So, while the COVID numbers are soaring to record highs for 2021, a big question mark is hanging over the Ministry of Health. As we've been reporting, the country's biggest hospital, the KHMH hasn't been getting a steady supply of key meds and equipment from the Ministry of Health. One doctor told us this has been costing lives.
So what's the holdup at the Ministry of Health? Today we asked the Minster of Health for an answer:
Reporter
"Sir, can you tell us quickly what's the plan to address the medicine shortages at KHMH specifically about the anesthesia that we understand that the KHMH is struggling to afford?"
Hon. Michel Chebat, Minister of Health and Wellness
"I think we need to understand that KHMH is managing authority. They are independent of the ministry of health and wellness, The Ministry of Health and Wellness, the government gives them a subsidy of 2.4 million dollars per month and it is expected that they are going to be able to manage appropriately. Now the government and the ministry of health also provides them with medication and medical equipment. I can tell you that last week Friday alone we provided them with over a hundred and twenty thousand dollars' worth of medication. No, it is no secret that supplies are not the way it used to be before. Even getting supplies into the country, shipping has become more difficult and because of the covid pandemic, even the products are more difficult to come by and so that is another challenge that we are having. However, we have ordered some of these medications and we are expecting in the short term to have those in country."
Reporter
"So, would you say that persons who try to lay blame at the ministry of health - is that an unfair position to take?"
Hon. Michel Chebat, Minister of Health and Wellness
"Listen, when you have a board and a managing authority they need to step up and take responsibility for the management of the hospital and that is where the responsibility lies. As far as we are concerned, the ministry of health and wellness is doing all that it can to support them and we will continue to do that."
