SANDO HOSPITAL ‘A HELLHOLE’

THE authorities at San Fernando General Hospital are providing short-term political jobs while the quality of medical care has hit a new low.

“The hospital has become a hellhole,” a senior medic stated, in detailing a shortage of doctors, nurses, medication and equipment.

“This is the worst in memory the hospital has been,” he added.

“There is a breakdown, with a deplorable state of the facility and insufficient personnel and a lack of drugs.”

Investigations confirmed that at wards where stroke, heart and dengue patients are treated, there is a critical shortage of medical personnel.

There are insufficient doctors and nurses in several other vital wards.

As a result, the hospital is straining to provide adequate healthcare.

In some cases, junior doctors are performing the functions of seniors.

The morale of healthcare professionals is “the lowest ever,” one seasoned medic stated.

The electrocardiogram (ECG) machine, which is used for heart tests, is not functioning.

So, too, are other essential pieces of equipment.

There are also shortages of vital pharmaceuticals and routine long waits for optional surgeries.

In the midst of that medical crisis, the authorities are employing workers from the marginal San Fernando West constituency for a hospital facelift project.

The workers are getting jobs on the $12 million restoration of the roof, repainting and replacement of washrooms.

The project was launched last December and is coinciding with the run-up to the campaign for the general election.

Workers are being tapped from several grassroots communities, including the Marabella Trainline.

In the most recent local government election, the United National Congress won the Marabella West constituency, which includes the Trainline, a former hardcore base of the People’s National Movement.

Incumbent Member of Parliament Faris Al Rawi has been working aggressively to win that community’s electoral support.

A human resources official who is well known to the Board of Directors of South-West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) has reportedly manipulated the hiring process to favour applicants from selected geographic communities.

The HR official is working closely with a national political figure in “hiring PNM activists en masse,” an informed source said.

Instructions have been given to the interviewing panel on which applicants are to be employed, the source stated.

“More workers are being hired than are required,” the source said.

The scenario is a repeat of a reported jobs-padding manoeuvre that took place ahead of the 2020 general election, when the hospital provided several short-term jobs.

In addition, a number of others were reportedly interviewed and promised jobs after the 2020 polls.

Amid the various emergencies at the hospital, there are concerns about CEO Dr. Brian Armour, who is reportedly seldom seen at the hospital.

“We don’t know if he is unwell,” a top administrator said, “but our problems require someone who is more physically present and hands-on in solving our issues.”

Several professionals who were interviewed urged that Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh treat the issues at the hospital “with the urgency and focus that they deserve since we are dealing with people’s lives.”