EHS San Fernando base shuts down

SWIFT responses to medical emergencies will not be available in San Fernando and environs following the shut down of  the San Fernando base of Emergency Health Services (EHS) at South Trunk Road, La Romaine. EHS medical technicians have been asked to work from the Couva base and to be on 12-hour mobile patrol in the southern districts. EHS San Fernando has moved three times — to two locations on Rushworth Street and one in La Romaine. Almost two months ago, technicians had to abandon the La Romaine base because of a rat infestation. Out of 13 EHS bases in the country, seven are non-functional, including St James, Arima, Toco, Mayaro, Rio Claro, Point Fortin and San Fernando. A source told Newsday, EHS officials have known since April that they needed to find another location to house the San Fernando base.

An emergency medical technician attached to the San Fernando base complained about the unsanitary, unsafe and cramped conditions workers were forced to endure. He said the base was officially closed on Tuesday and beds were moved to Couva. “We work 12 hours but don’t have any washroom facilities. Sometimes we stop off in the hospital, KFC or somewhere else to use those washroom facilities. We have nowhere to rest and some of us sleep in the ambulance,” the technician complained. Attempts to contact EHS General Manager Joanne Salazar for comment yesterday were futile.