Deyalsingh: Hospital security to be examined

HEALTH Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said ways of improving security at the nation's public hospitals will be examined.

He made this comment in response to a hospital employee being shot outside the Arima General Hospital on Monday.

Marvin Safe, 29, was killed in the car park around 6.30 am when he arrived at work.

Speaking with Newsday after the opening of the San Fernando Parkade, which is close to the San Fernando General Hospital, Deyalsingh said, "My deepest condolences to the family of Mr Marvin Safe."

He said North-Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) CEO Davlin Thomas alerted him to the incident around 6.30 am.

Thomas, Deyalsingh continued, went immediately to find out what had happened.

"In the aftermath, we recognised that employees would need counselling because it was a shock to them. That is already in place."

Deyalsingh said Thomas "is looking at how we could enhance the security arrangements (at the hospital)."

He disclosed that security arrangements will be examined with respect to other hospitals under the regional health authorities (RHAs).

"That is something that we have to do."

Deyalsingh planned to meet with the private companies which provide security for those hospitals within the next two weeks.

He said the objective would be to see "how we could do security smarter and better."

This may not necessarily only involve more security guards.

Deyalsingh said the use of technology and other security measures would be looked at.