As the general election approaches, Montserrat Focus is running a series of articles examining the key policies of political parties on a range of critical issues.
Each story will offer a look at where the parties stand on specific topics, helping voters to understand the differences in priorities and visions for the future of the island.
This article explores the various strategies and proposals for improving healthcare in Montserrat.
MCAP
In the Movement for Change and Prosperity (MCAP)’s 32-page manifesto, the party says it is focused on wellness, health management, health infrastructure, and information and communication technologies.
The document says members are also committed to ensuring that healthcare professionals are adequately equipped to offer the best medical services to patients.
To do this, if elected, the party plans to:
- Establish competitive salary packages and incentives to attract and retain competent and experienced local, regional and international medical professional.
- Recruit and train paramedics to manage ambulance services, enhancing life-saving methods and emergency response.
- Expand emergency services, including faster response times, air ambulances, and better-equipped ambulatory services for remote areas.
- Expand telemedicine services, enabling patients to consult specialists off-island without leaving Montserrat, complemented by modern digital health records.
- Expand hospital services, including the provision of dialysis, physical therapy, and occupational therapy, reducing the need to travel abroad.
- Invest in public health education campaigns focusing on preventative care for chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, as well as free annual check-ups for early detection and post diagnosis care.
- Broaden access to preventive screenings for major health conditions.
- Equalize hospital fees payable by Montserrat residents and CARICOM residents.
- Advocate for expanded insurance coverage for additional medical conditions, including counseling and therapy.
- Provide free prenatal and postnatal care, and establish a ‘New Mothers Support Network’ to ensure every mother and newborn receive appropriate care and support during the crucial first months post birth.
Representing MCAP are Samuel Joseph, Joseph E Farrell, Gilmore Williams, Edris Pamela Wade, Crenston Buffonge, Siobhan Tuitt, Jamiel Melissia Greenaway, Charliena White, and Edith Fenton.
Click here to view MCAP’s full manifesto titled ‘Forward together’.
PDM
The People’s Democratic Movement (PDM)’s 46-page manifesto says the party is committed to improving healthcare services and infrastructure on Montserrat.
“Our comprehensive healthcare policy focuses on strengthening existing facilities, enhancing preventive care, and ensuring access to quality healthcare for all residents,” it says.
If elected, the PDM plans to:
- Continue to support and enhance the development of the New Glendon Hospital in St John’s, ensuring it is finished to be a state-of-the-art facility.
- Invest in modernising other existing healthcare facilities, including community health centres, with up-to-date equipment and technology.
- Review and enhance emergency medical response services with well-equipped ambulances and continuously trained first-responders.
- Provide ongoing training and professional development opportunities for Montserrat’s healthcare workers.
- Create incentives to attract and retain skilled healthcare professionals, including competitive salaries for nurses, housing assistance, and career advancement opportunities.
- Implement regular health screening programmes for early detection of conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and cancers.
- Continue to support awareness campaigns on ZJB Radio and social media platforms on topics such as nutrition, exercise, mental health, and chronic disease prevention.
- Establish community fitness centres and wellness programmes to encourage healthy lifestyles.
- Collaborate with local businesses to implement wellness programmes that promote healthy behaviours among employees.
- Provide educational programmes and marketing material on healthy eating habits and nutrition.
- Conduct public education campaigns to reduce stigma and promote mental wellness.
- Continue to develop integrated health information systems to improve patient records management, data collection, and analysis.
- Work with medical professionals towards introducing telemedicine into Montserrat’s healthcare system, affording residents the opportunity to be seen to by heath professionals via an easy digital connection.
- Enhance existing programmes to control disease-carrying vectors, such as mosquitoes, to reduce the incidence of diseases like dengue and malaria.
- Develop strategies to address the health impacts of climate change, including heatwaves, extreme weather events, and rising sea levels.
- Continue to work closely with neighbouring islands such as Antigua and Guadeloupe to share resources and expertise in medivac services.
Representing PDM are Paul Lewis, Donaldson Romeo, Glenville Daley, Alaric Lynch, Nyota Mulcare, David Osborne, Eustace Osborne, Shirley Osborne, and Jermaine Wade.
Click here to view PDM’s full manifesto titled ‘People first’.
PPP
The Positive Progression for People (PPP) party’s 10-page manifesto lists short, medium and long term plans for Montserrat.
In its short term plans, the party says, if elected, it plans to initiate modern health services, but does not expand further on details.
The sole candidate representing PPP at the election is Karen Allen.
Click here to view PPP’s full manifesto titled ‘United we stand, divided we starve’.
United Alliance
In the United Alliance’s 12-page manifesto, launched on 21 August, the party describes its short, middle and long-term plans for healthcare.
In the short term, from zero to one year, if elected, the party will:
- Modernise healthcare and wellness legislation and policies in line with international standards.
- Establish emergency management protocols and guidelines in line with international standards.
- Re-establish specialist medical services and visiting medical programmes.
In the medium term, from one to five years, the party will:
- Ensure the completion of a fully equipped and staffed general hospital.
- Establish a cancer screening registry.
- Modernise the Public Health Department.
And in the long term, from five years onward, the party will:
- Ensure affordable and world-class healthcare is accessible for all residents.
Representing United Alliance are Reuben T Meade, Anne Thomas, Marjorie Smith, Jenzil Skerrit, Veronica Dorsette-Hector, John Osborne, Ingrid Buffonge, George Kirnon and Dwayne Hixon.
Click here to view United Alliance’s full manifesto titled ‘Restoring visionary, competent, trustworthy, and caring governance to Montserrat’.
Election day
A total of 33 electoral candidates will compete for nine seats in the Montserrat Legislative Assembly during the general election.
The six independent candidates are Claude Gerald, Debra Lewis, Wilford Meade, Charlesworth Piper, Delmaude Ryan, and Vickie Stephenson.
Polls will open at 7am and close at 6pm on 24 October. Full details of the locations of the polling stations are available on the Electoral Commission website here.
On the day, 3,464 registered voters can mark their cross next to up to nine candidates. The votes will be counted at the Montserrat Cultural Centre in Little Bay.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article provides impartial coverage of political activities in the lead up to the 24 October general election in Montserrat.
It does not constitute an endorsement of any party or candidate.
