be made to save young people, it must be recognised that there are those who are irredeemable and have to be written off.
