JLP Senator Dr Elon Thompson accuses PNP’s Dr Alfred Dawes of political opportunism

Government Senator, Dr Elon Thompson has described as ‘unfortunate partisanship and clear opportunism’, a move by PNP caretaker, Dr Alfred Dawes who called a media conference on Tuesday (April 1) to comment on the issue of suspected

at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) operating theatre.

Senator Thompson in a release said that he has been reliably informed that the Ministry of Health is at an advanced stage of fixing the issue and that work commenced before Dr Dawes sought to use it as a political football to boost his stocks.

Dr Thompson said he also took note that Dr Dawes used the issue as a platform to suggest  that the healthcare system is in crisis.

“It is unfortunate that Dr Dawes displayed political opportunism and partisanship during the PNP media conference on Tuesday. His partisan rhetoric has no place when discussing matters concerning healthcare. I am advised that the operating theatre at the KPH will be back up in operation in short order. A problem was recognised and the Dr Chris Tufton led health ministry must be credited with moving to fix it.”

Dr Thompson, who is a former President of the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association (JMDA) stated that unlike the former PNP Government, the Jamaica Labour Party administration is not into the business of hiding challenges associated with Jamaica’s healthcare system.

According to Dr Thompson, “Dawes should remember it was he who when the PNP was in office bemoaned the terrible state of the system and inaction by the PNP. He complained about issues including that garbage bags were being used to substitute for gowns. If he’s is being honest, Dawes must recognise that this government has invested heavily in upgrading infrastructure, availability of equipment and service delivery.”

Senator Thompson said that while there is much work to be done, some positives have been achieved by the current government.

While commenting that Jamaica deserves better, Thompson is calling on Dawes to show greater objectivity and desist from using the healthcare system to score political points.