(Basseterre, St. Kitts) – In the wake of an assault at the Sands Complex on Feb. 15, the following release was issues in Feb. 19 by the Ministry of Health:
The General Public is informed that the Ministry of Health, Basseterre, has been advised of a recent threat of bodily harm to health care providers and a subsequent and related altercation at a private medical facility located in the Sands Complex.
The Ministry of Health is saddened to learn that an employee of the Sands Complex was injured in the said altercation and wishes him a speedy recovery.
The Ministry of Health condemns all acts of interpersonal violence including the latest incident which is one in a pattern of threats and intimidation against health care providers committed by misguided persons of our community.
In the prevailing sub-culture of disrespect and violence, all health care providers are subject to either threats or intimidation or both. The resulting levels of inter-personal violence involving slashing, stabbing and shootings negatively impacts the delivery of health care.
The following categories of providers have become frequent targets for verbal abuse and physical confrontation during the conduct of their service – Emergency Medical Technicians, plus personnel deployed in the Emergency Room, Operating Room, and at some In-patient Wards. Facility Administration and Ministry of Health officials have not been spared.
The Sands Complex incident proves that those bent on harming others will go to any length to commit unspeakable acts of verbal and physical violence.
The Ministry of Health believes that a threat to the limb and life of one health care provider is a threat to the entire health care sector, the country’s welfare and our image as a peaceful, civilized nation.
The Ministry of Health uses this opportunity to reiterate to all health care providers that all incidents of threat and intimidation no matter how trivial should be regarded as matters of the gravest seriousness that must be reported to the relevant authorities according to the procedures established for the same.
Over the years, the Ministry of Health has repeatedly requested the assistance of the public security and public safety agencies to ensure maximum protection of health care providers and the persons they serve. The Ministry of Health is confident that with the assistance of law abiding citizens, the public security and safety agencies, violence will be prevented and controlled.
The Ministry of Health encourages members of the General Public who have questions and comments about the quality of care rendered in public health care facilities to address them to the attending doctor or nurse, or to the administration of the facility. Officials in the Ministry of Health are also available to receive queries. All quality of care-related issues shall continue to be addressed in a timely and professional manner.
The Ministry of Health thanks the public for their expressions of concern and support, and craves continued guidance as all health care providers strive to provide the best possible quality of care in safe and secure facilities.
