The National Trade Union Centre, NATUC, is calling on the Health Minister and Chief Medical Officer to address what it refers to as the disturbing news of possible spread of COVID-19 at the St. Ann’s Hospital.

Authorities have, in the past, denied there were any positive cases at the hosptital however NATUC says it was “reliably informed” that a hospital employee tested positive on August 22nd.

Read the full statement issued by the union below:

The National Trade Union Centre (NATUC) wishes to address the disturbing news as it relates to the possibility of COVID-19 spread at the St Ann’s Psychiatric Hospital.

Having obtained information, NATUC carefully verified that the Medical Director of the North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) attached to the St Ann’s Hospital stated in a memorandum on August 28th, 2020, that “there is no COVID-19 on any ward which has been rumoured by some members of staff.” However, factual information NATUC received has contradicted the Medical Director’s official statement. 

NATUC has been able to verify that a member of staff was tested for COVID-19 on August 18th and received results on August 22nd, 2020, which confirmed the employee was positive.

NATUC wishes to point out to the Minister of Health, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), and all health institutions that straightforwardness, honesty, transparency and communication are fundamental to the arresting and addressing COVID-19. Any misrepresentations or attempt to hide the facts from the general public is unfortunate, unprofessional, and does not fit into the “new normal” of the COVID-19 pandemic.

NATUC is calling on the CMO and Minister of Health to make a public statement on this matter. We need to know whether there are positive cases at St. Ann’s Hospital and whether the environment there is conducive to helping the country flatten the COVID-19 curve.

NATUC is advised that workers are forced to work long unhealthy hours which bring about fatigue, which has been discovered as one of the major contributors to nurses and doctors coming down with illnesses.

We must remember that the frontline healthcare workers are not only to be praised publicly but there must be tangible processes, mechanisms, and provisions in place so that those workers are protected. 

NATUC strongly believes everything must be done to ensure healthcare workers going out to work do so in safe environments and their health and safety are not compromised.

NATUC is aware this is a unique time and therefore makes the distinctive call again for the tripartite approach in this COVID matter. 

COVID-19 is not only a health matter but also a social and economic one and NATUC will continue to make the point that all social and stakeholder partners must come together to properly address the pandemic issues and come up with solutions in the best interest of Trinidad and Tobago.

We made this call in January 2020 and to date, no one has heeded the call from NATUC, even we witness the increase in cases which will have consequences for workers and the disadvantaged community.

Again, NATUC calls on the Minister of Health and CMO to make a public statement on the St. Ann’s Hospital and all other hospitals where there are issues. 

We are certain in NATUC that the Public Services Association is going to do what is necessary to ensure that the healthcare workers are carefully protected and to bring all the disinformation and misinformation to the general public.