By Sue-Ann Wayow

THE Ministry of Health has released its report on its first 100 days in office since May 1.

Led by Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe and Minister in the Ministry of Health Dr Rishad Seecharan, the ministry has reported many strides, most of which have already been made public.

The 100-day report is part of the government’s policy agenda for health, entitled “Healthcare Reform,” to ensure that all citizens receive proper healthcare.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in her government’s report at a United National Congress (UNC) meeting on August 11 announced that all ministries would be required to produce their own report on what was accomplished during her government’s first 100 days since the April 28, general election victory.

Topping the list of the Health Ministry’s achievements was the amendment of the Children’s Life Fund Act, 2025, an initiative announced by Persad-Bissessar in her first post Cabinet meeting on May 8.

This, in addition to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with the government of India during India Prime Minister Narendra Modi visit to Trinidad in July.

On June 24, 2025, the Children’s Life Fund Act was amended to include the provision of funding for children who needed to seek private or international intervention for medical conditions that were not necessarily life-threatening, but severely impacted quality of life and considered “life-limiting.”

Under the amended Act, funding would now be provided for “life-limiting” conditions such as single ventricle diseases of the heart, sickle cell disease, inherited bone marrow failure syndromes and certain blood and lymphatic cancers.

The Act now allows the Minister of Health to approve grants not exceeding $1.5 million in “exceptional circumstances” and also allows the minister to review applications rejected by the board, and affirm, annul or vary their decision.

Also, as promised, on July 1, 2025, the Ministry of Health and the Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) expanded access to healthcare services from the existing six to 12 health centres across Trinidad.

These existing health centres include: Diego Martin, Woodbrook, San Juan, Arouca, La Horquetta and St. Helena, while the new health centres included Valencia, Cumunto, Biche, Morgua, Penal and Cedros.

The extended hours are from 4 pm to 8 pm Monday to Friday and from 8 am to 4 pm on Saturdays.

On June 5, 2025,  a CDAP Review Committee was formed with a mandate to, in the first instance, review the list of CDAP items to ensure cost-effectiveness, clinical alignment with the Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) and thereafter, assess the potential for modernisation in the management of CDAP.

On July 31, 2025, Cabinet approved the recommendation of the interim report.

During June/July 2025, the Ministry of Health conducted an assessment of the dental services at public health facilities and developed a plan to procure critical dental tools and diagnostic equipment for facilities under four RHAs, many of which currently operate with inadequate or outdated equipment.

The acquisition of modern dental equipment is expected to deliver several benefits.

The MOH is seeking to address existing gaps in dental infrastructure, standardise clinical capabilities across facilities, and expand access to high-quality oral healthcare services for the population.

Equipment will be provided to 37 facilities, three at NWRHA, nine  at ERHA, nine  at NCRHA and 16 in SWRHA.

On May 26, a committee to focus on elective surgery backlogs across Trinidad’s RHAs was formed.

Presently, there is a backlog in the areas of ophthalmology – 4,637, general surgery -3,564, orthopedics – 1,610, gynaecology – 977 and urology – 515.

The ministry’s report stated, “The objective of the project is to conduct a comprehensive review of the surgical waiting lists across all major specialties, identify region-specific challenges, and document ongoing or proposed mitigation strategies within each RHA, namely; SWRHA, NWRHA, NCRHA, and ERHA.”

The report of the committee is being finalised and the implementation of the proposed interventions will commence shortly, the ministry informed.

Also, during the 100 days period, the regional health authority boards were installed from July 25.

On July 21,  the Ministry of Health collaborated with PAHO and the Trinidad and Tobago Medical Association to conduct a Hansen’s Disease Training Series aimed to equip 118 medical professionals with the tools to detect early signs of Hansen’s Disease and ensure timely referrals for diagnosis and treatment as part of continued support.

In May, both health ministers reviewed the plan for the decentralisation of mental health and it is being finalised.

In a coordinated approach, with various ministries, mosquito-borne diseases, particularly dengue fever is being addressed.

In June 2025, there was the commencement of enhancement works of the Insect Vector Control Division, St. Ann’s Workstation to allow for operational readiness in the fight against vector-borne diseases. The project involves comprehensive upgrades to the facility to restore it to a fully functional and modern standard. The works are ongoing with a projected completion date of September 2025.

The operationalisation of the National Therapeutic and Resource Centre for Persons with Disabilities is also expected to begin in September.

Discussions have also begun to have the implementation of the online system for the registration of births and deaths.

On July 4, 2025, Prime Minister Modi signed the MOU with the government for recognising Indian Pharmacopoeia, which will provide enhanced access to high-quality Indian generic medicines for the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

Further, he announced that in the coming months, a prosthetic limb fitment camp for 800 individuals and will be donating of 20 Haemodialysis Units and two Sea ambulances.

On June 17, the US donated medical equipment, including hospital gurneys, to the Port of Spain General Hospital and San Fernando General and Teaching Hospitals through USSOUTHCOM and the Continuing Promise 2025 Medical Mission.

And most recently, the humanitarian initiative led by the United States Navy Ship (USNS) COMFORT will commenced from August 5 to 11 with the provision of free medical, dental, veterinary and biomedical clinics.