Neonatal units on the edge

Despite this fact, bad money has been spent over the years. Health workers still complain about shortage of equipment.

A few years ago Port-of-Spain General Hospital (PoSGH) and San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH) received foetal monitors, but the items were unable to "withstand the test of time." There have also been instances in which new equipment had to be returned to suppliers because they were not working.

Doctors have complained that the Regional Health Authorities would not purchase what they recommended, but tell them what they must use.

Dr Petronella Manning-Alleyne, head of the Neonatal Department at the PoSGH, said the authorities have been using a "hodge podge" approach in responding to needs.

"If you wait until a foetal monitor breaks down to have Government spend money to buy a new monitor. When you get the monitor at great expense you will be no further from where you were."

Manning-Alleyne said overall systems must be examined.

"I talk plenty and I will get my area improved. The system is who could talk the loudest. You can’t run a system on who could talk the loudest."

Referring to the incident at the SFGH, when the theatre ran out of anesthetic gas resulting in cancellation of surgeries, she said, "Everything takes us by surprise." Manning-Alleyne questioned who monitors utilisation of supplies and interacts with the people using equipment.

She said there was no preventive maintenance schedule for most of the equipment and she could not anticipate when equipment would malfunction because she did not know when or which parts should be replaced. Manning-Alleyne said only breakdown maintenance was taking place.

She said even items bought with guarantees were not serviced and broke down after the guarantees had expired. Manning-Alleyne called for more communication between those who manage and medical personnel, saying the end user should not have to battle with those doing the specifications for equipment being sent out for tender.

Government is spending millions more to equip TT’s neonatal units. The doctors have identified their needs and have been involved in preparation of specifications for the equipment. The Health Ministry has directed that extended maintenance be included in contracts with suppliers to ensure that equipment lasts and are repaired in a timely manner.