Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan says he remains suspicious about why equipment in the public health institutions continues to break down. He was commenting on reports that CT scanners at the San Fernando General Hospital and the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex were both down, leaving patients in limbo. CT scans at private hospitals are between $1,500 to $2,000 and involves the use of digital geometry processing to generate a three-dimensional (3D) image of the inside of an object. Addressing reporters during yesterday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, Khan admitted to getting reports that machinery at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital was being sabotaged. “I am looking at whether we are paying new prices for refurbished machines because the breakdown rate is a little too high, compared to those internationally,” Khan said. He added that some doctors were prescribing scans for all patients rather than engage in a physical examination. “A CT scan and MRI is a high-level radiological examination and sometimes it is being prescribed where it is not necessary. “This increases the volume. MRI shouldn’t take the place of a physical examination and that is what is taking place in the emergency section,” Khan revealed. Since then, Khan said he had asked consultants to sign off on every MRI and CT scan that were done. He also lamented that even though scans were done the reports were not forwarded to patients on time. On the issue of high absenteeism, Khan said indiscriminate handing out of sick leave was a matter for the Medical Board. “I have asked members of all RHAs to look at anyone who stays at home and write to them. We will also keep a log so we can track who is doing what. We will use a paper trails to bring the system into what we want it to be,” he added.
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 16:48:53 +0000
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