Quality Healthcare, Safety Top Concern: UNC

Statement by Caroni East MP Dr Tim Gopeesingh:

"The highest quality healthcare and the safety and wellbeing of persons seeking medical treatment is the ultimate concern and priority of the United National Congress (UNC) and should be foremost on the mind of the government and all other stakeholders in the health sector.

"This is why the ongoing impasse between the Medical Council, the Medical Association and the government over the accreditation of foreign doctors is a critical issue that must not be stifled in the rhetoric of political banter.

"It is a well-established fact that the public health system in Trinidad and Tobago suffers from a general lack of resources and proper facilities. As a result of this, the quality of healthcare is far below acceptable standards.

"Many much needed services are unavailable. There are long waiting lists for certain surgical procedures. There are inadequate numbers of doctors and nursing staff to efficiently meet the needs of the public. For all these deficiencies and others, the ailing public is often left to suffer in literal pain and sometimes to die.

"The shortage of personnel including medical doctors is just one of many factors responsible for the continuing collapse of the healthcare system and the UNC, like all stakeholders, would be happy to see this situation urgently addressed.

"However, remedying the staffing deficiency must be done in a responsible manner that at all times protects the interests and safety of the lives of patients.

"The desire expressed by large sections of the membership of both the Medical Council and the Medical Association, and the general public, for foreign doctors to satisfy certain standards and qualifications is legitimate and should not be dismissed as an idle effort to thwart the will of the government.

"Standards of practice, competence and the ability to function in a foreign environment are critical issues that impact on the ability to diagnose and treat illnesses, to reduce the incidence of negligence and error and to maximize relief to the patient.

"These key objectives cannot be sacrificed for political expediency, especially in the absence of any plan to improve the health system over the short to medium term.

"For this reason the UNC continues its strong objection to government’s efforts to circumvent the Medical Council and to set up a parallel accreditation body comprised of party hacks who will grant medical licenses to persons who do not satisfy the required standards and accreditation as set by the profession for practice in this country – standards that are consistent with international benchmarks and procedures even within the wider Caribbean countries of Barbados, Jamaica and Bahamas."

For further comment please contact Dr Tim Gopeesingh at -1-868-680-2672.