We cannot see about homeless

CHAIRMAN of the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation Anthony Roberts said it was not under the remit of the corporation to look after the homeless or look after their needs. He said this fell under the Ministry of Social Development.

This subject came up after a man, obviously homeless, was found outside of a bank at the Croisee in San Juan with wounds that were infected. The man was no longer there and checks made with the North West Regional Health Authority could not confirm if the man was taken in for treatment.

“There is homelessness througout the country, but this case was not brought to my attention. What we do is refer the matter to Social Development, and it is not the councillors remit either. It is not something that you go looking for and if it does come to their attention it would be referred to Social Development,” Roberts said.

Several calls made to Social Development Minister Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn and Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh were not returned.

Secretary for the Psychiatrists Association, Dr Varma Deyalsingh, said the homeless were dealt with by their level of aggression.

He said there was a team that determined whether someone should be sent to the St Ann’s Psychiatric Hospital or for medical help.

Deyalsingh said there should be a team of medical personnel and police to deal with the homeless.

He said there had to be an establishment to determine whether a person was “insane” or needed medical help.

Deyalsingh said there could have been a mental team who could have checked on the person. He said many were homeles because their families did not want them because of their addictions or violent behaviour.