Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, has charged the newly-appointed Health Minister, Horace Dalley, to quickly correct the shortcomings in the health sector .
She has expressed confidence in Mr Dalley’s ability, to bring improvement to the health sector in short order, noting that he is familiar with the system, having served in that portfolio before.
Mrs. Simpson Miller made the statement, during an address to the nation, last evening (November 8).
Former health minister, Dr Fenton Ferguson, has been re-assigned to the Labour and Social Security Ministry, while Derrick Kellier will continue as Agriculture and Fisheries Minister.
She said Mr Dalley has assured her, that his first order of business will be to strengthen the system of health care delivery, to reduce or eliminate the deaths of babies or adults, from causes such as bacterial outbreaks.
Mrs. Simpson Miller has instructed Mr Dalley, to review the reporting structure between the health regions, and the Health Ministry .
The Prime Minister, in her address, expressed regret at the passing of the 19 pre-mature babies, due to Kleb-siella, and Serratia infection at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston, and the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James.