Tuesday, October 30 2012

FUNDS from the Inter-American Development Bank will be used to develop a master plan for the layout of the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex and San Fernando General Hospital.

At the post-Cabinet media briefing in August, Minister of Health Fuad Khan announced that a plan would be developed since things were done in an ad-hoc manner with layouts.

In an interview yesterday he said what happened in the past was that departments would indicate what areas they wanted, and no provision was made for a nurses’ quarters and medical student quarters. Khan said the eye care department was located on the third floor of the PoSGH and elderly people had to walk up several flights stairs. For specialised services such as cardiac and eye care, the right areas have to be found.

Asked how much funds was being used to develop the plan, Khan could not recall at the time.

He said a seismic evaluation would be done of PoSGH and based on the results a decision would be made if the building had to be demolished and rebuilt.

He made this remark when asked about cracks visible on the floors in the hospital. Khan said these would have to be fixed, but the facility has withstood earthquakes and hurricanes.

Last Wednesday Khan met with officials of the Medical Professionals Association of TT and was asked to do an independent investigation into the North-West Regional Health Authority’s delay in purchasing a craniotomy drill for the Neurosurgery Department PoSGH despite numerous requests from the department.

Khan said the “paper trail” on the requests and requisitions for a new drill would be followed. MPATT has said a new drill was not purchased despite appeals from the Neurosurgery department since last year and even after the drill in use could not be serviced. Khan said the audit and quality department of the North-West Regional Health Authority was investigating and a report would be submitted.

MPATT has complained to Khan about not being allowed to meet with doctors at the PoSGH.

“All I said was there is nothing to bar the doctors from having a meeting, but it would be courtesy to give notice one week ahead.”

He said a verbal request to have a meeting was made and a response was given in writing. Khan said requests to meet should be done via a memorandum through the hospital director or NWRHA Chief Executive Officer.