Tuesday February 9th, 2010
- Last update:13 hours 58 min ago
Aftermath of swine flu deaths...
Narace orders probe into treatment by doctors
Published: 19 Oct 2009
Health Minister Jerry Narace has instructed Chief Medical Officer Dr Anton Cumberbatch to conduct an investigation into the clinical processes observed by local private and public health sector doctors who dealt with the four people who died of the A/H1N1 virus. Narace made the disclosure during a news conference at his office in Port-of-Spain yesterday. “The Chief Medical Officer is currently investigating the fatalities and I asked him to report to me in the shortest possible time. And I have also clearly established that we are going to investigate all, and not only the clinically processes, but all other processes,” Narace said. The minister also referred to an article published in another local newspaper. That report claimed one of the A/H1N1 victims had visited a private doctor in Penal twice for treatment before succumbing to his illness at the San Fernando General Hospital.
Narace said the Ministry of Health was attempting to verify the newspaper article. “I have already instructed the Chief Medical Officer to conduct thorough investigations into the clinical processes followed by that doctor, our public hospitals, the private clinics where some of those people came from,” Narace said. The minister’s comments followed concerns that there existed local medical practitioners who were negligent in their detection and treatment of H1N1 victims. In the question and answer session of the news conference, Narace said he would not jump to conclusions regarding negligence from local doctors—both at private and public health institutions—who handled the cases of A/H1N1 victims who died in Trinidad.
“I have no suspicions and I am not prejudging anything,” he said. “What I want to make sure is that a proper audit takes place and a report is brought to the Minister. We will at that point determine the appropriate course of action.” Four Influenza A/H1N1 deaths have so far been reported in T&T. There were 163 laboratory confirmed H1N1 cases in the country, according to statistics from the Health Ministry. Confirmed victims of H1N1, who succumbed to their illnesses, included Barrackpore resident Vishraj Maharaj, a truck-driver. Advertising agency executive Astra Da Costa died on Thursday of complications of A/H1N1. Maharaj died last Tuesday at the San Fernando General Hospital after twice seeking treatment from a private doctor in Penal.
Da Costa died at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital hours after she was transferred from West Shore Medical where she was warded since September 27. Narace noted that those who died of the A/H1N1 had been admitted to public hospitals “at a late stage in the course of their illness and they all presented respiratory distress.” He said, too, that those victims had underlying risk factors, which complicated their cases of H1N1. He said other H1N1 cases treated in T&T “were relatively mild and the persons returned to their normal activities within seven to ten days.” Narace said he understood that people in T&T felt anxious and fearful. “We expected it (a second wave) and it is clear that it is here,” he said.
Vaccine due next month:
He said the Ministry of Health had developed a pandemic plan to tackle H1N1. He also assured that a batch of vaccines to fight the H1N1 virus was scheduled to arrive in T&T next month. “This is a very serious threat and I have said on previous occasions while we do not wish panic or hysteria, there is great cause for concern and vigilance will bring is great rewards,” Narace said. “While we maintain that we do not wish for people to panic or engage in hysteria, this is a serious threat and there is cause for grave concern,” he said.
I note from this article
I note from this article Jerry Narace said that "the Ministry of Health had developed a pandemic plan to tackle H1N1".
This is good, however are there also business continuity plans in place for health services generally? As ultimatley health workers or their families may contract the virus resulting in staff being absent from work. Business continuity plans should be in place to ensure continuity of services in these instances, and should include:
- Plans to address shortfalls in staffing
- Plans to deploy staff from low priority areas/services to high priority areas/services if needed
- Services should have been risk rated to identify those that could be deemed low priority to facilitate deployment of staff
- A review of care pathways and action plans in the event of deployment of staff or closure of specific services
These are just a few of the associated issues, does anyone know whether these type of issues have been addressed in any form of business continuity plans?
With information and
With information and education at our fingertips, do not wait until the "plan" is revealed to us all.
Dr Naresh is a good spin doctor and can do wonders when it comes to his field but at what cost to us all? Our lives?
At this time we do not need misinformation and blame passing, but real solutions and public awareness & information so as to arrest this situation.
http://www.dsaltsman.blogspot.com/
Mr. Epsomsalts, Sir - Good
Mr. Epsomsalts, Sir - Good Morning
H1Ni - INFORMATION:
Yesterday I entered pertinent INFORMATION with my comments on the the article on:
"T&T WILL RECEIVE SWINE FLUE VACCINES"
by Shaliza Hassanali - 18 Oct 09
- from WHO and Canadian Gov't Health -
- I did some research and these were the simpliest info. I found.
It covers:
- What the H1N1 Flu is
- Symptoms
- The Virus
- How it is Spread
- Signs of Infections
- Those at Risk
- Children
- Care, etc.
Very useful information. We have to look after ourselves, like you said.
Check yesterday's article for all this info.
Gardenia
Thank You. I usually go
Thank You.
I usually go into total recluse on weekends and just vegetate.
Good evening Gardenia. I
Good evening Gardenia. I see you have been busy doing your research. I thought you might have given us the benefit of your own recent personal experience of the deadly H1N1virus.
