There has been an initial report suggesting a failure to follow proper procedure as it relates to Crystal's surgery. That much we know. Should the medical practitioners in question or under suspicion be allowed to continue to practise without being cleared of any wrongdoing? Should patients be further exposed to peril if the possibility exists that human error was the cause of this young woman's demise?
The South West Regional Health Authority indicated that one option would have been to transfer the doctors under investigation to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital pending the outcome of the probe. So patients in tong is not people too? Now reading Dr Bratt's column this week, he does raise a very important point. The human brain is wired to actively cogitate the allegation but ponder, only in passing, the absolution. In this country we excel at destroying reputations and are slow to acknowledge where we have wrongly bandwagoneered our own people. In the medical profession, reputations harmed by reckless rumour scarcely have an opportunity to treat so much as an ingrown toenail again. Nevertheless, we are at a crossroads. Boycotting an investigation is closing the barn door after the horse has bolted. Regardless of what subterfuge MPATT deploys, the public, at the end of the day, will demand the truth; that demand will outlive the minister. Now MPATT has found an easy target in Therese Baptiste-Cornelis. She is a wild-eyed, shoot-from-hip, wine-for-the-came- ras-at-the-most-inopportune-time kinda gyal. When she speaks in public...well let's face it, she does come off a little bit delirious. Fact is, though, doctors are calling for the removal of a minister whom they say has had a very disappointing tenure. She has been there for one year. How long have you been on the wards?