Opposition Spokesperson for Health, Senator Marlene Malahoo Forte is extremely disturbed that the dreadfully sick state of Jamaica's Public Health System far exceeds what has been depicted by the many recent media reports.  

She notes that the severe shortage of necessary supplies, including medicine and machines, accompanied by deplorable and unsanitary conditions in many hospitals and health centers, demotivated and inadequate staff, amount to a death sentence on the system.

She says, "The Jamaica Labour Party Opposition acknowledges the announced increase in budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Health for the 2015/1016 financial year as right-sounding and expects that the funds will be made available in a timely manner. At the same time, we are firmly of the view that in addition to more funds being made available in the short term, long term sustainable financing and a comprehensive review of the entire public health system must be embarked upon, without further delay".

With renewed and lingering concerns about the crippling effects of the chikungunya epidemic on so many households and businesses and threats and outbreak of other diseases, Senator Malahoo Forte says that the people do not believe that Health Minister Fenton Ferguson has what it takes to guide the way forward.  "The public has lost confidence in him because of his contemptible exercise of leadership, particularly over the past eight months", she notes.

Senator Malahoo Forte will continue her fact-finding work with visits to hospitals and health centers across the island, as well as meetings with stakeholders.