Foreign doctors join sick out

Foreign doctors have joined their local counterparts in staying off the job as negotiations between the joint Regional Health Authority team and the doctors’ representative — the Medical Professionals Associa-tion of TT hang in limbo.

One source said about 20 Indian nationals working at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex on contract with the North West Regional Health Authority have been taking part in last week’s “sick-out”. “If foreign nationals could take sick leave why bring Cuban doctors, they may do likewise,” said the source. Few foreign doctors have been calling in absent at San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH).

Doctors are entitled to 14 days sick leave, but this was never meant to be abused, said Chief Executive Officer of the NWRHA Lennard Jaggesar. He said a doctor who issues sick leave to another doctor knowing this to be untrue could be “in trouble” with the Medical Board. He confirmed that foreign doctors have been absent. However, the NWRHA has been unable to get lists from Medical Chiefs-of-Staff naming those who have been absent from duty.

Jaggessar said the impasse of earlier this year had minimal participation by foreign doctors but this time is different. He said these doctors may have been convinced to participate to get better salaries or they may have been harassed and victimised. “It’s very easy to influence junior doctors.” Major hospitals —Port-of-Spain, San Fernando General Hospital as well as EWMSC continue to function in emergency mode.

Jaggessar said House Officers were brought in to work at the Paediatric hospital as consultants had said they cannot work without junior doctors. The Adult Priority Care Facility remains closed. He described services at EWMSC and PoSGH as “still poor”. Medical Chief-of-Staff of the SFGH Dr Anand Chattergoon said the current situation cannot go on much longer as doctors holding on are getting tired. He said the hospital is “barely managing so far”.