An alternative Accident & Emergency (A&E) facility in Point Fortin is scheduled to be in operation during this coming week.
Reliable sources, speaking on conditions of anonymity, told Southtrini News, preparation work at the former Petrotrin Main Office building, located next to the Point Fortin Police Station, is basically completed and an announcement regarding it being opened to the public, should be made by the relevant authorities within the coming week.
The facility will comprise a triage area along with additional beds for extended care patients and will accommodate delivery of babies.
There were concerns regarding the reduction in Covid 19 deaths and the associated depleting infection rate, lowering the need for hospitalization. Such scenario was considered as rendering the need for an additional facility as useless. However, it was determined that the new Point Fortin hospital may remain as a Covid 19 treatment facility for at least the next three (3) months, providing that the reduction in cases continues trending downward and since emergencies cannot be predicted, its best to put the alternative A&E facility into operation.
Southtrini News inquired, why hasn’t any of the official authorities such as the South West Regional Authority (SWRHA) or the Ministry of Health, made any official public pronouncement on this development? Our source indicated; they are not quite certain why.
Background: The newly constructed $1.2B Point Fortin Hospital, was officially opened in July 2020 but was only put into full usage in March 2021. On May 21st this year, the public was notified that the new hospital would now be used to treat Covid 19 patients only. This development effectively denied residents of the southwestern peninsular, access to any 24hr emergency healthcare. Persons seeking emergency treatment were informed that they had to go to the San Fernando General Hospital. Point Fortin patients who went to San Fernando, reported that their medical records were not transferred and were told to walk with their records.
On May 30th Christine Sumrah of Granville Village Cedros, delivered her baby in a vehicle, enroute to the San Fernando General Hospital. Residents of Point Fortin and environs took to social media in vast numbers to complain about the neglect they are receiving. Within 24hrs of the baby’s story, an announcement was made by the SWRHA, informing the residents that the Point Fortin Health Center, would be in operation on a 24hr schedule. However, residents complained that when they went to the Health Center for emergency treatment at night time after normal operating hours, they were informed that it’s not a walk-in service.
Southtrini News will update this story as it develops