MPATT demands explanation from MOH about suspension of medical staff

Dr. Shehenaz Mohammed on Monday accused Minister of Health Terese Baptiste-Cornelis of usurping the authority of the South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) in suspending medical personnel at the San Fernando General Hospital.

The General Secretary of The Medical Professionals Association of T&T (MPATT) told reporters the minister does not have the authority to initiate the action against the doctors and nurses who were involved in the treatment of Chrystal Ramsoomair, who died at the hospital earlier this month following a cesarean section.

Five doctors and four nurses have been suspended for two weeks with pay to allow transparency in the investigation into Ramsoomair's death. However the SWHRA has insisted that it has not taken any disciplinary action against the health care staff.

And the minister of health had denied that she was personally involved in getting the SWRHA to take action.

Mohammed has insisted that MPATT has evidence that the minister was involved and she told reporters that is wrong since the SWRHA alone has powers to take action against staff.

She is demanding an explanation from the Ministry of Health for taking what she called an illegal and improper path in disciplining those involved in the treatment Ramsoomair.