The Opposition says Jamaicans are paying more for public health care but are not seeing the results.

Opposition Spokesman on Health and Wellness, Dr. Alfred Dawes, says the public health budget has more than tripled since 2016/17.

During an update in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Health Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton, cited a World Bank review which showed the government’s spending on health dramatically increasing.

The World Bank review covered the period 2016 to 2022.

But Dr. Dawes says that review found maternal mortality is higher now than it was 30 years ago, and neonatal mortality is higher than when the government took office.

He says it also found chronic diseases cause close to 80 percent of deaths, medicine costs have risen rapidly, and health centres need more doctors and nurses.

Dr. Dawes says the extra money is not reaching patients.

Dr. Alfred Dawes, Opposition Spokesman on Health.

Photo credit: The Gleaner