Caption: Sanjiv Boodhu
By Alicia Chamely
People’s National Movement (PNM) Deputy Political Leader Sanjiv Boodhu is ringing alarm bells over reports of drug and medical supply shortages plaguing the Sangre Grande Hospital.
In a statement on Monday, Boodhu stated he had been receiving reports from citizens across East Trinidad alerting him to what he described as “chronic shortages of drugs and supplies at the Sangre Grande Hospital.”
Boodhu stated the issue had reached a boiling point, causing life-threatening delays in the care of dialysis patients.
He stated, “Most recently I am informed that all dialysis consumables including dialysate are low, and blood tests for patients who cannot be treated without the test results and who are on anticoagulation are unavailable as necessary, causing life-threatening delays in patient care.”
Boodhu called on East Regional Health Authority (ERHA) Chairman Sandeep Maharaj and Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe to immediately address the public and the patients of the ERHA on this critical issue.
Maharaj, responding to Boodhu via a WhatsApp message, stated all matters concerning the supply of drugs and medical equipment were managed by the Ministry of Health and the National Insurance Property Development Corporation (NIPDEC).
He stated any questions pertaining to supply issues should be directed to Minister Bodoe.
Maharaj stated that, contrary to reports, there had been no interruption to dialysis services.
Addressing supply shortages, Maharaj stated the ERHA had been able to purchase stock or acquire it from sister RHAs, ensuring patients received the care they needed.
In a radio interview on 4 September, Bodoe acknowledged there was a shortage of drugs under the Chronic Disease Assistance Programme (CDAP).
He stated that the shortage only affected a small percentage of drugs covered under the programme, saying five or seven of the 52 medications covered by CDAP were unavailable.
Bodoe emphasised the shortage was temporary and the ministry was reviewing procurement processes to access the needed medications.
He did not, however, address reports of shortages at the RHAs.
Attempts to contact Bodoe at press time were unsuccessful.
In a press release from the ERHA on Tuesday, the Authority acknowledged shortages of drugs and supplies at the Sangre Grande Hospital Campus.
It further stated while the ERHA faces supply chain challenges laboratory consumables, they did have the necessary dialysis consumables needed for continuous patient care.
The ERHA stated the issue was being dealt with by Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe and the National Insurance Property Development Corporation (NIPDEC) to secure the supplies needed.
