Rahael praises TT medical services

HEALTH MINISTER John Rahael yesterday praised all medical personnel who turned out for duty over the last 48 hours as Trinidad and Tobago braced for impact from Hurricane Ivan, and said the country’s medical services had performed well over the last 48 hours. Rahael told Newsday he was “extremely satisfied” with the response of all the doctors, nurses and emergency medical technicians and other personnel who turned out for duty at the nation’s various hospitals and health centres. The minister thanked the chief medical officers and Regional Health Authority (RHA) chairmen for also coming out to ensure that mechanisms to treat with any emergency at their respective institutions were functioning well.

The minister reiterated that TT’s medical services were fully prepared to deal with any eventuality since Monday. Rahael was especially thankful to the TT Registered Nurses Association for offering the services of retired nurses to make up for shortfalls at any hospital, and also to private doctors who also offered to help out at the hospitals if necessary. Over the last 24 hours, all hospitals were put on emergency mode only, with all regular clinics being suspended. The hospitals have since returned to normal operating status.

North-West RHA communications manager Charmaine Codrington said although there were no reports of persons being treated at any NWRHA institution for hurricane-related injuries on Tuesday, the NWRHA was generally satisfied with its disaster plans. Codrington said the NWRHA had established a command centre at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex to coordinate and monitor activities at the other institutions under its jurisdiction. South-West RHA chairman Imtiaz Ahamad said there was a full turnout of staff at the San Fernando General Hospital and its other health facilities and all systems worked well over the last 48 hours.