Jamaica doctors cry shame

Wed, January 16, 2013 - 6:54 AM

KINGSTON – The Jamaica Medical Doctors' Association (JMDA) has condemned what it labelled “the gross disregard for staff at public health care institutions” after gunmen shot and killed a 36-year-old man at a hospital in the central parish of Clarendon Tuesday.

“This, again, is a reflection of the breakdown of morals and values in society which has [raised] its ugly head,” the JMDA said in a statement.

Police, who have since established a post at the hospital, said Adif Washington was killed after two gunmen entered the medical institution and shot him.

The two armed men were reported to have entered the May Pen Hospital, tied up the security guard stationed at the entrance to the male surgical ward, where Washington was a patient, and shot him
at least four times as he slept.

Washington had been shot seven times on Sunday as he was returning home from a police station where he had been reporting as part of the conditions for his bail on murder and kidnapping charges.
President of the Medical Association of Jamaica, Dr Aggrey Irons, in condemning the incident, said the values of society had eroded to the point where things that were considered sacred were now treated with scant regard. (CMC)