Rahael knocks ‘private patients’

Health Minister John Rahael on Tuesday said private patients have been trying to get their surgeries done at public hospitals through the surgical waiting list programme.

As a result, he has asked the Surgical Waiting List Unit (SWLU) of the Ministry to be more “vigilant” in screening people who are trying to have surgery done.

Speaking at the sod turning ceremony for the enhanced St Joseph Health Centre, located in the vicinity of the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Rahael boasted about the reduction in the surgical waiting list at public hospitals. However, he said demand for surgery has increased with the introduction of the surgical waiting list programme.

Rahael said during screening by the SWLU, some patients disclosed that they are not registered with any public hospital. He said some of these people were employed with “top notch” companies but reluctant to have surgery at a private facility, and make claim using the company insurance because they had to pay 20 percent of the cost.

“That is what is happening to us; that is why we are guarding now and telling you that you will be screened before getting on to the surgical waiting list.”

Rahael said the programme is for people in the public sector who cannot afford surgery. He said when a national health insurance scheme is started then everyone would be able to access services at different hospitals.

Elaborating on his statements after the sod turning ceremony Rahael said some people were trying to get on the surgical waiting list by going to health facilities and registering so they could have a registration number. He insisted that under the programme private patients would not be able to get on to the waiting list. “All of these surgeries are at no cost to the patient. The weekend surgery, the waiting list initiative. If anyone approach you to pay for the surgery, you just let us know.”

During his address Rahael called for the public to be more health conscious since lifestyle diseases were putting pressure on the health sector. “We are seeing too many patients.” He said illness was making people a burden to their families and then the State. He blamed this on poor diet, a lack of exercise and not taking responsibility for health.

Rahael described as an “epidemic situation” the number of people with end stage renal failure which can cost $10,000 monthly. There was a waiting list for people in need of dialysis. In response to staff shortages in the health sector, he said the Health Ministry in collaboration with the Education Ministry will go into secondary schools and talk to Form Two and Three students about career opportunities in the health sector.

Wendy Ali, acting general manager of the National Insurance Property Development Company Ltd (NIPDEC), said the Enhanced St Joseph Health Facility (EHF) will occupy a total of 983 square feet—1.5 times more space. She said the old Centre will be demolished and renovations done. This building will house administration, a large waiting room and wellness centre. The project will cost $18.7 million and will be completed next year. Since February 2001, the St Joseph Health Centre has been occupying building 19, at the Eric Williams Medical Complex.