STATEMENT FROM MSJMC ON RECENT INDUSTRIAL ACTION

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, April 19, 2021 –Today, industrial action was taken by some Mount St. John’s Medical Centre (MSJMC) employees due to the hospital’s delay with meeting its obligations for employee risk-payment.   

While we continue to do everything that we can to meet these obligations MSJMC has had to face challenges not unfamiliar to many organizations across the globe – And, like other hospitals, have had to make very tough decisions regarding escalating healthcare costs and all of the other pressures associated with operating a healthcare facility especially during this time.   

The scale of this challenge is quite substantial _(a total of $3.7 million is currently outstanding)_and we are taking every possible action to meet these trials. However, our commitment to meet the monthly expenditure of risk allowances is dependent on funds received from central government, which remains obligated to meet the outstanding payments in as much as available resources allow. To date, our hospital has paid a total of $1,958,895.29 with the most recent payment being made on March 15, 2020. The duty to settle payments has undoubtedly been constrained over recent months.   

We respect the rights of our employees to be members of their respective unions, to voice all opinions, and encourage a healthy discourse about the differences of opinion we have in how to work through the challenges we find ourselves facing – all with the mindset that both MSJMC and our employees taking action would like to get back to caring for our patients and families. To this end, discussions have been escalated toward earnestly confirming what financial resources can be made available in the shortest possible time to avert further disruptions and trust that the coming days will reveal an acceptable timetable to all concerned. 

In the event of any industrial action and staff shortage, the hospital have robust contingency plans in place to ensure patient care and safety is not compromised.