MINISTRY MUM ON ARIMA DEATH

The Health Ministry and the North West Regional Health Authority yesterday remained silent on the protest held by the Belix family at the Arima Health facility on Sunday, which sought to draw attention to the poor service at public health facilities and to lobby for an Arima Hospital. The action stems from the sudden death of Jonathan Belix in August at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex where he was being treated for broken legs sustained in a vehicular on August 29. Efforts to contact Health Minister John Rahael yesterday proved futile however, Danielle Jones, NWRHA Communications Officer said an investigation was being conducted and a report will be submitted to the Minister.

Contacted yesterday, Roger Belix stated that he had not heard from the Ministry or  NWRHA.  He said a petition, which has close to 1,000 signatures, is being circulated in support of an independent public committee to monitor operations at public hospitals. Commenting on the protest, the Medical Professionals Association of TT (MPATT) yesterday called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Jonathan’s death. In a release, MPATT highlighted that the shortage of staff in the country’s Accident and Emergency departments was one of the major deficiencies in TT’s health service.