FROM THE DESK OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

By way of introduction, my name is Emma Herry-Thompson and I am currently sitting in the Chief Medical Officer’s Chair. It is a very “Hot Seat”, a mammoth task with many challenges but my vision for healthcare in Grenada over shadows the discomfort.

For many years, friendly governments, organizations, and strangers have assisted with attempts to improve our healthcare services and we should be eternally thankful. The time has come when we as a people must make sacrifices to help ourselves. We cannot depend solely on Government or politicians.

Healthcare from my vantage point is on “life support.” Let us not engage in frivolous debates or arguments about ‘who caused what’ or ‘if I were, this would not etc, etc.’ Let us as a people take some constructive action and try to resuscitate our healthcare system.

Grenada belongs to all of us and no one knows what the future holds. I want to make a difference hence the reason for crawling out of my ‘private cocoon’, and I pray that my bold step would encourage many to get on board.

Many of us are fortunate to be able to access healthcare services outside of Grenada but I want each and everyone hearing or reading this broadcast to think of the following scenarios or questions.

JR is a wealthy businessman who was involved in a serious motor vehicle accident sustaining multiple injuries warranting immediate surgery and several units of blood.

JR may have suffered a massive stroke or even a heart attack; he has enough money or means to be air-lifted off island but must be stabilized before transfer.

Where will JR be admitted for care?
Is the necessary equipment for the management of JR available at the Hospital?
Is there an adequate supply of blood in the Blood Bank?

The following medical equipment is urgently needed at the General Hospital or I should say desperately needed:

    Ventilator System for Neonates and children
    A C-Arm Fluoroscope
    An Ultrasound Machine
    An X-Ray Machine
    An Anaesthesia machine

We the people will embark on a project to get our brand new equipment to furnish our hospital.
Priority needs to be given to the Paediatric Ventilator. I have a quotation for EC $76,000.00.
Let us look at the math:

    76000 Grenadians giving one dollar
    38000 persons giving two dollars
    15200 persons giving five dollars
    7600 persons giving ten dollars
    3800 persons giving twenty dollars
    1520 persons giving fifty dollars
    760 persons giving one hundred dollars

I am sure by now you have the picture. Let us try to get that piece of equipment for the young ones. We will take one step at a time.  In the interim I will get quotations for the others.

The Surgery Club at SGU has always donated to good projects. The executive members have agreed that account number 553-6503 through RBTT may be used for donating funds.

I want to thank all in anticipation of a positive response, as we continue to “Put Health First!”

Sincerely,


Emma Herry-Thompson
Chief Medical Officer