4 autopsies cancelled

Hospital officials yesterday told Newsday the autopsies were cancelled after pathologist, Dr Hubert Daisley, failed to show up for work.

Newsday was told Daisley is currently the only pathologist performing tests at the mortuary.

Acting vice president of the Medical Professional Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MPATT), Rajendra Persad, who is also a senior pathologist at the mortuary, is currently on vacation.

Confirming the cancellation of the autopsies, South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) communications officer, Nalini Parasram, yesterday said the situation was “very unfortunate.”

Unable to discuss the nature of the autopsies cancelled, Parasram said that the four autopsies were now scheduled to take place on Monday. However, Newsday also learnt that the shortage of pathologists at the institution has also caused a backlog of specimen testing.

Persad yesterday blamed SWRHA for the cancellation of the autopsies, saying management had failed to put the necessary plans in place to deal with unexpected events.

Persad said, “Currently, Dr Daisley is the only pathologist working at the mortuary because I am on vacation.

“Management is solely responsible for what has taken place today because they acted before putting the necessary plans into place.” Persad added, “Dr Chunilal Ramjit was turned away and nobody has been appointed to replace him.”