The Ministry of Well being & Wellness has issued a press release clarifying the standing of Jamaica’s diagnostic outsourcing program, following Caribbean National Weekly’s recent report highlighting public concern over diminished entry to vital diagnostic companies for public sufferers.
Within the April 21 press launch, the Ministry emphasised that whereas contracts with some personal amenities that have been initially a part of the EHCSD undertaking (which supplied free diagnostic radiology companies at 16 personal establishments) have ended, the policy of outsourcing diagnostic services for public sufferers stays in impact.
“Whereas the contract with some suppliers has ended, the coverage has not modified, as these companies are nonetheless being supplied,” the Ministry stated.
The Ministry added that this system is now being administered by Jamaica’s 4 regional well being authorities, and that longer-term methods are underway to bolster diagnostic capability inside the public well being system.
“The Diagnostic Outsourcing programme within the public well being system is being managed by the 4 regional well being authorities, even because the Ministry of Well being & Wellness pursues different long-term methods together with the buying of apparatus for public hospitals to supply the service.”
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As a part of that plan, Kingston Public Hospital and Cornwall Regional Hospital have not too long ago put in operational CT scan machines. The Ministry additionally famous that procurement is underway for the leasing of extra CT and MRI companies, “which as soon as accomplished will bolster the companies supplied to the general public.”
The Ministry additionally pointed to the provision of a Compassionate Fund, which gives monetary assist for sufferers requiring privately delivered diagnostic procedures. Purposes have to be submitted by means of well being suppliers.
“The Ministry prioritizes affected person care and is working to make sure that vital sufferers obtain crucial diagnostic companies. Sufferers are inspired to seek the advice of with their healthcare suppliers for steering on accessing these companies.”
Caribbean Nationwide Weekly’s reporting was based mostly on inner well being authority memos, affected person experiences, and interviews with medical professionals who reported an observable enhance in wait instances and elevated out-of-pocket prices for sufferers because the begin of the 12 months.
Whereas the Ministry reaffirmed that the outsourcing coverage stays intact, it didn’t dispute that some public hospitals have confronted service gaps because of the lapse in particular supplier contracts.
Based on a registered nurse at a Western hospital, Hannah Jackson, “There’s presently an extended wait time for sufferers who require diagnostic radiology companies.” She defined it is because sufferers are compelled to pay excessive prices with a view to get hold of CT scans at personal establishments like Radiology West in Western Jamaica.
The unique report additionally cited a December 13, 2024, inner memo from a regional well being authority, which said that attributable to funding limitations, solely emergency and pressing referrals can be thought of for outsourced diagnostic companies.
Whereas the Ministry’s launch reaffirms the federal government’s dedication to sustaining diagnostic companies, the shift in administration and funding construction indicators a transitional part in how public sufferers entry pressing imaging.
The Ministry has not but supplied a timeline for the completion of recent leasing contracts or clarified the factors for Compassionate Fund approvals.
