By Caribbean Medical News Staff
Despite a recent split between the Ministry of Health and the Junior Doctors who work there supported by the island’s Medical Association (BAMP), Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Joy St. John says the hospital is ready for Ebola.
The hospital is currently going through another crisis with a shortage of drugs “and basic supplies” according to the junior doctors and BAMP, while the QEH has said that is shortage is usual and always temporary. Reports indicate, however, that the crisis emanates from a cash flow problem that has plagued the hospital and thus the creditors are not releasing drugs until they are paid.
Pharmacists also unpaid
More recently local pharmacists said they may be unable to fill out prescriptions coming from Government because they too were not being paid.
Despite this Dr. St. John says that the Ebola Centre, which is a stone’s throw walk away from the hospital at Enmore, is fully equipped and has all the supplies required to treat and care for any Ebola patient.
St. John made the comments at a recent Town Hall Meeting at the St. Michael School where she focused on the Ebola Centre. Unlike St. Ursula’s School which had a packed audience, this Town Hall attracted around 45 people, many from surrounding areas who had hitherto suggested that the Ministry had not informed the people of Martindale’s Rd and surrounding areas. Indeed a St. Ursula’s Student’s parent said he would be seeking an injunction against the QEH placing the Ebola Centre so close to schools.
Opposition walks out
In a recent twist, a member of parliament said that he was a bit concerned that the centre did not have high walls and made not visible from the schools.
St. John was challenged by David Gill, a well-known pharmacist and former Government MP who said that the meeting was “an affront” to residents of the area and those who operated businesses in the area.
He said that the hospital was short on alcohol and very basic supplies. Indeed, the Opposition leader, The Hon. Mia Amor Mottley recently staged a walk out from Parliament when the House would not deviate from its proposed order paper to discuss urgent issues at the QEH which were deemed at crisis point.
