JMDA says Health Ministry has completed preliminary audit of interns’ accommodation following concerns

September 4, 2026

The Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association (JMDA) says the Health Ministry has completed a preliminary audit of the accommodation for interns, following concerns raised by the association.

JMDA met recently with Health Ministry representatives.

In June, interns staged a protest to highlight the issues affecting them.

Among the concerns is the need for rest and overnight facilities.

According to the JMDA, those facilities are either entirely absent or inadequate.

Interns are reportedly required to share beds, and in some locations, have experienced recurrent flooding with sewage and inadequate sanitation.

The JMDA called for improvements.

President Dr. Jubilee Brown-Service told IRIE FM News that Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton disclosed at a recent meeting that he was awaiting further consultation before the audit findings were revealed.

https://iriefm.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/DR-BROWN-SERVICE-AUG-2-2026.mp3

She added that the JMDA used the same meeting to urge the ministry to establish consistent criteria for international medical graduates intending to enter the Jamaican workforce.

https://iriefm.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/DR-BROWN-SERVICE-2-SEPT-2-2026.mp3