Ministry of Health & Wellness Clarifies Diagnostic Outsourcing Program

Background

The Ministry of Health & Wellness has issued a statement clarifying the status of Jamaica’s diagnostic outsourcing program, following Caribbean National Weekly’s recent report highlighting public concern over reduced access to critical diagnostic services for public patients.

In the April 21 press release, the Ministry emphasized that while contracts with some private facilities that were initially part of the EHCSD project (which provided free diagnostic radiology services at 16 private institutions) have ended, the policy of outsourcing diagnostic services for public patients remains in effect.

“While the contract with some providers has ended, the policy has not changed, as these services are still being offered,” the Ministry said.

Program Administration and Strategies

The Ministry added that the program is now being administered by Jamaica’s four regional health authorities, and that longer-term strategies are underway to bolster diagnostic capacity within the public health system.

“The Diagnostic Outsourcing programme in the public health system is being managed by the four regional health authorities, even as the Ministry of Health & Wellness pursues other long-term strategies including the purchasing of equipment for public hospitals to provide the service.”

As part of that plan, Kingston Public Hospital and Cornwall Regional Hospital have recently installed operational CT scan machines. The Ministry also noted that procurement is underway for the leasing of additional CT and MRI services, “which once completed will bolster the services offered to the public.”

The Ministry also pointed to the availability of a Compassionate Fund, which provides financial support for patients requiring privately delivered diagnostic procedures. Applications must be submitted through health providers.

“The Ministry prioritizes patient care and is working to ensure that critical patients receive necessary diagnostic services. Patients are encouraged to consult with their healthcare providers for guidance on accessing these services.”

Challenges and Concerns

Caribbean National Weekly’s reporting was based on internal health authority memos, patient experiences, and interviews with medical professionals who reported an observable increase in wait times and increased out-of-pocket costs for patients since the start of the year.

While the Ministry reaffirmed that the outsourcing policy remains intact, it did not dispute that some public hospitals have faced service gaps due to the lapse in specific provider contracts.

According to a registered nurse at a Western hospital, Hannah Jackson, “There is currently a longer wait time for patients who require diagnostic radiology services.” She explained this is because patients are forced to pay high costs in order to obtain CT scans at private institutions like Radiology West in Western Jamaica.

The original report also cited a December 13, 2024, internal memo from a regional health authority, which stated that due to funding limitations, only emergency and urgent referrals would be considered for outsourced diagnostic services.

Next Steps

While the Ministry’s release reaffirms the government’s commitment to maintaining diagnostic services, the shift in management and funding structure signals a transitional phase in how public patients access urgent imaging.

The Ministry has not yet provided a timeline for the completion of new leasing contracts or clarified the criteria for Compassionate Fund approvals.

Conclusion

The Ministry of Health & Wellness has clarified the status of Jamaica’s diagnostic outsourcing program, emphasizing that the policy remains in effect despite the end of contracts with some private facilities. The program is now being administered by regional health authorities, with longer-term strategies underway to bolster diagnostic capacity within the public health system. However, challenges and concerns remain, and the Ministry must provide more information on the timeline for new leasing contracts and Compassionate Fund approvals to ensure that public patients receive necessary diagnostic services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the current status of Jamaica’s diagnostic outsourcing program?

A: The program remains in effect, despite the end of contracts with some private facilities.

Q: Who is administering the program?

A: The program is now being administered by Jamaica’s four regional health authorities.

Q: What are the longer-term strategies to bolster diagnostic capacity?

A: The Ministry is pursuing strategies including the purchasing of equipment for public hospitals to provide diagnostic services, and procurement is underway for the leasing of additional CT and MRI services.

Q: What is the Compassionate Fund?

A: The Compassionate Fund provides financial support for patients requiring privately delivered diagnostic procedures, and applications must be submitted through health providers.