By Lara Pickford-Gordon Friday, January 2 2009

Patients at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital (PoSGH) are receiving meals at irregular times because the steam generator at the kitchen has been out of service for more than a month.

The steam generator is used to power five steam-kettles which are used to prepare meals for most patients at the hospital. However, since it cannot be used all meals are being prepared in braising pans. There are two small and one large braising pan. Braising is a slow cooking process using a small amount of liquid and is best suited for meats.

Last week patients received peas and rice for the whole week.

“One pot” meals are becoming common since it is less time consuming. Yesterday, special diet patients (diabetics etc) received black-eye peas and rice with stewed chicken, while the general population of patients received pelau. The PoSGH kitchen also prepares meals for patients of the St James Medical Complex.

A source told Newsday that the braising pan is being used to cook food in bulk, and for making tea.

“The braising pans can be used for cooking, but is was not made for cooking food in bulk. That will kill that piece of equipment,” the source declared.

It was also revealed that the steam generator has been giving problems for some time, and a new one was to be purchased.

“A new generator is supposed to be on the way. We hearing that for seven years. It was coming by boat. The boat probably sank.”

There are also four, four-burner industrial stoves which are usually used for preparing meals for special diet patients– diabetics, low salt, renal patients, etc. The stoves are also being used to make as much as 30 gallons of tea. The source said cooks are “under duress” with preparing meals.

Newsday was told that staff have been trying to get new equipment and utensils for the kitchen for years. A new steam oven was ordered in 2002 to replace the oven which was condemned, but the supplier had refused to supply it because the North West Regional Health Authority had an outstanding debt. The steam oven still has not been purchased.

Since 2004, the problems with equipment and conditions of the kitchen were brought to the attention of the permanent secretary in the Health Ministry.

Staff have been asking for new food trolleys, replacement for pots, pans and food and drink containers, and a new mixer. The source said these items have not been supplied.

A heat extraction hood was to be repaired but this was not done so fans have been installed to provide ventilation in the kitchen.

The source questioned whether there is a move to run down the kitchen to justify privatisation.

“The PoSGH kitchen was earmarked for renovation before St Ann’s but St Ann’s was completed.”