Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre told reporters on Monday that he was preparing to meet with the Saint Lucia Medical and Dental Association (SLMDA) following a letter from that body outlining several concerns.
The Prime Minister also said he did not believe the letter was politically motivated.
In addition, Pierre emphasised that he did not want any conflict with healthcare workers.
The letter in question was dated July 31, 2024, and addressed to Mrs. Joana Reynold-Arthurton, chairperson of the board of directors of Millennium Heights Medical Complex.
The SLMDA’s president, Dr. Merle Clarke, signed the letter.
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The letter opened by stating; “I am writing on behalf of the physician body of the OKEU to express our utter dismay/disgust with the current state of affairs at the islands main hospital and by extension our health care system.”
It went on to state that the consensus of the physician body was that the board of directors ostensibly tasked with drafting policy had failed miserably.
The letter also outlined the lack of resources at OKEU, including bed space, glucometers to monitor blood sugars, ECGs, Cardiac biomarkers, and basic drugs.
Concerns were also expressed over the resignations of four senior consultants and multiple junior physicians over the last few months and the continued mass migration of nurses.
“I am going to meet with them to discuss the letter. I have said it before I want no conflict with any doctor or any nurse or any health worker,” Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre told reporters.
“The SLMDA, they have had concerns before. These concerns are not new. We understand it, we empathize with them and we are going to meet them to see if we can have an approach to alleviate the circumstances,” the PM stated.
The Prime Minister said the lack of space in the Emergency Room was among some of the issues that had previously come to his attention.
“I met with them and we decided that we are going to immediately look for some more space for the emergency ward. That work is supposed to start anytime now,” Pierre said.
“I want to assure you that we will meet with them…and we are going to use the Government’s best efforts to alleviate the conditions, but we understand,” he told reporters.
Reporters asked Pierre about comments by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Richard Frederick, suggesting that the opposition instigated the SLMDA’s letter.
“I don’t condone what the Minister said. I don’t condone it and if I have to call him out I will call him out. I am never one that will allow anyone of my ministers to say what the opposition says, never. What I am saying to you is if the Minister said that, if the Minister implies that, I think the Minister should not have implied it and if he did I want to tell you I believe he should not have said it if that’s what he meant. If the Minister implied that it was political, I don’t agree with him I don’t think it was political, I don’t agree with him,” the Prime Minister stated.
He can’t even if he want too because they can shut down our health care just give the doctor what they need to look after our people.
Don’t forget that the national wellness center is in the same boat even worst that OK kill you
Well nurses now is your time to ask for a raise.
See what happens when paranoia goes untreated. There is a UWP under every settee.
The medical community’s call for more resources, in order to better perform their jobs has met with suspicion. This is in keeping with third world politics. If you were ever in doubt where you are, this should confirm it. This pygmy thinking permeates the environment. Dare not ask difficult questions. Dare not dissent against stupidity or incompetence.
So much for the improvement in health care that we were promised when the 2.5% Health and Security extortion fee was legislated last year. Crime is also up since then. Way to go!
So much for the improvement in health care that we were promised when the 2.5% Health and Security extortion fee was legislated last year. Crime is also up since then. Way to go!
st.Jude Hospital is no difference. 3yrs no xray. Some labs are being done at private labs with new machines sitting at SJH. No monies to buy supplies to run the machines. Staff is equally frustrated.
Reign in your minister sir! Grow a pair!
… because you had no business joining hands with that Richard … you’ll hear!