The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) says the University Hospital of the West Indies’ unprecedented decision to temporarily suspend patient transfers is confirmation that the health sector is in a state of crisis.

In a bulletin last evening, the hospital indicated that its emergency room has reached capacity, with 90% of patients in emergency care presenting with complications from chronic non-communicable diseases.

It has asked private and public hospitals, as well as nursing homes, to keep stable patients until the situation changes.

In a statement this afternoon, Spokesperson on Health, Dr. Alfred Dawes urged the Health and Wellness Ministry to be transparent about the state of health care in Jamaica.

He said with only three major hospitals serving the island, any disruption of services in one of them will have a domino effect on the others.

Dr. Dawes is calling on the Ministry to state how it will address the issue.

Dr. Dawes said if the situation persists, the country’s mortality and morbidity rates, will increase.