Rahael plans better monitoring of doctors

HEALTH MINISTER John Rahael has agreed to consider proposals to establish a better system to monitor the presence of doctors at the nation’s health institutions and establish a Patients Bill of Rights. This was disclosed yesterday by Independent Senator Prof Ramesh Deosaran after a meeting with Rahael at the ministry’s Park Street headquarters in Port-of-Spain.

Following his contribution in the Senate two weeks ago about the lack of commitment shown by some local doctors to their patients, Deosaran told Newsday he intended to meet with Rahael to discuss certain issues pertaining to the health sector. The senator explained that the gist of yesterday’s meeting was to inform the minister about the “collateral need” to improve conditions both for doctors and patients in terms of the delivery of quality health care. Deosaran said Rahael agreed to consider the establishment of a “firmer system” to monitor the presence or absence of doctors in both hospitals and health centres. According to Deosaran, Rahael said the ministry would develop a monitoring team that would pay regular visits to hospitals and health centres to obtain information about the quality of medical treatment given to patients and the need for medical equipment and essential medication.