MPATT silent on sacked NWRHA manager

THE Medical Professionals Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MPATT) yesterday declined to comment on allegations by former North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) manager Jenny Gobin that she was being made a scapegoat regarding the outbreak of enterobacter bacteria at the Mt Hope Women’s Hospital’s neonatal unit. Gobin was fired from her post following an internal investigation into the outbreak of enterobacter at the unit last September. Addressing a post-Cabinet news conference on December 11, Health Minister John Rahael said steps were being taken to prevent a recurrence of enterobacter bacteria at Mt Hope and further action would be taken if anyone else was found responsible for any deaths due to the bacteria.

Speaking with reporters during a break at the Eastern Regional Health Authority’s (ERHA) annual general meeting at the Hilton Trinidad last week, Rahael said he was expecting a report on the Mt Hope Women’s Hospital by last Friday and that the contents would be made public this week. When contacted yesterday, MPATT president Dr Colin Furlonge said he does not “read any of the newspapers in TT” and was unware of allegations made by Gobin. Furlonge however said MPATT would be meeting today to discuss the situation at Mt Hope and would comment fully once it has analysed the situation.