By Sue-Ann Wayow
WHY have there been a surge in Covid-19 related deaths over the past 80 days?
And those who died, did they all have to die?
These are the questions asked by former education minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh during a media conference held by the Opposition on Sunday.
Dr Gopeesingh called for comprehensive information regarding the 1,039 deaths reported by the Ministry of Health.
He said there must be reasons to why over 850 deaths were reported in May, June and July this year.
“Nearly ten deaths per day at an average, have we asked at all, why has there been a surge in deaths over the last eighty days and how many of the lives could have been saved. Did the 850 citizens who died, did they all have to die?” he asked.
Dr Gopeesingh said better care and responsibility seem to needed at the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and the High Dependency Units (HDUs) at the hospitals designated for Covid-19 patients including Couva, Caura, Arima and Augustus Long Hospital in Pointe-a-Pierre.
“How many have been admitted to these units and how many are fortunate to be alive today? No answer has been forthcoming so how are we to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of medical care in ICU and HDU.”
Dr Gopeesingh added, “Did they die at home? How many died in the ambulances while being transported to the hospital? Did they die in the emergency tents at the San Fernando General Hospital, the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex and the General Hospital in Port-of-Spain. Those answers are not forthcoming.”
Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh had said that more medical personnel were needed and hired especially in those critical departments during the Covid-19 pandemic.
On Saturday he said over the past year, some 42 ICU nurses from Cuba were hired “to supplement the shortfall of ICU nurses in Trinidad and Tobago.”
And Dr Gopeesingh also lamented that T&T was way behind the level of vaccination in comparison to other Caribbean countries.
