Health Minister meets with TTNNA today
Senior Reporter
jesse.ramdeo@cnc3.co.tt
T&T National Nursing Association (TTNNA) president Idi Stuart is expected to meet with Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh today on several issues.
Guardian Media was informed that the proposed discussions came just weeks after Stuart wrote to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley requesting an audience.
Sources close to the situation said the Prime Minister subsequently advised the Health Minister to engage in the talks. The last meeting between TTNNA and the Health Minister took place back in 2021 on matters pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among the concerns flagged by the TTNNA in recent times was the strain being placed on nurses. The association’s president had claimed the recent opening of dengue screening centres placed additional demands on staff stationed at the facilities, leaving nurses under pressure.
The TTNNA is also concerned about nursing personnel shortages, working conditions and the establishment of the Health Sector Accreditation Council.
Guardian Media obtained a copy of the letter sent to the Health Minister by the association, dated July 2. Prime Minister Rowley and Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar were both copied.
The letter referenced the publishing of the Pan American Health Organization’s document, titled Review mission clinical events neonatal intensive care unit at Port-of-Spain General Hospital Trinidad and Tobago April 2024.
“The findings of this evidence-based report, although focusing on one of the better staffed and managed departments in any hospital, could be used as a microcosm of the wider public sector,” the letter stated.
Some of the findings of the report, which focused on the deaths of babies due to a bacterial infection at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital’s NICU, included an inadequate ratio of nursing professionals, inappropriate bed spacings, external performance evaluation not being performed and internal quality assessment not being performed.
In the letter, Stuart also stated, “Equally as important to address the pervasive and continuous shortcomings highlighted, it will require the establishment of an external body that will monitor and enforce all standards within the healthcare industry to safeguard the patient’s interest. The authorities and the Ministry of Health, as expected, have proven to be ineffective at monitoring themselves.”
Today’s meeting is carded for the ministry’s head office at Queen’s Park East, Port-of-Spain.
SWRHA on dengue response
Meanwhile, with the most recent dengue update revealing there were 1,053 cases and 11 deaths, at least one regional health authority confirmed that its management of the dengue situation was under control. In response to questions, the South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) said resources to treat the mosquito-borne virus were at adequate levels.
“The SWRHA is pleased to advise that our strategic management of the dengue situation has allowed the authority to be sufficiently resourced with the appropriate equipment and personnel throughout all our facilities. This management approach also ensures our dedicated and committed employees continue to avail of their necessary leave entitlements, complimented by the availability of mental health support services, if and when required.”
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