Some public health nurses at several health facilities islandwide, have reportedly called in sick.

This as the nurses are reportedly upset with the Health Ministry’s handling of some issues affecting them.

One nurse told Irie Fm news that several of her colleagues at a hospital in Kingston have called in sick because of poor salary, lack of adequate resources such as personal protective equipment and staff shortage.

President of the Nurses Association of Jamaica, NAJ Patsy Edwards Henry told Irie Fm News that she was not aware of a sick out, but confirmed last evening that several nurses are in quarantine.

Reports on the situation in the southern region indicate that at the Mandeville Regional– 38 nurses out of 91 showed up for work.

24 of 35 at Percy Junor, 30 out of 47 at May Pen Hospital, 34 out of 36 for Black River and 19 out of 19 for Lionel Town Hospital.

Responding to news that nurses across the island have been calling in sick, President of the Medical Association of Jamaica, Dr. Andrew Manning says the situation will create a challenge for the already burdened public health system.

Dr. Manning said the entire health care team, including doctors, is under a lot of pressure.

Dr. Manning emphasized that something has to be done to cauterize the current surge in Covid-19 cases as quickly as possible.

He urged people to comply with the Covid regulations, while noting that the authorities have a role to play.