Why no HIV testing at Queen’s Park clinic?

The clinic provides invaluable and essential services to the public including HIV and/ or ST Is/ST Ds testing.

I accompanied one of my friends to the clinic, located next to the kitchen at the Port of Spain General Hospital, three weeks ago, only to be greeted with a sign that HIV testing services has been suspended “until further notice.” Prior to our visit, I took the liberty of checking the Ministry of Health’s website and got all the relevant information. I even decided, beforehand, to call the clinic to enquire about the testing services provided.

I was informed the clinic opens between 8 am-4 pm and carried out the services as stated on the ministry’s website.

However, later that day it appeared the person I spoke with earlier was unaware that services had been suspended indefinitely, obviously because the number I called was not the clinic’s.

Despite the signage on the door we decided to enter the clinic and make enquires, hoping the sign was old and hadn’t been removed.

We were told that services had in fact been suspended until further notice but no one could give a possible date they would resume, neither was any information forthcoming as to the reason for the suspension.

I again called the clinic on Monday and the situation remained the same, prompting me to enquire further into the matter.

Shockingly, I was informed that specialist staff members that provide such an important service to the public hadn’t had their employment contracts renewed by the Ministry of Health, hence the reason for the suspension of HIV testing services.

This is a rather disappointing and embarrassing turn of events and should not have been allowed to happen in the first place. Is the minister or his PS aware of this issue that has plagued this unit, thereby crippling HIV and other blood-related testing services to the public? Whether they are aware or not, that’s not our concern.

They hold positions of authority to ensure the smooth flow of operations at the ministry and it’s agencies and are required to do precisely that.

The minister and his PS have clearly dropped the ball in this regard and needs to do what is necessary to ensure the immediate resumption of these vital services at the clinic without further delays.

The lack of a statement and/or apology to the public on this issue is quite deafening.

It leaves a lot to be desired about the effective and efficient controls in the public health system when it comes to essential services to citizens.

KERRON CABRERA San Fernando