The Jamaica Medical Doctors Association, JMDA, says it cannot guarantee normalcy in the delivery of health services from 8 am Friday to 8 am Saturday.
In a statement late Thursday night, the JMDA says only emergency services will be provided during the 24-hour period.
The doctors says the public should prepare for longer wait times, scaled-back services and delays in the completion of procedures.
JMDA says it has activated the relevant protocols to minimise adverse outcomes during the period.
The action stems from a delay in a ruling by the Industrial Disputes Tribunal, IDT, on the doctors’ long-running overtime dispute with the government.
The JMDA said it would take the industrial action if the ruling was not delivered by close of business on Thursday.
Speaking on Nationwide at Five, JMDA president, Dr Jubilee Brown-Service, said the delay was unacceptable.
She was pressed about the association’s statements suggesting that interference is behind the delay with the IDT ruling.
President of the University and Allied Workers Union, Lambert Brown, who represents the doctors, was the one who questioned whether there was interference in the process.
Dr. Brown-Service says the JMDA is still unclear about the reasons for the delay.
Dr Jubilee Brown-Service, president of the JMDA.
Meanwhile, health and wellness minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton, says protocols are in place for the industrial action by the junior doctors.
Minister Tufton was speaking on Nationwide at Five on Thursday.
Dr. Tufton is taking issue with what he says are baseless allegations suggesting interference is behind the delayed tribunal ruling.
Dr. Christopher Tufton, health and wellness minister.
