Friday, July 8, 2011

Health minister promises better patient care in T&T

Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan is not satisfied with the level of care that health personnel provide for terminally ill patients.

He was responding to questions about the over-radiation of 223 patients at the Brian Lara Cancer Centre between 2008 and 2010.

Khan said the manufacturer's specifications and calibration on the equipment used must be examined regularly by trained personnel.

"Unfortunately, we don't have legislation to demand that but the Ministry is in the process of legislation for ionizing radiation to regulate and monitor the use of such equipment in Trinidad and Tobago," he said.

The minister noted that the Brian Lara Cancer Centre is a private facility, which means that the health ministry is responsible for monitoring its activities only when patients from the public hospitals are referred to the centre.

"I agree, the care of the terminally ill has been wanting for a while and I intend to put things in place that the care of the terminally ill will have both counseling as well as proper care for the terminally ill patients. 


"As far as the machines at Brian Lara, and our machines in Trinidad for the linear accelerator, they are working with the correct specifications now," he said.

He added that the ministry would be very strict in monitoring radiotherapy personnel and reiterated a commitment to take care of patients and their medical and emotional needs.

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Jai & Sero

Jai & Sero

Our family at home in Toronto 2008

Our family at home in Toronto 2008
Amit, Heather, Fuzz, Aj, Jiv, Shiva, Rampa, Sero, Jai