By Sue-Ann Wayow
IT is shocking that private medical entities have no knowledge of any arrangement with the Supermarket Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT) to administer Covid-19 vaccines to its members.
This is according to Health Minister Terrance Deyalsingh who said he called two private institutions enquiring about such arrangements.
However, SATT’s President Rajiv Diptee said there was clearly a misunderstanding on the Minister’s part and he advising Deyalsingh to “just relax.”
Deyalsingh, in Parliament on Friday, stated that the government will not sacrifice the population’s safety for expeditious vaccination. His statement was accompanied by much desk thumping from the Government’s side.
He was responding to a question asked by Member of Parliament for Fyzabad Dr Lackram Bodoe.
Dr Bodoe asked, “In view of the publicly reported intentions of private entities such as ANSA McAL and the SATT to take responsibility for providing Covid- 19 vaccinations for their own employees, could the Minister indicate what process will be utilised to facilitate these entities?”
Deyalsingh in his response, read from copies of a letter he sent to both ANSA McAL and SATT indicating the ministry’s instructions.
He added, “In his (Rajiv Diptee’s) letter to me, he indicated that two private entities, medical associations have partnered with him to distribute these vaccines. When I called those private hospitals, they have absolutely no knowledge, no agreement with the Supermarket Association to distribute vaccines. So that issue seems to be clouded with controversy.
“It is dangerous to call a private medical institution as partnering with you and when the Minister of Health calls that institution to verify, they claim absolutely no knowledge of that,” Deyalsingh said.
Diptee told AZPNews.com that communication has been taking place with various entities and the letter sent to the Ministry of Health was an “Expression of Intent,” in which SATT sought the ministry’s advice on the procurement and distribution of Covid-19 vaccines. He confirmed that a copy of Deyalsingh’s response was received this week.
He said, “Our message was very clear. We expressed hope for continued dialogue. We are presently exploring relationships with local providers and healthcare providers because the doctors and nurses have to be the ones to administer the vaccines.
“Discussions have been taking place. Some have evolved more than others. However, nothing is yet set in writing. We are not in a position to say we have finalised any contract with anybody.”
Diptee said Deyalsingh misunderstood the contents of the letter and SATT’s media releases concerning the issue.
He said, “Deyalsingh is a little bit stressed and tired right now and he should just relax.”
Deyalsingh in his letter read that the policy of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago was that only World Health Organization (WHO) authorised vaccines may be imported through a local distributor. If the vaccine was being sourced through any other third party, it should be identified and the necessary documents provided.
The Ministry of Health also requires specific information on the Covid-19 vaccine batch numbers and expiry dates and evidence of the cold chain maintenance.
