Premature baby formula supply running low again

Newsday was told yesterday that the "intermittent appearance" of the pharmacists (who are Regional Health Authority workers) responsible for mixing the intravenous solution given to premature babies has caused this reduction. While premature babies are born with various complications, a Mt Hope Women’s Hospital (MHWH) doctor told Newsday that TPN assisted their growth rate, which in turn improved their health outcome. Babies coming out of surgery also heal better when TPN is used.

Doctors are reportedly "very upset with the erratic supply of TPN" over the past three weeks. Last month, the TPN pharmacists withheld their labour in an attempt to get the North Central Regional Health Authority to deal with outstanding arrears of allowances owed to them since February.

While they were vilified for taking that action, the pharmacists said that no babies were at risk since those in critical condition received a supply of TPN.

"We came through a period of not having TPN for three weeks and with all the negative publicity they earned you would think they would do everything to enhance their public image," the doctor complained.

Officials at the North West and North Central RHA confirmed that most of the pharmacists staying off the job are their own employees, although it is Public Service pharmacists who have been clamouring for a higher reclassification. Negotiations between the Public Services Association, which is representing the pharmacists, and the Chief Personnel Officer are at an impasse.

Two pharmacists were brought in to EWMSC to deal with prescriptions for wards and one pharmacist reported for work at MHWH after noon, although the dispensary service starts from 8 am. There were no pharmacists at health centres in the NCRHA with the exception of Maloney.

Tempers flared at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital when people saw the sign at the outpatient dispensary informing: "The pharmacy will be closed today until further notice."

However, limited service was available. There were three pharmacists and the senior pharmacists on duty. Patients waiting were advised by a hospital official to "hold on."

Patients with numbers and prescriptions from Monday and Tuesday were receiving service before those who got prescriptions from their respective clinics yesterday.

An elderly woman declared, "they too wicked!" She said action should be taken against the absent pharmacists.

"Every time they do this, deduct it (from their salary). They don’t work, take it out." She said the Prime Minister should visit the dispensary to see the "pressure going on."

Another pensioner said the politicians did not care what happened because when they became sick they went abroad for treatment.

Although they complained, the patients were resigned to waiting. "What we will do? We want the medication," a woman from San Juan said. She needed to get medication for "seizures" and although she received a Chronic Disease Assistance form to take to a private pharmacy, she had to return to PoSGH because it was unavailable.