August 17, 2026

Health Ministry says 239 patients have been abandoned in public hospitals

There are some 239 abandoned patients in public hospitals.

The Health and Wellness Ministry says among the public hospitals, Cornwall Regional has the highest number with 65 social cases; Savanna-la-Mar General has 26; Spanish Town Hospital has 21 and May Pen and Kingston Public Hospitals have 19 and 18 social cases respectively.

The Ministry is urgently appealing to family members, relatives, guardians and caregivers to collect their family member or loved one who has been medically cleared for discharge but remains in public hospitals.

The Ministry says these patients, many of whom no longer require acute medical care, are now classified as social cases.

Portfolio Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton said their continued stay in hospitals is placing additional pressure on an already constrained public health system.

Dr. Tufton is urging families and caregivers to work closely with hospital social workers, healthcare teams and the relevant authorities to make appropriate arrangements for their relatives or dependents who have been medically cleared for discharge.

He said the Ministry will provide support through its community health aids and through the training for unpaid caregivers.