Skeldon Hospital medical staff sit-in...Lack of communication blamed on drug shortage

Skeldon Hospital medical staff sit-in…Lack of communication blamed on drug shortage

Apr 11, 2018 News

Just a day after medical personnel including nurses and doctors from the Accident and Emergency Unit at the Skeldon Public Hospital staged a sit-in that was fueled by frustration over a shortage of drugs and medical supplies, the Ministry of Public Health, Materials Management Unit (MMU) and Health Service officials hosted a press briefing.
According to Director of Health, Jevaughn Stephens, one major barrier that would have led to the shortage was “the importance of communication or the lack of thereof”. He reiterated that there is an urgent need to improve “our communication internally.”
He admitted that it is the Ministry’s responsibility to ensure that the regional pharmacies at the facilities exercise, “very good communication.”
If a situation arises that Skeldon has a shortage then other medical institutions can supply on a temporary basis. Stephens said when communication improves, “we will be having a reduction of shortages throughout the region.”
He added that the consumption list was prepared for the 2018 Budget. “Since then, there have been some changes in society that sparked the usage higher.” He added that planning has to be restructured based on the changes in society (the closure of estates on the East Berbice Corentyne).
When questioned about the period of time he would have had knowledge of the shortage at the medical institution, Stephens said: “I received an update, on the list from the Skeldon Hospital (Monday), however, I was not in the region to look into it right away.”

The health officials at the press briefing (from left): Alex Foster, Focal Point MOH; Dr. Vineshri Kirodhar, Medical Superintendent, New Amsterdam Hospital; Jevaughn Stephens, Director of Health Services Berbice; Oniel Atkins and MMU official

Medical staff from the Skeldon Hospital during the meeting yesterday

The Health Director disclosed that as a result of the situation on Tuesday, it was decided that a Therapeutic Committee will take shape to advise on the basic illnesses across the region, how the illnesses are monitored and the type of drugs needed. He added that a meeting was held with Mr. Alex Foster, Focal Point to the Ministry of Health and the staff at the hospital in his absence on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Director of Pharmacy Mr. Oneil Atkins said that the Skeldon Hospital Pharmacy has “some 60 percent of the drugs” needed to function. He is adamant that Monday’s ‘sit in’ by A&E physicians was unwarranted and their claim of a serious shortage of drugs, which hampered their work “was a gross misrepresentation of the facts.”
He admitted however, that there is a “problem with medical supplies” at the Region Six medical institution. The problem, Atkins said, is created by inadequate forecasting, the first step in planning which leads to accuracy of anticipated needs, by Skeldon Hospital officials.

The staff of the Skeldon Hospital will be “beefed up” according to Atkins, who further outlined some of the other decisions taken at Tuesday’s meeting.
He said other strengthening measures will include ensuring two additional qualified pharmacists are recruited and posted to serve the Region while another will be stationed permanently at the Skeldon Hospital Pharmacy.
“Clear lines of communication are also to be established for collaboration and cooperation,” at the hospital in the ‘Ancient County’, Atkins said.
Atkins, Foster, and MMU officials were part of a team, which visited the Skeldon Hospital and held discussions with employees and Regional officials in a bid to get a more accurate assessment of the hospital’s current and future needs.
The A&E staff at the Skeldon Hospital has since resumed work and emergency medical supplies and drugs were being transported to Berbice since yesterday, Stephens confirmed.

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