Nurses are TT’s unsung heroes

“As midwives go above and beyond the call of duty, who speaks for you? With your permission, I would like to be your voice. Lean on me as your voice and advocate,” Deyalsingh told members of the TT Association of Midwives at their annual conference held yesterday at the Hyatt Regency, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain.

The minister was critical of this country’s high rate of maternal and infant mortality rates saying they were too high. “When you look at our record for and maternal death and infant mortality, TT should hang it’s head in shame. We have not done that because even though we admit we have a problem, we have not solved the problem. I have challenged obstetricians and gynaecologists to tell me what they need,” he said.

Deyalsingh said by the year 2020 TT should have joined the developed world as far as statistics into maternal mortality and infant mortality were concerned. He said the developed world had statistics of about 13 deaths per 100,000 for maternal mortality. He said no more than three or four women should die in TT every year while delivering a baby. “That is the goal, that is the aim, that is the challenge.

As far as infant mortality is concerned we should be in the single digits, right now we are in the double digits,” he said.

The minister said to reach that vision and obtain these objectives, they first had to appoint a director of oversight. “So far yours truly has to take up that mantle and we have had a positive impact in terms of maternal deaths so far this year.

Until I have that position staffed by a competent professional I have to continue to fill that position,” he said. Deyalsingh said their policy should be getting more women to take responsibility for their health.