By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE Ministry of Health will be assisting with providing manpower for the expansion of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Scarborough General Hospital in Tobago.
The expansion began as a result of overwhelming ICU cases due to the Covid-19 virus.
At Tobago’s Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development, the division’s secretary Tracy Davidson-Celestine said the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (UDeCOTT) was the project manager for the facility that will be able to house six to seven more beds.
She added that the cost of the project will be provided at a later date.
The ICU section can presently hold up to five patients at a time.
Acting Medical Chief of Staff at the hospital Dr Victor Wheeler said presently, up to three beds were also available for ICU patients at the Accident and Emergency Department of the hospital.
The procurement process has already begun for items and the new department should be handed over to the Tobago Regional Health Authority in the next coming weeks, Davidson-Celestine said.
Dr Wheeler said, “We do have a plan to start the unit. We are being assisted by the Ministry of Health in providing the necessary staff to start. This is already in train and what we are just waiting for is for the facility to be complete.”
Davidson- Celestine said, “Based on information, most of the equipment are already in Tobago and it is very easy for those equipment to be then installed.”
However, she said, “The only challenge that we might have is regards to oxygen in terms of having the compressor on the island at that particular time when that facility is finished. There is a short-term measure to treat with oxygen supply at the facility.”
Davidson-Celestine also said while getting medical staff for other facilities were a challenge, interviews were being conducted.
