Jamaica's health sector is crumbling and with each passing day, the system is becoming increasingly overwhelmed. Quite recently, there were reports that the nation's biggest health institution experienced an acute shortage of essential drugs and other medications which ultimately resulted in surgeries being postponed.

Swiftly on the heels of that report came pronouncements that another institution, the Blood Bank, was also experiencing shortages in the number of collection bags which were needed. This shortage threatened to endanger the lives of many Jamaicans.

The prognosis is the Jamaican health sector is suffering from a malady of increased patient cases and reduced resources. Our predicament is more parlous than ever. We need to take a page from the books of our American friends and move with the necessary speed to reform, restructure and reposition our health sector.

important steps

In the reform process, some very important steps must be undertaken, chief among them, the revision of the no-user-fee policy which is entering its second year of existence. The policy must be structured in such a way that those persons who can pay do just that, and those among us who cannot pay are still allowed access to the services. There also needs to be increased monitoring and record keeping within the sector to ensure that the system is not abused by both patients and/or staff.

There must also be an effort aimed at improving health centres and clinics as well as a campaign aimed at encouraging individuals to use them as this would reduce the stress on hospitals.The private practitioners and facilities must also be brought on board as a holistic approach is needed.

I am, etc.,

NOEL MATHERSON

noelmatherson@gmail.com