Seems the policy is one of catch up long after the crisis, hopeful that the crisis will be overtaken by other events. A total absence of proactive thinking and action.
BTW, who is this Dr Naresh your esteemed friend Mr Salts keeps referring to? Is he/she one of those new Cuban doctors?
The probing Prince.
The Prince - Your
The Prince - Your quess?:-
Good Afternoon 'my partner in crime'.
Hey, I already gave my personal coverage a few blogs ago; perhaps last week. But I did not want to get too personal as I might have scared the socks off some of our 'timid' folks. Some may think that I was over-doing it, but from my experience and our 'Dr. N's' record, I felt that I should keep going with my info. Did you find it useful for our people?
Our "Dr. Naresh" - I think His Lordship Salts conferred on our Minister Narace a doctorate in bush medicine or spin-doctor or something. In my books Salts can indulge where ever he wishes.
Every country, and media outlet have been constantly putting out 'approved' advice/updates on this pandemic, as there as still some unknowns.
- EDUCATION
- KNOWLEDGE IS THE BEST DEFENCE
You know, from the time this virus came back with the kids from the U.S., - Aug/Sept. I have been putting in my 'two pennies' worth, as I know our 'big boys and girls' have not moved to the front of the line to find out what their job really is; other than following their 'Robin Hood' like 'merry men/Maid Mariannes'.
I think that the only time they went to the 'front of the line' or 'front row seats' was when Benny Hinn visited. They were there in their Sunday Best to impress the preacher man - but he turned around and bit their heads off for the whole world to see. You 'devil worshippers'. By the way, when are 'YOU' going to send him another gold embossed invite to visit again and cart away what little fund T&T still has available.
Thanks for your words of wisdom from your visit to the house of enlightenment. (St.Avila) It sure helps to bring us back to centre ground; otherwise we may fly off our hooks more often.
I left my computer on while I move from one task to another, and I sat down to enjoy another cup of coffee, and check the news when I saw your blog. So I thought that I would indulge a bit. I even spent some time in the garden - getting my fingers in the soil is very healthy for me. Still got lots of beautiful flowers and herbs to tend to.
Yes, we are always running after the 'ice cream' cart, aren't we.
I delayed sending the tailors to get sizing for the top hat, etc. as I see the Opp. seems to be on another tangent of theirs - cancel the CHOGM - will wait and see how things go. But don't be surprised. The world is telling us that we have to be on constant guard. Do you think our "Dr. N." can comprehend this fact. They put us to shame and at risk, over and over again. When will it ever end. (Like the song following the war - "Where have all the flowers gone ... when will they ever learn, when will they ever learn. familiar?)
**(By the way when you guys use the word "VAPS" - what do you mean - my vocab. missed this one - it is a word I cannot wrap my little brains around?)
(For the past weeks I have been playing my varied music collection, and enjoying myself. When I was down with the virus I had to stop singing along as my throat hurt too much and made me cough. It is still a bit testy, but I indulge. My neighbours say I am quiet, so I guess they probably wondering what's going with me.)
Keep your head high and shoulders back ... the heavy duty work may still be rushing our way. Take care.
Gardenia
Yes Gardenia, we remember
Yes Gardenia, we remember your blogs about the H1N1 and the highly recommended puncheon and the pot of laced coffee to combat the virus. It was a straight case of kill or cure, good old time medicine: what doesn't kill does cure.
I see you have elevated your personal physician Dr Salts who regularly prescribes you the epsom derby kind of strong dosage to the House of Lords, an honour bestowed for services rendered. Now we can expect to see him fully outfitted in tails and derby seated in the Royal Box in company of Her Majesty on Derby Day at the races.
I see you are having some difficulty understanding the local terminology and concept of "vaps". Vaps is like whim or fancy. Eg. A Prime Minister who does things as the spirit moves him is said to govern by vaps. In other words, any old thing goes; without any thought process or plan or logic. Similar to vie qui vie (not sure of spelling) no method in the madness, haphazardly.
When Immigration officers question illegals who claim they are Trinis, they would ask them about places and names in T&T, may even ask them what is a "lime". If you answer " a smallish green or yellow citrus fruit, more alkaline than acid", you might get deported one time. Glad they haven't asked you about "vaps". There was an old calypso, by Blakie I think, about how the officer asked a suspect to say "box" and when he replied "bax", it was straight in the police van for deportation.
I didn't know that you were a disciple of Benny Hinn. Last time he was here I think he offended, if not insulted his patron and benefactor for believing in his high priestess and not in him. Do you attend his seances?
I was against the hosting of the Summit & CHOGM because I felt the $billion could be better spent on the country's needs. Now I hear that Browne saying it was money well spent as it improved relations between the US and Cuba and it will bring us huge rewards of investments as soon as the gestation period is over. Sounds like these sumiteers came, sowed their wild oats and we should have some results in nine months' time. Sounds like a lot of cock and bull to me.
