The Opposition says there is a pattern of neglect of publicly funded hospitals in favour of private arrangements.

Spokesperson on Health and Wellness, Dr. Morais Guy says this cannot be how health services are delivered.

He says he has received disturbing information that an operating theatre at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), has ceased operation, because of a massive water leak from the ceiling, and that the hospital has run out of medical oxygen, forcing it to postpone scheduled surgeries and implement other mitigating actions.

Dr. Guy also points to the situation at the Annotto Bay Hospital in St. Mary and called on Portfolio Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton to immediately address an air conditioning malfunction causing water leaks in the operating theatres.

He says this situation resulted in the postponement of surgeries at that facility and remains unresolved.

The spokesperson says this latest incident at the KPH, only adds to the impression of an uncaring Government, steeped in public relations to give the impression that all is well in the sector.

Dr. Guy says the Minister of Health seems to have lost focus on his primary responsibility to ensure proper cost-effective health services for all citizens.

He is calling on the Health Minister to ensure that the country’s health facilities are functioning at an optimum level, particularly those with operating theatre issues, such as the Kingston Public and Annotto Bay hospitals.