Accountability framework for health sector coming shortly, says Tufton

 

Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton will on Friday sign a recently introduced accountability framework aimed at strengthening internal oversight in the health sector. 

 

Dr. Tufton made the disclosure on Tuesday while responding to a question from a member of the diaspora community during the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference being held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. 

 

The new framework targets weaknesses in administrative performance and accountability while improving transparency and overall responsiveness. 

 

The diaspora member wanted to know what steps are being taken to ensure that healthcare workers are trained, equipped and supported to deliver high quality care that is needed to see positive outcomes in the health sector. 

 

The question was framed within the context of lack of empathy from some medical staff. 

 

Dr. Tufton acknowledged the validity of the concern.

 

"Service starts not on the prescription pad. It starts when people walk through the door. It starts with how you talk to them, listen to them, answer their question, alleviate their concern and distress, which is why they go in to hospitals. Now, what we're doing about it, we're training and retraining. We've established a new unit within the ministry that's going to be focused on that. I spoke to it recently. But we've also announced what we call [an] accountability framework. This Friday at 11:30, I'm signing that document with all the regional authorities. And it has about five components that [are] going to require certain levels of accountability. Otherwise, people will have to face the consequences," he warned.

 

The Health Minister told members of the diaspora that the challenges in the sector are leadership and management, not financial. 

 

"The people right now are the biggest challenge in the health system. It's not lack of money. The government has spent billions of dollars in terms of putting equipment, building out health facilities. Yes, we have a space problem and we're building and adding more. But if we don't manage the triage system properly, if we don't speak to people with a level of respect and show them empathy and understanding, then they are going to be irate and the healing process is not going to happen. And the perceptions are going to linger that we have a heartless health system, despite the fact that we're doing this," the minister acknowledged.