TRHA builds capacity for covid19 patients

The Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA) is ramping up its capacity to treat covid19 positive patients in Tobago.

At present, covid19 patients in Tobago requiring extensive treatment are transported via a Coast Guard vessel to Trinidad. To date, three people on the island have tested positive for covid19.

Speaking to reporters on Friday during a tour of the island's isolation facilities at the Scarborough General Hospital and Tobago Rehabilitation and Empowerment Centre, Fort King George, Ag Medical Chief of Staff Dr Victor Wheeler acknowledged there have been some concerns about transporting certain types of patients to Trinidad by boat.

However, he said the THRA has been addressing this issue."We have increased our capacity to keep patients in Tobago because God forbid Tobago gets cut off and we can't transport anyone, we have to build our capacity to look after our residents in Tobago," he said."And we have done that in a way that safeguards the persons who are positive and also ensures the safety of other patients needing hospital care right now."Wheeler said since the onset of the covid19 pandemic on the island, the Scarborough General Hospital has essentially been divided into two streams of health care."One stream for persons who are not covid. You can continue with your normal care. We have a separate ICU (Intensive Care Unit) for persons who are covid.

"It is better to be prepared for the worst but hope for the best. We are prepared in the event we cannot transport anybody at all. We have built our capacity to manage ourselves in Tobago."Wheeler also responded to the view that the old Scarborough Hospital at Fort King George could be refurbished to care for covid19 patients.

Firstly, he said the TRHA has limited staff, which must be used in the most cost-effective way."The current hospital as it is allows that and facilitates that."Secondly, Wheeler noted the old hospital has been unoccupied for over ten years."There was a reason we vacated it because it was rundown and the type of work that is needed to be done to improve it to a current hospital, it would not take place in a couple of months."Wheeler said the plan is to provide safe, effective care for covid positive patients at Scarborough General Hospital."It will also provide safe, effective care for persons who have not tested positive for covid."