RHAs: Doctors’ demands impossible

AN abrupt end to last Thursday’s meeting between doctors and the joint negotiating RHA team, has signalled a deadlock in the negotiations that could trigger a crisis in the nation’s hospitals. Word is that the RHA is tied to its last week offer based on instructions from the Chief Personnel Officer, Sandra Manchack. Thursday’s meeting saw a final offer of a total package between $17,000 and $19,000 for House Officers based on years of experience.

A release from the RHA yesterday stated that the doctors are demanding a total package of approximately $22,000 to $25,000. It described the demand as totally untenable. “In the context of the public service, it just cannot be done,” a member of the RHA team said yesterday. Thursday’s meeting was expected to resolve the issue to bring an end to sick-out action by the doctors. Patients continue to be turned away at the Port-of-Spain, Eric Williams and San Fernando General Hospitals. On Saturday a pregnant mother about to deliver her baby, according to former SFGH’s medical director Dr Anand Chatoorgoon, came close to death when she waited for hours to see a doctor at the SFGH. Chatoorgoon said there was an apparent delay in transfering the mother to a nursing home.  Checks yesterday revealed that the mother was resting comfortably at the Augustus Long Hospital, Pointe-a-Pierre but the baby was still in critical condition.

A release from Drs Lakhan Roop and Phillip Ayoung-Chee last week Thursday on behalf of the Medical Professionals Associations of Trinidad and Tobago, stated: “MPATT walked out of the negotiations after presentation of their offer on Thursday 17, April.” It  further stated that doctors will review the RHA’s latest offer. MPATT will meet on Tuesday with its membership. With the RHA’s team unable to budge from its latest offer, doctors’ rejection could result in the matter being reported to the Inter-ministerial team which is headed by Public Administration Minister, Dr Lenny Saith.