Regional health authorities report no adverse event at public health facilities due to protest action by doctors yesterday

October 3, 2026

The Health Ministry says regional health authorities reported no adverse event at public health centres and hospitals due to protest action taken by doctors yesterday.

The doctors withdrew their services as part of efforts to press the Industrial Disputes Tribunal to hand down its ruling on overtime rates.

The Jamaica Medical Doctors Association (JMDA) said yesterday that despite still not getting a ruling from the Tribunal by its Thursday deadline, its members resumed duties as rostered this morning.

In a statement, the Ministry said facilities islandwide entered emergency mode yesterday and prioritised patients presenting with life-threatening or other serious medical emergencies, as well as patients already admitted to hospitals.

It said elective surgeries were cancelled and some patients were discharged.

Portfolio Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton said medical consultants played a role in ensuring that systems were able to function under the challenging circumstances.

Dr. Tufton noted that in some instances, non-staff medical professionals provided assistance.

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