Terrence: More newborns survive now

NINETY-FOUR more newborn babies have survived under the tenure of this Government than for an equivalent period under the former government, claimed Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh.

On Tuesday in the Senate, he denied as “totally erroneous” claims that inexperienced staff are replacing experienced nurses at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Mt Hope Hospital, and then used the occasion to claim 40 per cent fewer newborns have died than under the former government.

Deyalsingh said the death rate had fallen from 13.5 deaths per 1,000 newborns to fewer than eight per 1,000.

“Ninety-four more babies are going home with their parents, having survived. Ninety-four more bundles of joy.”

Deyalsingh boasted that TT is now 12 years ahead of schedule in meeting these Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations.

“This news goes unrecognised,” he said, praising the nurses at Mt Hope.

The minister said far fewer mothers are dying at hospital, a fact that also put this country 12 years ahead of schedule in achieving the SDGs.

Opposition Senator Wade Mark commented, “The systems, policies and plans would have been put in place by the previous administration so you could reap the benefit."

Deyalsingh let out a derisive laugh, retorting, “You did nothing.”