By LARA PICKFORD-GORDON Wednesday, November 21 2007

THE BOARD of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the North-Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) held a meeting yesterday to review security arrangements following last Friday’s stealing of Nekeisha Noel’s newborn son Jeremiah from the Mt Hope Women’s Hospital, by a woman who pretended to be a nurse.

The meeting took place at Building 39, Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC). While details of the meeting were not available up to press time, the NCRHA issued a release following the reuniting of Noel with her baby.

“The medical staff of the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex has examined baby Jeremiah and has determined he is in good health,” the release stated. The NCRHA said it was grateful to the public and police for their cooperation, support and prayers. It said the Police Service continues to do follow-up investigations.

Meanwhile, the Medical Professionals Association (MPATT) has called for new Health Minister Jerry Narace to “focus his cameras” on the important aspects of health care delivery “and safety for patients, their families and health care providers.” In a release yesterday (prior to Noel being reunited with her baby) MPATT called for the introduction of surveillance cameras at hospitals especially at high risk areas and “points of entry and exit.” MPATT reminded that in 2006 there were incidents of doctors being beaten and accosted by members of the public. Doctors were vilified by the public for taking action demanding additional and appropriate security.

A member of staff at the EWMSC said cameras should be introduced for high-risk areas such as clinics, laboratory, Adult and Paediatric Priority Care facilities. The camera system was to be introduced at the end of last year.