Get down to serious work, Duke tells Deyalsingh

Addressing the media on Thursday at a press conference held at PSA’s headquarters on Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain, Duke called on Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh to “get down to serious work” on the nation’s health system.

“Why do I say this? There is a particular place called Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division. They are responsible for monitoring foods, drugs, pesticides, alcohol and a number of things coming into this country. Part of the chief reason why there is a shortage of drugs in this country is because the drugs entering this country are not tested and are not registered by Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division.” He continued, “The PSA is very concern given the fact that the Ministry of Health plays such pivotal role in the health and welfare of our nation and we happen to be one of the unions that represent a lot of the areas that fall under the Ministry of Health.” Duke explained that over the last year they kept silent regarding the nature of the nation’s health, and watched the nation’s health moved from “a good stage to a bad stage.” While thanking doctors, nursing and other medical staff at the Portof- Spain General Hospital for looking after him following his short stay at the institution, Duke said he discovered that simple things such as drinking water, writing paper, hot and cold baths, tea bags, and microwaves, were not to be found at the hospital.

“When I asked the question why it don’t have these things, they said they have to scrunt...they used the word scrunt for paper to write on. I was also told that they have a shortage of funds coming to the Ministry in particular at the hospital so they are on a short list. The PSA is concerned because if doctors are not given the basic things such as paper to write patients notes, how can we start talking about health care?” he explained.