In a bid to address mounting complaints from visitors to the nation’s hospitals and healthcare facilities, the Grenada Cabinet led by Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell has agreed to initiate the formation of a complaints committee.
The decision was announced by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health with responsibility for Strategic and Operational Management of the General Hospital and Subsidiary Hospitals Naomi Jeremiah during a special press conference convened by Health Minister Johnathan La Crette in St. George’s on Wednesday.
“We, as a ministry, did not take these complaints lightly. So, we approached our Cabinet to implement a complaints committee,” stated PS Jeremiah, who acknowledged concerns raised by many individuals, who took to social media to vent their frustrations.”
She explained that the committee, consisting of seven (7) members, will thoroughly review the complaints brought to the attention of the medical fraternity.
Their mandate is to provide redress and make recommendations to the relevant authorities.
This decision comes in response to widespread criticisms regarding the slow delivery of healthcare services and reports of neglectful conduct in medical wards.
Disturbing incidents, including accidental deaths, particularly involving newborns and infants at the St. George’s General Hospital, have raised serious concerns among the public.
PS Jeremiah used Wednesday’s platform to publicly apologise to all affected persons on behalf of the Ministry of Health.
“I would like to apologise to all persons in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique who at some point or the other felt hurt because of the actions of a few,” she said while also acknowledging that “there has also been a number of unfortunate deaths at medical facilities.”
“My deepest sympathies to (the families of) persons who recently passed, and we want you to know that our support is with you 100%.”
The PS also expressed optimism that complaints will be addressed in a timely manner.
With this proactive step, the ministry aims to restore public confidence in the healthcare system.