The Editor, Sir:

I am extremely disappointed with the recent announcement that certain categories of patients will no longer have to pay user fees to access public health care. I am even more disappointed with Alverston Bailey's comments over the radio today (May 2) with regard to this issue.

Does Mr. Bailey have any idea as to the constraints that we operate under as healthcare workers in the public sector?

The critical shortage of basic medication, medical supplies and diagnostic equipment is frightening at times. Mr. Bailey has no knowledge about issues related to healthcare in the public sector today.

Speak with officials

I strongly urge the media to speak to officials who represent the public sector to discover the true impact of this politically motivated pre-election nonsense that will only serve to make our ability to deliver healthcare more difficult.

For Mr. Bailey's benefit, the majority of patients who access healthcare at my institution DO pay all or part of the user fee ($300). What they have difficulty paying is the admission fee and hospital fee upon discharge.

I estimate that if user fees are waived for 50 per cent of our patients, our hospital will see a shortfall in revenue of about $100,000 per week, or about $400,000-500,000 per month. In our budget-constrained health system, that is a lot of money. Who will make up that shortfall?

No injectable analgesics

We recently had no injectable analgesics at our hospital. What does Mr. Bailey want me to give a gunshot victim for pain relief, Panadol?

Does this fee waiver include medication fees and suturing fees? And do you honestly think if someone is told that they don't have to pay to register, then they will pay for suturing or another casualty procedure?

An honest and critical analysis of this potentially disastrous policy change is needed. I am amazed by the political leadership's ability to push forward these initiatives without fully exploring the impact with the major stakeholders.

And I expect an honest critical analysis from watchdogs like the MAJ. Or should that be lapdogs?

I am, etc.,

CONCERNED DOCTOR

brown @hotmail.com

Via Go-Jamaica