The Nurses Association of Jamaica has asked nurses to return to work, as they await feed back from the government about several issues which led to a sick out yesterday, (August 25).

The protest disrupted operations at some hospitals.

The NAJ says it called a meeting of its membership yesterday where the issues relating to working conditions, remuneration and statements in the print media were aired.

Following that meeting, the leadership of the NAJ met with the Minister of Health and Wellness and technocrats of that Ministry, and the issues were discussed.

The NAJ in a statement says Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton has committed to having dialogue with Prime Minister Andrew Holness, and Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke.

The NAJ states that based on the outcomes of the discussions and the commitment made by Dr. Tufton to give some feedback by today, it called on registered nurses to return to work.

NAJ President Patsy Edwards-Henry wants the Health and Finance Ministries to take action regarding nurses’ wages.

Meantime, the NAJ President says nurses are calling on the Prime Minister, to retract what they described, as an offensive statement regarding non-preferential treatment for nurses.

According to Patsy Edwards-Henry, nurses are extremely frustrated with the treatment they have been receiving, adding that the nurses believe that the offensive statement made by the Prime Minister, was the last straw.

The NAJ President explains that the sickout was due to the nurses having reached their breaking point.