Member of Parliament for Western Portland, the JLP’s Daryl Vaz, says he’s been advised that today only children with Chik-V like symptoms and emergencies are being given priority attention at the Port Antonio clinic.
He says adults are being told to return for treatment next Monday because of a shortage of staff to meet patient inflows.
The MP has described the situation as unsatisfactory and in need of the immediate intervention of Health Minister, Dr. Fenton Ferguson.
According to Mr Vaz, despite the best efforts by the health authorities to get the Chik-V outbreak in the parish under control, it’s intensifying.
He says he welcomes the announcement by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller this week that 500-million dollars would be allocated to deal with the Chik-V epidemic as well as preparations for the possibility of Ebola entering the country.
However, Mr Vaz has expressed his disappointment at what he describes as the scant regard and neglect being paid to the people and parish of Portland by the health authorities.
He notes the announcement by government that there would be extended opening hours for health centres in the South East Region, while residents of Portland are unable to access proper treatment during normal clinic hours.
Mr. Vaz says the neighbouring parish of St. Thomas is included in these extended opening hours while Portland, which has been badly affected by the virus was omitted.
Efforts to reach the Chairman of the North East Regional Health Authority, Leon Gordon for comment were unsuccessful as his phone rang to voicemail.
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