Stuart: Dengue situation putting ‘strain’ on nurses

Senior Reporter

jesse.ramdeo@cnc3.co.tt

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh is dismissing any claims that there is a shortage of nurses or medical staff to attend to dengue patients, even as the T&T National Nursing Association (TTNNA) president has raised concern about the pressure nurses are under.

Yesterday, TTNNA president Idi Stuart claimed that the opening of new dengue screening centres places additional demands on staff stationed at the facilities.

Last week, the Health Minister announced that in preparation for an increase in dengue cases, the ministry had commenced a screening centre at the Couva Multi-Purpose Facility and other facilities will be rolled out across several areas.

Speaking with Guardian Media in an interview yesterday, Stuart said the association has been receiving reports that staff at certain regional health authorities have been experiencing challenges in managing the number of people coming to be tested for dengue fever.

“Following a mandate, apparently from the Ministry of Health, to open additional units specific to treating dengue cases, it is putting a strain on nursing personnel because they are being moved from existing wards that are already short staffed and are being re-directed to these new units. It is causing some difficulty within the RHA’s,” he claimed.

Stuart said the association is monitoring any potential disruption caused by inadequate staffing at the regional health authorities.

However, Minister Deyalsingh said while there is currently no staff shortage, adding action will be taken to mitigate any potential fallout.

“There is no shortage and they will hire additional persons as they see necessary,” he added.

When contacted, a senior official at the South West Regional Health Authority confirmed that as part of the authority’s strategic operations, it mobilised and is satisfied that the appropriate resource allocation has been disbursed throughout the health facilities to assist in the management of the dengue situation.

Meanwhile, Stuart noted that as more people came forward to get screened for the mosquito-borne disease, positive cases appeared to be climbing.

“We are aware that there is an increasing number of persons being afflicted with dengue. I can’t give you the exact numbers, however, we are aware that there is a growing population negatively affected with dengue as we speak,” the association president said.

Last Saturday, Deyalsingh said T&T was in an outbreak situation with over 800 cases confirmed. He also encouraged the public to get tested at the various health facilities and screening centres.

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