High levels of absenteeism by Registered Nurses have been reported at several health facilities across the island since Wednesday, September 1, 2010 in a pattern which suggests that it may be a coordinated activity. Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer says there was no notification of industrial action by the Executive of the Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ).

Minister Spencer indicated that emergency protocols have been activated to ensure that operations at the affected health facilities are not severely hampered.

“For the affected facilities, only emergency cases are being dealt with. Non critical patients are being discharged and elective surgeries have been cancelled. Senior nursing staff are manning the critical areas of hospital operations. I want to implore persons to cooperate with the management of the hospitals as we do the best we can to maintain critical services at the affected institutions,” Minister Spencer said.

The Minister says the Ministry will continue to monitor the situation and update the public periodically.

For the 7a.m. to 3:00 p.m. shift On Wednesday, September 1, 2010, the institutions with the highest levels of absenteeism were Port Maria (55%), Port Antonio (64%), Mandeville (83%), Linstead (50%), Annotto Bay (40%), St. Ann’s Bay (61%) and Victoria Jubilee (51%) hospitals.  For the 2:00p.m. to 10:00p.m. shift the same facilities were most affected.

For the 7:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. shift on Thursday, September 2, 2010, the affected institutions were Port Maria (73%), St. Ann’s Bay (42%), Victoria Jubilee (50%), and Mandeville (47%) hospitals.

Persons should call their nearest health facilities for information on loved ones and services being offered.

Minister Spencer will be speaking more about the issue in a press briefing scheduled for tomorrow (Friday, September 3, 2010) at 10:30a.m. at the Ministry’s Head Office in Down Town, Kingston.

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Contact: MOH, Public Relations Unit Tel: 967-1561