Women demonstrate outside hospital over poor health care

Alicia Smith, spokeswoman for the group, said that recent reports of “unbelievable acts of neglect” towards women, when they visit the public hospitals to give birth, motivated her, and two friends to “stand up and do something.”

“We are not a political, or trade union organisation. We are just women who are concerned about what is happening to other women,” she expressed.

Smith explained that she, and her two friends, Marsha Padia, and Candice Simmons, have not personally experienced any neglect by the public health sector, but felt it necessary to take a stance.

“We came out today to get the message across that we are disgusted about what has been happening with the health sector in this country. Imagine people are beginning to refer to the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH) as the ‘morgue’,” she said.

However, Smith stated that not all health care professionals were to be blamed for the mistreatment of patients.

“We do not blame all the nurses and doctors, because we know that some of them are under tremendous stress, and are made to work in an unsuitable environment. They need to understand that they are responsible for people’s lives and must show more compassion and care,” Smith expressed.

The women also expressed their satisfaction over the suspension of five doctors, and four nurses at the SFGH. They were handed suspension letters earlier this week after a caesarean section was conducted, which resulted in the death of Carapichaima mother, Chrystal Boodoo-Ramsoomai on Carnival Monday night.

Following this, the service of the Chief Executive Office of the South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA), Paula Chester Cumberbatch, was terminated on Thursday.

“We are not certain that the CEO should have been fired, however, she should have followed the instructions of the SWRHA board, and delivered the suspension letters when she was told to do so,” Smith said.

The women plan to move their demonstration to the SFHS in the near future.