Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton says he is willing to meet with the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association, (JMDA) to discuss the state of the health-care system in the western and southern regions following the passage of Hurricane Melissa. ​

His commitment comes after the JMDA called for urgent dialogue about the worsening conditions at facilities in the region, especially the Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego-Bay, St. James.

Cornwall Regional, the Falmouth Hospital in Trelawny and the Black River Hospital in St. Elizabeth are among health facilities which suffered significant damage during the category 5 hurricane last week.

In a release today, the JMDA said on Tuesday, November 4 the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) issued an advisory urging “pregnant women, patients scheduled for surgeries, and individuals due for cancer treatment to seek medical attention at hospitals outside of the region in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.” ​

The advisory noted that several health facilities, including Cornwall Regional Hospital, had sustained damage “that temporarily affected their ability to deliver key services”. ​

The association said subsequently, on November 6, the Chief Executive Officer of Cornwall Regional Hospital, Charmaine Beckford-Williams, was quoted in a post on the official Instagram page of the St. James Municipal Corporation saying that “all areas of the health facility are offering reduced services following the impact of Hurricane Melissa.” ​

According to the post, she further indicated that one of the major challenges being faced is “a shortage of water,” and, “if this is addressed soon, operations will continue at full speed.” ​

The JMDA said the statements by WRHA and the CEO are contradictory.

It said reports from its members as well as from the JMDA disaster response team’s assessment, indicate that the hospital remains in a devastated state with severely degraded infrastructure, flooded wards, and a bed capacity reduced by more than 65 percent. ​

It noted that patients, including pregnant women, are reportedly being accommodated on chairs due to the lack of available beds. ​

These conditions have reportedly rendered the facility unsafe and have severely compromised patient care and staff welfare.

President of the JMDA, Dr. Renee Badroe wants the association to meet urgently with the minister to address the issues.

Speaking with Irie Fm news today, Dr. Tufton who was in Falmouth, for the setting up of the field hospital said he is willing to meet with the JMDA tomorrow or Monday.