In just a matter of days, the country went from a plethora of promising news regarding its battle against COVID-19 to heart-breaking scenes of chaos, as thousands of elderly citizens waited in vain for the vaccines they so desperately wanted.
Appalling and shameful videos and images of one of the nation’s most vulnerable groups being made to line up for hours, exposed to the elements, led many to voice their anger and disgust with the Ministry of Health and Minister Terrence Deyalsingh for the situation.
Since then, there has been an apology from the Minister of Health. But the calls for his dismissal continue to intensify since, as far as the public can tell, a proper system to dispense vaccines has still not yet been initiated.
From the Opposition Leader to analysts and even senior citizens anxious to be vaccinated, it seems those who have confidence in Minister Deyalsingh at the moment are in the minority.
This is why many citizens may be awaiting more anxiously than usual to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s contribution at today’s COVID media briefing.
Not only does the PM have to account to the nation over how it moved from a position of optimism last Saturday to confusion by Wednesday, he must also say what is the next step for the Ministry of Health and the national vaccination programme.
This is because some health officials claimed the shorter lines outside health centres yesterday was proof citizens were finally understanding the vaccination system. But nothing could be further from the truth, since it could also be indicative of some elderly staying away due to the frustration and suffering endured in the previous days.
It is disheartening that no provisions were made for senior citizens at some facilities, prompting one Good Samaritan to provide chairs for them to sit comfortably while they waited to be vaccinated in St Madeleine yesterday.
It is these critical elements the Prime Minister must address today, as he gives his weekly update on the COVID-19 situation in the country.
While the decision to keep or remove Minister Deyalsingh rests solely with Dr Rowley, it would be remiss of him not to hold the Minister to account for his miscalculation of the vaccination rollout this week and failed appointment system before which prompted the change in the first place.
Whether he does so publicly or in private is also at the discretion of the Prime Minister. What is of paramount importance, however, is the need to reignite the spark of hope all citizens of T&T collectively had last Saturday when the Prime Minister announced the acquisition of thousands of doses of vaccines, the possible reopening of schools and a bright light ahead.
After the events of the last few days, Prime Minister Rowley’s leadership must overpower the disappointment felt this week over the inoculation programme and inject some positivity back into the population.