A major backlog in surgical procedures has developed at the nation’s public hospitals.

The situation developed due in part to the suspension of some surgeries as a result of issues caused by COVID-19.

President of the Medical Association of Jamaica, Dr. Brian James explains that despite the resumption of general operations at hospitals, thousands of patients are still waiting on surgeries that were pushed back.

Dr. James says the country must now get back to pre-covid levels, but this is difficult as new patients have been added to the list and the health system was already operating at capacity.

The Medical Association President notes that lives could be at risk if persons do not get access to timely surgical interventions.