EMERGENCY MODE WORRYING ISSUE

CCNTV6

The announcement from the Tobago Regional Health Authority that Scarborough General Hospital has gone into Emergency Mode has left many Tobagonians worried. This situation demands calm, clarity, and leadership.   The words of Minority Leader Kelvon Morris as he spoke today to what he termed a health crisis in Tobago. More in this report.

Transcript

00:00Minority leader Kelvin Morris said Tobago needs to understand what caused this sudden surge in hospital admissions.

00:08Is it an outbreak or are we facing deeper systemic problems in our health system?

00:15He says Tobagoians are asking these questions and they deserve clear, honest answers.

00:22I'm therefore calling for three things from the Secretary of Health.

00:25First, a clear explanation of what is happening.

00:28Second, an emergency response plan with details on how patients will be cared for.

00:35And thirdly, open and honest communication to reassure both residents and visitors.

00:41Mr. Morris said the release from the TRHA gave no clear plan to manage the crisis.

00:47And after going through a pandemic, the TRHA should have had a contingency health system ready to support increased demand.

00:56Are we facing deeper problems in our health system?

01:01Tobagoians are in fact asking these questions and they deserve answers.

01:06The release gave no clear plan to manage the crisis.

01:10After going through a pandemic, we should have had a backup plan ready to support increased demand.

01:17Where is that plan now?

01:18This is not just a health issue.

01:22Remember, Tobago is a tourism destination.

01:24Morris said visitors' confidence in the Tobago health sector has been shattered.

01:29How this was communicated could very well damage visitor confidence and affect our economy.

01:37Visitors may now worry about getting medical care if they fall earlier and I suspect many are already reconsidering their travel plans.

01:47We must also talk about priorities.

01:51While we face this health challenge, the Assembly recently spent $20 million on the purchase of some villas, which is a non-essential project.

02:02We must ask whether this was the best use of very scarce and much-needed resources.

02:08He said this is not about politics.

02:10It is about people's health, safety and Tobago's future.

02:14He said the TRHA must act with wisdom, urgency and in the best interest of the island and its people.

02:23Elizabeth Williams, TV6 News.

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