Burnt 11-year-old boy turned away from hospital

An 11-year-old boy with burns was yesterday turned away from the San Fernando General Hospital and sent to the Augustus Long Hospital in Pointe-a-Pierre, after according to Dr Anand Chatoorgoon, Acting Medical Chief of Staff, there was “still no coverage for the Paediatrics Surgery Department.”

In what he described as “the most troublesome department,” Chatoorgoon also explained that “the obstetrics and gynaecological unit is not providing coverage as both the consultant and the registrar called in sick.” He added that in light of this situation, Dr Sylvan Pierre, consultant at the obstetrics and gynaecological unit at the Point Fortin Hospital has offered assistance so patients could now go to him for medical attention in that area.

Chatoorgoon said that yesterday the hospital “brought back a patient with a septic foot who was transferred to the Southern Medical Clinic in San Fernando the day before.” He is now warded at Ward 6. The Accident and Emergency Department of the San Fernando General Hospital was yesterday manned by three out of the full compliment of six doctors. Head of the Department, Dr Stephen Ramroop, said that “a couple other doctors have come out to work”. He stated that “only the bad cases are coming in” and “there are doctors to deal with the life and death cases.” Both Chatoorgoon and Ramroop agreed that there is not much change at the San Fernando General Hospital as it is still operating in emergency mode.