Pay issues leave nurses, midwives sick

Sick to the stomach over the continued non-payment of retroactive salaries and benefits, scores of health workers across the island staged a sickout yesterday, leaving several major hospitals and health departments grappling with staff shortages.

Among those participating in the industrial action were nurses, midwives, and medical technologists.

The sickout has impacted several key public health facilities, including the Kingston Public Hospital, Victoria Jubilee Hospital, St Ann's Bay Hospital, Port Maria Hospital, Annotto Bay Hospital, May Pen Hospital, Percy Junor Hospital, Port Antonio Hospital, and Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH), along with the Clarendon and St Ann Health departments.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness has acknowledged the disruptions and says efforts are being made to mobilise resources and personnel to minimise service interruptions islandwide.

The protest by nurses and midwives within the Southeast, Northeast, and Southern Regional Health Authorities is rooted in long-standing issues over unpaid retroactive salaries.

Meanwhile, medical technologists at CRH have cited additional grievances, including delayed payments, lack of access to uniforms, and other unresolved employment matters.