ALLWOOD-ANDERSON
NURSES ACROSS the island went back to work yesterday, ahead of a meeting with Minister of Health Horace Dalley who is hoping to avert the current crisis in the health sector.
However, according to Edith Allwood-Anderson, president of the Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ), nurses will remain firm in their request for an improved wage offer as well as increased benefits.
"Pending the outcome of the meeting at 11 a.m. we will decide to resume (normal duties) or continue with our public education campaign," Mrs. Allwood-Anderson told The Gleaner yesterday.
Mr. Dalley said that he was "heartened and relieved" that the NAJ leadership had demonstrated a commitment to preventing further destabilisation of the health sector by deciding to resume normal activities following three days of protest.
Mr. Dalley said that he was looking forward to a positive outcome from today's meeting. Mrs. Allwood-Anderson said the tardy response by the Health Minister had left some nurses feeling he was being disrespectful towards them.
PATIENTS SENT HOME
Meanwhile, despite the nurses' resumption of duties, the Southern Regional Health Authority reported that several hospitals were forced to cut back on non-emergency cases yesterday and patients were sent home from some.
Among the facilities affected were the Black River, Lionel Town, Mandeville Regional, May Pen and Percy Junor hospitals.
