An outbreak of infection at the Geriatric Hospital has prompted strong criticism from the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), which is accusing the Government of negligence and calling for full disclosure on the circumstances that led to the situation.
In response, Senator Andre Worrell, the DLP’s Spokesperson for Health and Wellness, issued a statement on behalf of the party, demanding accountability from both Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and Minister of Health Ian Gooding-Edghill.
Below is the full statement from Senator Worrell:
“The Democratic Labour Party condemns in the strongest possible terms the Government’s reckless negligence that has allowed a preventable infection to spread through the Geriatric Hospital. Our most vulnerable citizens—and their families—deserve nothing less than a full, unvarnished account of how this crisis was permitted to develop. Instead of hiding behind half-measures and press-release platitudes, the Prime Minister and Health Minister must explain exactly how many patients and staff have been infected, the detailed timeline of events leading up to the outbreak, and all internal correspondence on budget cuts, supply shortages and staffing levels.
This scandal did not arise by accident. It was born of years of underfunding at the Ministry of Health, repeated warnings from professionals that were callously ignored, and chronic shortages of personal protective equipment and essential medicines. If the Health Minister cannot demonstrate that he did not mislead Parliament when he boasted that our hospitals were ‘fully resourced,’ then he has no choice but to resign.
Rumours of protocol lapses and facility neglect have already spread fear across every community. Rather than blame front-line nurses and doctors, the Government must release all inspection reports for the past five years, convene an independent Commission of Inquiry led by an impartial jurist, and guarantee full whistle-blower protection for any staff member who raises safety concerns.
Every family in Barbados has the right to know that our elderly are treated with the dignity and care they deserve—and that no political calculation will ever trump public safety. The DLP will fight for a dedicated Geriatric Care Fund with ring-fenced budget lines, binding national standards for infection control in all long-term care facilities.
This is the inevitable outcome of years of misplaced priorities and patronage: a health system that fails those who built our nation. Only the Democratic Labour Party combines the moral authority, professional expertise and political courage to restore trust in our hospitals. We demand immediate action, full accountability and a clear path to reform. Let the Prime Minister and the Ministers of Health answer these charges—or face the judgment of the Barbadian people.”
