Junior doctors across the island are expected to return to work by 6:00 P.M. this evening.
This follows today’s industrial action, which was taken to highlight dissatisfaction with the continued delay in resolving overtime remuneration and retroactive payments.
The Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association (JMDA) had written to Finance Minister Fayval Williams on Thursday, outlining the members’ concerns and warning that normal operations could not be guaranteed if the issues were not addressed within 24 hours.
As a result of the action, health facilities islandwide were operating under emergency protocols as junior doctors called in sick.
The doctors decided to return to work after an emergency conciliatory meeting facilitated by the Labour Ministry today.
According to the Ministry, the parties agreed to resume normalcy with the 6:00 P.M. shift and are scheduled to reconvene at the Ministry of Labour on Wednesday, December 11, to review progress on the Ministry’s recommendations.
In the meantime, JMDA President Dr. Renee Badroe is hopeful that good sense will prevail at the upcoming meeting.
Earlier today, the Health Ministry reported a 16% doctor turnout in primary care within the Western Regional Health Authority and 28% in the North East Regional Health Authority.
Meanwhile, the Southern Regional Health Authority reported a 36% turnout, while Kingston and St. Andrew recorded an 18% turnout.
At the same time, the Ministry noted that some primary and secondary care facilities reported a 100% no-show rate for their junior doctors.
