Reporters corner Rahael over pharmacists’ protest

In what was supposed to be a simple handing over ceremony at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital (PoSGH) yesterday, Minister of Health, John Rahael, was quizzed by members of the media on the ongoing pharmacists’ dispute. The minister acknowledged that in the previous dispute, he had “sympathised with them (the pharmacists),” but this time he was “disappointed with the action taken.” In the previous dispute, the pharmacists assured the minister that no action such as the one taken then would be taken again, and Rahael said that “even with all of this, they still took action.” He did however say that the negotiating process is now between the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO)  and the PSA, as the ministry has done its part.

The minister said that while much was being done in the health sector, much more could still be done, and while he understood that there might be an urgent need for certain services at hospitals throughout TT, “red tape cannot be removed when it comes to transparency.” This statement was in relation to the tendering processes adopted by various ministries which might actually hinder progress. The minister said, “everything cannot be done at once,” and proper management needs to be put in place to ensure equipment and facilities are used in the best possible way. Speaking on the budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Health, the minister said that he was “pleased” with the allocation. When asked if he was granted all that he had asked for, Rahael jokingly said, “you never receive everything you ask for,” but admitted that the ministry received most of what it requested.

Rahael believes that by the mid-year review there would be a reassessment of the allocation to the Ministry of Health, if this was needed. These issues almost overshadowed the purpose of the minister’s visit, which was to receive ten new wheelchairs from Missions International Trinidad for use at the Accident and Emergency Unit at the PoSGH. The wheelchairs were donated by Missions International, after the minister visited the PoSGH last week and was told there was a shortage of wheelchairs and trolleys at the Accident and Emergency Department. Rahael also pointed out that a group of plastic surgeons will be operating at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in mid-November, and this was part of the ministry’s focus on getting medical services for children. Rahael reiterated that these were some of the measures being implemented in order to satisfy the needs of the local health sector.