Thursday, November 3 2011

THE EDITOR: This letter serves to underline my continuing disgust with the state of health care in Trinidad and Tobago. My issue is not with the fact that although I arrived at San Fernando General Hospital before 8 am on Friday (October 28), my ten-month-old son was not given a bed on the ward until just before 4 pm.

No, length of time for care is too common an issue for complaints to have any effect. My true issue stems from the policy of the paediatric ward of the hospital that while mothers can be with their children for 24 hours, a father can only visit between the hours of 8 am - 7 pm. When I asked whether I would be allowed to stay, if for any reason my wife could not, I was told that I would have to “find somebody else to stay with the baby.”

At this point I wish to insert every single expletive that the English Language and its various dialects have introduced throughout history. Thankfully I have manners. However, how can society call on fathers to play their critical role if we are not to be treated as full parents? Who has the right to say to a parent when they can or cannot see their own child?

The security even tried to prevent me from delivering milk at 7.50 am Sunday morning as it was against this policy. At least there was some discretion on the part of most doctors and nurses who were doing their jobs well.

I am calling for the immediate removal of this policy that belongs in 1911 and not 2011. If the issue is security, then put a proper system in place. Cameras, more trained personnel, whatever. No offence to the opposite sex, but the female guards do not even have batons.

It has been said that newer and also upgraded facilities are coming, but I would like to suggest to the South-West Regional Health Authority that a change in attitude is necessary before a brick is laid.



Marlon Bascombe

via e-mail