THE only general hospital in Tobago, the Scarborough General Hospital must be protected from further spread of Covid-19 and has deferred some of its services temporarily.
The Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA) in a press release issued on Friday said that the adjustments were also in response to national adjustments brought on by the mandatory conditions of the State of Emergency.
It is urging the public to stay away from the main hospital unless there is an emergency.
The TRHA stated, “The temporary deferment of services is to reduce the flow of persons through the hospital to prevent the possible spread of Covid-19, while persons may be accessing health care services. Elective and non-critical health care matters will be deferred in the short-term until the risks of the Covid-19 spread have been significantly reduced. The adjustment to services will be reviewed in a few weeks.”
Interim TRHA Chief Executive Officer Westly Orr: “We must protect the island’s only hospital. This is only a short-term, interim arrangement and there are alternative choices for health care services through the health centres.”
There are 18 health facilities on the island. Tobago has the highest number of health facilities per capita in the Western Hemisphere.
The adjusted services include the deferment of Outpatient Clinics and elective surgeries. Ward reviews are deferred, except for antenatal ward reviews for pregnant women, which will be done on Saturdays and Sundays.
For urgent cases only, surgeries, ultrasound scans, CT scans, and X-rays will continue.
For more information, the public can contact 660- 4744.
