The Editor, Sir:

WHEN the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) administration started as government, the prime minister promised to provide health care in such a way that people would not stay at health centres for long hours without receiving care.

He has tried to live up to this promise; additional staff have been placed in the health centres and it is clear that employees have specific roles and know their roles.

My question is: Are these resources being utilised effectively, or is there a waste of manpower in the health system? I have never supported the JLP and don't think I will ever, but some of these health centres are failing the Government. I am a civil servant, I pay taxes. My pay is not sufficient, but I have to work for every cent.

I am entitled to the use of the health centre as anyone else. Recently, I took a member of my family to the government health facility in Santa Cruz. I started out very early in the morning while it was still dark.

I saw the doctor, but up to 2 p.m., I could not get any medication. I was told at 1:59 p.m. that the numbers were finished and none would be issued for the remainder of the afternoon. Also, that I should go and buy because when it was not free I paid for it.

Is there a quota that should be dealt with for the day? How can a facility serving over 10 large communities have a quota of 55 for the day?

Previously, there was only one pharmacist, now there are at least two, plus an assistant.

Mr Golding, you need to have controls in place to ensure that the resources are not wasted. Tonight, my 80-year-old mother is without the medication that you have provided and which would help to keep her alive.

Employees at the health facilities should do their job conscientiously.

I am, etc.,

MONICA BROWN

ntroy@cwjamaica.com

Via Go-Jamaica