Health commission inquiry

After hearings stalled late last year, the commission of enquiry into the health sector resumed on Thursday, with a stop at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning had commissioned the enquiry to determine the state of public health services early last year, however the hearings halted by the year’s end before beginning again on Thursday.

Led by former vice president of the Industrial Court Gladys Gafoor, the commission heard from a number of health care managers who packed one of the complex’s amphitheatres to let them know exactly what problems they are facing in their communities and also to make recommendations for a better system of operations.

Health care managers from the counties of Victoria, St Patrick, Caroni, St Andrew, St David and all the regional health authorities (RHAs) all had their bit to say.

One of the main problems plaguing the communities, especially in the rural districts, is the lack of manpower to provide proper primary health care. With inadequate staff, nurses have been forced to perform functions outside of nursing.

The managers said this situation led to less time to deal with patients. They also requested the appointments of trained district health visitors to assist in the communities and the upgrade of caregivers.

Another major problem is machinery. Phyllis Hunte, of St Patrick, begged for modern equipment to deal with the population increase in her county. Also, appropriate supplies of materials, pharmaceuticals and non-pharmaceutical products for home visits are needed.

Hunte was soundly applauded when she requested proper remuneration for staff at her facility.

Bernice Hamilton, of St David, stated that at her facility staff had to work 11 consecutive days before getting days off and, therefore, should be adequately compensated. She also found that the $300 allowance for working shifts ought to be increased since staff not only had to deal with bad roads but also sea blast.

A shared problem among the managers was inadequate accommodation. Carol Mc Burnie-Sutton, of the North Central RHA, said there were no available rooms for procedures to be done while some are carried out in the corners of waiting rooms.

Ada Guevarra, of St George East, also complained of infrastructure challenges in Blanchisseusse, as well as the lack of child care, technical assistance and medical resources.

She said there was no follow up system after patients have been discharged, and on a personal level, no systems for staff development. She too spoke of the disparity in vacation leave and travel allowances as opposed to what is being given at institutions in urban centres.

Other problems included lack of adolescent services, chronic disease clinics, diagnostic and paediatric units, social workers, nutritionists and pharmacists.

The commission comprises Yvonne Pilgrim, Glenn Wilson, Wazir Hosein, Dr Geoffrey Frankson and Patrick Edwards, secretary to the commission.