The Editor, Sir:

I must commend the Government of Jamaica on 'delivering' on certain things thus far, as outlined in its manifesto to the people of Jamaica in the run-up to last year's general election. Even though there were many sceptics, it was commendable that the Government sought to dismiss the detractors and went on to deliver as promised. To date, as far as reports go, the deli-very of the promise seems to have borne fruit. One can only hope that this will be sustained in the coming years.

With regard to another of the Government's initiatives - free health care - Jamaicans should be under no illusion that there won't be problems, as there will be teething problems; however, these hiccups should not be seen as an opportunity to damn the system, but more of an opportunity to see where the problems are and to work to resolve them.

Service users need to work and cooperate with hospital staff to ensure the smooth running of the system. They should anticipate that waiting time will be long (Living in the United Kingdom for the past eight years I can comment that the average waiting time to see a doctor in the emergency room is three hours.)

It would be good if all public health-care institutions moved to embrace the concept of triage where patients can be screened at the point of registration by medical personnel to determine the severity and priority need of their medical emergency, thereby making the efficient use of resources. Come on Jamaica! Let us all rally around this one and make it work! You need this; our country needs this. Together we can make it happen.

I am, etc.,

C. A. HYDE

sunhyde@yahoo.co.uk.

Via Go-Jamaica