Rahael wants better patient treatment

Rahael further called on health care providers to also be “their brother’s keeper” as he advised them to “pull up” on their colleagues who treat patients in an unbecoming manner.

“Unfortunately there are some of us in the health care service who treat outpatients in a manner that they ought not to be treated. Those of us who are dedicated, whenever we see any of our colleagues speak to any one of their patients or families in a manner that is not becoming, it is our duty to speak to that colleague and tell them that is not how it is done,” Rahael said.

The health minister added that it was the responsibility of all health caregivers to provide quality service to all patients and called on them to execute their duty with pride and efficiency.

Rahael gave the advice while he unveiled the foundation stone at the La Romaine Health Centre where Government will embark on a $2 million renovation exercise which will last for almost a year.

The existing health centre, which was opened in 1992, is to be expanded to service a catchment population of approximately 50,000.

Rahael explained that the reconstruction of the health centre ushers in the final phase of the Health Sector Reform Programme under which 25 health centres and outreach centres have been earmarked for upgrade by the South-West Regional Health Authority.

Rahael revealed that the San Fernando General Hospital is and Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) were to undergo major upgrades.

He outlined several new units to be constructed at the SFGH, which include a Critical Care Unit, a Burn Unit, a 200-chair Dialysis Centre, a new laboratory, pharmacy and mortuary.

Rahael added that new equipment, such as MRI machines and digitised imaging systems, will be added to the major health institutions.

Rahael said the EWMSC will soon have a $5 million urology centre which he hopes would be the urology care centre of the Caribbean.