Coming back to the swine flu problem, we should be experts by now with that swine-infested Cabinet. I remember in my student days reading Montesqieu's "Lettres Persanes" (Persian Letters). In one of the letters he wrote that Muslims were forbidden to eat pork because the swine was what came out of the elephant on Noah's ark. I think this was in the 18th letter. Of course, it's all satire. But if we are to believe the Baron, then the entire Cabinet was created from the evacuations of the elephant, according to the letter.
Have a good evening.
The Prince.
And Jerry has the Min of
And Jerry has the Min of Health given the Medical practitioners, advise and directions, called Health Guidelines? what to look for? what symptoms? what to advise? When do they apply the H1NI tablets? Dont the TT Min of Health have the Tamiflu tablets in stock that patients can get this even as a first attack on the H1NI. the A H1NI Vaccination, TT will be in short supply. So is Tamiflu in short supply also? Is this in the guidelines to apply Tamiflu tablets, first, at the first sign of a raging cough? Systems and guidelines should be in place.
So instead of trying to claw
So instead of trying to claw back control of the situation, Jerry wants an audit into the deaths of the first 4 swine flu victims. Already the doctors have complained that they can't cope due to lack of staff and an efficient protocol.
The picture in the Guardian today shows a handful of people waiting for tests and the accompanying report says it was frustration and lack of info which characterised the incident.
Jerry, jerry, jerry, where is your swine flu code of practice? Publish it please!
It impresses NO ONE that you want to investigate deaths. Please focus your efforts on diagnosis/treatment of the living. There will be more than enough time for witch-hunts when(IF!)you get your health system working what should be a simple plan at present!
JERRY GIVING WE A JERRY
JERRY GIVING WE A JERRY -
That's just Jerry being Jerry.
What a joke! Jerry is just
What a joke! Jerry is just Jerrymandering. Jerry is not a Doctor, he is not even qualified to be a Nurse. Jerry should be bathing dead at the Mortuary. Jerry's experience is in selling Insurance, and not even Health Insurance, but Car Insurance.
These idiots continue to make excuses while people are dying. Nothing will come of this probe. What happened to the Gladys Gaffoor probe of many years ago?
This is a typical "knee-jerk" reaction by the Government. Instead of pre-planning and being proactive, the Government is in the habit of closing the barn door after the animals are out. What a bunch of idiots, and a bigger bunch of idiots who continue to elect them.
What a joke! Jerry is just
What a joke! Jerry is just Jerrymandering. Jerry is not a Doctor, he is not even qualified to be a Nurse. Jerry should be bathing dead at the Mortuary. Jerry's experience is in selling Insurance, and not even Health Insurance, but Car Insurance.
These idiots continue to make excuses while people are dying. Nothing will come of this probe. What happened to the Gladys Gaffoor probe of many years ago?
This is a typical "knee-jerk" reaction by the Government. Instead of pre-planning and being proactive, the Government is in the habit of closing the barn door after the animals are out. What a bunch of idiots, and a bigger bunch of idiots who continue to elect them.
It seems to me that the
It seems to me that the government of T&T is trying to govern through PR only. Just a few months ago Mr Narace indicated that T&T is ready for the second wave of H1N1. After 4 deaths, he is now launching an investigation. Too little too late sir.
I have also noticed how quickly the PM makes a statement e.g the T&T success at the T20 cricket champions, but there is deafening silence on major issues like udecott and the chinese workers in T&T.
We need the PM and his ministers to focus on doing some real work instead of spending millions of dollars to cover up millions of dollars already wasted.
Carl
A contribution from
A contribution from commentary:
.And Epsom and Fairplay, I am
Submitted by DESMOND SMITH on 19 October 2009 - 9:14am.
And Epsom and Fairplay, I am so much disappointed in TT, its like not having running water to everyone in TT, a good public health system is forever for generations a need, a human right, in TT but we find money to help the Caribbean- showing off!! we big man!!!, we build awful tall structures in TT, have grandiose plans for smelters upon smelters but the Energy money does not help the PEOPLE of TT. Its a right shame that only 1 hospital is designated THE place to go for treatment.
In the UK we call up a hot line (well say no more , call up in TT?) but we get into a call centre in your urban area, designed by doctors and nurses and get advise and you give them your symptoms etc you answer a few questions, then you get a code # that your designated "swine flu friend" - your wife? can go get your Tamiflu at a pharmacy with this #,
SEE a developed country what it does? TT is going 2020 might as well be 4040. They dont want you at hospitals in the UK, there are signs on the doors saying "go home" like "get away" call the swine flu call center, dont even go to your doctor, its forbidden. TT learn, please learn for its citizens. Did you TT Govt ever talk to the UK about how they will handle this?. The UN says UK is best ready for swine flu but you did not talk to them about the systems.
You the MIn of Health should appear before a Health crimes Tribunal instead of investigating the doctors. You just did not set it up properly. systems systems systems are my pleas!!!!
Erratum
Erratum
Advertising agency executive Astra Da Costa died on Thursday of complications of A/H1N1.
I think readers will find that a) this was never confirmed, only speculated on and b) has been denied and clarified ie. Ms Da Costa's medical history.
La Diva