Doctors and nurses at public hospitals across Jamaica are complaining that they have been under tremendous stress since the Government introduced the no user fee policy in 2008.
According to a study conducted by the Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CAPRI) on a review of the system, the doctors and nurses complained bitterly of daily abuse from angry patients, increased stress levels and exhaustion.
The CAPRI researchers found that public health-care workers were extremely frustrated because the Government failed to put in place the necessary resources to deal with the heavy demand the free health care would attract.
Hospital workers said the increased patient-to-staff ratio was overbearing, frustrating both them and the patients, which has led to daily verbal confrontations.
"A lot of staff members are faced with angry, violent and abusive patients who are frustrated by the system," was the response CAPRI got fom the nurses and doctors.
PRI got from doctors and nurses.
"The staff is demoralised, overworked, burdened, underpaid and exhausted daily."e
