Medical Doctors’ Association says it will continue to fight for fair overtime rates

September 28, 2026

The Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association says it will continue to fight for fair rates, given that it is mandatory for doctors to do overtime due to the limited number of doctors in public facilities.

The JMDA has described as exploitation, the continued payment of overtime at rates established 6 years ago.

The public sector doctors have become restive, as the situation has not changed despite attempts to have the issue resolved over the years.

A major hold-up with the process is the delayed ruling from the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT).

The JMDA had warned that if the IDT does not rule immediately, it cannot guarantee normality at public health facilities.

JMDA President Dr. Jubilee Brown Service lamented that in some cases doctors have done up to 80 hours on duty under harsh conditions.

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Dr. Brown Service recalled a recent instance where doctors were required to meet the demands of a hospital under pressure.

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She further revealed that the same team of doctors continued on duty after concluding their shifts, completing a total of 32 hours.