Suffering at Arima Hospital

On Sunday December 4, 2005 at approximately 5.45 pm an accident occurred at the corner of De Freitas Boulevard and the Churchill Roosevelt Highway where a young man approximately seventeen years old was knocked down and left to suffer by the inconsiderate individual who knocked him down and left the scene.

I must, however, congratulate the police officers and the ambulance officers who came promptly. We reached the Arima Hospital at approximately 6.15 pm and the young man was taken in for treatment.

At approximately 7.20 pm the young man with his neck in braces and his right leg broken in many places, was ready to be transported to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital for surgery.

The ambulance was ready, his parents were there but lo and behold, no nurse was available to go with the ambulance. This young man was left to suffer at the Arima District Hospital from 7.20 pm and up to about 9.40 pm because there was still no nurse to accompany him.

In order for him to be transported to the PoS General Hospital, a personal friend, who is a nurse had to leave her home and accompany him.

The answers I need from the Arima District Hospital are: (a) where were the nurses on duty during this period and why did it take so long for someone to escort this young man to PoS General Hospital. Aren’t these the same people who are forever seeking an increase in salary and other benefits?

We the residents of Arima are appealing to the Honourable Minister of Health, Mr John Rahael, to please, please upgrade the Arima District Hospital to a full fledged hospital, to accompany all types of surgeries and medical treatments. This will facilitate a reduction in the workload at the other hospitals and our residents will not be in pain and agony.

JANICE SMITH

Arima