Discrimination in ambulance service

THE EDITOR: Please publish this as an open letter to the Minister of Health. Dear Mr Rahael, It is a relief to see that 37 new ambulances are now at the disposal of EHS and the people of Trinidad and Tobago. The bad news is that these ambulances are not for everyone. This, I discovered, when I needed an ambulance to take my husband to a private institution for an emergency during the night. I was told that these ambulances are for the people who have to go to the General Hospital only! We as taxpayers and health surcharge payers are being discriminated against. Our institution of choice is part of our freedom to choose where we go, what doctors we want, and so on. We ended up paying $500 plus VAT to a privately owned company for an ambulance that arrived hour later. The big question is — where do we go from here? I am suggesting that we have the facility for all, of an efficient system that responds to emergencies. Too many people in this country are dying or living peripheral lives because of imperfect, or even worse, careless health care.

The public institutions are in a mess, and this is why so many people who can afford it are opting for treatment abroad or at a cost prohibitive local institutions. I am sure you will agree with me that we all want the best care for our loved ones. The private institutions thrive on the desperation of families and demand exorbitant sums of money in advance. Surely, Mr Minister, something has to be done. People have been known to re-mortgage their homes in order to pay these institutions. It is a ‘pound of flesh’ system - pay up or die. I know, for I have been there. My family and I are still reeling under emotional and financial pressure after ten months. You, sir, have the power in your hands to rectify the ills of our health system, to investigate the private institutions and to give help to those in need. Many people are silent because they feel powerless. Mine may be a voice crying in the wilderness, but I hope that the message is clear - we need a health system that first of all cares and then works.

VERONICA S FERREIRA
Petit Valley