Spencer

Gareth Manning, Sunday Gleaner Reporter

Minister of Health and Environment Rudyard Spencer says the Government is moving ahead with plans to improve hospitals across the island in time for the abolition of user fees in April 2008.

The medical fraternity has been expressing concern about Government's plans to remove user fees, when provisions to upgrade hospitals and increase medical and administrative staff had not yet been implemented.

Run on hospitals

The Medical Association of Jamaica (MAJ), says hospitals are already bending over backwards to deal with the run on hospitals resulting from the institution of free health care for children by the previous administration. It is fearful that any further freeing up of health-care services could be chaotic for public-health entities.

While not willing to discuss in detail the infrastructural plans for the nation's hospitals, the minister tells The Sunday Gleaner that two Corporate Area hospitals, including Kingston Public, will be the Government's first targets.

"It would be unreasonable for me make any further pronouncements before key players are informed," he says.

However, Minister Spencer articulated that in addition to infrastructural improvements, the Government will be on a drive in 2008 to improve customer service in all public-health facilities. He says customer service in most hospitals is poor and the Government would be seeking to change that.

"We want quality service that is conducive to optimal health care," he adds.

Customer-care improvements have already been implemented at the May Pen Hospital in Clarendon.