The Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association (JMDA) is conducting an internal audit of the accommodations for interns across medical facilities.

The issue of inadequate accommodation was raised by the association last last month, when it highlighted the significant reduction in the number of interns working within medical facilities islandwide and the resulting human resource and clinical challenges to service delivery.

The interns staged a protest over a number of issues, with the JMDA calling for funding to address the needs.

In response, among other things, Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton ordered Regional Health Authorities and the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) to implement measures firstly around facility inspections, where a comprehensive physical audit of all intern accommodation facilities was to be completed within 72 hours.

He said findings were to be submitted to the Permanent Secretary’s Office no later than Friday, June 26.

First Vice President for JMDA, Dr. Jubilee Brown-Service, told IRIE FM News that the JMDA has not received a formal update from the ministry regarding the audit.

She said the association is still awaiting a meeting with the minister on the issues raised and there are still some concerns.