NCRHA Workers Protest Conditions, Call for Chairman’s Removal

NCRHA Workers Protest Conditions, Call for Chairman’s Removal

“Tim must go!” chanted disgruntled workers of the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) yesterday during a protest outside the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope. Staff are demanding the removal of NCRHA chairman Dr Tim Gopeesingh, citing mismanagement and severe shortages of essential consumables.

Public Services Association (PSA) industrial relations officer Kesta Thomas said medical, technical, and auxiliary workers have reached a breaking point after years of neglect. “We are here because I got a call that staff at the NCRHA are very disgruntled. They have been suffering for far too long,” Thomas said.

Thomas outlined multiple operational issues, describing many as “low-hanging fruit” that should have been resolved long ago. These included malfunctioning elevators, shortages in the kitchen, and missing basic items such as cups, milk, and baking supplies.

More critically, the shortages extend to clinical stores, affecting items vital for patient care. “Lab sponges, suction tubing, and the blue paper used for surgery are nil. These are serious items used for operations,” Thomas said. He also noted shortages in commercial stores, including food items, needles, and syringes.

Thomas emphasized that re-sterilizing consumables is not an option. “We represent the World Health Organisation standards, and re-sterilising consumables is a no-no,” he said. He added that staff have been forced to borrow supplies from other RHAs to maintain services. “Without these basic necessities, healthcare will be affected. Nurses and doctors cannot give medication on time. Patients’ diets are compromised. There is no proper flow in the system.”

Workers represented by the PSA and the Trinidad and Tobago National Nursing Association (TTNNA) are set to receive a 10% wage increase. “Thirteen years of struggle and hardship must come to an end,” Thomas said.

A hospital worker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said conditions have deteriorated over several years. “There are no booths, no equipment. We have to beg for uniforms and borrow tools. We don’t even have paint to paint the hospital. There are nurse shortages, and patient care must improve,” they said.

Chairman Responds

Dr Tim Gopeesingh dismissed claims of widespread shortages, insisting there is “absolutely no shortage of critical clinical items” and that patient care remains unaffected. In a WhatsApp exchange with the Express, he said the protests were largely related to PSA wage negotiations, with other complaints being incidental.

He outlined measures taken to improve supply management, including introducing a centralized system to prevent pilfering. “We have ensured that there is a common area for all matters related to stores. Many people are affected because of this, because of a previous type of misdemeanour,” Gopeesingh said. He added that during the Christmas period, almost $2 million was saved through improved controls on the purchase and use of supplies.

On wage negotiations, Gopeesingh said the matter falls under the Ministry of Health, noting that meetings have been held with all RHA CEOs. “Several unions have been requesting meetings, but wage negotiations are strictly an administrative responsibility of the Ministry of Health,” he said.

While tensions remain high among NCRHA staff, the dispute highlights ongoing challenges in resource management, staff welfare, and operational efficiency within the health authority.

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