Curing instead of preventing the ills

THE EDITOR: It was a momentous event when Minister Robinson-Regis proposed to have existing taxes on chicken importation removed to ensure that our favourite meat is affordable to the average citizen. This was the action required to “pluck” indiscriminate increases in chicken prices dictated by ruthless poultry manufacturers that must now find their position unpalatable. Yes indeed, like a contented canary, I was all set to sing loud praises to the Legal Affairs Minister for fervently championing a people’s issue. However, my mood was short-lived when I read of dead babies and the dubious remarks that followed, uttered by our Health Minister. So it is easy to discern what swayed my focus — death of the innocent over chicken prices.

Reports revealed that 25 babies died at the neonatal unit of the Mount Hope Women’s Hospital for the period August 1 to mid-September. Most of those deaths were attributed to the sepsis Enterobacter bacteria. Commenting on the tragedies, Minister Imbert was reported as saying: “It’s a management issue. Throughout the health sector... when you track the source of every problem it’s a management problem.” Those words say a lot about Mr Imbert — none good. Mr Imbert incriminates himself by admitting to having had knowledge of incompetent managers for some time — a dilemma for which he still has no viable solution. Also he most likely made enemies of most of his support staff by blaming his managers. Doesn’t Mr Imbert know that being the Minister of Health is to be ultimately responsible and accountable for all health related issues, including administration, and that he is the manager of the managers he chastises? Doesn’t he realise that to wear the cap of Minister is to inherit the fortunes and misfortunes of his Ministry?

Of course since the neonatal unit was declared unsanitary and appears at this point to have hosted the killer bacteria, reactive measures began in earnest. These would include detailed investigations, sanitising neonatal units across the country, enacting sanative standards legislation — blaming the UNC for not doing so and dismissal threats. So we come to realise, with few exceptions, that the underlying watchwords throughout the current regime is reaction — forever seeking to cure an ill as opposed to preventing one. It is important to recognise and award positive achievements if we are to promote incentives for even greater triumphs. Conversely, shortfalls must be identified and highlighted if they are to be remedied and prevented from recurring. Sadly at this juncture, perceptions place evil ahead of good in TT, and so, Ministers must play their part by hastily improving their managerial skills to reverse this scenario.

DEXTER  J  RIGSBY
Mt Lambert