Secretary of Health in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Tracy Davidson-Celestine is being called upon to respond to claims that bio-medical waste was discovered at the old Scarborough hospital in a poor state.
The allegation was raised by Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) deputy political leader Dr Faith B. Yisrael who shared a 45-second video on a PDP WhatsApp media group.
The video purported to show piles of bio-medical waste strewn on the ground in a room and walkway at the old Scarborough General Hospital, Fort King George, Scarborough.
Red-coloured garbage bags and plastic containers, with what seemed like medical waste, were piled high in a room with an unlocked door, spilling over into the corridor.
Speaking to Guardian Media, on the situation via telephone, Yisrael said the PDP received information about the pile-up of waste at the medical facility on previous occasions but said it was the first time she had seen it.
“The TRHA (Tobago Regional Health Authority) and the Division (of Health) has always denied that there is a problem with disposing medical waste. However, we have gotten reports before, but it is the first time I am seeing the situation first-hand,” she told Guardian Media.
“We are horrified at the situation. In my professional opinion, this is totally unacceptable,” she added.
In May, as the then newly installed Secretary of Health and leader of the PNM Tobago Council, Davidson-Celestine told reporters the hospital at Signal Hill had stopped using its incinerator as nearby residents had complained of the smoke posing a threat to their health.
She said the burning of waste was to take place at the old hospital.
Up to news time, Davidson-Celestine had not responded to Guardian’s Media’s request for information on the PDP’s claims.