ADDRESS BY SENATOR ANN DAVID-ANTOINE MINISTER OF HEALTH, SOCIAL SECURITY, THE ENVIR0NMENT & ECCLESIASTICAL RELATIONS FRIDAY 25TH February, 2005 ******************* Fellow Citizens, It is incumbent on me as Minister with responsibility for Health and the Environment to address you at this time, in order to update you on the state of health care in the Country and to allay the fears which have been created by the irresponsible statements being made in recent times. The health services, like all other areas of Grenada, received moderate to severe damages to its infrastructure during the passage of Hurricane Ivan. The Princess Alice Hospital, Carlton Home, Richmond Home for the Aged and several of our Medical Stations received moderate to severe damages during the passage of Hurricane Ivan. The Laboratory at the General Hospital was also hard hit. Other areas like the St. George’s General Hospital, Central Medical Stores and other community health facilities, received moderate to severe damages. The Ministry’s initial response in the immediate aftermath of the passage of the hurricane was geared towards the health and well being of our people. Notwithstanding the fact that 80% of the staff within the Ministry also suffered damages to their homes and property, in the same manner as the general populace, we were able within short time to pull our resources together and respond to the needs of the populace. With assistance from international donor agencies like the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC), Oxfam and the Ministries of Health in neighbouring islands, noteworthy, Trinidad and Tobago, we were able to effectively manage and provide services at the hospital and community levels. In fact, we can proudly say that there was no major outbreak of diseases in the aftermath of the hurricane. Since the passage of the hurricane, the Ministry of Health has been doing everything within its powers to ensure a return to services at both the hospital and community levels. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with PADCO/USAID for repairs to eleven (11) health stations in the St. George’s and St. David’s areas. As these works get underway, there will be further disruption to the services being offered. The Ministry is seeking to identify suitable accommodation within the Community to continue to hold clinics but if that fails all services will have to be diverted to the nearest health centre. In St. George’s, arrangements will be made for the St. George’s Health Centre to offer services from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Ministry craves your indulgence in this matter. The Ministry has also submitted proposals to the Project Co-ordinating Unit of Ministry of Finance for the World Bank to repair areas damaged at the General Hospital, at Princess Alice Hospital, at Princess Royal Hospital in Carriacou, Central Medical Stores, and the Vector Control building. The proposals also involve the acquisition of additional oxygen tanks for the general hospital and the replacement of laboratory equipment. Our motto in Grenada since Hurricane Ivan is to "Build Back Better" and this process takes time. Through the Pan American Health Organisation, Mr. Tony Gibbs, an Engineer was contracted to prepare a vulnerability study on all hospitals and health centres. After receiving the report, a meeting was held with all concerned and a decision was taken for health facilities to be retrofitted to cater for all natural disasters (hurricanes, earthquakes etc.). Accordingly, it was agreed that a Design Consultant should be hired to assist in the relevant designs/drawings for the health facilities to be retrofitted under the World Bank Project. However, since the hospital at St. George’s was recently constructed and in a desire to meet the needs of the populace, it has been agreed to proceed speedily with the contract for the repairs to the General Hospital. The Project Co-ordinating Unit has invited and received tenders for same and it is my understanding that a contract will be awarded and work will commence on the hospital facility very soon. In the meantime, the Ministry continues to work with donor agencies, the Ministry of Finance and the Agency for Reconstruction and Development, that is the (ARD), to identify and source funding for other areas still to be repaired. In more recent days, the matter of oxygen supply at the General Hospital has been the subject of much discussion. The Ministry of Health has noticed an increase in the consumption patterns of oxygen at the General Hospital over the last two (2) years. This may be attributed to the increased theatre activities, since there are now five (5) operating theatres at the Hospital. After the passage of the hurricane, the main supplier of oxygen to the hospital was decommissioned. The Ministry has had to obtain oxygen from Trinidad since then and this has had its own problems and delays. Every effort has been made to obtain oxygen and to ensure that at all times there is some supply of oxygen at the hospital. At no time has the hospital been totally without oxygen. The Ministry is in the process of procuring additional oxygen cylinder tanks which will greatly alleviate the problems being encountered. The Ministry is also aware of the problems of overcrowding on the male surgical and obstetrics and pediatrics ward. This situation is unacceptable by all medical standards and by the Ministry of Health, also. Several discussions were held with the Hospital Management and Engineers from the Ministry of Works with a view to seeking and obtaining the best solution to the problems at hand. I am pleased to report that a project has been devised to extend Neonatal and Obstetrics Wards of the hospital. The Hospital Fund-Raising Committee has provided one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($150,000 EC) for the project and work will commence shortly. I must inform you at this time, that immediately following Hurricane Ivan work on Phase II of the hospital project was temporarily suspended and the Government of the Republic of Cuba was so informed. Personnel from the Ministry of Health are currently reviewing the design, as well as the method of implementation of the hospital project. They are also endeavouring to secure finance with a view to recommencing the project later this year. Rest assured that the hospital will be completed and adequately staffed and resourced to meet your needs. The Ministry of Health, Social Security, the Environment and Ecclesiastic Relations’ attention has been drawn to recent articles appearing in the local media on the proposed changes to burial times by local undertakers. Reports state that burial will now take place between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The Ministry has also been advised of the content of a letter being read in the local churches detailing the changes to burial time. The Ministry of Health has since drawn the attention of Directors of funeral home to the provisions of Section (72) of the Public Health Act Cap. 263 of the Revised Laws of Grenada 1990. The Act States: "The Sanitary Authority may make regulations for the management, regulation and control of public and private cemeteries and burial grounds and with respect to the burial of bodies". The Minister of Health by virtue of the powers vested in her in accordance with Section 72 of the Public Health Act Cap. 263 has recently reconstituted a Sanitary Authority. The Authority is chaired by the Chief Medical Officer and comprises representatives from the Environmental Health Division, Ministry of Health, Grenada Port Authority, National Water and Sewerage Authority, The Trades Union Council, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and Community Representatives. A meeting of the Authority will be convened shortly. In the meantime, the Ministry of Health, Social Security, the Environment and Ecclesiastic Relations, proposes to hold further discussions with the local undertakers on the matter. The undertakers are: La Qua Brothers Funeral Home, Otway/Bailey Funeral Home, Wayne’s Funeral Home and Forsyth’s Funeral Home. Whilst the reconstruction and rebuilding work progress, I urge all citizens to observe health and safety measures, at all times. Additionally, I ask you to observe good nutrition, good eating habits and good lifestyles. Now that the dry season is on us, I encourage everyone to become physical by walking at least ten (10) minutes daily. This will assist in reducing stress and keeping you active. In order to cater to your needs, the Ministry has embarked on a number of initiatives. Last Monday 21st February, the programme "Talking Health’ was launched. This programme will allow you to discuss and talk your health concerns with trained health personnel. Additionally, a total of twelve (12) care providers were trained by a team from Dalhousie to identify and treat persons suffering from Post Trauma Stress Disorders. Effective March, the drug, florexetine, will be available for persons in need. Additionally, cognizant of the impact of diabetes and hypertension on our people, we have seen the need to review the protocols and procedures on the management of these chronic diseases. A workshop to that effect will be held on 28th February to 1st March. At this time I wish to place on record the Ministry’s thanks and appreciation to all the agencies locally, regionally and internationally, who came to our assistance and enabled us to reach thus far in our recovery. We look forward to you the people being understanding and supportive as we continue the long path to recovery. I thank you for your attention.