IRO head calls for better health care, wages

Inter- Religious Organisa-tion (IRO) president, Rev Cyril Paul, has observed that a country’s wealth is not measured by it’s oil and gas booms but by the quality of it’s health care systems. He was delivering the homily at an inter-faith service at the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH) to mark the start of the institution’s 50th anniversary week-long celebrations yesterday.

With Health Minister John Rahael in attendance, the outspoken Paul noted that while Trinidad and Tobago was experiencing a boom in oil and gas revenues, he urged Government to improve worker morale by improving both their remuneration packets and their working conditions. “One cannot motivate staff when their working environment is substandard,” he said. Rev Paul added: “There is no excuse for inadequate hospital conditions or the absence of basic medical supplies.”

However, he observed that SFGH had the potential to become one of the leading health institutions in the English-speaking Caribbean and commended the SWRHA for choosing the theme “Celebrating the Past, Forging the Future,” as the ideal scope for “thanksgiving, reflection and rededication.” Also addressing the service was SWRHA chairman Imtiaz Ahamad, who called on  health care providers to present a “united body” when facing the  challenges of the 21st century.