JMDA raises staffing, pay and patient safety concerns at UHWI, issues ultimatum
Published:Thursday | February 5, 2026 | 11:53 AM
The Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association (JMDA) has warned the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) that it cannot guarantee the continuation of normal operations if concerns regarding staffing, compensation, and patient safety are not addressed by February 11.
In a letter publicly released on Wednesday, JMDA President Dr Renee Badroe expressed disappointment over what the association described as UHWI’s “dismissive” engagement with its members.
“This correspondence constitutes formal notice and is issued without prejudice to the JMDA’s rights, remedies, and entitlements at law and under existing contractual and industrial agreements,” the letter stated.
“Should UHWI fail to take immediate and meaningful steps to resolve these matters by the stated deadline, the JMDA will have no alternative but to advise its membership accordingly. In such circumstances, the association cannot guarantee the continuation of normal operations at UHWI.”
The letter cited a January 19, 2026, communication from the JMDA outlining 13 substantive issues, including alleged breaches of compensation arrangements, inadequate staffing levels, and patient safety concerns.
Badroe wrote that a recent meeting convened by UHWI was allotted only one hour, which the JMDA deemed insufficient for a meaningful discussion of the issues.
“As a matter of principle and procedural fairness, the JMDA declined to participate in a meeting of such limited duration, as it would not have permitted reasonable or meaningful engagement with the matters outlined in our correspondence,” the letter stated.
The JMDA also criticised the lack of prior notice regarding the one-hour time limit, saying it further undermined the integrity and purpose of the proposed meeting.
The letter demands that UHWI convene a properly constituted meeting, with sufficient time and decision-making authority, to resolve the outstanding matters no later than February 11.
The JMDA also requested that the meeting not be scheduled for February 10, the same day as its tribunal hearing with the Ministry of Health and Wellness and UHWI.
The letter was copied to several key officials, including Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton, Chief Medical Officer Dr Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie, UHWI Medical Chief of Staff Dr Carl Bruce, and senior finance and human resources officials at both UHWI and the Ministry of Health.
Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner, and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com
.