[ad_1]
The Millennium Heights Medical Centre (MHMC) Board of Directors has come under criticism recently, with the President of the Saint Lucia Medical and Dental Association (SLMDA), Dr. Merle Clarke, writing to the MHMC Board Chairman expressing his disgust at the current state of affairs at the island’s main hospital, OKEU.
The letter, dated July 31 and addressed to board chairwoman Mrs. Joanna Reynold-Atherton, said the consensus among the doctors’ group was that “the board, ostensibly charged with drafting policies to ensure the hospital operates efficiently, has failed miserably.”
“The issues are too numerous to quantify, but we will attempt to highlight the most salient issues that were raised in the advisory body meetings. It is important to note that these issues are not new and you are already aware of them, but the situation has deteriorated to an unsustainable level,” Clark said in the letter.
According to Clark, the letter – which also highlights shortcomings in Saint Lucia’s overall healthcare system – was written on behalf of the physicians’ group at the Owen King European Union Hospital (OKEU).
The letter also claims that a significant portion of the board seemed focused on micromanaging and creating a toxic work environment rather than ensuring conditions were in place to ensure the best possible care for patients.
Clark also pointed out that Saint Lucia has an aging population and a high burden of chronic non-communicable diseases, while violence and road accidents also affect the population and seriously consume medical resources.
“How do hospitals function in this situation? Or, how can we fully accomplish what we are trained to do and save lives without basic resources?” Clark asked.
“How do we manage diabetes and its complications without a glucometer to monitor blood sugar? Did you know that doctors have to bring their own supplies to ensure patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (a life-threatening complication of diabetes) are monitored and managed? How can doctors make life-or-death decisions for patients with suspected myocardial infarction (heart attack) without basic tests such as an electrocardiogram (either due to a lack of electrocardiogram paper or an inadequately functioning electrocardiogram machine) or cardiac biomarkers (troponin)?” she added.
Besides, she said, “How can physicians treat life-threatening illnesses without essential medicines that can be managed with standard of care?”
Echoing Clarke’s comments at a press conference before the Cabinet meeting on Monday, Prime Minister Philip J Pierre noted that the concerns were not new and that the Sri Lanka Minerals and Metals Association (SLDMA) had previously expressed similar views.
He told reporters that he would meet with the Sri Lanka Land Administration soon.
“I don’t want to get into a fight with any doctor, nurse or health worker. The Saint Lucia Commonwealth Administration has had concerns before, they are not new. We understand them, we sympathize with them and we will meet with them to see if we can find ways to alleviate this situation. The first issue is the emergency services at the hospital. I met with them and we decided to find more space for the emergency room immediately. That work should start any day. I want to assure you that we will meet with them tomorrow and we will do the best of government to alleviate this situation,” Pierre said on Monday.
Prior to this, Pierre told supporters at the Saint Lucia Labour Party Youth Organisation’s annual general meeting on Saturday that they did not have to worry about “all this nonsense about our health service collapsing. We are going to talk to the doctors and nurses and we are going to fix these problems. We are not going to fight a war without nurses or doctors.”
[ad_2]
Source link
