There are many problems in our public health sector, from top to bottom. These concern human resource, physical resources, communication, long delays in getting appointments, theft etc.For over the decades, there have not been any major improvements. The regional health authorities have not made any notable impact.
We, the citizens, continue to suffer while paying health surcharge, taxes etc.I wish the various political parties should begin the discussion on their platforms about the benefits of privatisation of certain segments of health care. I am quite sure that sick people will be in a better position.Yes, there have been some developments by opening new institutions and creation of funds etc, but the vast majority of people cannot rely on the public health sector for any reliable, decent health care. Do a survey and see the results.
The physical conditions in many public health institutions are atrocious to say the very least. It still takes months to get appointments to do certain procedures. Overcrowding is still a massive headache as the sick sleep on chairs, benches and the floor.
What if certain functions can be directed to private institutions and people with the necessary checks and balances? For example, X-rays, MRI, EEG, the range of clinics (where people have to wait hours to see a doctor for the medication just to be re-prescribed,) surgeries, etc.Have the Minister of Health, the Permanent Secretary and other heads of department ever visited the various clinics and seen how they actually operate? Do they really know how much time is really spent dealing with a patient? Is this acceptable to them?
In some clinics, there are literally hundreds of patients to treat in a few hours. If these patients are referred to a private doctor at prescribed dates and times, and they are paid a fair fee, I am sure that the situation will be better for all.
If we do not have adequate personnel to deal with the current health institutions we have now, where will the new institutions get their staff and qualified, experienced ones at that? Will we import? There are many Trinbagonians who cannot get jobs in the public health sector after being qualified. They often migrate. The salaries and other remuneration are not comparable as well. What can be done to attract them to stay as well as entice others to come back home or new ones to come to T&T to work?
The privileged in society do not really suffer. They have access to private nursing homes and even air ambulance to take them to hospitals in Florida and New York. They even get prioritised, behind the scene health care in local public health institutions with just a phone call. It is the remaining 95 per cent who are left to fight up with the system that the higher-ups create for us.
I really hope we get some healthy action in the near future.
Deepak Dhanny