THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL (QEH) is set to make an even greater improvement to its plant and equipment, through an additional $20 million from the Ministry of Finance. Minister of Health Donville Inniss, who made the disclosure yesterday, said much more was needed to address clinical care at the facility.
However, he conceded that the money provided a “good start” for improvements expected in all QEH departments to reduce waiting time.
Inniss made the comments during a service at the Covenant Life Teaching Centre in Green Hill, St Michael.
Inniss, who was invited by the Cancer Support Services (CSS) to take part in its 15th anniversary celebrations, pointed out that the Radiotherapy Department would be among those benefiting from the $20 million.
Pointing out that cancer was one of the leading causes of death in Barbados, Inniss said it was “time to raise the bar” with respect to medical care.
He admitted that he was not pleased with some developments in the Radiotherapy Department.
“I have spoken to the chief executive officer [Dexter James] and chairman of the board [Rev. Guy Hewitt] and instructed them to do whatever we can with the limited resources to make improvements to that department,” he reported.
“I have visited that department from time to time to see for myself what is happening and I must say that I am not quite pleased.“I have expressed my concerns to those charged with that institution and I believe that we shall see coming forth some improvement, certainly where the state is involved.”Inniss, addressing concerns about cancer care at QEH, said there was a need to procure additional equipment and human resources to address the challenges.
“Only this week one of the vital pieces of equipment was down, but we were able to get some help in getting it fixed, but there is lots more to be done,” he said.Inniss praised the work being done by the CSS and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Acting vice president Deborah Gittens said the CSS offered support to the growing numbers of cancer patients through grief counseling, financial assistance for those who need medication and annual school grants to children whose parents were diagnosed with cancer.
