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JMDA President Dr. Mindi Fitz-Henley and ACP Clifford Chambers, head of the Area One Police
Doctors and nurses at Cornwall Regional Hospital in St. James have stopped working after it is alleged that thugs entered the institution this morning and threatened them while trying to secure the release of a male patient.
Radio Jamaica News was informed that the men demanded that the sick man be released into their custody but the medical staff resisted after stating that the patient was too ill and needed treatment.
The men reportedly threatened the hospital staff.
The police were called.
Dr. Mindi Fitz Henley, President of the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association (JMDA), told Radio Jamaica News that the medical staff at Cornwall Regional are reluctant to return to work out of fear for their safety.
"Right now, there is a threat to life and as you know, the lives of our staff, our doctors, is our utmost importance and so we are trying to assess the situation to see if they are going to be able to continue to be at work or if it is that they need to seek safety elsewhere," she said, noting that the staff also has the support of the hospital's chief executive officer.
When contacted, CEO of Cornwall Regional Hospital Charmaine Williams Beckford said a meeting was taking place regarding the situation and she was unable to provide further details.
However, Assistant Commissioner Clifford Chambers, head of the Area One Police, confirmed that there was a confrontation between doctors and persons who took the sick man for medical treatment.
"The information so far, which we're trying to confirm - let me make it clear - is that the persons who took that male there to be treated are of the view that is condition was not medical in the main but that he needs to go to a "obeah man" who can better help him," the policeman revealed.
He said reports indicate that the doctors insisted the man needed proper medical treatment and this led to the confrontation.
ACP Chambers said investigators are trying to determine whether threats were in fact issued against staff at the hospital.
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